There has been a massive change in the global IT field over the past few years. There are many options and companies that will offer a dedicated server for your business. It can be overwhelming, but by streamlining the needs of your business and following the principles below, you will have the best-dedicated server hosting plan picked out in no time.
The Operating System
The operating system is the first thing to look at before deciding on what server you would like. There are two main kinds of servers, Windows, and Linux. Microsoft’s Windows Servers are growing among businesses because people are familiar with the OS system on their personal computers. Windows will have a slight learning curve, but there is familiarity that comes naturally with it.
Linux, on the other hand, is a very popular choice as well. Derived from UNIX, it is a popular hosting server. One of the downsides is that it is an entirely different system than Windows. Therefore, if you decide to go with Linux there will be a huge learning curve.
Linux is generally better known for reliability, speed, and security. Windows, on the opposite side of the spectrum, has the greater flexibility and power. Both systems are fine for small and medium-size sites. Although Windows tends to lean on the more expensive side, the difference is not huge. The only real choice is what technology you are comfortable operating.
Another discussion point is if you have an existing site. If so, then the choice might already be made. If you are using ASP or .net code on your current site, the new server will be Windows. Linux does not support those technologies. Of course, if you are up for the challenge, you could change it over to PHP. This would be a lot of work and time invested. Another thing to note is whether or not you use Flash or other multimedia. If so, Windows is going to be the better choice.
On the other hand, if your site currently uses PHP or PERL, then Linux is your best choice. Unlike Linux which has limited technologies, Windows can run all of these. The difference is that they are native to Linux, making them more secure. If you are running your site on HTML, with no database at all, then Linux is certainly better.
Hardware
The next discussion point is RAM and CPU. There are a lot of variables that come to play in this decision, making it more difficult to diagnose. An easy way to think about it is, the more traffic your site has, the more power you will need. For example, if you have a busy site that runs a series of .net powered forums with all pages dynamically generated from a SQL server database then you will need a lot of Ram and CPU power. On the other hand, if you have a static brochure site, then you will not need as much.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is an additional cost that comes into play when choosing a server. It controls how much data can be delivered to the server. It is usually given as a measured amount at the end of the month. A site that has lots of multimedia or intensive graphs will feel the price of bandwidth more than a normal static site.
If you have high bandwidth, then you should find a host that promises bandwidth availability. Even if you have a dedicated server, you can experience slowing down if your site has a high demand. If the bottleneck is not on the server, but in the ability to deliver bandwidth, then you will need a high-speed pipeline. The best way to find out what you need is to discuss your bandwidth needs with various hosts who can help you find a solution.
Your Knowledge
One of the last questions that you should ask yourself if you feel confident that you have the knowledge to set up and run a web server from your home or office. If the answer is yes, then you will not need a managed web host. If no, then you might want to consider it.
A managed web host will take the maintenance of running your server out of your hands. For example, if you would like to make changes, then you would talk to your hosts and they will complete the task. You will pay for this, but it takes the stress and worry away from having to do it yourself. If your business has nothing to do with IT, then there may be no reason for you to learn and be stressed about it.
If you have the skills or have someone who is willing to learn, then you may be better off running your own server. There are a couple things to keep in mind though. First off, it is not necessarily a cheaper option. Just like anything, you will have to invest time and skill development into the server. The server is your full responsibility. If you have security concerns and wish to have the flexibility and exact specifications that you would like, then managing your server is the best for you.
Choosing the right dedicated server can be a tedious task. But, by keeping these principles and information in mind, you will be able to pick out the best server for you and your business. Contact our team to learn more about what dedicated server is best for you.
ServerPronto offers the best affordable and secure hosting service in all dedicated server packages.
Comments are closed.