WEB HOSTING

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Web Hosting Explianed:

Web Hosting also known as Hosting, is the activity of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more Web sites. Not only does hosting provide space on the Web, it also provides a faster server for serving files quickly. If an individual or small enterprise hosted their own site, it would be rather pricey and will require the individual or business to have something like a T-carrier system (also known as T-1 line) for an adequate response to various requests. Hence rather than pay the high cost for such hosting capabilities, companies and individuals turn to hosting providers.

Owning a domain name alone doesn't mean there is a Web site raring to go; it is though the first step. If a host server doesn't exist, it's time to find one that suits your needs. Depending on the purpose of the Web site, there are different types of hosting from which to choose: shared, virtual, and dedicated server hosting.

Shared Server

Shared server hosting typically serves small business, small scale e-commerce, personal sites, and entry-level hosting needs. Shared server hosting is the cheapest and easiest way to host a Web site. The vendor providing the service is responsible for uptime rates (Web site availability) and monitoring. Those on a shared server often have the option of upgrading to get more disk space and data transfer rates.

Data transfer references any data transferred into or out of a Web site such as text, graphics, sound files, and video files. Anything that you or your visitors download and upload is data. When a visitor comes to a Web site, data is transferred from the vendor's server to the client computer. The more visitors a Web site has, the higher the data transfer rate is needed. Shared server performance is affected by the activities of other Web sites sharing the same server. There is no technical knowledge required to maintain a shared server.

When shopping for a shared server, review the vendors' software capabilities. If you want to use IIS (Microsoft's Internet server), review the vendors' offerings to see whether it's offered. Or if you prefer UNIX running Apache software, then look for that. E-commerce sites would obviously need a shopping cart service and there is a variety available. Need SSL secure server? A database? PHP? ASP? FrontPage server extensions? CGI bin? These are a few things to consider when looking for a server to fit your needs.

Virtual Private Server (VPS)

VPSs have the flexibility of a dedicated server without the high costs of a dedicated server. Web sites using a virtual server live in a private and protected area on a shared service and independently host applications. The client shares the expenses and network connections while having a secure allocation of RAM and CPU. Those needing mid-level hosting needs and even entry-level needs use VPS. Clients can use this for simple server needs or powerful database-driven e-commerce needs.

Unlike shared hosting, virtual servers aren't impacted by the activities on the other Web sites. Scaling a virtual server includes increasing disk space, processors, and data transfer rates. The client has control in incorporating software applications on a VPS. Managing this server requires some technical skills including UNIX administration, programming, and database capabilities.

There is no purchasing or maintaining a Web server and its connections to the Internet. That work is left to the space provider or host provider. Virtual hosting services are transparent so that each Web site has its own domain name, set of email addresses, and in some cases, its own server for controlling. At its most basic, the client needs only an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program for uploading and downloading files to the server.

Dedicated Server

A single computer is fully devoted to the needs of one customer enabling faster access to information and giving the customer more capabilities in adding advanced database and e-commerce applications. Customers using a dedicated server don't share RAM, disk space, or a connection. The client is solely responsible for the volume of activity on its Web site and isn't impacted by any other Web sites. There is no limit for adding software applications to the server, as long as the server has the space.

Dedicated servers are designed for customers needing high levels of security, connectivity, and scalability while supporting volume and critical Web-based applications. Obviously, they're intended for clients with mid- to advanced-level hosting needs that are mission-critical and expect high amounts of traffic. The servers can handle heavy data-driven sites, video streaming, advanced programs, and multimedia programs. To maintain the site, they require advanced technical expertise along with experience in programming and database capabilities.

The dedicated server is located on the Web hosting company's premises, and the company can remotely operate and configure the server using FTP or a control panel (a Web-based user interface). The advantage of not buying one's own server is to avoid router, networking administration, Internet connection, and security system costs.

Free Hosting

Although there are Internet access providers such as Yahoo! and America Online that offer subscribers free space for a simple Web site hosted on their computers, they're very basic and sometimes accompanied by annoying ads. Their capabilities are limited. It's a good place for individuals to start to learn how to set up and manage a Web site.