What is a Dedicated Server?
In the web hosting business, the dedicated servers also known as dedicated hosting servers or dedicated web server, are the Rolls Royce. A dedicated server is a powerful computer that is used to host single domain or multiple domains. A dedicated server can be used by single person or a complete big organization. The dedicated server is leased and stored in the datacenter of the host company.
A dedicated server consist of an operating system (Linux or Windows), softwares like SQL server, control panel and connection to the Internet. The server is housed in the web hosting company’s premises. Dedicated servers are specially designed for high traffic websites, it can be a single website or group of website that develop a substantial amount of traffic. The server configuration can be easily customize and the necessary applications can be installed on the server. The server can be operated remotely from the client company. It can be assigned to function only as a resource server and cannot be used as a client. The dedicated server is owned by the web host and you don’t have physical access to the server.
A dedicated server hosting is beneficial while developing complex corporate and powerful online business applications or a high end e-commerce website as you will need more hard drive space and security - a web server dedicated to your business. The server can be purchased from web hosting company and the server maintenance and management part is taken care by the web hosting company. The web hosting company provide internet connectivity to the server, the server connectivity may vary from 10 or 100 Mbit/s Ethernet. Dedicated servers are most often housed in data centres to provide redundant power sources and HVAC systems. You do not need a large initial investment to set it up.
Unmanaged Dedicated Server is a type of dedicated server where the owner is responsible for every aspect of maintaining the server, from installing softwares, updates and patches upto ensuring server uptime. Low prices and more resources are the beneficial side of unmanaged dedicated servers.
It gives you flexibility for customization. With unmanaged dedicated server you get Complete RDP or Full Root SSH Access. Using the remote access you are responsible to install the applications, monitor uptime etc. You may add any softwares and control panels that you prefer if required. You have rights to reboot the server whenever you wish. The web hosting provider may also set you up fully configured OS, including Apache web server, Exim mail server, PHP, CGI etc. on your unmanaged dedicated servers for an additional cost.
If you are good in technical part of the servers then you can go with unmanaged dedicated servers. However, a situation may come when you are not aware of what you need to do as a system administrator. You might think of getting any kind of technical assistance from the hosting provider, however, in this case you may need to spend a good amount to get the support what you want. None of the hosting providers are responsible to pro-actively monitor or restart the services and ensure uptime. Yes they can, however, need a request ticket from you. Many hosting providers who provide unmanaged dedicated servers do offer paid ticket support 24*7 for which you are charged on an hourly basis. Also it is obvious that unmanaged dedicated servers may take a lot of time to administer and you get less time to develop and design your site, resulting in low quality content and features of your site. So it is always recommended that you consider only managed dedicated servers though they are expensive.
Most of the internet’s users know that the basic Operating Systems used for dedicated servers are Windows and Linux. Linux Dedicated Hosting is basically a dedicated servers hosting that use Linux as an Operating program. Linux being free, open-source operating system based on UNIX, is the cheapest form of dedicated servers. You do not have to pay the License fees to install Linux Operating System, unlike Windows Dedicated Servers where you pay the Windows OS License Fee.
Linux Dedicated Servers are most popular and are offered by many web hosting providers. There are different servers available with Linux OS. So depending upon the requirement you can select the suitable server specification. Also if you need or you are looking for customized dedicated servers then you can opt for that. There are many hosting providers offering customized dedicated servers where you can select the hardware specifications as per your requirement. If you get a dedicated server and needs to upgrade any specific hardware, for example, say RAM then you can just ask the hosting provider and they will help you to upgrade RAM. This not possible with shared, VPS or any other plans however it can be considered as an advantage of Dedicated Hosting.
Linux Dedicated Servers are more secure than Windows Dedicated Servers. The chances of servers being hacked are more on Windows than Linux. The possibilities of Viruses attacking your site are very less as compared to Windows. And suppose if a virus takes hold of your Linux System still it becomes difficult for the virus to damage or destroy the system. Unlike Windows, also, if any virus succeeds to affect or hold the Linux based system, it becomes difficult for it to spread to other Linux machines and repeat the same with other systems. I agree that it is completely safe however it more resistant as compared to Windows.
It is best solution for those who host MySQL databases or PHP based applications to opt for Linux. However if you need to host MSSQL, ASP.net or ASP or simply any other Microsoft product then you must opt for Windows Server.
