Information and Resources for Dedicated Server
What is a Dedicated Server?
A Dedicated Server (as the name implies) is basically a stand-alone server where the owner has 100% complete control (dedicated) of the operating environment. A Dedicated Server allows the owner to access the physical machine as the “root” user. The primary benefit to this setup allows the admin to configure the server precisely as they require. Just like your home computer, a dedicated server can be used for whatever you would like! A true, dedicated server provides more access to the physical machine than a virtual private server.
What can I use a dedicated server for?
Dedicated Servers can be used for anything from social networking sites, to private servers that are used exclusively as dedicated gaming servers! A true, dedicated server provides access to 100% of the server resources, so it is possible to do things on a dedicated server that might be impossible otherwise.
Dedicated Server Hosting
Do I need to be a server admin to use dedicated servers?
Well, it depends. Most dedicated server hosting providers are unable to provide more than basic network connectivity support. Admin and server issues are typically the responsibility of the server purchaser. This means that the server admin (you!) is typically responsible for general server support themselves, including basic maintenance tasks, firewall issues and software updates.
If you intend to use a dedicated server for hosting a website, you might require a control panel to help manage the server. A control panel allows the server administrator (you!) to easily work with the server through a graphical interface that is designed to support the common functions of website hosting on a dedicated server environment. This includes functionality such as database administration, user/account controls and restrictions (such as FTP users, server users, and database users). Dedicated Servers DO require a slightly advanced knowledge of networking and basic troubleshooting, but a control panel can atleast make basic hosting issues easier to work with. Our server control panels include Simple Control Panel, Plesk, and cPanel. Plesk and cPanel are licensed products for dedicated servers. This means that they are paid upgrades.
Managed Dedicated Servers
A Managed dedicated server essentially means that the dedicated hosting company will provide some basic admin support for the server, which usually consists of basic server maintenance tasks (such as routine upgrades, software patching) and basic setup and configuration of domains and hosting accounts when needed.
What Dedicated Server should I pick?
This depends. If you are considering a move to a dedicated server because you have a slow website (for example), then you can start with a low-to-mid range dedicated server. Cost-wise, dedicated servers are relatively inexpensive for their performance. Consider that major hosting companies will often pack tens of thousands of websites on a single server! If you move your website from one of these “shared” web hosts due to slowness of your website, you will notice an immediate performance benefit because, again, 100% of the server resources are designed for the exclusive use of YOUR website! Dedicated Servers provide an extremely robust, flexible, and fast environment to host your website with, and even a moderately priced dedicated server will help improve your performance. Depending on your experience level, relocating your content and setting up web hosting on the dedicated server can still be challenging, so it might be recommended to consider hiring someone with server experience to help you relocate your content.
The primary consideration when selecting a dedicated server should be the operating system. The most popular server operating system is Linux, but there are dedicated Windows servers available as well. Typically, most php-based websites (usually with MySQL databases) will require a Linux server, while Windows servers are more suitable for .asp-based websites (which use MS SQL database).
You can >>view our server plans<< to compare rates. We provide the best value for the fastest servers available! Other options include VPS, which can provide some cost advantages over a dedicated server, but might not give complete control and depending on your website’s requirements might not server your performance needs.