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The System Development Life Cycle of the Managed Dedicated Server

It is important to understand that managed dedicated servers have a life cycle, just as a living system or a new product does. System analysis and design, constitute the key stages of the system development life cycle. It is quite mandatory to understand the issue in all of its perspectives, before starting to solve any issues associated with it.

The idea for a new system with regard to a managed dedicated server, originates with the identification of the need for change. Preliminary investigation is the starting point of a system development project. The objective of initial investigation is to determine whether the user's request is valid and feasible.

A managed dedicated server is said to be successful only when the problem is defined accurately, and thorough investigation is carried out, followed by proper execution of an apt solution. Identification and project selection is considered a pre-project step in the system development life cycle of managed dedicated server.

The feasibility study is the second major step in the system development life cycle of managed dedicated server. It requires the assessment of a wide array of factors influencing the project. The major objective of the feasibility study phase is to find out the answers of the following three key questions:

1 - Is there a new and better way to do the job that will benefit the user?

2 - What are the costs and savings of the alternative solutions?

3 - What is the recommended course of action?

While assessing technical feasibility, the configuration of the managed dedicated server is more important than the actual make of the hardware. The configuration should depict the server's requirements. Economic analysis is carried out to determine the benefits and savings that are expected from a managed dedicated server and compare them with costs. If benefits outweigh costs, then a decision is made to design and implement the system.

System analysis is a detailed study of the various functions performed by a managed dedicated server and their relationships within and outside the server. A vital question that needs to be answered is: What must be done in order to solve the problem? Analysis specifies the boundaries of the server and determines whether or not a candidate server should consider other related servers. During analysis, data is gathered on the available files, in addition to decision points and transactions managed by the existing server.

System design is the most creative and challenging phase of the system life cycle of managed dedicated server. The term 'design,' describes the final system architecture and process by which it is brought about. It refers to the technical specifications that will be applied in implementing the candidate server. It also incorporates the development of programs and program testing.

The design process starts by determining how the outputs are to be generated and in which format. Then, input data and database are designed in accordance with the requirements of the proposed outputs. Finally, documentation and evaluation of the details related to justification of the managed dedicated server, and an estimate of impact of the server on the user is done as a step towards implementation.

The final reports prior to the implementation phase, are comprised of procedural flowcharts, record layouts, report layouts and a workable plan for implementing the managed dedicated server. In this phase, the projected costs must be close to the actual cost of implementation.

The implementation phase of the managed dedicated server mainly focuses on user training, site preparation and database creation. When the server is connected to terminals, the telecommunication network and tests of the network, along with the system, are also performed.

User acceptance is secured during the final testing, followed by user training. Depending on the nature of the managed dedicated server, extensive user training may be required. Conversion from the old to the new server, usually also takes place at about the same time the user is being trained or later.

Server testing examines the readiness and correctness of the managed dedicated server to produce desired outputs. After the programs become available, test data is fed into the computer and processed against the programs provided for testing. Upon successful execution, the program is run with live data. Then, a diagnostic procedure is employed to detect and correct errors in the program.

In most conversions, a parallel run is conducted where the new managed dedicated server runs simultaneously with the old server. This approach provides added assurance against errors in the new system and also provides opportunity to the users to operate the new server with minimum risk. However, this approach is considered costly. Moreover, in some cases it is not possible to run a parallel server.

The evaluation and maintenance of the managed dedicated server starts, once the installation phase gets completed and users adapt to the changes brought about by the new system. Every server has an ageing process that necessitates periodic maintenance of software. Periodic maintenance of the managed dedicated server ensures effective system utilization.

Since 1998, WestHost Inc. has been a Managed Dedicated Server provider, representing the best combination of technology and service, with extensive advantages over traditional unmanaged hosting. A managed dedicated server at WestHost will provide:

- Greater reliability, performance, and security
- Powerful server and Web site control panels
- Fully MANAGED server hosting services (with security updates and server monitoring)
- Instant software installation capabilities
- WestHost Virtual Private Server (VPS) technology
- 24/7 free administrative technical support (Level 1, 2, AND 3)
- SAS70 certified world-class datacenter that features a disaster tolerance, physical security, network security, a redundant network, and uninterruptible power.

For a limited time, Hostway is offering reduced setup fees upon sign-up for a new Managed Dedicated Server. The special also includes Westhost's Closeout Servers.
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