Dedicated Linux Server Hosting Companies

Dedicated linux servers offer the maximum amount of flexibility for the experienced developer / web site owner.

Customers can lease the server and essentially manage it on their own, or use the hosting companies managed services for administering the system.

Since the server is dedicated to a customer, performance can be tweaked and updates and new software can be installed easily.

The down side is that some website owners get a false sense of security about Linux and forget or ignore basic security / update tasks and end up having their servers broken into.  (On a shared account the hosting company would normally ensure that system software is upgraded and the servers are adequately protected).