Explain Dedicated Server Hosting :

Dedicated Server hosting means your hosting account is the only account on a specific machine. One computer resides somewhere on the Internet and is used exclusively for your hosting needs. When you log into the machine, you have unlimited access to the system in a similar fashion to the computer you use at your home or office. You can add, remove, customize, and compile virtually any application. You can access any file on the system, change permissions and ownership of files, and perform all the tasks you would expect with unlimited access.

There is, however, a serious drawback to using a dedicated server: cost. Since you are the only person using the machine, the price is usually quite high. Extremely busy sites or very large companies need these dedicated servers for their web operations, but most companies do not. Here’s why. If you are thinking about a dedicated server, you are most likely looking for one of two options: high-capacity processing or root access.

If you need a machine that can process thousands of transactions per second and handle millions of visitors, you might need a dedicated web server where you are the only user of the system’s processor, memory, and storage resources.

Most of the customers, however, need root access to their server to perform certain tasks, and since there can only be one root account per server, they assume an expensive dedicated machine is the only solution. However, their needs would be serviced just as well, at a fraction of the cost, with a dedicated operating system, and that is precisely what a virtual private server and vps root access server provide.

Linux Dedicated Server Web hosting is a fast, stable, reliable, and free operating system for a website, which operates faster than other similar dedicated servers, according to information currently available on the Internet. If a website owner wishes to purchase the program on a CD instead of downloading it from the Internet, the purchase price is about £20. An important feature is, this that the Linux Dedicated Server system is open-source, meaning the source code is readily available to anyone who wants it. This availability has resulted in improvements to the system from multiple contributors that insure a very stable operating system and high uptime.

Managed Linux dedicated servers such as Linux web hosting provide clients with a top-ranked environment to host mission critical and resource intensive web sites. They include ecommerce and database applications, corporate information systems, email, and groupware applications. Anyone looking for the power and freedom of administering and running their own dedicated web server remotely, there are unmanaged dedicated servers from Linux. Most people using this brand of program for host service will have a company actually doing the hosting duties, which are many. These services should include monitoring and management seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Version management should be part of their service so the website owner is kept up to date on the version of the program that is in place and what other versions might be available. They should be able to plan for expansion so there is no shortage of space available.

A dedicated hosting web server could be the answer for large web sites in need of a good and reliable web host service. When investigating shared web hosting or dedicated hosting server service, it is important to know what will be needed, what expectations in Internet traffic are, and who the web host neighbors are, if sharing space on a domain. Getting familiar with the web host under consideration could save time, money, and headaches before making a final decision about how and where to launch the business website. The first step in finding the right hosting server for any business need is to evaluate expectations and necessities. Once this is accomplished, then hosts seekers are ready to investigate the options available in the web hosting market online.

There are a couple of ways and options available for hosting a website. What an individual company or service wants to accomplish will determine what direction to take in choosing the right host. There are shared servers and there is the dedicated hosting web server, which means that the website that is being posted is the only one which occupies the server. Shared web hosting means that a website shares its Internet address or domain with other sites. Most small or medium companies with a website choose to share web space, because the cost of sharing can be considerably less expensive. A shared website can have disadvantages, though. When sharing a server, it will be important to know who the neighbors are. Will those that share a domain name represent reputable businesses? Exposing customers and clients to questionable materials may not be a good way to make a first impression. Be sure to investigate and check out the Web host and all of the businesses that it represents, before committing to an agreement for space.

Shared servers can also mean slow response times. Multiple sites on any given domain can cause traffic back-up. If a shared web server is being considered because of costs, then completely evaluate the current traffic or future traffic expectations. Customers and browsers can become frustrated with slow Internet response and loose valuable interest. The amount of traffic the server neighbors are getting could affect the ability for visitors to log on. The Internet or web neighbors may also cause further problems with crashes, so make sure that who is on the server and how they operate is completely known and understood. Shared or virtual hosting can be the answer for many business website and Internet needs, but it is important to have knowledge and understanding of the over-all picture and to have realistic expectations.

There is also free web hosts available to those wanting to have a small website on the Internet. Servers that offer their services for free generally do so in exchange for advertising that will be placed on web sites. Of course, performance and customer service will be minimal with any free web hosting service account.

Dedicated Server Hosting Company:

Step 1 : Search the net using search engines like google with the name of the dedicated server web-hosts from your list, you can see references to your web-hosting company on different sites. See what people are saying… are there any negative comments ? are the people singing praises Go through any discussions , comments posted on news-groups, forums etc.

While all companies will list their satisfied customers, you’ll not find the unhappy customers & negative comments posted there.. it is upto you to see if all is as rosy as it looks. See what web-hosting review sites like ours have to say about the company.

Delete from your list any hosting companies with negative feedback.

Step 2 : The customer Support factor.

Once you buy into the services of a dedicated server web hosting company, there will be occasions when you will have to contact the hosting company , for general queries, specific technical support, to register a complaint etc. So how ‘available’ is the company ? What modes of contact do they provide ?

The three basic modes of contact would ve via ‘Live-Help’ on their website, where you can chat in realtime with a customer support rep. Or via email, or via phone [many top-class companies provide a toll-free number] . Read their customer support pages to find out what kind of turn-around-time they promise on any emails. Do they promise 24×7 support ?

Many web-hosts also have some quick trouble shooting pages & DIY help pages on their site, check out how extensive and comprehensible it is.

Step 3 : The email test !

Send an email to the support email address of all the web-hosting companies on your list. You can even send an email on a Sunday or after hours to see if they really do have 24×7 support. Request for specific technical information about their service & also some pointed questions specific to the type of service you are looking for.

Evaluate the speed of their responses, judge the quality, competence and care taken in their responses to you. Test them even further by demanding that they assign a specific contact person to administer your account, so that his person will be familiar with your site and any problems it may have. This will do wonders for the Web Hosts’ accountability and sense of responsibility. Eliminate all those hosts who have not responded to your email or have responded inadequately.

Step 4 : Price-wise.

Evaluate the prices and see which host in your list offers the most for the least. The most expensive host need not be the best, neither does the cheapest host have to be the worst. Choose a host that offers you most of what you need at the most reasonable price, and with options to upgrade later for reasonable rates. If the web host has scalable packages, you can always upgrade to those other features later.

Most web hosting companies offer monthly, quarterly and yearly payment options, so be sure to ask about their minimum commitment period as well as their refund and cancellation policies. You should also receive a discount for longer time periods paid for. Exercising due diligence in these matters pays off many times over in the long run.

Now that you have all the information required.. it is decision time !

Step 5 : The final cut.

Having completed all the steps outlined above, you should be in a good position to make your decision. All the hosting companies who are remaining on your list are probably the best in the market. Choose the one which fits your requirement & your budget the best and the deal is done !

All that is left to do then is place your order and do the needful to get your site online…

Managed Dedicated Servers

People might be thinking about managing their own dedicated server. Before making a decision to do so they should check out the hosting packages online on fully managed dedicated servers. This will save some headaches in maintenance. A hosting service will manage and keep it up and running. Most sites offer support for technical problems pertaining to any kinds of site issues. Hosting packages range in price depending on the customized features offered. Choosing faster processor speeds and more memory will end up costing more than just the low-end basic service. However, the basic service will provide the designated dedicated server hosting with a good processor speed and adequate memory.

When choosing a web hosting service, individuals should evaluate the site for effectiveness. The functionality, traffic, and available services must be closely examined. Of course one must consider a budget when it comes to web hosting services. Weigh the differences in cost to having a dedicated server verses a full one. With managed dedicated servers technical issues will be taken care of by the hosting service. Any hardware or software issues are usually also included with technical support.

Using managed dedicated servers for a website will provide a service that will allow people to concentrate on the more important aspects of a business. Some companies that offer web hosting server management also offer tips on marketing techniques. Some include marketing packages along with hosting services to help the new business owner with initial advertising. Do some research on fully managed dedicated servers and find a reputable company that offers reasonable prices. Become informed by reading frequently answered questions on various sites and if not sure about some issues, make some phone calls using available contact information or do a live chat with a professional. This will help clear up anything people may be concerned about. “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

cPanel Dedicated Server

The cPanel essentially is a control panel system that hosts data on the web. This system is installed on, what is known as, a dedicated server. It must be remembered that cPanel does not have any billing service. One has to physically register clients and deal with their payments manually, using an external service provider.There are essentially two sides to this cPanel dedicated server system:

1. On the one hand there is the Web Host Manager or the WHM for whose who host the content on the web: the function of the WHM is basically to insure that the functions of the system and control panel are performed safely through the right interface. It also helps in easy administration of the hosting accounts and the reseller accounts. The good part about this is, however, the WHM does not require performing functions like manually set up user accounts, deal with their passwords and inbox, etc.

2. And on the other end is end user who uses the cPanel: it is the end user who ultimately uses the cPanel which allows them the liberty to administer everything on their own account, creating accounts, elimination accounts, clearing emails, etc.

Receiving a cPanel server:

Not all dedicated servers purchased or leased through server providers come with a cPanel system. However, while looking out for a dedicated server to purchase, one must necessarily go for a cPanel dedicated server. If cPanel is purchased with the server, there are chances of gaining a good discount on it. Web Hosting UK (webhosting.uk.com) is the popular cPanel partner Network Operating Centers. The cPanel can, however, be run on Linux.

Using the cPanel dedicated server:

The cPanel dedicated server would require to be initialized before one can start off with the publicity and client servicing bit. The following steps would give you an idea of how to go about the initialization:

1. Name servers must be set up.
2. Server protection must be gained by tuning security settings.
3. Verification for effective operation of all services must be done regularly.
4. Ad-on scripts to forward to clients may be included.
5. Security scripts can also be included.

Miscellaneous to keep in mind:

It must be remembered that cPanel does not have any billing service. One has to physically register clients and deal with their payments manually, using an external service provider.

Finding the right Dedicated Server Hosting company is the first important business relationship for a Web Site Owner. You’ll be paying the Dedicated Server Hosting company to look after your site. Therefore choosing the right dedicated server host for your site is important for anyone that uses or depends on it.

Once our site is working and in use it will be viewed by everyone who wants to use it. But sometimes due to unpredictable nature of the Internet it may be difficult to view. If the site is a business site, not being able to view the website can cause a revenue loss. Personal and hobby sites could also loose revenue during the time the site is unavailable at any time, though generally not too much. Even sites that are not for profit can get a bad reputation if the site is unavailable or slow to use.

Potential loss of revenue is just one of the reasons for wanting to choose a good dedicated server host. A problem with the host can affect the other services connected with the domain. Services such as email and FTP could also be affected, and checking emails may become difficult. Another problem is that, messages could get sent back to the sender and your visitors could come to the conclusion that the site no longer exists.

Getting the right dedicated server host will definitely reduce your problems. A good dedicated server host should inform you of scheduled downtime before it happens via email. Of course there is no way of predicting any unscheduled downtime, but many dedicated server hosts will offer an uptime guarantee which will compensate you in some way. The dedicated server hosts that guarantee good service will generally offer better terms in case things go wrong. To receive the services when needed, it would be a good idea to keep both a print and an electronic copy of the Terms of Service and any other important documents from the day that you purchase a new dedicated server hosting plan.

You get what you pay for

Every dedicated server host does not necessarily suit everyone. A dedicated server that is well suited for one of your sites may slow down another. Remember, it is in your best interests to find the most suitable server set up for your site that you can afford. Not getting a suitable host for your dedicated server can ruin your reputation.

The Linux dedicated server and the UNIX dedicated server have similar capabilities, word-of-mouth advertising may be the best means of making a choice between the two when looking for a web host. There are other services, which should be provided by a web host, and a careful reading of their contract before signing on will tell customers just what those services are. If the company offers both of these dedicated server hosting services, have the host company explain the differences in terms of how one might be better in a particular situation. “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. There are differences in dedicated server cost and the number of versions, which may dictate which the customer chooses to use. The most recent version of just about anything, with all its “new” capabilities, is more expensive than older versions, and only the website owner can determine which version will meet his needs. It is possible some of the new features may not be of interest, and getting that extra capability would be a waste of time and money.

It does take special programs to host web sites, and either dedicated servers offer such programs. There are others, and in order to make an intelligent choice, one should consider all the possibilities. The dedicated server hosting services should be able to customize the options they provide to meet the customer’s specific needs. Most hosting service companies include the Linux and UNIX dedicated server in their advertising materials, so it’s easy to find out who uses these programs when deciding on web hosting services.

What is RAID Server and why one should go for the RAID Server:

RAID stands for ‘Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks’. It is a technique for using multiple hard drives to provide fault tolerance. Normally many RAID Server provider configure systems with 2 hard drives to use RAID 1 disk mirroring. All data is written to both dedicated server hard drives simultaneously. Although many UK Dedicated Server providers only use high quality Dell hardware for the RAID dedicated server, the worst can occasionally happen and dedicated server hard drives do sometimes fail. With RAID 1 dedicated servers, if one of the drives fails the dedicated server system can continue to run normally with just the remaining hard drive. Dedicated Server providers can then schedule a mutually convenient time to replace the failed dedicated server hard drive, meaning minimal downtime for your dedicated server. Without RAID, a single dedicated server hard drive failure could result in several days downtime in the worst case scenario that it was necessary to reinstall the operating system from scratch. Please note that on a RAID 1 dedicated server system, the storage capacity is effectively halved. i.e. a pair of 80 GB hard drives will give you 80 GB of storage space, not 160 GB.

For advanced requirements the dedicated server hosting providers do offer custom RAID 5 dedicated server systems with 3 or more server hard drives.

Managed dedicated servers provide customized features for optimal performance towards website needs. Something to initially consider when looking at these options, is deciding what operating system is needed and what additional programs should be included. With a professional site builder and templates it is easy to customize fully managed dedicated servers. These provide flexibility and security for a website. Along with support and technical management are services that include email, DNS, security, backup system, and restoration capability, this is an option for someone who is looking for more storage capability on their website.

There are hosting packages available online that offer this type of support. Features include traffic monitors, excellent bandwidths, operating system updates, managed domains, and network monitoring. Firewall protection and power scans provide additional security. This is included in some packages. Other security features include spam filters and anti-virus software. It is possible to customize the operating system, memory, and amount of backup storage. Do an assessment on server needs before deciding on a web hosting package. A person might want to get some advice from a professional if unsure of what is needed from fully managed dedicated servers.

Some packages that are geared towards providing a business with maximum speed and manageability. These types of packages include faster processors and more memory. With demand increasing for managed dedicated servers there are many choices on hosting packages on the Internet. Support keeps a website separate and unaffected by others. Having a dedicated server means fewer worries and interruptions in service. When others share a server there will likely be some issues that arise. If someone on the network is doing a backup it could heavily utilize the network to the point that additional server users feel interruptions. This could affect viewers visiting a site and even completing a sale transaction. Sharing resources could result in slower than normal response times. These servers usually make these kinds of problems nonexistent.