Evaluate Dedicated Server Hosting
How to Choose the Appropriate Web Host Provider Rental Solution
A guide to dedicated server hosting and how to choose an appropriate rental solution for web site owners.
Introduction
The most important decision any potential web master or internet entrepreneur is likely to make is their web site hosting. There are three main options:
- Dedicated Hosting
- Shared Hosting (Parked)
- Colocation or Co-Hosting
The article will explain the differences between the three types, and show how dedicated server hosting is different, and possibly worth the extra premium. We will also present a checklist that is appropriate for evaluating both dedicated server hosting solutions and shared web servers alike.
Dedicated Hosting vs. Shared Hosting
Shared hosting assumes that the space being offered for rent by the web hosting provider is split amongst a number of users. The bandwidth, disk space, hardware and internet connectivity is all shared out, and the cost split. Hence, they are cheap - often for free or around $30 per year when rented along with a domain name.
By comparison, dedicated hosting service providers guarantee a certain level of service. This should be provided on a dedicated machine that has dedicated resources used by a single web site. These resources include:
- The processor
- The memory
- The disk space
- The internet connection
However, different dedicated hosting service providers offer different platform setups, and it might not always be the case that the machine is being rented by a single user. If this is what the client expects, or requires, then they should ask directly.
The Co-Hosting or Colocation Option
A good balance between dedicated and shared resources is to opt for colocation or co-hosting. This is where a number of smaller web site operators decide to share the cost of a dedicated machine, thus reducing individual bills whilst maintaining some level of exclusivity on the platform.
The approach works well, and has the advantage of each party knowing the other, rather than being on a shared platform where the other web sites might be more resource hungry, slowing down the system for everyone. However, it does rely on a loose kind of agreement not to abuse the relationship, and the dedicated host provider will not be able to take action against a single party as they will be treated as one client.
Making the Decision
The ideal host will have access to good front end tools and a back end Content Management System. Linux hosts tend to be cheaper, and will have Cpanel as the front-end, coupled with Fantastico for maintaining the software that is installed on them. Microsoft Windows platforms are more expensive, often requiring bigger machines to run on, but do have the advantage of being more user-friendly.
However, if the web master is experienced in using the Internet, they should have no trouble with a Linux host, and it would be better to spend additional money on a dedicated server running Linux, than a shared platform running Windows. Any maintenence that is required to be carried out can be learned on the job; money can not be recouped once spent, and it might be better to use it elsewhere.
Quick Checklist
The following is a quick list of items the reader can use to compare dedicated and shared hosting providers.
- Guaranteed Uptime
- Easy Front End (CPanel + Fantastico)
- POP Email & Web mail access
- Number of Email Accounts
- Number of SQL Databases
- Pre-Installed CMS
- Shopping Cart / Merchant Services
- Dedicated Internet Connection
There are bound to be more options, but these should cover the basic extensions. Hard disk space, bandwidth, and other 'options' are usually fairly standard between dedicated hosting providers, and as long as there is enough space to store the web site, any extra is just window dressing. The absolute key is in finding a dedicated web host that is secure, expandable, reliable, and easy to hold accountable if something does go wrong.
