What is a dedicated server?
A dedicated server is a physical computer
with your name on it. You are allowed to perform commands as the
“root” or server owner. The only one’s higher than you are those
who house the server in their “data center,” who make sure that
your server is going as fast as possible. You may divide your
space and bandwidth into smaller amounts, so that you can offer
web hosting to your clients and/or customers.
When should I use a dedicated server instead of a shared web
hosting account?
Shared web hosting involves sharing a single server's space,
bandwidth, and resources with a large number of websites. In most
cases, this is perfectly acceptable for many personal and business
websites. Sites seeing especially heavy traffic and thereby using
large amounts of bandwidth or websites which utilize a fair amount
of system resources may require a dedicated server. In contrast to
"shared" web hosting, "dedicated" hosting is just as it sounds: an
entire server will be dedicated to you and your website. Dedicated
web hosting is perfect for those who have outgrown shared hosting,
consume large amounts of monthly bandwidth, or need to utilize
more than 10% of a server's resources.
How much knowledge is required to operate a dedicated server?
Managing a dedicated server takes a fair amount of knowledge
and experience. A server administrator must not only understand
how the hardware of each server operates, but also how to resolve
conflicts, apply software patches and upgrades, monitor traffic,
provide ample security, and troubleshoot a wide variety of
hardware and software issues. If you don't have a basic working
knowledge of Linux, Unix, or Windows, you may wish to consider a
"managed" dedicated server. With a managed server, you'll still
have all the power of a dedicated server, but you'll also have the
technical knowledge and experience of a certified administrator to
help you troubleshoot any problems which may arise.
I know the basics of UNIX. Am I capable of operating a
dedicated server effectively and securely?
If you have a working knowledge of Unix and networking and
don't mind getting your hands dirty troubleshooting problems which
may arise, you may be a good candidate to manage a dedicated
server. Server administrators must be able to apply kernel
upgrades and software patches, update applications, provide ample
security, monitor traffic, configure email, FTP, and DNS services,
balance server loads, and deal with issues in a timely manner. A
good way to test your working knowledge of Unix is to install
Apache on your local machine and configure it as a web server or
rent a Virtual Private Server and test your skills to see if
you're up to the challenge.
I know the basics of WindowsNT (or Windows2000). Am I capable
of operating a Windows-based dedicated server effectively and
securely?
Operating a server is a challenging job, even for those with
extensive working knowledge of the Windows environment. If you're
comfortable monitoring network traffic, troubleshooting hardware
and software conflicts, installing patches and security upgrades,
and can troubleshoot issues which may arise with ease, you may be
a candidate to manage a Windows based server. Remember though,
keeping your server online all the time is key. You can hone your
skills at home by installing a Windows based server on your local
machine and learning the ins and outs of basic server management.
If you're not quite sure of your technical knowledge, try renting
a Virtual Private Server, which will allow you the opportunity to
manage a server on a smaller scale. Another option is to look into
a "managed" dedicated server, where you'll have the experience and
knowledge of a trained server administrator by your side to help,
until you're more comfortable with the job at hand.
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