|
Co-Location |
| |
|
What is Co-Location? |
| |
With co-location the Webmaster provides the server, and houses it in a data
center orfacility that links it to the Internet. Typically, the customer
pays a housing fee (called a “rack fee”) in addition to the
Internet uplink that runs directly into their server. Dedicated servers,
on the other hand, are just that: you have a server dedicated and rented
to you, which is managed by the data center or provider, but you do not
have absolute ownership over the server. This is the reason why many
favor co-location. After a year of paying a dedicated server, you’ve
probably paid the server off 3-4 times over, and yet you have no ownership
of the hardware. However, if you don’t expect to have a great deal
of traffic, and you’d prefer the additional support that providers
give, a dedicated server may just be the right way to go. Owning the server
and being responsible for replacement hardware may be an unnecessary cost
for your business.
Co-location and dedicated servers compare to buying a home and paying
property tax or renting an apartment. Both have their advantages, but
they vary according to the situation. The only way to know what you are
getting into is to sit down and do the math. Co-location is more expensive
at the onset, and cheaper in the long run. Dedicated servers are more
expensive in the long run, but cost less up front.
|
|
Selecting an Operation System |
| |
There are several different Network Operating Systems available today, so
finding one that satisfies your needs while complying with your budget can
be a difficult task. I’ve chosen two of the more popular ones to discuss
here: Windows NT and Linux.
Windows NT
The obvious difference between these two popular operating systems is that
NT attempts to bring the familiar Windows interface to a server environment.
NT allows Webmasters to operate their server by pointing and clicking, which
has been a major contributor to the increased popularity of NT. Aside from
the user-friendly interface, NT is ideal for sites that plan to run third-party
developed software, and NT makes it especially easy to work with databases
(Access, Oracle, SQL, DB2).
Linux
Linux is also favorite for many, is undeniably harder to learn, but it’s
probably the most secure OS. You can expect a Linux machine to literally
run for years without crashing. In addition, very few viruses have been
found on Linux machines, and Linux runs very efficiently on almost all hardware.
Linux sites usually run the free Apache Web server, and while it lacks the
point-and-click tools that NT incorporates, the majority of experienced
administrators prefer the flexibility that Linux gives by allowing you to
work with the raw code.
|
|
Selecting Server Hardware |
| |
Selecting the correct hardware for your server is as critical as picking
anOS. The three most popular platforms in the industry are Sun, Intel, and
Cobalt. Sun is acknowledged in the server business for its speed, efficiency,
and its reliability; however, Intel does not stray far behind, and tends
to be much more affordable for the average Webmaster.
Cobalt, owned by Sun Microsystems, has recently become a major player in
server hardware. Cobalt is perfect for Webmasters who need to support many
sites, and is the most inexpensive of the three. The Cobalt RaQ server is
a great out-of-the box machine, but it is not recommended for high traffic
sites.
Networking Cards
The next step is to select your networking card. Here, our request is don't
go for a cheap card. Your Networking Card is your connection to the Internet,
and since you are co-locating (paying for the hardware yourself), you will
experience some major downtime and expenses, in both labor and parts, if
you’re forced to make a replacement.
Memory
Selecting the amount of memory for your server can vary with your plans,
but I’d strongly recommend that you purchase at least 256MB. The server
will store accessed Web pages in the memory, so the more memory you have,
the more pages can be stored.
Hard Drives
Hard drives also play a major role in performance. Hard drives generally
come in speeds of 5400, 7200, 10,000, and 15,000 RPM. These numbers represent
the speed at which the metal disks inside the hard drive rotate. Needless
to say, the faster the rotation speed, the faster your server is able to
access data.
|
|
Selecting a Provider |
| |
Selecting your provider is undoubtedly the most important decision in this
process, and should be taken very seriously.
The first step is to determine and list what your needs are and keep this
list in front of you while you “listen” to the sales pitch.
Otherwise, you may be sold on the small things providers are so aggressively
marketing, without ensuring you get exactly what you need.
Things to look at while searching for a provider include :
Price
You may be tempted to take the cheaper route, but having frequent downtime
is very unprofessional, and will result in instant credibility loss among
your users.
Technical Support
Available technical support is another issue that should be taken seriously,
and ought to play a major role in your decision. Most reputable hosts
have 24/7 support via email and phone.
Redundancy
Another vital aspect to look into is your host’s connection. You
may have the best hardware for your server, but if your host cannot match
this with a good connection to the Internet, you may experience downtime
that results in loss of business. Good hosting companies have multiple
connections to the Internet, and should also facilitate the use of on-site
back up equipment in case of a power failure.
|
|
5 Questions to Ask Your Host! |
| |
- Do you provide 24/7 support? Via email, phone, etc.?
- What type of back-up systems do you have in place?
- Do you provide a 30-day money back guarantee?
- How many connections to the Internet do you currently have running
in to your facilities?
- What is the turnaround time for server setup?
|
|
|
|
|
From processing credit card to track
shipping now you can sail smooth in the Internet's world of business.
It suits you only if you are into executing online business transactions.
Ecommerce web hosting plans usually include enough of the popular ecommerce
tools and software to get your online store or service conducting business
quickly. We have discussed how it actually works for you and what should
be its basic features. More
|
|
In the static IP addresses the same
numeric address is always associated with the same computer(s). When you
connect your IP solution provider through a dial-up or dedicated connection
without using static IP addresses, you are dynamically assigned a numeric
IP address which is used for the duration of the connection. Since everyone
does not connect at the same time, this allows more efficient use of the
limited pool of IP addresses. Thus, static IP addresses are numeric addresses
that uniquely identify your computer(s) on the Internet. More |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
