When a single client hires or takes a single web server on lease within a network of computers and the entire infrastructure of the server and the resources is exclusively used by that customer, they are said to be using a dedicated server. The web site’s traffic, domains, videos, images and other content are all managed by the dedicated server. The dedicated server providers permit the customer to adapt the hardware setup and install their own software and other applications to meet the requirements of the website.
Benefits of Dedicated Hosting:
Utilizing the services of the dedicated hosting providers the clients get total administrative control over the server. The providers offer a set of tools to the clients for them to remotely manage the output and performance as the server is in the host’s premises or at a data center owned by them. Getting administrative control means the power and freedom to install any software of their choice as required by their business. They can choose the coding language they want to work on and decide on the type of CMS and have choice of Linux or Windows operating system.
Large businesses and organizations will look for the services of dedicated hosting providers when their website
- has huge traffic movement daily and need maximum space,
- need high speed and to withstand traffic spikes
- needs more features and facilities than what they get in shared and VPS servers
- looks for highest security level
- have their own technical team to manage and run the server
- needs to be online every moment and look for maximum uptime for better performance and service,
- is a growing business and will be in need of the best of resources sooner or later and
- Needs to be configured and customized as per business requirements.
Managed or Self-managed Dedicated Server Options:
Most of the hosting services are available in both managed and unmanaged options. In unmanaged option the dedicated hosting provider take the responsibility of maintaining only the hardware and any pre-installed software of the server. The client will have to do all the monitoring and manage the services to the server on their own. They will have to be technically competent. The host just installs the server at the client’s premises. The advantage with this form of hosting is that the entire infrastructure is in-house. The client can beef up the security level and can install any hardware and software they require for the business. The unmanaged form of dedicated hosting is more affordable than the managed hosting.
In the managed option the dedicated hosting providers will take the responsibility of maintaining, monitoring and managing the server and other resources. The clients need not have a technical qualified team of employees and in addition saves on the expenditure of uninterrupted power supply and backup equipments. The host provides the choice of Linux or Windows operating system and installs and makes the server fully functional for the clients to log into their account.
In managed hosting the dedicated hosting providers are also responsible for the hardware and software security to the web server and provide for complete backups and stores the backups on other servers to ensure prevention of data loss. This facility is not extended in the self managed hosting where the client has to log into their self installed control panel and create backups to the server. In the managed hosting form, the service provider opens the server on a daily basis and performs maintenance for optimum performance. There is a lot of difference in the customer support extended in the two options of managed and unmanaged hosting. The service providers do not extend technical support in the unmanaged hosting and the clients are required to have their own technical specialists to manage the installed software. In the managed dedicated hosting, the host provides 24/7 technical support and customer service. This gives the clients more time to focus on further expansion of business with new avenues and clients.
Dedicated hosting providers offer managed hosting in two main types of fully managed and partially managed hosting. The fully managed services the entire responsibility of the server including software and hardware is of the host while in partially managed services, the host only extends limited support of server reboots and basic functioning. It is ideal for the budget constrained businesses that have their own technical team but do not have the space and equipment.
Dedicated hosting providers give the option of either Linux or Windows operating systems. Websites that run on Windows platform with technologies like ASP, .NET, MSSQL, MSAccess have to go in for the windows server. Linux server does not support these technologies. Windows being a commercial product comes with a license fee. Linux is a free and open source software distribution system and is suitable for those using PHP, Python Perl, Dreamweaver, Apache22x MySQL databases and many more. It is also more affordable than the Windows server.