subject: Dedicated Servers-what Is It Actually? [print this page] In case you start a website of your own, you will come to know about the importance of a hosting service. A hosting service helps you in running, maintaining and improving your website in the best possible manner. One of the most important and the most popular hosting service is called as the dedicated servers. In a dedicated server, the client (the one who is running the internet website) leases a server from providers for a particular period. This time period may extend from 6 months to 24 months and the duration can be extended if the client wishes to do so. This server (Which you are buying on lease for certain time period) is not shared with any other website i.e. you are the sole owner till the contract of lease expires.
The client or the organization buying the dedicated servers has full control over its running which includes the hardware components and the operating system. However, the investment required to buy a dedicated server is slightly high but the return of investment can be very healthy if the website is managed and run properly. Few important things regarding dedicated servers are given here in this article. So, read on to find out everything you wanted to know about a dedicated server.
The first thing you have to understand is about the free and commercial servers. There are different types of Linux and Unix Operating Systems that offer serves absolutely free. However, this will not ensure that your website would peak the charts of growth as you would desire to. In case of commercial servers, there is the Red Hat Enterprise from Linux, Microsoft SPLA from Microsoft Windows Server and many other privately run commercial dedicated servers. In case of Linux dedicated server, it supports technologies like PHP, Mysql etc while Windows Dedicated Server supports ASP, ASP.Net, PHP, MSSQL, Mysql etc.
Server management is one thing that every client must be aware of. If your server is not properly managed, it will result in the downfall of your website. For example, your website might be a forum which would invariably mean that the space and bandwidth of your site should be considerably high. If it is not properly managed (Lack of space or low bandwidth) then the users visiting your website will be annoyed which will ultimately lead to users ignoring your website. Hence it is very important that you choose a reliable and responsible dedicated server.
There are many providers who give quality service when it comes to dedicated servers. All you need to do is to just find one such provider and make negotiations regarding the pricing, monthly rentals and the services offered along with the product. For example, providers would invariably give free Operating System updates, Application Updates, Server Monitoring, Backups and Technical Support etc. There might be certain providers who would deny giving such utilities to their clients. Hence, it is very important that you choose the right dealer before you invest your money.
