What is Dedicated Web Hosting?
Dedicated web hosting can alleviate the need to share
hardware or software with any other sites or web pages.
Webmasters are given the autonomy to decide on applications
that are installed on the server to create specific configurations
for their web needs, and have the ability to provide a
secure environment for their site. As compared to a shared-server
environment, dedicated web hosting offers a peace of mind
that a site will be delivered in a reliable and secure
manner.
There are major benefits of dedicated web hosting, as
discussed below. However, the major disadvantage, cost,
is quickly being overcome. Because of continual growth
in the dedicated web hosting industry, the rates for dedicated
server plans are rapidly declining. A competitive environment
drives up the level of service and decreases cost. This
reduction is powered by an increase in small and medium-sized
businesses gaining an online presence and the rapid proliferation
of web hosting providers.
Advantages: Dedicated server hosting is favorable because
of 2 major assets: control and reliability.
Since a dedicated web administrator has more control
over a dedicated server, it tends to be more secure, compared
to a shared web server. By knowing what exactly is installed
on a dedicated server through full root access, a system
administrator is able to confidently make decisions on
the software and application updates necessary to maintain
the dedicated web server and keep it running in its most
optimal configuration.
Increased reliability is another major asset of dedicated
server web hosting, as a server administrator has the
self-sufficiency to optimize page loads by tweaking variables
such as page load speed and general server resource allocation.
This server reliability translates to customer satisfaction
and an increase in the bottom line goals of a web site’s
presence.
Disadvantages: While the benefits of dedicated web server
hosting is apparent, the bottom line consideration, especially
for business purposes is cost. Dedicated web hosting is
significantly more expensive compared to shared or virtual
web hosting, and until recently, could most commonly be
quoted at several hundred dollars to several thousand
dollars per month. Although cost may still be exorbitant,
most businesses are able to justify the use of dedicated
servers through a true web analysis to weigh the resources
necessary to run applications and code.
Another drawback is the need to be able to monitor, install,
upgrade and configure programs, add sites, deal with potential
hacks, and troubleshoot systems. Therefore, the necessary
system administration skills, if one does not possess
them, may definitely inhibit the successful implementation
of a web site hosted on a dedicated web server.
Benefits: The direct benefits of a dedicated web hosting
plan surround the ability to totally administer a web
server. The advantage to be able to effectively maintain
a dedicated server lies in one’s ability to control
the variables associated with reliability and stability.
In a dedicated environment, server overload, malicious
scripts from other users, and too many installed applications
are variables which can be controlled, as compared to
this loss of management in shared server hosting.
Furthermore, a dedicated server allows one to only install
applications or software that applies to the major hosting
goal at hand. Conversely, shared web hosting has installed
software that may or may not be related to the web hosting
goals.
Reliance on the web host repair services and time delays
of platform repairs can be minimized, as one may intervene
and provide solutions to existing problems with dedicated
web hosting. Having the option to add patches, upgrade
software, or tweak performance is invaluable and allows
the dedicated server administrator to work with 24 hour
access to perform adjustments, corrections, or updates.
Lastly, speed of downloads can be determined through
the amount of bandwidth that is dedicated to just your
website. Statistically, visitors will quickly leave a
site if the load time was long. Dedicated servers allow
quick delivery of web pages, which increases the probability
of keeping web site visitors on a site that may convert
them to paying customers. Furthermore, quick loading pages
enhance the company’s image and may encourage existing
customers to refer your web-based services to others.
What is the best application of a dedicated web hosting
service provider?
Utility of a dedicated server environment is best suited
to those with a working knowledge of server operating
systems and those who don’t mind troubleshooting
problems which may arise.
Server administrators must be able to apply kernel upgrades,
service packs, and software patches, as well as provide
ample security, monitor traffic, update server applications,
balance server loads, and configure email, FTP, and DNS
services.
In exchange for competency in the above functions, the
best uses for a dedicated web server environment would
be:
· mission-critical sites requiring custom server
management and software implementation.
· dedicated hosting resellers, web developers and
designers who need greater flexibility, reliability and
security for their clients
· backbones of corporate intranets
· robust and dependable servers for streaming media,
online gaming, and e-mail or chat applications
· complex application sites with high traffic and
secure information such as ecommerce, database, and multimedia
sites.
· enterprise-level web sites
· Web sites which may have content restrictions
if hosted elsewhere (e.g. adult targeted sites.)
How to decide:
Overall, the cost, security of data and equipment, bandwidth
availability, the knowledge and integrity of the web-hosting
provider, uptime, hardware maintenance, and any technical
support offered by the dedicated web host are important
deciding factors. Although your specific dedicated web
hosting needs may be unique in a few ways, generally,
one can make a decision on a dedicated web server provider
by considering the following things:
Data Transfer Rates: Data transfer will need to be determined
based on the amount of information that will be downloaded,
as well as the type of content a site will be sharing
(general text vs. high resolution graphics and multimedia).
A dedicated web host will generally have various packages
that will allow one to choose the data transfer level,
normally measured in “gigabytes per month”.
Higher levels of data transfer rates normally mean more
cost, so utilization of the first few months to correlate
data transfer rates and traffic patterns is key.
Platforms: The two most common systems available are
Windows based servers versus some flavor of UNIX (Linux
and Solaris). Windows is historically more expensive,
but is generally regarded as more user-friendly, especially
with the ubiquitous presence of Windows-based pc’s
and administrators. Linux, on the other hand, is less
expensive to install, but harder to maintain, as a steeper
learning curve exists for those unfamiliar with it. Therefore,
the operating system installed on a dedicated web server
should depend on a couple of factors.
First, the platform should be conducive to the coding
in which the website and necessary applications are developed.
Next, since administration of the dedicated server will
be done by the subscriber, the necessary skill base to
support the platform must be in place. Commands and administration
techniques are definitely platform-specific.
Monitoring: Dedicated server monitoring works to prevent
service interruptions. The web host will provide a service
that can, at a pre-set frequency, check a website to see
downtime.
Automation: Although dedicated web servers may require
a greater degree of skill, certain dedicated web hosting
companies may offer software that will automate common
procedures, thus lessening the high level knowledge necessary
to maintain servers and implement new services.
Data Backup: Some dedicated web hosting providers assist
the web hosting subscriber with data backups. Finding
a dedicated server provider who will assist in this process
could alleviate the hassle of doing it yourself and can
allow one to devote time to other things.
Scalability: Dedicated web hosting providers should be
able to account for major growth. Progressive expansion
can be accounted for by asking a web host if modules of
extra space, bandwidth, or better yet, larger packages
can be purchased to allow easy transition to better hardware
and software.
Service Level Agreements: More dedicated web hosts are
publishing their SLA’s, which thoroughly documents
what they will do in exchange for what the customer is
responsible for. For instance, some dedicated server hosts
are offering features such as: 100% uptime guarantees,
unlimited live answer technical phone-based support, free
upgrades of patches, hot-fixes, personal Dedicated Sales
account managers, maintenance staff with spare parts for
all server configurations, and more. A full understanding
of the commitment that a dedicated web host is offering
will help in a decision to utilize that service.
About the Author
Rodel Garcia is a freelance programmer and web developer.
Owner and webmaster of http://www.web-hosting-service-directory.com/
