One of the main concerns for every budding as well as established enterprise is the availability of a secure network with large bandwidth, and a hosted server with a large storage capability. Multiple service providers offer shared hosting services, which is a good option for startups and small organizations. Categorically speaking, shared hosting denotes that your website is hosted on the same server along with several other sites. Organizations with resource-intensive websites that generate a large amount of traffic, however, must switch to a dedicated server. In a nutshell, dedicated server hosting offers the resources and functionalities of an entire server to one enterprise, without any sharing commitments with other businesses.
Ten factors that determine the benefits of investing in dedicated server hosting services –
Here are the ten most critical factors to consider when opting for dedicated server hosting. Continue reading if you’re a business seeking enhanced performance, a developer in pursuit of optimal customization, an organization focused on data security, or someone simply seeking knowledge.
# Security
Compared with other web server hosting types such as VPS or shared hosting, dedicated server hosting services offer a greater level of security. In addition to the allocation of a complete set of resources and functionalities on that particular server, dedicated server hosting also allows regular updates of security patches for the online files and website. Dedicated servers negate interactions with sites that may install malicious scripts onto the server. They also almost nullify the chances of its sabotage by hackers. Furthermore, using administrative access onto servers, installation of security software such as anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-malware add-ons are allowed.
# Reliability
Most business owners incorporating shared servers, depend on their service provider to ensure that their website maintains the best possible level of ‘uptime’ and negligible downtime. With dedicated server hosting, this dependency is nullified as your web services would always have access to the required server resources, managed by a dedicated team from your organization. This means, that irrespective of the varying data traffic to and fro from your website, the chances of any downtime are almost nil.
# Scalability
Every business operation that sustains continual growth requires additional server storage and network bandwidth according to demand, which is not possible in the case of shared server hosted web services. However, deciding on a dedicated server, acquiring additional bandwidth and storage become easy and without the need of migrating to a new server or hosting service provider. Additionally, with a dedicated server, businesses are not limited to the usage of the applications software or scripts created to support custom applications. Despite the obvious limitations, such as spamming rules and anti-phishing protocols, organizations are free to use the server to process almost any type of web services or remote applications as per business requirement.
# Control and Flexibility
One of the biggest benefits offered by dedicated hosting is the greater amount of control over the server and operational flexibility. Businesses offering resource-intensive websites cannot afford any lapse of bandwidth at the backend, and use almost any number of customized application software to maintain the desired level of uptime. For instance, dedicated hosting servers could install any core software using Linux commands, over a Windows operating system, along with any viable caching software which could boost the server’s performance.
# Maintenance Costs
Physical servers are associated with high operational and maintenance cost. Dedicated servers, on the other hand, are managed virtually by a dedicated team of IT professionals. With increased scalability of operations and application of virtualized software applications such as VMWare, Hyper-V, and AWS, the same rack server assembly could host myriads of applications and data elements, at no extra cost. Various service providers offer a host of features such as unique IP address allocation for your websites, increased spam control, caching software and e-commerce solutions.
# Hardware Specifications
When it comes to choosing a dedicated server hosting service, one of the critical factors to consider is the hardware specifications of the dedicated server itself. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal performance and reliability. With managed dedicated server hosting, you can trust that the service provider will take care of the hardware aspect, but it’s still essential to be aware of what you’re getting. Evaluate factors such as the processor, RAM, and storage capacity, among others, offered by the dedicated web hosting provider. These hardware components directly impact your server’s ability to handle traffic, run resource-intensive applications, and deliver a seamless user experience. Pay attention to hardware specifications and make an informed decision.
# Server Location and Data Center Facilities
If your target audience primarily resides in the Indian subcontinent, opting for dedicated hosting in India can offer significant advantages in terms of website speed and latency reduction. It’s essential to select a web hosting company in Noida or a provider with data centers strategically located in India to ensure that your server is physically closer to your users. This proximity not only enhances the loading times and overall performance of your website or application for Indian visitors but also helps with data sovereignty and compliance issues. Evaluating the infrastructure and security measures in place at the data center is equally vital. Ensure that the dedicated server hosting in India you choose offers robust data center facilities, including backup power, cooling systems, and physical security, to guarantee the uninterrupted operation of your server and safeguard your valuable data.
# Data Migration and Transfer
The seamless transition of your existing data and applications to your new dedicated server is a critical aspect of the migration process. Assess the level of support provided by your chosen hosting provider regarding data migration. Experienced providers offer comprehensive assistance, ensuring minimal downtime and data loss during the transfer. It’s crucial to plan the migration meticulously, taking into account factors such as the size of your data, compatibility with the new server’s environment, and the downtime your website or application can afford. A smooth data migration and transfer process are vital to maintaining business continuity and delivering uninterrupted services to your users, making it a pivotal factor to consider when selecting a dedicated server hosting service.
# Backup and Disaster Recovery
Safeguarding your data against unforeseen disasters or system failures is essential for business continuity. Ensure that the hosting service offers robust backup solutions, including regular automated backups of your server’s data and configuration. Equally important is a well-defined disaster recovery plan, which should encompass procedures for swift server restoration in case of unexpected incidents. It’s advisable to inquire about the location of backup storage to ensure geographical diversity, minimizing the risk of data loss due to localized disasters. By prioritizing backup and disaster recovery options when selecting a dedicated server hosting service, you can rest assured that your data remains secure and accessible, even in the face of adverse circumstances, thereby safeguarding your business operations and reputation.
# Managed vs. Unmanaged Hosting
Managed hosting offers a hands-off approach, where the hosting provider takes responsibility for server setup, maintenance, security, and technical support, allowing you to focus solely on your website or application operations. In contrast, unmanaged hosting also provides complete control over the server’s configuration but places the onus of its management squarely on your shoulders. The choice between these two options depends on your technical expertise, time availability, and specific hosting needs. If you’re well-versed in server administration and prefer a hands-on approach, unmanaged hosting can offer more flexibility and cost savings. However, if you’re looking for peace of mind, expert support, and the ability to offload server management tasks, managed hosting is the way to go.
Bottom Line
Dedicated servers help ensure seamless business operations, by providing increased control to the business owners for installing and configuring viable software applications. These servers can be dedicated to a single task, such as a database server, a web server, an application server, a file server, or multiple server portfolios. Additionally, dedicated servers negate any lapses in business functionalities due to third-party activities, as in the case of shared servers. In short, though the costs associated with dedicated server hosting are higher compared to those of shared hosting, the benefits make the proposition worthwhile.