Can You Afford a Cheap Dedicated Server?

One of the greatest benefits of a dedicated server is that you don’t have to share it with anyone else.  The hardware and its resource are made exclusive to your usage, your website or your business.  With this type of hosting, you essentially have full control over all the activities involved with the server.  It has certainly become a popular choice but we have one question for you: can you afford go with a cheap hosting package?  After all, they always say that a dedicated server is far more expensive.  Well, we believe it is worth looking into and this article will explain why.

Resource Power

Most web hosting providers grant you tremendous amounts of disk space and bandwidth, or so they say.  However, you can buy yourself an unlimited plan and still exhaust those resources very quickly when hosting on a shared server.  Although you will not exactly have unlimited disk space and bandwidth on a dedicated server, you should have more than enough to work with.  This means you can have one large high-traffic website, multiple websites, or even lease out space to friends and associates.  By effectively managing server resources, you can have a configuration that is similar to shared hosting yet far more stable.

A Better Website Experience

Even if you pay below market price for a dedicated server, you are still almost guaranteed better performance and security than a shared hosting account.  You won’t have to worry about other customers and the risky configurations they might make or the unstable software applications they might try to run. Your neighbor’s traffic will have no impact on what you do for the simple fact that there are no neighbors to deal with.  You never know what might could be going on with a shared server, but when the hardware is dedicated to your site, you can keep taps on everything and ensure a better experience for your visitors.  With the ability to install your own security mechanisms and the entire piece of hardware at your disposal, taking the cheap route is sure to give you an excellent value for your money.

A Cost Effective Solution

Dedicated servers have traditionally been more expensive than shared hosting accounts.  However, this isn’t always the case.  In fact, some dedicated servers can actually be less expensive than virtual private servers and shared hosting plans as well.  It isn’t uncommon for a company to charge upwards of $100 for a solution where you are still forced to share the server with other users.  Even if you are paying bargain-basement prices for shared hosting, there is still a chance of getting a better value from a cheap dedicated hosting solution, especially when considering that you there is typically no need to purchase costly upgrades.

The Tell-All Tell-All

The answer to whether or not you can get by with a cheap dedicated server all depends on the hosting provider.  If they are supplying low-quality hardware, experience a lot of down time and don’t offer good support, then you will probably end up with a cheaply crafted service.  You can avoid these problems by going with a reputable host that has dependable hardware and great support on top of an infrastructure designed for success.

Share this article:

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Jun 10, 2009 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet

Dedicated Hosting: When Do You Make the Switch?

Moving from a shared hosting environment to a dedicated server is a serious decision and one that you should not take lightly.  In fact, you should only make the switch when absolutely sure that it is the right move for your business or web presence.  If not, you will likely be creating a rather costly and unnecessary expense for yourself.  This article will help you figure out when it is really time to move up to a dedicated hosting plan.

You Need More Bandwidth and CPU

Most customers make the decision to upgrade to a dedicated server once their shared hosting platform starts to result in declined performance.  Whether it is due to sharing bandwidth with other hosting customers or an increase in traffic, a decline in performance should be viewed as a knock on your existing hosting company.  If they cannot provide you with a way to upgrade your package in an efficient and cost effective manner, it is probably time for you to lease a dedicated server.

When hosting on a shared server, the CPU you share with other users can have a terrible affect on the performance of your website.  This is especially true if you or other customers on the server rely heavily on server-side programming languages such as ASP, Perl or PHP.  The utilization of these technologies can result in a sluggish performance and grueling timeouts.  Once you start to notice this, it usually means that a switch is necessary.

Storage Space is Limited

Another main reason customers move up to dedicated hosting is the lack of space.  If your site becomes large and you need more space for your files, leasing a dedicated server definitely makes sense.  With the entire hard disk drive capacity at your disposal, you can easily store everything from simple text files to more demanding multimedia applications.

You Desire More Control

Limited control is what motivates many customers to move up to a dedicated server.  Granted, shared hosting providers generally grant you with some level of authority but this usually stops at the control panel interface.  With dedicated hosting, you essentially have free reign as you can install your own software applications and web services, make configurations and much more.

Security Issues Have You Concerned

If you are concerned about the level of security on a shared server, then dedicated hosting could be answer you’re looking for.  This type of arrangement is ideal for bullet-proofing e-commerce transactions and the server itself with security mechanisms such as firewalls and anti-virus software.  Most respectable hosting providers take the necessary measures to protect their customers.  However, others do not.  With a dedicated server, you can rest assured by putting the security of mission-critical functions in your own hands.

Conclusion

Even though competition has increased in the dedicated hosting sector, this type of service is still notably more expensive than shared hosting.  Therefore, if you meet any of the criteria above and can afford it, leasing a dedicated server will probably be your best option.

Share this article:

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Jun 03, 2009 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet

Six Reasons to Rent a Dedicated Server

If you run a website that has a lot of dynamic features and experiences high levels of traffic, you should probably consider moving up to a dedicated server.  This type of hosting will give you the benefit of increased speed, better security and more control over your operation.  In this environment, you don’t have to worry about sharing bandwidth, disk space or even the server with other customers.  The names says it all, the server is dedicated solely to you.  If you’re still not sure about making the transition, this article will give you six reasons why a dedicated server is a smart move.

1.) Greater Capacity - Dedicated hosting gives you a tremendous amount of server capacity.  In this environment, capacity is only limited by the specifications of the server rather than the number of people hosting on it.  You can incorporate more complex features and run more databases without suffering from the performance issues associated with shared hosting.

2.) Better Security - In a shared hosting arrangement, there is always the scary possibility that other users might be able to view your confidential information or even overwrite certain files.  This could be really damaging if you store highly sensitive data on your site.  A dedicated server can be secured to your liking, equipped with the security features you feel provide the most adequate protection.

3.) Full Administrative Control - Perhaps the biggest draw to dedicated hosting is control.  You get to decide what web services and scripts can be run on the server and perform updates at your leisure.

4.) Custom Software Installations - Although shared hosting platforms are usually loaded with features, the actual functionality they offer is quite limited.  For example, most providers will not allow you to incorporate customized software, mainly due to stability and security issues that exist.  A dedicated server allows you to run your own applications and also utilize advanced development tools such as JSP, technologies that are still a rarity in the shared environment.

5.) Multiple Domains - Many customers choose to lease a dedicated server because they have a need to run multiple high traffic websites.  This is an affordable way for a business to maintain their operation opposed to leasing multiple servers from different hosts.  With a good control panel application, you can enjoy a unified platform that streamlines and greatly simplifies administrative tasks.

6.)  Easy Access - Even though the hardware is physically located in the hosting provider’s data center, you still have 24/7 access via remote capabilities.  While you must be handy with the software, there is no need to employ a large number of staff members to maintain the server.  Additionally, you don’t have to purchase or physically maintain any equipment, making dedicated hosting a very cost effective solution.

If these are qualities you need in a hosting solution, it is definitely time for a dedicated server.  Just remember to do a little investing so you can find a company that delivers the best service possible.  Without a reliable host and quality technical support, a dedicated server could end up working to your disadvantage.

Share this article:

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Apr 30, 2009 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet

Running Windows on Your Dedicated Server

In the early days of the web, Linux was seen as the dominant platform of server operating systems.  Though Microsoft Windows was available, it was mainly thought of as inferior for a number of reasons.  At mention of the name, most associated Windows servers with slow performance and security vulnerability.  Many viewed Linux as a natural in the web hosting environment while the Microsoft system seemed to be out of its league.

The software giant made big leaps in the right direction with the introduction of Windows 2000 Server, a version that was not only more secure, but also easier to use.  This platform offered power and user-friendliness with an interface similar to Windows 98 yet built to function a web server.   The system got even more advanced with the Windows Server 2003 suite of operating systems.  From the Web Edition to Enterprise Edition, each offered advantages that made Windows hosting much more attractive.  With Windows Server 2008 now on the market, Windows has truly deemed itself a worthy competitor to the Linux platform.

The Advantages of Windows Servers

If you plan on leasing a dedicated server, the benefits of this platform just may be too good to pass up.

Increased Productivity - The GPMC (Group Policy Management Console) feature provides a simplified user interface that allows system administrators to be more efficient with the managing and deploying of group policies for multiple domains.

Streamlined Functionality - With built-in support for Microsoft SharePoint services, Windows makes the ideal platform for deploying multiple websites that require the sharing of information.  It also has the ability to support thousands of sites within an organization, manage the distribution within a cluster of servers and dramatically increase reliability.

Dynamic Web Services - Windows is compatible with the cross-platform UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration) initiative.  This helps to establish a dynamic, flexible infrastructure for a variety of web services.

Unrivaled Compatibility - Windows has support for a number of advanced web technologies.  In fact, it is compatible with many of the same tools as Linux and Unix in addition to exclusive Microsoft technologies.  This makes for a lost cost of ownership and great value.

Superb Performance - IIS, the web server platform for Windows, provides a robust architecture for building dynamic websites and applications that put out enhanced performance.

Data Restoration - Windows was designed to meet the demanding operations and circumstances of the server environment.  Its restoration feature allows any user to restore critical files, helping organizations save money on technicians.

Fast and Efficient - The .NET Framework is another one of the numerous Microsoft technologies integrated into the Windows operating system.  This dynamic technology allows for the fast deployment of highly efficient web applications.

Additional Perks

Windows supports several major web technologies.  Your server will not be limited to ASP or MS SQL as the system is compatible with PHP, MySQL and nearly everything in between.  While Linux will always be a viable option, it can’t function with the powerful NET framework and only supports ASP through emulators or custom Apache modules.   When coupled with enhanced security and reliability, the flexible nature of the Windows platform makes it hard to pass up for your dedicated server.

Share this article:

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Apr 28, 2009 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet

Do You Need Shared or Dedicated Hosting?

Choosing a web host is a tough decision, especially when the choice boils down to shared or dedicated hosting.  We will start off by letting you know that shared hosting is far more affordable and easier to work with than the dedicated server environment.  However, this type of hosting will only get you so far and the disadvantages are all the more reason to consider a dedicated server.

Slow Response Time

Shared hosting is prone to slow server response times because  you are forced to share the hardware, internet connection and vital resources with other website owners.  If just one of your neighbors experiences a sudden burst in traffic, the tremendous amount of bandwidth they consume might also affect you and everyone else on the server.  This happens because the server responds to requested files in sequential order of the queue.  If the request for one of your visitors is stuck waiting in the queue, the content they want to view will take forever to load and they just may leave your site.

Server Crashes

The likelihood of there being hundreds of websites on a single server increases the probability of an overload that causes the machine to crash.  If your web hosting provider doesn’t constantly monitor the server, poorly written scripts can also lead to hardware failure.  The possibility that you may be sharing the server with a number of users who lack programming skills or security awareness makes your website quite vulnerable.  If you do choose shared hosting, it is imperative to inquire within the provider about the measures they take to ensure security, prevent system crashes and hardware failure.

The World of Dedicated Servers

A dedicated server alleviates you from all the limitations and stability issues associated with shared hosting.  This type of hosting is ideal for thriving businesses and websites that experience a significant amount of traffic.  Dedicated servers are often used to power corporate portals, social networking communities and large e-commerce sites.  While the cost is often considerably higher than shared hosting, most find that the extended benefits are worth the steeper price tag.

More Freedom

With a dedicated server, you have a great level of control over your hosting environment.  For example, you can install your own operating system, customized software applications, server-side scripting technologies and other vital components.  You don’t have to worry about anyone making scripting errors and if something does go wrong, you are the only one to blame.  The freedom you get with a dedicated server is something shared hosting just can’t offer.

Better Performance

A dedicated server means you have the hardware all to yourself.  This provides you with guaranteed bandwidth and other critical resources that virtually eliminate slow server response times and allow you to enjoy superb performance.  With an arsenal of resources at your disposal, you can properly prepare for traffic and ensure that your site performs well regardless of how many visitors pour in.

Just as with any type of hosting, choosing between a shared or dedicated server all depends on your personal requirements.  Although dedicated hosting offers numerous advantages, keep in mind that it also calls for you to have a level of technical knowledge beyond the shared platform.  If you have the savvy and resources needed to maintain the server, your website can truly thrive in this environment.

Share this article:

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Mar 19, 2009 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet