An Operating System is the basic software that manages a PC. It controls how the hardware behaves, the communication with peripherals including a monitor, a printer or a keyboard, the allocation of memory between apps, plus the prioritization of apps if multiple ones run at once. Each and every program which is installed on a computer operates by sending requests to the OS for various services using an application program interface (API). The communication with the OS is possible through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) or a command line. In the hosting world, the Operating System is what commands a hosting server and all of the software installed on it, which includes not only website scripts, but, in addition any other application such as a VOIP or a game server. In case there are virtual machines created, they work with a guest OS which runs on the server host OS.
Multiple OS in Dedicated Servers
If you decide to purchase one of our dedicated servers, you will find three Operating Systems on the registration page as we want to give you a wider choice for the system environment on your server as different apps can have certain requirements. CentOS, Ubuntu and Debian feature different modules developed by their large support communities, so you can select each of these OSs and enjoy a stable and safe web hosting service. Based on your choice, you'll also have different Control Panels to choose from. Of course, we can always change the Operating System if the one you have selected in the beginning doesn't meet the requirements of the software which you intend to run. We can also upgrade the OS on a regular basis in order to keep it as risk-free as possible through our Managed Services upgrade package.