What is Web Hosting?
You know what a Web site is, but what is a Web Host? What part does AlpineWeb play in your Web presence?
- Chapters
- What is a Web site?
- What is Web hosting?
- What is the procedure for building a Web presence?
- What is e-commerce?
- Which hosting plan fits my needs?
What is a Web Host?
To have a Web site on the Internet you first need to have a Web server. Unfortunately, owning
a Web server can be very costly and requires technical expertise that most businesses don't
have. This is where a Web Host come in. Web hosting companies provide the equipment and other
technical resources that you need without the headaches that come when you have to do it
yourself.
Think of a Web Host as the landlord of a building. A landlord rents out storefronts to
various businesses. Each business decorates and runs their store differently, and doesn't
worry about the maintenence of the building. In a similar way a Web Host rents out space
on a Web server, (or entire Web servers), to various businesses. Each business builds their
own Web site and never has to worry about the maintenence of their Web server.
In other words, the Web Host provides the place on the Internet where your Web site lives.
It's a lot cheaper than buying you own server, and you don't have to hire the technical
staff to take care of it.
What kind of server should I choose?
Shared Server:
Shared servers offer clients the ability to
host their Web site on a powerful, professionally managed server, at a low monthly cost.
Shared servers provide individual Web sites with redundant connectivity, 99 percent uptime
and 24/7 monitoring for a fraction of the cost of a dedicated server.
Intended Clients and Uses
Shared servers are an excellent solution for entry-level hosting needs. Designed to host
small scale e-commerce sites and static Web pages, shared servers offer first-time
Webmasters a reliable Web presence without advanced technical skills.
Server Response Time
The activity of other sites and the number of other sites on the server can affect
shared server performance.
Flexibility and Scalability
As you are restricted to the server box space, upgrade capacity is primarily focused on
disk size and throughput.
Software
Shared Servers are limited to the software that is installed by hosting provider.
No technical skills required to use a shared server.
Shared Hosting provides a cost-effective way for entry-level Webmasters to maintain
a reliable Web presence without extensive technical resources.
Virtual Private (VPS) Server:
Virtual Private Servers (VPS) combine the flexibility of a dedicated
server with the economical prices of shared server hosting. VPS Web sites reside in private and
protected areas on a shared server and maintain an independent set of applications, allowing the
client to share the expenses of hardware and network connections while maintaining a secure allocation
of RAM and CPU.
Intended Clients and Uses
Virtual Private Servers are intended to meet entry- to mid-level hosting needs. The potential functions
of a VPS are wide and varied. It can be used as a simple FrontPage® server or as an advanced,
database-driven commerce server.
Server Response Time:
Virtual environments are not affected by the activity of other sites on the server, but their
allocated resources limit site performance.
Flexibility and Scalability:
Upgrade capacity is primarily focused on disk size, number of processors and
throughput.
Software:
As you maintain your private section of the server, you are able to incorporate
many software options.
Moderate technical skill level is requred.
UNIX administration, basic programming, and database
capabilities are needed to operate a VPS.
Virtual Private Servers provide customers with an independent set of Web applications to
handle more advanced Web-based applications, without the costs associated with a dedicated
server.
Dedicated Server:
Dedicated servers are a single computer
fully devoted to the needs of one customer. They allow for faster access to information
and provide the customer with greater flexibility to add advanced database and e-commerce
applications. As the customer does not share RAM, disk space or a connection to the router,
dedicated servers provide customers with the most advanced Web hosting solutions.
Intended Clients and Uses
Dedicated servers are designed for mid to advanced-level hosting needs such as
"mission critical" and high-traffic sites. The servers can handle heavy
data-driven sites, advanced e-commerce programs, video streaming, and multimedia
programs.
Server Response Time
Dedicated server response time depends solely on the volume of activity on the
customer's Web site.
Flexibility and Scalability
All aspects of the platform (disk space, memory, etc.) are upgradeable since
dedicated servers are single client machines.
Software
Unlimited ability to download software programs to your server.
Advanced technical knowledge
is recommended.
Managed Private Server
Dedicated servers provide high levels of security, connectivity and scalability, to support
high volume and mission critical Web-based applications.
Why should I choose AlpineWeb as my Web Host?
Here are a few reasons why:
Experience –
AlpineWeb has been hosting web sites since 1997. We don't just provide and support Web Hosting technology, we use
the technology ourselves every day! Our long term relationship with Verio and our intimate knowledge of web
hosting allow us to provide you assurance.
Service –
We strive to provide our customers everything they need, ranging from exclusive products and features that you
won't find anywhere else to Customer Support that can't be beat. (Just call us at 1-603-356-8797).
Capacity –
From high-speed Cisco®-powered Tier-1 Internet backbones to e-commerce solutions, security services, and
Virtual Private Networks, we have the infrastructure, resources, and expertise to give businesses of any size a
clear competitive advantage in the emerging Net economy.
|
|
