Dedicated Web Hosting The Executive Summary

Dedicated Web Hosting: The Executive Summary

by: Rodel Garcia

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.