FreeBSD is an operating system derived from BSD, the version of UNIX. It's an open source project which means that everybody is invited to make changes that would improve FreeBSD. FreeBSD is available free of charge and comes with full source code. FreeBSD can be a very economical alternative to commercial UNIX® workstations. It is well-suited for a great number of both desktop and server applications. Yahoo!, one of the world's most frequented web sites, serves more than half a billion pages a day using FreeBSD. There are other BSD versions besides FreeBSD like OpenBSD and NetBSD.
Main Features of FreeBSD
Securelevels, Five security levels
Ports and Packages Collection (More than 10000 ports available, e.g. KDE, Gnome, OpenOffice.org, mplayer...), Framework for building applications from source, possibility of binary packages use...and more
Linux Compatibility Layer (Runs most Linux binaries, e.g. Acrobat
Reader, Quake3, Oracle, Mathematica...and more)
Easy System-Updates
Systemwide `make’ Framework (All compiler options and more can be set in a central place, /etc/make.conf)
Other features like MAC framework, Filesystem snapshots, Integrated IPsec, firewalls, traffic shaping
Main FreeBSD characteristic is its technical simplicity. The FreeBSD installation program is perhaps the simplest Unix installation tool in existence. Further, its third party software system, the Ports Collection, has been modeled by NetBSD and OpenBSD and is still the most powerful application installation tool available.
Dedicated Server Web Hosting and FreeBSD UNIX servers
Having in mind what we previously said about the FreeBSD operating system we may make the conclusion about the relations between dedicated server web hosting and FreeBSD UNIX servers. Web servers that use a FreeBSD operating system would provide robust network services under the heaviest loads and an efficient usage of memory would allow smooth running of simultaneous user processes. To Linux users and those familiar with Solaris or other Unix platforms, the differences may seem quite small but Walnut Creek, the FreeBSD Project's one of the most important distributors, claims that "17 years of development has made FreeBSD the world's most mature and robust network operating system".
FreeBSD makes almost perfect platform for these and other Internet services:
Company-wide or world-wide WWW service
Enterprise file, print and mail services
Proxy WWW service
Anonymous FTP service
FreeBSD can turn any PC into Internet firewall, email host, print server, PC/NFS server, and more.
Compatibility modules enable programs for other operating systems to run on FreeBSD, including programs for Linux, SCO UNIX, and System V Release 4. However, some programs designed and intended for a specific operating system use may not be convenient to use with FreeBSD (like applications intended for exclusive use with windows).
FreeBSD dedicated servers guarantee high security and excellent performance in handling the heavy load. That's why some of the prominent companies like Yahoo and Netcraft make use of FreeBSD every day.
There are reliable web hosting companies that provide FreeBSD dedicated server hosting. One of the best is Pair Networks - Fully supported managed service.
FastServers although not as a regular option, provides unmanaged dedicated servers for a FreeBSD operating system and also variety of other operating systems.
Explore the possibilities with other trustworthy web hosting providers HERE.
