You know you need a web host, but you don't know where to begin. You do a web search to research possible options and get a bit confused with all the Linux, UNIX, shared hosting, dedicated servers, virutal private servers, cloud servers, CoLocation hosting.
Step back a bit. You don't need to learn everything about web sites to find a host. You do though require to discover what a web host is, and the basic types of web hosting. This information will direct you to know what type of hosting you require, and finally you can make a good selection.
To begin, let's describe the term. Web hosting is a service that hosts web pages on servers that can be reach through the Internet.
There are some primary types of web hosting providers that serve the requirements of site owners; these feature shared web hosting, VPS( virtual private server) hosting, dedicated web hosting, and co-located hosting.
There are several sources online that offer comprehensive resources and reviews on these services, but there are numerous facts you should pay most attention to. The points to consider before selecting a web hosting provider include the number of clients they service, years in business, customer service reliability, hardware specifications, and backup routines. With that out of the way, let's jump in and explore the basic types of web hosting.
Dedicated Hosting
A dedicated web server is simply like the name seems: it's dedicated to your site only. Typically it is rented out to a site owner. The hosting provider is responsible for the maintenance, backing up, security, and power management. The site owner handles the software-related issues.
Dedicated hosting is useful for websites that need extra bandwidth and system resources because of the use of technologies such as e-commerce software, tailored made server applications, and heavy traffic.
Such websites are usually more efficient serviced by a dedicated hosting provider instead of developing and running an in-house solution. Dedicated hosting is possible with Windows, Mac, and Linux servers. A dedicated server can cost above of $100/ month.
Cons and pros: 24/7 tech support is available. Speed, dependability, and customization of website are often improved.
The response time of dedicated servers is fast as measured to shared servers where the activity of other sites affects server speeds.
Reliability and customization of websites are improved as dedicated hosting offers greater storage capacity and greater flexibility in terms of hardware configurations and software installations; hard drives can be upgraded and bandwidths increased with growth.
Shared servers and CoLo hosting are cheaper choices to dedicated hosting. As the server is not owned by the site owner, security of sensitive data can be an issue.
VPS Hosting
VPS stands for a Virtual Private Server. VPS hosting is one of the most preferred hosting solutions you can possibly purchase for your website. It utilizes virtualization technological innovations to deliver you by using dedicated (private) resources on a hosting server with multiple users.
It's a more immune and reliable service than shared hosting when you don't have a dedicated server power and physical resources. It's smaller-scale and cheaper than renting an entire server.
VPS hosting is typically considered by website owners who receive medium-level website traffic that goes over the limitations of shared hosting plans but still don't need to have the options of a dedicated server.
Advantages and disadvantages of vps hosting:
It's much faster and more stable than a shared hosting server.
As server resources such as memory or processing power are guaranteed, there's absolutely no minor inconstancy in accessible resources.
It's an easy-to-scale service. Since your website gets bigger, you can
simply boost your server resources (RAM, CPU, disk space, bandwidth,
etc.). It's more costly than shared hosting.
Problems and visitor traffic climbs of additional server users don't impact your website.
You have superuser (root) accessibility to your hosting server.
You get much better security, since your databases and files are isolated from additional server consumers.
It needs much more technical understanding to administer your server.
Inaccurately managed servers may lead to security vulnerabilities.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting, is a cost-effective and popular web hosting solution. The hosting provider loans the website hosting server, services, and bandwidth to more than one website.
Medium-sized and small websites, which do not have high traffic and have limited bandwidth necessities, benefit from shared hosting. A shared hosting offer by a service provider usually includes features such as Internet connection, domain name registration, file storage, email account, and may also include website design service. The cost of shared hosting is in the range of $5-40 per month. It can be more or less basing on the package selected.
Shared hosting enables the establishment of an online presence with no high priced equipment purchases required on part of the site owners and for that reason is the perfect.
One of the restrictions of shared hosting is that sites compete for the provider's service; this may proceed in slow server response times in periods of heavy traffic and make browsing problems. Since websites hosted on a server may be grouped under a single IP address, there is a chance that a site owner may have to share an IP address with adult or scam sites.
This can lead to refusing from search engine placements which will have a negative effect on the traffic. As the software applications are shared between websites, a site owner may not be able to modify the website as per his business objectives and target audience.
While paying for shared hosting services, it is beneficial to have a tip of the total expected traffic during the day as well as the visits during the peak period.
This helps in obtaining a package with enough bandwidth for near and immediate interval needs. The cost of an upgrade and changes to the package should be recognized.
Co-location (Co-lo) Hosting
In Co-location hosting, the server is owned by the site owner and it is leased at the co-lo facility, where it is installed along with other servers in the facility.
A co-lo service enables site owners to make highest use of network access points and the freedom to choose among telecom lines provided by the hosting company and other telecom lines.
Co-location hosting enables site owners to utilize high bandwidth at a cost that is not extensively higher than that of a normal web hosting package. The site owner manages the server while the hosting provider ensures smooth running by providing regular power supply and IT support.
Co-location hosting services can be standalone data centers or companies that operate by renting server space from a co-location web hosting reseller. The cost of the server and the volume of rack space required by the servers of a site owner affect the cost of co-lo hosting. Servers that fit in with the dimensions of the racks can help to save costs; co-locating tower servers normally cost more.
Additional services provided by the hosting provider and insurance are other features that affect cost. The monthly cost of a co-lo service for a half-rack of server space can be up to $1000.
The benefits of co-location hosting include temperature and humidity controlled place for the servers; security from theft, hacking, and fire; equipping of redundancy and backup. It allows the site owner to control the important features of web hosting such as bandwidth allocation, routers, VPN, server space, and VLAN.
Site owners may not obtain it easy to locate a co-lo service that is located close enough to enhance safe and easy transfer of servers and at the same time provide the best connection speeds. Co-lo hosting is of greater advantage to those who have hosting prior experience and as a result are better placed to restore the costs involved.
Finally, it is the needs of the site that impose the choice of web hosting solution. Online stores and sites with massive traffic are better ahead with dedicated hosting, personal blogs and small sites with no ecommerce activity that do not have significant bandwidth usage can work with virtual hosting, and websites that need a higher level of customization and work with vulnerable data benefit from a co-lo hosting arrangement.
To discover what type of host you need, ask yourself what kind of site you have, and it should all pass of course from there.
Where did we collect this information above ?
Our article is almost abstract of these articles in these websites:
If you have more time and you are passionate, you can also read articles above.
This post is also published on our Blog:
https://blog.ciscowebservers.com/articles/shared-hosting-vs-vps-hosting-vs-cloud-vs-colo-hosting/
