These days a lot of websites are being created for friends, family, a blog or forums. Their first outlook is linux dedicated server. This is mainly due to the three primary reasons

Stability: Linux is an open-source operating system, and its codes are open to the general public. This facilitates the general public to read it and report errors as and when they come across one. As Linux has developed in the Red Hat flavor, people are finding it easier to send across suggestions which accounts for faster speed, simplicity of usage and a bug-free code. As said, as the environment of Linux is open, this results in constant improvements and quick solution to problems faced by the user. Besides, this is a very hassle-free operating system as well. The main advantage that accrues to the stability of Linux is that it makes the operating system\’s security way about the Windows standards.

Economical: Linux is a free operating system. Windows requires the users to shell out thousands of dollars to acquire a license to use it. This is a very fundamental reason why a Linux dedicated server is preferred over Windows packages of web hosting.

Many free scripts which assist in building of the website: There are many advantages that accrue to an open source world, which is very beautiful. Contributions towards development come from various quarters. For building up of an application, MySQL, php and Linux are famed platforms. Many open source applications can be found out on Linux to set up a blog, image gallery or a forum. They do not cost a single penny. Though MySQL and php can function on Windows as well, Linux is a very good platform to leave.

A Virtual Private Server (VPS), also referred to as Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS), provides the features of a dedicated server for multiple web hosting customers to share. At first instance it sounds contradictory, how can you have a dedicated server if it is being shared by multiple users? Isn\’t that a regular shared or virtual hosting environment? It is true that with a Virtual Private Server you still share system resources like the CPU and RAM with other users but the resources are allocated in such a way that you cannot tell that the system has anyone else on it, much like a dedicated server. So resources are usually setup in such a way that each hosting client is only allowed to use an allocated percent, meaning that resources assigned to you will always available to you.

Advantages of Virtual Private Server (VPS) web hosting

Most hosting customers would rather have complete control of their server environments. They don\’t want to be hosted on a server with tens or hundreds of other users, who could easily use up all the resources or cause the server environment to be unstable. But at the same time most websites don\’t need a dedicated server. The Virtual Private Server (VPS) alternative is a very attractive niche hosting solution for a fairly large chunk of web hosting clients who would like the stability of a dedicated server but on a smaller scale. With the resources setup in such a way that each person can only use what is allocated to them, your site will be more consistent because it will always have the same amount of access to the CPU, memory, and bandwidth. Virtual Private Servers are also more secure since even as you share the memory and CPU time, you are allocated your own file system. If a website on the server is hacked, the hackers will only have access to that particular file system and would not harm the other websites. A VPS is also much cheaper than a dedicated server.

Disadvantages of Virtual Private Server (VPS) web hosting

Now that you have read the pros of a VPS you are probably thinking that this is the best thing since sliced bread. Well, almost – as is the case with every other type of hosting service, not all providers setup or define Virtual Private Servers, also known as Virtual Dedicated Servers, the exact same way. You must make sure that your provider guarantees that their setup is robust enough to handle operations at a peak level. A trick used by many providers in the reselling and shared space is \’overselling\’. What this means is selling more in terms of services than what physically available, with the hope that the end users wouldn\’t use up all the service that were advertised to them. In the realm of VPS this can be a bit more serious, since at least the expectation is that you are operating in a more robust environment and many clients could be running more intensive applications like message boards or custom web applications. A shortfall of resources could end up causing problems for everyone hosted on such a server, therefore negating the benefits of a VPS. In a shared or dedicated environment you might be able to access more resources during peak or spike periods but since the VPS environment limits you to to your slice of the server resources, it can be a drawback.

As if the technology rich lingo of regular web hosting wasn\’t enough, the VPS services add a few new wrinkles. Apart from storage space and bandwidth you must also deal with CPU cycles and RAM. So you will see ads for hosting that might include *** MHz and *** MB RAM to go with the usual hosting related features. It is somewhat harder to figure out how much CPU time or RAM you might need, so seek out a hosting provider that will provide you with some benchmarks and the ability to upgrade or downgrade the VPS service if needed.

The page load speed on your web site is worth monitoring. It can have a huge effect on your bottom line if your site is instrumental in your business. A managed dedicated server can make a world of difference. It may cost less than you think!

The load time of your web site’s pages can play a huge part in visitor retention on your site. Load time can be effected by many things such as page size, flash or splash intros, or a lot of slow loading graphics. These are areas your web master can evaluate for you. The cause can be the server and sharing it with others or the fact that your web site has increased traffic to the point it is slowing down the shared server by its self. A managed dedicated server is an answer if this is the case. The cost of a managed dedicated server may put you in sticker shock. You are probably paying less than $20/mo for shared server hosting and now you will be looking at $200/mo and up for a managed dedicated server. Looking at that increase in overhead could make you think slow loading isn’t that bad. Think again!

Slow loading pages and visitor retention are inversely proportional. That is to say it is usually accepted within online marketing circles that a page load that takes over 8-10 seconds will result in a loss of over 1/3 of your sites visitors. Does that strike a nerve? That can mean a significant decrease in sales or customer communication. If the site is relevant to the business this could be very costly. Now add in the advertising budget and the portion of it that could be squandered by not retaining customers and you start to see the negative repercussions mounting up. Maybe $200/mo for a managed dedicated server isn’t such a bad idea?

Another aspect to think of is that your site is slow now, if you speed it up you may see an increase in sales immediately. Over the month this could influence sales to where the additional expense of the managed dedicated server is negligible. It could even increase your profits.

ISP generally gives you a limited amount of web hosting space on their server which is free. Dedicated hosting requires a particular server for a website and is exclusively assigned for the functioning of that website. This is the reason it is called dedicated, because it one server which is allotted to host that website. Shared hosting involves a server which hosts many websites, and this lowers the running costs of the server and is comparatively inexpensive when weigh against dedicated hosting. The ISP takes responsibility of the servers, software and other things which are needed by all the users.

So Who Really Needs Dedicated Web Hosting?

The average person or company does not need dedicated web hosting for their website; this service is more appropriate for companies or organizations with an extremely high volume of traffic: upwards of 40 million hits a day. The website and the auxiliary components are usually stored and operated at a remote location which saves the company money and valuable space. Companies prefer remote locations in case of emergencies, such as natural disasters when they must depend on safety and reliability of the web host and data.

Users who are the owners of large websites which have a lot of traffic should think of dedicated hosting. They will pay a little extra for personalized services in exchange for an increase in speed, technical issues and security. Dedicated hosting allows the website to be loaded rapidly. The owner can access the contents and change them when he wishes to.

If the user thinks he will have a lot of traffic on his website, then dedicated hosting is recommended. Dedicated hosting involves the lease of a whole server which offer a choice of scripting languages, software and the proper hardware required for the website. Dedicated hosting is preferred by large businesses or clients who need professional assistance and are also willing to pay a bit more for it. Dedicated hosting is expensive, but it offers a lot of advantages to make it worth the price. It offers personalized services and rejects the problems of worrying about issues of hardware and troubleshooting.

A huge website needs technical staff for its maintenance. Dedicated hosting companies have on-site technicians who take care of such requirements. When you are choosing a dedicated hosting company, consider the kind of hardware offered, the software, uptime including power backup, servers, kind of OS and the control panel which is used to access the website. Co-location is an alternative to dedicated hosting. Clients will have to have their own server, but the ISP will provide a location together with an Internet connection.

It is common knowledge now that security is of utmost importance now for anyone running online businesses. And keeping one\’s windows dedicated servers is a tough and unending battle. Since security and user friendliness which keeps customers satisfied are at loggerheads, it would be great help to you, if you can keep the following tips in mind and lock your cPanel dedicated servers.

Using secure passwords

Insecure account passwords are the most common means of compromising your business. Client sites can be hacked, defaced infected or can even be used to spread viruses, all by cracking insecure passwords. Using non-dictionary words, all 8 characters and using alphanumeric should be enough to constitute secure passwords.

One can edit/etc/login.defs to configure numerous password options on your system.

By Securing SSH

Another way of ensuring safety for windows dedicated servers is by disabling password authentication and enabling public key authentication for SSH instead. Since port 22 is commonly searched for accessing servers if you remove your SSH access to a different port it will keep most people out except for those who specifically know your server location.

Also make sure to always use SSHv2 for it is common knowledge now that SSHv1 is insecure. Setting Shell Resource Limits could also limit users from using certain applications.

By Securing Apache

Securing your Apache installation should be of paramount importance in keeping windows dedicated servers safe, as the most popular method of accessing a server is through the web server application. Mod security is a great tool, if you want to prevent the use of malicious Apache.

If you are a customer that wants total control of your web site administrative functions then you might want to look at unmanaged web hosting services to give you complete remote control administration over your server. The technical side of the server can be controlled by a designated administrator that you pick to handle your web information.

You have to have a technical person to install the server and manage the server if you don\’t have the expertise because you as the customer will be responsible for maintaining the server environment. That\’s why unmanaged servers are recommended for individuals and businesses with server administration resources.

As far as developing applications and controlling the applications without going through technical support personnel on the managed server side, these types of servers are usually used when companies are developing real time response systems on the internet, such as geographical, science, engineering and multimedia/entertainment applications.

Unmanaged servers allow you to add extra hard disk space to increase your space capacity and many computer companies sell physical servers that are configured for unmanaged hosting applications. Companies like Dell and HP have software programs that not only will run an office network but also handle web server and development applications.

Small businesses that don\’t need a server on site and deal with administrative web packages should go with the managed host packages that provide assistance and administrative support. Managed applications will do just fine because of the costs that are incurred with maintaining an unmanaged server. Unmanaged servers need constant upgrades of software and hardware constantly which could cost your small business a big chunk of change.

Unmanaged servers are expensive to maintain and run unless you are a small firm that develops in house web applications. The best advice is to have a consultant draw up an IT plan to see if you need this type of hosting service or not.