What is a Dedicated Server?

Internet business owners generally choose to outsource dedicated servers, due to the highly technical nature of the requirements, and the high availability of networks from multiple providers. Dedicated server providers utilize great amounts of bandwidth, and are able to obtain lower volume costs, which can include multi-providers in any given plan. Generally, the expenses required to develop a single network alone, is not economically feasible for most web hosting companies.

Operating System Support

Availability, price and familiarity, often determines which operating systems are offered on dedicated servers. Variations of Linux, an open-source operating system, are often included at no additional charge to customers, whereas, Microsoft requires additional license fees, which can increase the monthly cost of a dedicated server operating on a Windows operating system. The Microsoft Windows Server, is offered through the Microsoft SPLA program. Commercial versions of Linux are offered to web hosting providers on a monthly fee basis. The monthly fee typically provides OS updates through a network, using specific applications. Other operating systems available from the open source community at no charge, include centOS, Fedora Core, FreeBSD, Debian, among others.

Support operating systems utilized, usually depend upon the management level afforded by individual dedicated server plan. Operating system support may include updates to the core system in order to acquire the latest security fixes, patches, and system-wide vulnerability resolutions. Updates to core operating systems include kernel upgrades, service packs, application updates, and security patches that keep server secure and safe. Operating system updates and support relieves the burden of server management from the dedicated server owner.

Bandwidth and Connectivity

Bandwidth is the data transfer rate or the amount of data that can be carried from one point, usually within a second, often represented in bits (of data) per second (bps). Visitors to the server or web site, utilize bandwidth as web site traffic moves back and forth between the server and the Internet. Access providers provide the connectivity that supplies the bandwidth, or data transfer rate, through various connection points across a network or multiple data centers, where dedicated servers are located.

Some dedicated server hosting providers offer a 100% uptime guarantee on their networks. By securing multiple vendors for connectivity and using redundant hardware, providers are able to guarantee higher uptimes; usually between 99-100% uptime if they are a higher quality provider. One aspect of higher quality providers is they are mostly likely multi-homed across multiple quality uplink providers, which in turn, provides significant redundancy in the event one goes down in addition to potentially improved routes to destinations.

Dedicated server clients do not share resources, as those with shared hosting plans do. One of the primary advantages of using a dedicated server over a typical shared hosting account is the increased amount of resources and control available. In most instances, the customer may install whatever software necessary, allowing for greater flexibility and options. Custom software can be installed, which also lends to security, since there is less chance for a hacking attempt, since only one site is being hosted, rather than several hundred at a time.

Since no industry standards have been set to clearly define the management role of dedicated server providers, each provider defines them differently. Some dedicated server providers define fully managed as having a web-based control panel, while others define it as having dedicated system engineers readily available to handle server and network related functions.

An example of a comprehensive dedicated server plan, is one offered by web hosting solutions firm, IPOWER. Beginning at $49.00 per month, the IPOWER Virtual Private Servers are designed for self-managed reboots, multiple users, and management of IP addresses, processes, system libraries, and configuration files. Customers may also host unlimited web sites through command line administration. Each plan also includes the Plesk control panel, providing ''point and click'' functionality over command line administration.

Learn more about dedicated server web hosting and server rentals.

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