Okay … I tried to cover the essentials of dedicated hosting in one article but after getting half way through, I came to realize that just wasn’t possible. In this article I will give you a few more factors to take into consideration.
Platform
In the world of web hosting, a platform simply refers to the underlying operating system. While this isn’t all that important in a shared hosting arrangement, it is very crucial for a dedicated server. So what platforms are available? More than likely, you will encounter web hosting providers offering Windows or Linux. Some also offer Mac OS X and Unix variants such as Free BSD, Open BSD and a slew of other systems. Technical gurus may tell you that Linux and Unix are the best choice for the server environment but that isn’t always the case. True, Microsoft Windows has a history of security issues but the system has come along way, especially with the recent edition of Windows Server 2008. While all systems have their vulnerabilities, each can be enhanced to a provide a tighter level of security. The key is finding an operating system you feel comfortable with. If you are familiar with the features and user-friendliness of Windows, the complexity of Linux may throw you for a loop.
Installations
While some web hosting companies will offer dedicated server packages with technologies already installed, several more will not. This means that it may up to you and your IT staff to install web services such as Apache, Microsoft IIS, PHP, ASP, MySQL, MS SQL Server and so forth. If this is the case, you will also be required to install your own system patches and security software. This is something that certainly needs to be accounted for, especially if you don’t have the knowledge to make these complex installations. In this case, you will either need a knowledgeable IT staff on hand or a dedicated host that offers solutions with the most essential technologies pre-installed.
Technical Support
In its purest form, dedicated hosting is a situation where you’re pretty much on your own. All the web host does is house the equipment, provide the connectivity and make sure you stay up and running. With that said, you still need a package that comes included with 24/7 technical support and customer service. You shouldn’t have to purchase a fully managed service or pay ridiculous fees just to get someone on the phone. Unfortunately, there are a few companies that will try to charge you for delivering help that shouldn’t cost a penny. Server administration is one thing, paying extra money to get simple questions answered - now that’s just crazy.
More Considerations
Why do I feel like I’m leaving stuff out? Because there is so much that goes into dedicated server hosting. Aside from what I’ve covered in these two articles, you must also consider internet connectivity, data backups, control panel software and much more. Moving up to a dedicated server is a big step and calls for careful consideration. Indeed, I’ve been stuck with two crappy shared web hosting services - it would’ve been much worse if I got stuck with two crappy dedicated servers.
If you need a dedicated server, I recommend checking out LunarPages. This company has been in the game for years with the technology and expertise you need to thrive with dedicated hosting.
Platform
In the world of web hosting, a platform simply refers to the underlying operating system. While this isn’t all that important in a shared hosting arrangement, it is very crucial for a dedicated server. So what platforms are available? More than likely, you will encounter web hosting providers offering Windows or Linux. Some also offer Mac OS X and Unix variants such as Free BSD, Open BSD and a slew of other systems. Technical gurus may tell you that Linux and Unix are the best choice for the server environment but that isn’t always the case. True, Microsoft Windows has a history of security issues but the system has come along way, especially with the recent edition of Windows Server 2008. While all systems have their vulnerabilities, each can be enhanced to a provide a tighter level of security. The key is finding an operating system you feel comfortable with. If you are familiar with the features and user-friendliness of Windows, the complexity of Linux may throw you for a loop.
Installations
While some web hosting companies will offer dedicated server packages with technologies already installed, several more will not. This means that it may up to you and your IT staff to install web services such as Apache, Microsoft IIS, PHP, ASP, MySQL, MS SQL Server and so forth. If this is the case, you will also be required to install your own system patches and security software. This is something that certainly needs to be accounted for, especially if you don’t have the knowledge to make these complex installations. In this case, you will either need a knowledgeable IT staff on hand or a dedicated host that offers solutions with the most essential technologies pre-installed.
Technical Support
In its purest form, dedicated hosting is a situation where you’re pretty much on your own. All the web host does is house the equipment, provide the connectivity and make sure you stay up and running. With that said, you still need a package that comes included with 24/7 technical support and customer service. You shouldn’t have to purchase a fully managed service or pay ridiculous fees just to get someone on the phone. Unfortunately, there are a few companies that will try to charge you for delivering help that shouldn’t cost a penny. Server administration is one thing, paying extra money to get simple questions answered - now that’s just crazy.
More Considerations
Why do I feel like I’m leaving stuff out? Because there is so much that goes into dedicated server hosting. Aside from what I’ve covered in these two articles, you must also consider internet connectivity, data backups, control panel software and much more. Moving up to a dedicated server is a big step and calls for careful consideration. Indeed, I’ve been stuck with two crappy shared web hosting services - it would’ve been much worse if I got stuck with two crappy dedicated servers.
If you need a dedicated server, I recommend checking out LunarPages. This company has been in the game for years with the technology and expertise you need to thrive with dedicated hosting.
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