Selecting a Dedicated Server Plan

By knowing exactly what you want, should prevent you from getting plan that you do not want or getting frustrated because you do not get the service that you want.

Below are few points that you should be concerned about when looking for a dedicated hosting plan:

Operating System/Platform

Deciding your operating system is one of the most vital task, you have to make certain that the operating system is suitable with your requirements. If you want to operate sites coded using PHP scripting language, then you ought to choose Linux/BSD as your operating system for a less expensive fee. Although Windows can also operate those programs, Windows server are more costly than the Unix one that is because Linux/BSD are free operating system while Windows are commercial operating system, the fee to obtain a Windows license will also have an effect on the overall operating cost when buying a dedicated server plan. Even though Windows will have no difficulty to operate those sites, the cost for Windows hosting is more pricey compared to Linux/BSD this is because you must to pay for a Windows license and this will add up to the overall price when purchasing a dedicated hosting plan.

The story would be different if your website is coded using ASP/ASP.NET or you are using Microsoft SQL Server, if this is the case then Windows woud be your single option the support for those programs only exist in Windows. If you are planning to use dedicated server for hosting email accounts or used as a firewall, then you should pick which one you are most happy with.

Managed or unmanaged service

You have to know what managed service and unmanaged plan are, in a nutshell managed service means that the dedicated server service provider will administer the dedicated server for you. This plan could include operating system update, network maintenance, security update, backup data and other server maintenance duty.

While unamanaged service means that the dedicated server plan provider will only offer minimum to no support for your dedicated server, all maintenance duty and updates are in your hand. In unmanaged service the dedicated server plan provider, typically will only provide redundant power and HVAC (Heat, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) support.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth are getting cheaper these days and also larger in size. Few dedicated server plan provider even present unlimited bandwidth, but not because they offer "unlimited" bandwidth means that they can make available such bandwidth. So be wary about this, don't just buy a dedicated server plan simply because the plan offers unlimited stuff.

Server Hardware Specification

The hardware specifications of the dedicated server also plays an important task, if you host a high traffic website that gives multimedia contents, you don't want to employ a server with only 512MB of RAM and a single core processor because this type of mission is too much for hardware with that specification. You have to be sure the dedicated server is up to the job, but don't go overkill.

This is a Guest post written by ravi the admin crazyblogger.net

Am I ready for a Dedicated Server?

Websites grow at different rates, but as the success of a business grows, so does the need for additional hosting capacity. If you are approaching the limits of your current hosting company or have concerns about safety, such as storing credit card information on the same server as others or simply if your current company is the best hosting company for your needs, it is definitely time for a dedicated server.

Disadvantages of a Dedicated Server

The sole disadvantage of a dedicated server is the cost. It is only logical that obtaining an entire server versus a piece of a shared server would be more expensive, but the rate often makes webmasters baulk. It is important to consider the fee as related to the total cost of shared server space when determining if a dedicated server is the best hosting option for you business, despite cost. A single credit card safety incident or an exorbitant bill for bandwidth overage should level the playing field almost immediately.

Advantages of a Dedicated Server

Several advantages can make a dedicated server the best hosting choice for you. These include: 

Server Security –Dedicated servers increase the security of your website tremendously. There are no other webmasters using the same workspace, and simple mistakes or user error that might occur due to shared machines simply no longer existent. 

Storage Space – As the entire server is dedicated to a single customer, there is tremendously more storage space available for website pages, images, and features. 

Data Transfer – As with storage space, there is a great deal more bandwidth available for data transfer. Traffic to your site no longer competes with traffic for other websites reducing bottlenecks and slow server response time. 

Control Panel – Having your own server offers additional opportunities for control. Sharing a server indicates that you have only limited control of server features and functions, but with a dedicated server, webmasters have greater control and access to the day-to-day functions of the host. 

Software Options – Dedicated servers also allow more software and script options. The server has greater storage capacity for this information, and there is no need to align coding or features with other users of the same machine.