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Dedicated Web Hosting : The Executive Summary
What is Dedicated Web Hosting? Dedicated web hosting can
alleviate the need to share hardware or software with any
other sites or web pages. Webmasters are given the autonomy
to decide on applications that are installed on the server
to create specific configurations for their web needs, and
have the ability to provide a secure environment for their
site. As compared to a shared-server environment, dedicated
web hosting offers a peace of mind that a site will be delivered
in a reliable and secure manner.
There are major benefits of dedicated web hosting, as discussed
below. However, the major disadvantage, cost, is quickly
being overcome. Because of continual growth in the dedicated
web hosting industry, the rates for dedicated server plans
are rapidly declining. A competitive environment drives
up the level of service and decreases cost. This reduction
is powered by an increase in small and medium-sized businesses
gaining an online presence and the rapid proliferation of
web hosting providers.
Advantages: Dedicated server hosting is favorable because
of 2 major assets: control and reliability.
Since a dedicated web administrator has more control over
a dedicated server, it tends to be more secure, compared
to a shared web server. By knowing what exactly is installed
on a dedicated server through full root access, a system
administrator is able to confidently make decisions on the
software and application updates necessary to maintain the
dedicated web server and keep it running in its most optimal
configuration.
Increased reliability is another major asset of dedicated
server web hosting, as a server administrator has the self-sufficiency
to optimize page loads by tweaking variables such as page
load speed and general server resource allocation. This
server reliability translates to customer satisfaction and
an increase in the bottom line goals of a web site's presence.
Disadvantages: While the benefits of dedicated web server
hosting is apparent, the bottom line consideration, especially
for business purposes is cost. Dedicated web hosting is
significantly more expensive compared to shared or virtual
web hosting, and until recently, could most commonly be
quoted at several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars
per month. Although cost may still be exorbitant, most businesses
are able to justify the use of dedicated servers through
a true web analysis to weigh the resources necessary to
run applications and code.
Another drawback is the need to be able to monitor, install,
upgrade and configure programs, add sites, deal with potential
hacks, and troubleshoot systems. Therefore, the necessary
system administration skills, if one does not possess them,
may definitely inhibit the successful implementation of
a web site hosted on a dedicated web server. Benefits: The
direct benefits of a dedicated web hosting plan surround
the ability to totally administer a web server. The advantage
to be able to effectively maintain a dedicated server lies
in one's ability to control the variables associated with
reliability and stability. In a dedicated environment, server
overload, malicious scripts from other users, and too many
installed applications are variables which can be controlled,
as compared to this loss of management in shared server
hosting.
Furthermore, a dedicated server allows one to only install
applications or software that applies to the major hosting
goal at hand. Conversely, shared web hosting has installed
software that may or may not be related to the web hosting
goals.
Reliance on the web host repair services and time delays
of platform repairs can be minimized, as one may intervene
and provide solutions to existing problems with dedicated
web hosting. Having the option to add patches, upgrade software,
or tweak performance is invaluable and allows the dedicated
server administrator to work with 24 hour access to perform
adjustments, corrections, or updates.
Lastly, speed of downloads can be determined through the
amount of bandwidth that is dedicated to just your website.
Statistically, visitors will quickly leave a site if the
load time was long. Dedicated servers allow quick delivery
of web pages, which increases the probability of keeping
web site visitors on a site that may convert them to paying
customers. Furthermore, quick loading pages enhance the
company's image and may encourage existing customers to
refer your web-based services to others.
What is the best application of a dedicated web hosting
service provider? Utility of a dedicated server environment
is best suited to those with a working knowledge of server
operating systems and those who don't mind troubleshooting
problems which may arise.
Server administrators must be able to apply kernel upgrades,
service packs, and software patches, as well as provide
ample security, monitor traffic, update server applications,
balance server loads, and configure email, FTP, and DNS
services.
In exchange for competency in the above functions, the
best uses for a dedicated web server environment would be:
· mission-critical sites requiring custom server
management and software implementation.
· dedicated hosting resellers, web developers and
designers who need greater flexibility, reliability and
security for their clients
· backbones of corporate intranets
· robust and dependable servers for streaming media,
online gaming, and e-mail or chat applications
· complex application sites with high traffic and
secure information such as ecommerce, database, and multimedia
sites.
· enterprise-level web sites
· Web sites which may have content restrictions
if hosted elsewhere (e.g. adult targeted sites.)
How to decide: Overall, the cost, security of data and
equipment, bandwidth availability, the knowledge and integrity
of the web-hosting provider, uptime, hardware maintenance,
and any technical support offered by the dedicated web host
are important deciding factors. Although your specific dedicated
web hosting needs may be unique in a few ways, generally,
one can make a decision on a dedicated web server provider
by considering the following things:
Data Transfer Rates: Data transfer will need to be determined
based on the amount of information that will be downloaded,
as well as the type of content a site will be sharing (general
text vs. high resolution graphics and multimedia). A dedicated
web host will generally have various packages that will
allow one to choose the data transfer level, normally measured
in "gigabytes per month". Higher levels of data
transfer rates normally mean more cost, so utilization of
the first few months to correlate data transfer rates and
traffic patterns is key.
Platforms: The two most common systems available are Windows
based servers versus some flavor of UNIX (Linux and Solaris).
Windows is historically more expensive, but is generally
regarded as more user-friendly, especially with the ubiquitous
presence of Windows-based pc's and administrators. Linux,
on the other hand, is less expensive to install, but harder
to maintain, as a steeper learning curve exists for those
unfamiliar with it. Therefore, the operating system installed
on a dedicated web server should depend on a couple of factors.
First, the platform should be conducive to the coding in
which the website and necessary applications are developed.
Next, since administration of the dedicated server will
be done by the subscriber, the necessary skill base to support
the platform must be in place. Commands and administration
techniques are definitely platform-specific.
Monitoring: Dedicated server monitoring works to prevent
service interruptions. The web host will provide a service
that can, at a pre-set frequency, check a website to see
downtime. Automation: Although dedicated web servers may
require a greater degree of skill, certain dedicated web
hosting companies may offer software that will automate
common procedures, thus lessening the high level knowledge
necessary to maintain servers and implement new services.
Data Backup: Some dedicated web hosting providers assist
the web hosting subscriber with data backups. Finding a
dedicated server provider who will assist in this process
could alleviate the hassle of doing it yourself and can
allow one to devote time to other things.
Scalability: Dedicated web hosting providers should be
able to account for major growth. Progressive expansion
can be accounted for by asking a web host if modules of
extra space, bandwidth, or better yet, larger packages can
be purchased to allow easy transition to better hardware
and software.
Service Level Agreements: More dedicated web hosts are
publishing their SLA's, which thoroughly documents what
they will do in exchange for what the customer is responsible
for. For instance, some dedicated server hosts are offering
features such as: 100% uptime guarantees, unlimited live
answer technical phone-based support, free upgrades of patches,
hot-fixes, personal Dedicated Sales account managers, maintenance
staff with spare parts for all server configurations, and
more. A full understanding of the commitment that a dedicated
web host is offering will help in a decision to utilize
that service.
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