Seven Essential Differences Between Shared and Dedicated Hosting

Web hosting is an expansive industry encompassed by a wide variety of niche services.  Two of the most common services you will find on today’s market are shared and dedicated hosting.  These variations are about as distinct as they come.  There are some major differences between these two types of hosting and this article will go over seven of the most essential.

1.) Hardware - Perhaps the most obvious and significant difference between shared and dedicated hosting lies in the actual server hardware.  A dedicated server is made exclusive to you and your website or business while shared hosting calls for you to share server space and equally important resources with other users.

2.) Cost - Another major difference between these two types of hosting is the cost of service.  A dedicated server account is almost always more expensive than a shared hosting plan.  However, both can prove to be very cost effective depending on your particular needs.

3.) Power - With a dedicated hosting account, you can expect a faster and more efficient performance.  This is mainly because you have your own server and do not have to share disk space, CPU, RAM and bandwidth with other customers.

4.) Security - Although reputable shared hosting companies provide their customers with secure hosting environments, the level of security offered can never compare to that of a dedicated server.  Shared hosting platforms generally have fewer resources available for troubleshooting, data backup, disaster recovery and other critical tasks.  Organizations that are financially dependent on the availability of their website and cannot afford to compromise security can benefit tremendously from a dedicated hosting plan.

5. Availability - Both shared and dedicated hosting platforms can be optimized to deliver a high level of availability.  In most cases however, a dedicated server can ensure you a better uptime.  This goes back to the fact of having more resources and the entire machine to yourself.

6.) Features - All web hosting packages come with different features.  The shared hosting environment usually gives you more upfront, but a dedicated server can be implemented with all the features and functionality you require.

7.) Overall Value - The overall value of any hosting plan depends on various factors including the price, features, benefits and reliability of the hosting provider.  In the end, only you can determine the overall value of a shared or dedicated hosting solution.

Conclusion

There is a lot to process when it comes to choosing between a shared and dedicated web hosting plan.  While someone can give you sound advice and point you in the right direction, it is essentially up to you to determine what is best for your particular needs.  A reputable hosting company can tell you all about the pros and cons of each solution, but the final choice is all on you.  It is not always an easy decision, but when gathering some good information, expert advice and exercising a little practical sense, you can make the right choice and come out with the perfect hosting solution.

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Jul 02, 2009 : Shared Hosting No responses yet

Unix vs. Windows Hosting

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, Unix and Linux are two entirely different systems.  Linux was actually modeled after Unix, which is the oldest and one of the most widely used operating systems in the web hosting environment.  This platform is largely responsible for powering the internet and World Wide Web, proving that it can seamlessly run a multitude of applications and put out an excellent performance.  While Unix is definitely a stable and reliable system, its reputation as a cost effective platform isn’t necessarily a fitting title.  Earlier versions were at the forefront of the open-source software revolution but unlike Linux, not all distributions of Unix are open-source and definitely not free.   When purchasing a piece of server hardware equipped the software, you will find that a Unix license and complete system may cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Unix Pros

The Unix operating system was made to perform demanding tasks, giving it the ability to run multiple sites on a single machine with ease.  It is extremely flexible for programming environments and provides a tremendous level of administrative control.  Unix handles CGI scripts perhaps better than any other system, making it ideal for hosting operations that require a lot of automation.

Unix Cons

The disadvantages of Unix do not have much of a bearing on end-users or shared hosting customers, but to the server administrator, they can be a determining factor.  Thriving off raw DOS-like commands, it can be incredibly difficult to learn as there is no GUI to simplify management tasks.  In fact, it can take administrators years to fully grasp all the basic commands of the Unix operating system.

Windows

A relative newcomer to the web hosting arena, Microsoft got its start in the market with the introduction of its NT server operating system.  Windows NT was beloved instantly for its ease of use and seamless integration with the FrontPage web authoring tool.  This niche variation really appealed to users who lacked the ability to code with scripting technologies such as HTML, CGI and PHP.  Despite its popularity, Windows NT quickly gained a bad reputation for being vulnerable to exploits and stability issues.  The platform improved greatly with the introduction of Windows Server 2003 and got even better with the release of Windows Server 2008 in 2007.

Windows Pros

Windows offers a user-friendly setting that is quite familiar to its desktop environment, making it easier to use for administrators.  Instead of complex commands, management tasks can be handled from a GUI boasting icons and easy to use tools.

Windows Cons

Now far more stable and secure, the Windows disadvantages have been reduced significantly.  The biggest drawback would be cost, which stems from licenses tied to the Microsoft SQL Server, Exchange and even the Windows platform itself.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, both Unix and Windows have demonstrated their ability to perform efficiently in the web hosting environment.  Both are traditionally more expensive than Linux so cost may not be as big a factor as you may think.  Perhaps the best way to decide is to base the decision on your experience with server software and most importantly, your particular needs.

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Jul 01, 2009 : Linux Web Hosting Windows Web Hosting No responses yet

VPS: Shared Hosting with an Added Dose of Power

If you are looking for more control and no longer wish to compromise performance by hosting on a shared server, it may be time to move up to a bigger and better hosting solution.  A VPS (virtual private server) could be the answer you seek.

What’s Different About VPS?

Simply put, a VPS refers to one or more servers that run within another server.  Each virtual server looks and feels like a dedicated server with the one major difference - they all share the same hardware, essentially making it a more advanced form of shared hosting.  View it as a multi-unit luxury condominium.  Each apartment has its own bedrooms, kitchen and storage area within a single larger unit.  There are numerous software vendors that created virtualization software including Ensim, Sphera and Parallels, the company behind the popular Virtuozzo platform.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages that makes a VPS so different from its closely related shared hosting counterpart.

Performance Isolation - With a virtual private server, CPU load and heavy traffic have no impact on the other private servers running on the same machine.  Thus, regardless of what your neighbors have going on, it will not affect the performance of your personal hosting environment.

Functional Isolation - A VPS is not required to share services or applications with its neighboring servers.  Because the servers are independent and appear invisible to each other, they also are not required to share processes or the same file system.

Fault Tolerance - Errors and faults within one virtual private server do not affect the others.

Unique IP - In a VPS environment, each private server gets its own IP address and network stack.

Root Access - With root access, you can install your own software applications and completely manage your VPS as you would a dedicated server.

Guaranteed Resources - Unlike the typical shared hosting arrangement, a VPS does not call for you to share critical resources such as CPU, memory, bandwidth and disk space.  Since you don’t have to compete for these important elements, a VPS hosting solution tends to give you higher availability and better uptime.

Enhanced Security - A virtual private server is able to ensure better security for the fact that you are not required to share disk space, processes and TCP/IP stacks.

The promise of better performance and security makes VPS hosting an ideal solution for web developers, resellers and businesses of various sizes.  The platform offers the power you need to run everything from custom made software applications and multimedia technologies to database servers and even your own operating system.  Although getting a VPS solution is usually more expensive than shared hosting, the price tends to be economical and far more affordable than leasing a dedicated server.  Virtualization isn’t for everyone as there are technical aspects involved.  After all, it is quite similar to having your very own server.  Fortunately, control panel software and comprehensive management tools can greatly simplify the administrative process for anyone equipped with a little computing knowledge.

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Jun 30, 2009 : Shared Hosting No responses yet

Three Reasons to Consider Windows VPS Hosting

Virtualization is one of the most talked about technologies within the internet community and the web hosting market in particular.  One of the best platforms suited for this technology is Microsoft Windows.  Windows-based VPS hosting plans make an ideal solution for those looking for the best in convenience, control and cost efficiency.  Convenience is provided by powerful control panels like Plesk while control and cost benefits are delivered by similarities that are comparable to dedicated hosting and a price that is often considerably cheaper than having your own physical server.  This article will shed more light on the key benefits that are causing so many customers to opt for Windows VPS hosting packages.

1.) Excellent Cost Value

The cost for a virtual private server is almost always less expensive than a dedicated server.  The unique advantage is that it offers many of the same benefits.  Rather than purchasing or leasing a costly physical server to run your applications and host your site, you can go with a VPS and enjoy significant cost savings.  Because the Windows server platform is designed to tap into existing computing resources, the customization and performance benefits makes this type of hosting solution quite valuable to most users.

2.) Convenience Factor

A Windows VPS hosting plan enables convenience in a number of ways.  With benefits such as guaranteed system resources and burstable RAM, developers can separate critical tasks into simpler assignments.  For example, with the right software tools, you can easily separate images and text for genuine content management.  In addition, this type of account provides for optimal resource usage and management when compared to the shared hosting environment.  Even if you find yourself in a situation where you are approaching the limits of your guaranteed resources, a VPS package that offers burstable RAM can make up for that capacity and allow you to continuously flourish.

3.) Applications Galore

One factor that draws many webmasters and developers to VPS hosting in general, is the ability to configure and install their own software applications.  In regard to Windows, you typically receive a package equipped with ASP or ASP.NET, both of which are web application frameworks that can help you create a dynamic, feature-rich website.  Aside from these programming environments, a Windows VPS hosting account can also be integrated with technologies such as JavaScript, Python, PHP and Cold Fusion among others.  The Windows platform and virtualization make a great combination for highly functional, data-driven websites.

Why Go With Windows?

There are numerous reasons to consider Windows as your VPS hosting platform.  Aside from the benefits listed in this article, you also have the ability to install and utilize a host of free, open source applications right alongside the native Microsoft technologies.  These tools can go a long way in helping you reduce complex tasks and increase productivity.   Although you can purchase a VPS hosting account on platforms such as Linux and Unix, Windows makes a solid choice due to its power, flexibility and exceptional value.

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Jun 29, 2009 : Windows Web Hosting No responses yet

The Benefits of Using Perl for Your Site

Originally released in 1987, the Perl programing language is not only ideal for creating dynamic web pages, but also performing a variety of system management task.  Unlike other languages, this one was designed to be efficient, easy to use and complete rather than tiny, elegant and limited.  If you want to know how Perl can aid your website, check out the scroll of benefits listed below:

Cleaner Code - With the introduction of Perl 5, it became possible to write code that is far more readable.  Once cryptic variable names can now be replaced with mnemonic identifiers.  Even the error messages are more informative and comprehensive while the optimal warnings will detect many of the mistakes made by novice developers.

Modularity and Reusability - The Perl 5 library is defined in terms of modules, components that can be easily shared between various packages.  A package can be made to import all or just a piece of a module’s published interfaced.  Pragmas, the compiler directives, can be defined and used by the same mechanism.

Object-orientated Programing - Perl supports dynamic inheritance and virtual methods in a simple and straightforward manner with very little new syntax.  Packages can function as classes and filehandlers can be treated as objects.

Highly Compatible and Extensible - Perl 5 can easily be embedded into C or C++ applications and can call or be called by routines through a documented interface.  Thanks to the provided IX preprocessor, you can easily glue C and C++ routines into the framework.  Dynamic module loading is supported and even Perl itself can be transformed into a dynamic library.

POSIX Compliant -The POSIX module is one of the latest Perl modules.  It provides access to all available POSIX definitions and routines via object classes when necessary.

Multi-Simultaneous DBM Implementation - A Perl program can simultaneously access DBM, GDBM, NDBM and SDBM from the same script.  Its DBMOpen interface has been modified in a manner that allows any variable to be connected to an object class that defines its access methods.

Auto Subroutine Upload - Aside from uploading, Perl’s AutoLoad mechanism allows you to define arbitrary semantics for any undefined subroutine call.

Regular Expression Enhancements - Perl 5 allows you to write regular expressions with embedded whitespace as well as comments for better readability.  The added extensibility mechanism is upwardly compatible with older regular expressions.

Innumerable Unbundled Modules - If you read the perlmodlib.manpage, you will discover that The Comprehensive Perl Archive Network contains a large number of plug-and-play modules containing reusable Perl code.

Compilable - Although a fully functioning Perl-to-C compiler does not exist, Perl 5 is capable of generating portable byte code, simple C or optimized C code.

Lexical Scoping - Perl 5 variables can be declared within a lexical scope, similar to auto variables in the C language.  Not only is this feature more efficient, but it also enables better privacy for your programming environment.

You can enjoy all the benefits Perl has to offer by downloading the free software package at the official Perl website or finding a web hosting provider with the language installed on their server.

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Jun 26, 2009 : Scripting No responses yet