subject: How Does Webhosting Operate And Enable Websites [print this page] How Does Webhosting Operate And Enable Websites
There are hundreds of thousands of millions of websites hosted out on the world wide web. We all casually put web addresses into our browser and take for granted the magic in the technology and hard work that has taken place behind web hosting. We are going to go through and explain in simple steps just how web hosting really works. Web hosting runs from dedicated servers Web hosting will normally be run from one or more website hosting servers, or is now the trend from a cloud platform. Commonly a web hosting setup will use a single dedicated server that will then host anything from a handful to several hundreds of web sites. The performance of a dedicated server is relational to the hardware used and the number and type of sites being hosted. With business class hosting you will find they will place a smaller number of websites on the server. In some cases, for performance and resilience, a web hosting provider will split up services such as Mysql and email onto multiple different web servers. Web hosting needs high speed networks With slow loading website hosting your visitors will go else where. This is not very good for a businesses hosting websites. A good host not only needs the best hardware for the servers but also needs to be supported on an excellent network. Typically a web hosting dedicated server will have a 100mbit connection to the internet, which means the server can upload and download at a massive 100mbit speed. A quick loading website always looks more professional and gives the right impression to visitors. Controlling your site How are you going to setup your email? Hosting providers worth their salt will lease a control panel, such as Cpanel. Cpanel is basically a layer that sits between the dedicated server and the other software that is on the server. A control panel will allow for instant setup of email, FTP accounts and Mysql databases. Third panel software can be used to interact with a user's control panel, like Fantastico will allow a simple one click install for webscripts like blogs and forums etc. A web hosting company will provide technical support If we are honest you would be lost if the hosting provider didn't offer you help. If you get a web hosting provider who does not give helpful support then your going to find it a lot harder to host your website. Web hosting companies will provide some assistance for when things go wrong, as well as looking after the stability and security of the dedicated server. In essence, if there is a problem with the server your website is hosted on at 3am, your web hosting company should be fighting tooth and nail to bring the website back online again! Web hosting companies A hosting company will usually charge an annual or monthly fee to host your website. So long as you pay your bills promptly then your website will be online else you will end up getting suspended until it is paid. Many hosts will keep backups, i.e. daily, weekly, monthly etc. Although it's always highly recommended as a webmaster you keep your own backups.
