As with all business, the primary focus is to spend as little as possible, yet get as much as possible for the money spent. VPS or virtual private servers save money from the beginning. Cheap VPS is a web hosting environment that gives the client some of the same features as dedicated servers which are a pretty expensive proposition. Cheap VPS makes use of a partition within a dedicated server. The partition functions on its own, with its own operating system and applications. It gives the client who owns the partition more stability and control, and by its very nature costs less than owner the whole dedicated server. Cheap VPS is regarded as a stepping stone for businesses who are growing to the point where one day they will need a dedicated server to meet their needs.
Do some research into Cheap VPS hosting before signing a contract. Many web hosting companies offer similar services. However they may charge different prices because there is no standard pricing within the web hosting industry. So to get the best deal, you will need to comparison shop. Some optimal features for your business might include, quad core nodes, full root/administrator access, round the clock monitoring, all software, security and hardware installed updated and configured. Be sure you know the amount of disk space you will need, buying a cheap VPS plan with not enough space is a waste of time and money. In this case, buying more than you need is better as your company and business continue to grow.
Look at web hosting which offers free set for your cheap VPS. Some hosts charge through the roof for set up so look around. Also ask about multiple cheap domain hosting plans. Some companies offer unlimited options while others will limit this option to minimal making it impossible for you to function. Having a dedicated IP address is very important for your business. Be aware that some web host who offer cheap VPS don’t include dedicated IP addresses and will want to charge you extra. If this happens, move on. Finally choose the company that offers you the most flexibility, the most stability and the most control over your operation, at the minimum amount of money. However do not trade off on quality because the price is too good to pass up. It is, because in the end too cheap VPS can harm your bottom line.
Archive for January, 2010
Cheap VPS
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Windows Dedicated Servers
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010If you’re just getting into choosing a dedicated server, meaning you’re a newbie in the game, then probably the best thing to do is to choose Windows dedicated servers to handle your business. This system is more user friendly to the inexperienced than say, a Linux system. Many experts recommend Linux in the long run, however in the short term, a Windows dedicated server is where you should begin.
Windows dedicated servers are good for individuals and small businesses with expanding needs on the web. For instance, it can handle many simultaneous remote logins to your server. The Windows dedicated server comes with a control panel that is competitively priced to enable you to manager your server. The latest versions of the Windows dedicated server also come with an active directory to make life easier.
It is always best to decide what you really need in your system first, before buying or spending money in a lease type situation. Next, decide how much money you need to spend to get up and running. Bear in mind that Windows dedicated servers are expensive. They are probably the Rolls Royce within the industry, at least in price, anyway. The third thing you want to do is to decide what are your long term goals. In other words, how do you plan to expand your system down the line. Windows dedicated servers are good for creating application pools, hosting ASP applications, utilizing MS SQL Server, hosting Microsoft Exchange, as well as hosting Sharepoint, to name a few possibilities.
The Windows dedicated server hosting system is flexible in that it can be added on to any managed or unmanaged dedicated server. Bear in mind that Windows is not cheap. If you find that you really cannot afford to jump into Windows dedicated servers in the beginning, you might consider looking at a Linux based system. Linux is free and makes for a cheaper system. However, Linux is not as user friendly as Windows, so it may be best to go ahead and put out the money for the more expensive, but infinitely more user friendly Windows dedicated servers.
Managed Hosting
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010Managed hosting and dedicated hosting may seem like the same thing on the surface. But further examination reveals that other than each having a server solely dedicated to your website is about the only thing these two terms have in common.
Managed hosting began as an additional option created for companies with a big online presence that required a dedicated server. The company, however, did not have time to handle day to day administration of their server. So the web host stepped in and took over system and server administration. The web hosting company can now bill for another feature. In other words they do the client’s daily “grunt work” with the server, while the client focuses on other aspects of the business.
Web hosts provide an endless list of services that they are willing to manage for their clients. These services start with reporting and monitoring and load balancing to name another. Managed hosting also includes server security, storage, database maintenance, application and software maintenance, among other things. Security is especially important in this day and age. It is very necessary to keep the system patched and upgraded to stop hacking attacks and system breaches that may result in identity and records thefts. Managed hosting involves keeping up with system back ups and data storage.
Managed hosting cannot handle everything for the company, but it does let the company choose the level of service and support that it needs to do business on a daily basis, as well as to pursue and accomplish future business goals. Many companies are more than willing to work out an ala carte arrangement with the managed hosting company in order to get the service level they need to function. After all, some needs crop up along the way and have to dealt with as they occur. Something along these lines would include new government regulations going on the books. Managed hosting services can help the client maneuver in a situation such as this.
Other things that you need to consider when choosing a managed hosting service, is speed and reliability of customer support, as well as flexibility built into the web hosting system. If these elements are missing then you should consider moving or trying another managed hosting company.
Managed Dedicated Servers
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010The difference between a managed dedicated server and an unmanaged server boils down a number of things including price. A managed dedicated server is more expensive. The level of support from the web hosting company is also better and includes more than just basic service. Both are leasing situations. Most service providers offer managed dedicated servers to their clients. The basic definition is that a managed dedicated server is a hands on situation by the web hosting company. The other is not.
Leasing managed dedicated servers means spending more money. The cost is included in the monthly fee for renting the server. Bear in mind that these management fees are non-negotiable. Typical services provided by the web host include, server set up, system installation and configuration, installation of firewalls, system oversight, software update installation, security, hardware replacement, troubleshooting of the network and maintenance, and server monitoring. Do some research before settling on a web host for your managed dedicated server in order to find out if the company offers the services you need for your business. Include cost comparisons in your research as there is no standard in pricing on anything offered. Check out what a company means when it says it offers support, since there are varying levels and definitions of support.
Web hosting firms offer businesses in house management to go with the server, thus constituting a managed dedicated server system. So how do you manage a server? Well, the web hosting company provides a manager who continuously monitors the server’s performance. They update the operating system when necessary, including updating applications, performing maintenance, making sure the anti virus and firewalls are up to date, troubleshooting when necessary, installing software as needed, performing regular audits and taking steps to prevent intrusions or hacking.
Managed dedicated server management may also include more tasks as specified by the business operation. Within this system, there are levels of management. For instance, there are fully managed servers, medium managed servers, and self managed servers. A fully managed dedicated server is the most headache free, so choose carefully in making your decision.
