Why offer Linux hosting plans?

EasyCGI used to be something of a rarity among web hosting providers, offering Windows Server hosting exclusively. This changed last month, when the company started offering Linux Virtual Private Server (VPS) plans. We contacted Mr. Ted Beckwith, Vice President of EasyCGI, to ask him a few questions about the company's decision to expand into Linux territory.

HostReview: Why did EasyCGI decide to offer Linux VPSs?Ted Beckwith: The decision to offer Linux VPS services was made after our experience with the Parallels Virtuozzo/Plesk service and based on requests of current and new customers. We have been using these software packages to offer Windows VPS services for almost 2 years and have had a very positive experience. In addition, many of our customers have requested features and services that are only available within a Linux environment. We felt that offering a Linux based VPS service was the best way to meet those particular needs.HostReview: What virtualization technology did you choose, and why?Ted Beckwith: Our existing Windows VPS platform is powered by Parallel's (formally SWSoft) Virtuozzo software. Before launching VPS services in 2006, we dedicated some extensive R&D efforts into finding the best and most stable VPS product. Virtuozzo was by far the industry leader, and they continue to prove themselves as the right choice. When we made the decision to expand into Linux VPS, Virtuozzo was the obvious choice. With our existing knowledge of Virtuozzo and Plesk, It took less than 30 days to prepare a fully operational Linux VPS environment and to offer it to our customers.HostReview: What kinds of clients do you target?Ted Beckwith: Our core VPS customers are Web Developers and Application Developers. We also have a large group of users that use the VPS environment as a testing or development server that they are not afraid to "break". With the ability to make full system backups in a matter of minutes, VPSAdministrators can easily restore to a clean backup with very little effort.HostReview: Is there increased demand for Linux hosting?Ted Beckwith: Over the last 2 years, Windows and Linux hosting have been in a virtual dead-heat. I don't really see this changing any time soon. Each environment offers specific advantages for specific types of applications and services; by providing customers with the choice of hosting environment we ensure that we can provide the best service to meet any need.HostReview: From your point of view, how does support of Linux offerings compare to Windows-based ones, in terms of effort and complexity?Ted Beckwith: Both Windows and Linux require a very specific method to solve support related problems. Of course, the methodology and specific steps vary based on the Operating System. In terms of the actual effort and/or complexity required, they're not really very different; it's just a secondknowledge-set that our support reps and sys admins have to be trained for.From a customer perspective, the customers that are purchasing Linux VPS systems do tend to be more knowledgeable about the service, and more able to manage a VPS server from day one.HostReview: Is the company planning more new offerings?Ted Beckwith: EasyCGI frequently upgrades and expands the services that are offered to customers. Over the remainder of 2008, we will continue to improve and add to the features contained in both our Shared and VPS products. We are also looking into offering extensive managed server solutions, either as VPS Servers or as Dedicated stand-alone servers.