Finally made your mind to buy a dedicated server? Well! I assume your businesses have outgrown the shared server and it requires more resources and other features like – full control, enhanced security, performance and so forth. But, is choosing a dedicated server as simple as it looks? Of course not. It needs several aspects to be drilled-down. The most important thing is the business-specific needs.
Here we are trying highlights some imperative points that must be considered while going to purchase a dedicated server:
Choice of OS: We have plenty of options today if it comes to choose the operating system. But, Windows and Linux are those operating systems widely used across the world. While Linux operating system is ideal for open source stack for instance – Apache/PHP/MySQL(LAMP) or Ruby On Rails. On the other hand, Windows is considered adequate mostly for hosting Microsoft based ASP.Net code, MS SQL Server or the use of Microsoft IIS.
Hardware: Make sure the brand is a reputed on as performance and reliability heavily depend on the make. You can rely on branded parts for performance and for longer life span. Server programs like Apache or MySQL heavily depend on processor speeds and server memory for performance. The two widely used types of storage are SAS and SATA. SAS offers more I/O virtualization capacity, SATA drives, on the other hand, delivers bigger and more cost-efficient storage capacity.
Data Center: Data center plays the most vital role towards the uninterrupted running of your server. Data centers are categorized in four different tiers depending on their level of services they offer. Tier III and Tier IV are considered to be ideal for business of all types as they offer best redundancy levels and network/server uptime. Besides, the location of the data center does matter. You need to check the location does not fall in a high seismic zone. Also, the performance of your website is immensely increased if the data center and the users reside in the same geographical location.
Premium Bandwidth: Dedicated servers are typically used for mission critical operations, sophisticated and high traffic websites and applications, thenceforth require the huge amount of bandwidth so as to perform to meet the expectations. The service provider, in order to offer high bandwidth, the tie-up with a number of eminent network providers to be called as the network-neutral data center.
Monitoring: Resource monitoring and organization play an important role in ensuring better server management. Dedicated servers usually offer an array of instruments that enable timely tracking of data usage and the performance of servers.
Security: Since you are the owner of the dedicated server, you will have root level access and can maintain optimal security. Additionally, the provider uses stringent security measures to ensure the safety of the data stored on the dedicated server. The service providers often deploy advanced anti-spam ware and anti-virus software to protect data being hacked, leaked or corrupted. Leading service providers also keep updating their software applications to encounter newest versions of viruses.
Support: What if your service provider is not responding in the unfortunate event of technical glitches? Won’t it be the toughest moment for your business? A good customer support ensures that they are always available for whatever the problem may be. The support team of the host with whom you are going to enter into an agreement is of utmost importance. Members of the support team must be highly professional, skilled and responsive to help the customers instantly if something goes wrong.
Option to Upgrade: In order to enhance performance, bandwidth and storage needs of a client, most of the leading dedicated server hosting providers allow clients to switch to their hosting plans seamlessly. This process costs you much lesser than that of switching the service provider.
Price: Although the price is not a constraint for established and large enterprises, it does matter for most businesses. Depending on the quality and specifications of the servers, their price may vary. The takeaway point is that there are a number of servers ranging from low to high pricing, but choose one that best meets your business needs rather than buying unnecessarily sophisticated and expensive server.
