The time has come; you have finally decided to get yourself a website on the internet. After conducting some research via your preferred search engine, you probably came across a countless number of sites offering hosting service for rock-bottom prices that appear too good to pass up. So what does this low price get you? In most cases, you receive space on a server along with a variety of tools that will help you build your website. The main problem is that you are forced to battle it out with other customers who are hosting their sites on the same machine. If your needs call for more than the typical web hosting arrangement, this environment may not be suitable for you. The lingering threat of performance and security issues can be very damaging to your web presence. When this is the case, you are probably best suited for a dedicated server.
PC vs. Server
Though it is essentially a computer, a dedicated server differs greatly from the typical home-based PC. The major difference lies in the operating system. This type of computer runs specialized versions of operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Unix, platforms that are optimized for network operations. While your computer is made to run word processing applications, video games, and other related applications, a server is designed to run programming packages, databases, web services and other technologies associated with a website. And although both types of computers have similar resources such as CPU, memory and disk space capacity, a server tends to have greater amounts of each, enabling it achieve a level of performance your PC could never reach.
Dedicated Servers and the Hosting Business
It has become very common for web hosting firms to lease server space for hundreds and sometimes even thousands of accounts on the same machine. Depending on various factors, some of these websites may begin to experience problems as the server nears toward its limitations. It is also important to note that is even though you generally have the ability to manage your website, the service provider has control over the entire server. Therefore, if there are configurations and software applications that you really need, you just could be out of luck. A dedicated server lifts these limitations and several more by providing you with complete control. From server configuration to software technologies, you have the freedom to incorporate the components you feel are best fit for your website.
Do You Need Your Own Server?
If you plan to run an online business with a website that contains mission-critical data and receives high volumes of traffic, a dedicated server could be the solution for you. If your business cannot afford to compromise performance and reliability, then you probably should opt for this sort of arrangement. Whether or not you choose to lease a dedicated server or run your own in-house depends on your budget and IT resources. When factoring in all the costs and technical hardships, many find that the hosted option is the best way to go as it is requires substantially less upfront investment and tends to be less complex as well.
If you are the least bit familiar with the web hosting business, then you have probably heard of a piece of software called Linux. Originally created in 1991, Linux quickly became one of the most widely used operating systems on the market, emerging as a viable alternative to popular options such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Linux is adored by its fan base for many reasons, and among them is an open-source license that makes it cost efficient and highly customizable. A global community of developers are constantly working to improve the software, which adds to its power and stability. There are a number of Linux distributions available, and below we will examine some you might encounter when looking for a hosting package.
Ubuntu Hosting
The first distribution we will discuss is Ubuntu. This flavor of Linux is very popular because it offers several features that are comparable to Windows web hosting, which makes the system much easier to use. The biggest downside to Ubuntu is that it is better suited as a personal desktop operating system rather than a server platform. Therefore, this particular distribution is not as widely used as its counterparts in the hosting environment. That does not mean it cannot be used because Ubuntu makes a viable option for various types of server configurations.
Kubuntu Hosting
Just by the name, you can probably tell that the Kubuntu distribution is quite similar to Ubuntu. In fact, these two platforms are nearly identical in terms of operation and functionality. The most notable distinction is that they utilize two different types of file systems. Apart from that, these operating systems offer the same level of stability, performance and reliability, making both ideal for website hosting and desktop use as well.
Debian Hosting
Debian hosting revolves around a server platform based on both the Ubuntu and Kubuntu operating systems. It is currently the most widely used Linux distribution in the web hosting industry. While it is considerably more complex and difficult, Debian offers the superior flexibility and reliability needed to keep a multitude of websites up and running. Despite its complexities, this software is ideal as both a server and desktop operating system.
Fedora Hosting
Fedora is another common Linux distribution and one that is often bundled with dedicated server hosting plans. It is based on RedHat Linux, which is a commercial distribution and the Linux platform designed to compete with Microsoft Windows. Though prevalent on the hosting marketplace, Fedora is primarily used as a server platform for older machines due to its limitations and ability to thrive exceptionally well by using fewer system resources.
There are a couple of options available to the entrepreneur who wants to try their hand at the reseller hosting market. The most common methods involve leasing an account on a shared or dedicated server. While some would recommend choosing a dedicated server, there are many reasons why a shared hosting platform could make a more viable solution. Let’s take a closer look to see how these two environments matchup and what they have to offer the reseller.
Flexibility
One cannot deny that a dedicated server is perhaps the most flexible hosting arrangement you can obtain. However, a shared server can provide a tremendous level of flexibility by allowing you to resell hosting packages on the platform of your choice, be it Linux, Unix or Windows. A reputable host will also give you a platform with enough capacity to support dozens or hundreds of customers.
Reliability
A dedicated server will give you the opportunity to run your reseller business in the most reliable environment. This stems from the fact that you are not required to shared disk space, bandwidth and various other critical resources. With that said, a shared server can be configured to provide you with a superior degree of reliability and the peace of mind needed to comfortably maintain a reseller account. By leveraging a world-class infrastructure and data center, you will have access to advanced features such as load balancing and end-to-end redundancy that makes sure both you and your customers enjoy an optimal performance.
Functionality
When it comes down to it, a dedicated server can be as functional as you desire. For example, you have the power to install your own web applications and services as well as software packages that allow you to unleash powerful programming technologies like Cold Fusion, PHP and Ruby on Rails. While this potential cannot be matched, you can still obtain a great deal of functionality by reselling packages on a shared hosting platform. It is not uncommon to find a host that offers highly sought after features and services such as Microsoft Exchange, support for databases and programming, website creation tools, web stat utilities and one-click installers that give your customers the power to enhance their presence through software such as Joomla, phpBB and WordPress.
Ease of Use
The area in which shared hosting towers over the dedicated variety is ease of use. Instead of dealing with all the complexities that come along with dedicated hosting, you can sit back and run your business while the host takes care of all server administration tasks for you. A reputable host will provide you with an intuitive control panel that offers powerful branding options and all the features you need to service your customers with the maximum efficiency.
Conclusion
As you can see, reseller hosting has its pros and cons whether it is situated on a shared or dedicated server. A shared server would definitely be the more simple and cost effective option, but the dedicated variety would give you the best performance and reliability in the end. Therefore you should determine your needs and what you set out to accomplish as a reseller before making a decision.
You might consider yourself pretty handy with a personal computer but dedicated servers are a totally different story. Web servers and all their associated technologies introduce a new level of complexity to the world of computing. This is true whether the platform is Windows, Linux or Unix. Because of these technical challenges and responsibilities, many opt for managed hosting as a less stressful alternative. While the concept involves a seamless process that completely lifts the burden, not all managed services are the same. The hosting provider must perform these key tasks in order for you to get a quality service.
Systemwide Updates
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a managed hosting service and software is a major part of the entire operation. The network can’t run efficiently without frequent updates of critical system components. This includes every piece of software from the operating system and web server to SQL database servers and PHP packages. Maintaining software alone can be a full time job that many organizations just can’t handle in-house. Always remember, this is why managed hosting companies exists.
Reliable Security
Web servers are prime targets for hackers looking to steal sensitive information and expose prominent corporate networks. The web is filled with a plethora of malicious traffic so it is vital that your provider has security mechanisms in place to detect intrusion, prevent attacks and preserve network resources. A few security features you want to look for in a managed hosting solution are firewalls, intrusion detection systems, anti-malware and DDoS protection technologies. Your hosting provider must be dedicated to staying on top of security and keeping your server protected.
Backup and Recovery
You should never enter a managed hosting arrangement without knowing what measures are being used to protect your data. Anything can go wrong in a data center whether it’s a corrupt operating system, hardware failure or a power outage. Therefore, finding a host that performs daily backups of its servers is highly recommended. Equally important are the methods employed to ensure a successful recovery following a disaster. Backup servers, uninterruptible power supplies and generators should all be a part of the hosting provider’s recovery plan.
Network Monitoring
Even the most high-powered network needs a set of extra eyes. While all the other systems are doing their job, it is important to have that central monitoring unit to keep watch over the operation. This separate system should have dedicated lines or the aid of a trusted third-party source. Network monitoring is critical to the life of your dedicated server because it can alert administrators about issues related to overloads, server failures, lost connections, network intrusion, malware infection and more.
Don’t Settle for Less
Managed hosting is tied to a number of complicated operations that the average customer wants no part of. Though most companies are able to provide a good service, you should never expect absolute perfection from every host, especially without checking them out first. Manage hosting is supposed to let you focus on other critical business aspects, but it could lead to more stress if you’re not careful.
Although cPanel is highly praised, Parallel’s Plesk is regarded as one of the most widely used and efficient control panels on the web hosting market. The major advantage it has over cPanel is the power to operate on both Windows and Linux platforms. In addition, Plesk is one of few control panels that makes an ideal solution for shared, dedicated and virtual private server environments. It is said to be the most secure and stable platform available for web hosting companies and their customers. The software is being increasingly used by hosting providers who want to enhance performance and boost per-server profitability. Plesk makes a great choice in almost any hosting arrangement and this article will discuss some of the specific benefits.
Dedicated Hosting
The RPM installation and modular design of Plesk allows dedicated hosting providers to cater to the needs of the technically inclined. The software can be set up in an instant and deployed in no time. Many companies have taken a liking to Plesk because it offers such an excellent value by delivering high a level of performance at a reasonable price. System administrators have access to several unique features including the XML-API, a built-in interface that automates the provisioning process. It also facilitates the implementation of the numerous third-party applications built into the control panel. With fully integrated software development kits and a number of back-end utilities, Plesk gives hosting providers and end-users the ability to dramatically enhance their operations.
Shared Hosting
Tiered self administration and a unified multi-platform design makes Plesk a perfect administrative tool in the shared hosting environment as well. This control panel makes it easier for providers to mange multiple domains on a highly scalable architecture optimized for demanding tasks. An administrator with little to no technical background can easily create and manage user accounts on the server. In addition, customers can manage their own domains without direct support of the server administrator. The power of Plesk covers the needs of the simple and complex side of the traditional web hosting service, enabling full customization that benefits both the host and the end-user.
VPS Hosting
The Plesk control panel is also becoming more common in the virtual private server environment, mainly because it delivers exceptional management power and has a small footprint that ensures great performance. When used in conjunction with the Virtuozzo software, Plesk allows system administrators to quickly deploy templates of multiple control panel systems. This is made possible a VPS’s ability to create several isolated server environments on a single machine. On a virtualized platform, Plesk and Virtuzzo are unparalleled in their ability to increase ROI and revenues for professional web hosting providers while meeting the demanding needs of customers.
Conclusion
Plesk has so many beneficial uses that choosing this control panel is proving to be quite advantageous to many webmasters. The software offers power that allows you to administrator a single machine, a cluster of servers or a simple shared hosting account. If you’re still looking for a control panel, Plesk could be the solution.
