Dedicated Servers Web Hosts

What is a dedicated server?

    Dedicated Servers Web Hosting allow any organization of any size the ability to rent pre-configured, state-of-the-art equipment and connectivity from the web host. A virtual host requires you to share bandwidth and storage space with other clients. But a dedicated servers web host gives you the opportunity to have an entire server for your exclusive use.

    By renting your own "box" you can, in effect, exercise 100% control over your Web presence:

• Choose and configure the operating system for your server
• Install any third-party software and applications you wish
• Individualize server settings for faster delivery of multimedia and e-commerce applications
• Customize and partition the storage space to your unique requirements
• Customize CPU and clock speed

    The drawback here is that dedicated servers typically cost much more than using a shared server, and often the level of technical expertise required keeps them out of reach of beginners.

Who should use a dedicated server?

    Running your Web site from a dedicated server makes sense if your website requires:

• The implementation of custom software
• A large amount of storage space
• A large amount of bandwidth
• A high degree of security

    In general, if your website has complex needs, you will benefit from a dedicated solution, since it will permit you to deploy complex applications such as:

• Databases (mySQL, SQL, Oracle, postgresql, ColdFusion etc)
• Streaming Media (real, WinMP, Quicktime etc)
• High-end mail solutions and handlers
• Third-party tracking software
• Any other storage or bandwidth-heavy application

    A dedicated web host will also give you the freedom to host multiple sites from a single machine by allowing you to set up your own virtual servers, which is useful for testing/staging new applications, expanding your business offerings or even reselling space on your server.

Additional Benefits

    Security, reliability, maintenance and support mean less responsibility for the customer. And since the box is rented rather than purchased, your hosting provider is responsible for maintaining the equipment and connectivity of the server. If a hardware component fails, the provider is responsible for resolving the problem or replacing the component. Your provider will most likely be responsible for any downtime that occurs due to a hardware failure, and most have a compensation system in place as part of your agreement to reimburse you in the event of failure.

Costs/Risks

    The principal drawbacks of a dedicated solution are price and support. Obviously, taking up an entire server on a providers rack will require a larger investment than sharing a portion of a single server. In addition to these direct costs you will have to cover the cost of technical staff to maintain your server if you are unable to do it yourself. Usually, dedicated servers range between $150 - $1200 US per month.