CloudLinux is a Linux-based operating system specifically designed for web hosting environments. It enhances server stability, security, and efficiency, especially in shared hosting, by isolating each user on a server. This isolation prevents one user’s resource usage or malicious activity from negatively impacting other users, making CloudLinux a popular choice for web hosting providers.
Key Features of CloudLinux:
1. LVE (Lightweight Virtual Environment):
– LVE is CloudLinux’s core technology that isolates each user in their own virtual environment on a shared server.
– It ensures that each user gets a defined amount of server resources (CPU, RAM, I/O, etc.). This prevents a single user from monopolizing resources and slowing down the entire server, a common issue in traditional shared hosting.
2. CageFS (File System Isolation):
– CageFS is a virtualized file system that isolates each user, ensuring that they cannot see or access other users’ files, directories, or sensitive information on the server.
– This improves security by containing potential attacks within the user’s environment and blocking malicious users from affecting others.
3. Enhanced Server Stability:
– CloudLinux improves server stability by ensuring that resource spikes or excessive resource usage from one user won’t affect the server’s overall performance.
– If a user’s resource usage exceeds their limits, CloudLinux will throttle their usage rather than allowing it to crash the server.
4. MySQL Governor:
– CloudLinux’s MySQL Governor helps manage and optimize MySQL resource usage by monitoring and limiting queries from individual users.
– It prevents heavy database users from overloading the server, improving database performance for all users.
5. Hardened Security:
– CloudLinux increases security through user isolation, preventing users from affecting each other with malicious scripts or attacks.
– It also offers protection against symbolic link (symlink) attacks, which are common in shared hosting.
6. PHP Selector:
– CloudLinux includes a PHP Selector feature, which allows users to choose the version of PHP that their website runs on.
– It supports multiple versions of PHP (e.g., PHP 5.6, PHP 7.x, PHP 8.x), providing flexibility for users who may have legacy applications or need specific PHP versions for their websites.
7. Resource Limits Customization:
– Hosting providers can define individual resource limits (CPU, memory, entry processes) for each user, based on their hosting plan.
– This allows better control and management of server resources, improving performance and reducing the likelihood of server downtime.
8. Improved Performance for Shared Hosting:
– By controlling resource usage per user and preventing “noisy neighbors” (users who consume excessive resources), CloudLinux improves the overall performance of shared hosting environments.
– Hosting providers can maximize server efficiency while offering consistent performance to all users.
Advantages of CloudLinux:
– Increased Stability: Prevents a single user from crashing the entire server by isolating their resource usage.
– Enhanced Security: Isolates users through CageFS, reducing the risk of attacks spreading between accounts.
– Better Resource Allocation: LVE allows providers to allocate resources effectively and avoid overuse by any one user.
– Flexibility for Users: PHP Selector gives users control over the PHP version and modules they need.
– Improved Database Management: MySQL Governor optimizes MySQL usage, preventing heavy database users from affecting others.
Who Uses CloudLinux?
CloudLinux is widely used by web hosting providers, especially those offering shared hosting, VPS hosting, and reseller hosting. It is ideal for hosting environments where multiple customers share the same server, as it ensures fair resource allocation, enhances server security, and improves overall stability.
CloudLinux integrates well with control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, making it a preferred OS for hosting providers looking to deliver a more reliable and secure hosting experience.