What Is Web Hosting? – Basic Ideas of Web Hosting
Web hosting is the space where web pages or files are kept to make them accessible on the world wide web. After designing a website, the files of the site should be kept in a PC which is connected to the internet. This is called web hosting & the PC having this space is called the server PC.
Types of Web Hosting: Web hosting is mainly categorized based on the operating system of the server PC & performance.
Based on the OS of the server PC there are mainly two types of hosting -
1. Windows Hosting: The hosting where the server PC is run on windows. Windows hosting is a perfect choice if you want to use dotNET, ASP, access database & other Microsoft products. The main limitation of it is that it gives limited access to Telnet, SSH, CGI, Perl etc.
2. Linux Hosting: The hosting with linux run server is called linux hosting. It is more popular than windows hosting for it’s security, access to telnet, SSH, CGI, Perl etc, But if you want to work with ASP, or access database, linux hosting is not for you.
Based on performance, resource (disk space, RAM, CPU) usage & user’s access to the server, there are mainly three types of hosting -
1. Shared Hosting: This is the hosting where some accounts are hosted on the same pc. In this hosting, all accounts share the system resources like RAM, CPU, Disk Space etc together. Here you may have a specific amount of disc space & bandwidth, but there is no guaranty of systems resources. Sometimes you may get 60% of the system resources or sometimes below 30%, which actually depends, on the resource usages of other accounts on the same server at that time. In this hosting, users get the least control over the server. They can only read/write files on the server and can’t change any server settings.
2. VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting: VPS hosting is the hosting where several accounts are hosted on the same PC but work as independent PC. In a VPS, accounts have their own RAM, disk space, CPU etc so that the performance of one account is not affected by others. Even if the resources of an account are unused then it won’t be shared with others.
VPS gives users complete control over the server. In a VPS, users get full control so that they can change any settings on the server or can install any required software. Even they can reboot or shut down their server whenever they want.
3. Dedicated Server Hosting: In respect to the functionality, dedicated hosting is same as VPS hosting but in dedicated hosting only one account is hosted in one pc. So when someone buys a dedicated hosting, he actually rents a whole pc instead of part of it.
Dedicated hosting is the best choice for high traffic sites & sites with complex functionality like ecommerce sites or database driven big sites.
For hosting a website, it is possible to set up a server on your own pc & host sites there, but it’s a complex process & requires high performance PC with high speed & reliable internet connection. It also requires running that PC 24 hours a day to avoid downtime. This is why it’s recommended to buy hosting services from professional hosting providers.
Root Server Hosting
This type of hosting has also been referred to as semi-managed hosting. Root server basically refers to a type of dedicated web hosting in which you have control on the server via access to the root and provides benefits as well such as a good infrastructure, security of the system and maintenance of hardware. A dedicated web hosting is a more complicated that can let you rent a server and still access various resources that it has to offer to host a number of sites. The advantages of this type of hosting are the flexibility and the benefits it has. Because root servers are semi managed servers, the company that offers the hosting service helps you in managing installations and the server hardware but software upgrades and back ups are your priority. The advantage however is that as a user of a this sort of server system, benefits such as administrative right of entry that basically lets you perform any operations on the server.
Another advantage of a this type of server is seen in its versatility, that is, you have a free pass with regard to carrying out different actions as you wish on the server. This may even be things like uploading your own site on the server at relative ease. These servers have long been used by individuals or companies with the need for more flexibility in their web hosting and usage needs. This is the advantage the root server ahs over the dedicated server. On the net, a server system denotes the operation by which domain names are kept and delivered to different routers. The server system is made up of 13 file servers out which the main one, also referred to as A is operated by the Company Network Solutions Inc. It is the first company that had exclusive rights to all domain names hosting before the coming of the others.
There are twelve companies that operate root server in the world that are often referred to as “root server operators” that provide server services to other sub letting companies. Thus on a daily basis, the list of 12 is copied to the various geographical regions of the world as dispersed file servers that are kept and taken care off by a group of agencies charged with these tasks. For the internet to reach the various places, the routing system now comes in handy to disperse it from the server to the small time end user. Every time you access your mail, you use a domain name that is linked to a root server that helps read it. Root servers have revolutionized internet technology with the quality and ease with which communication can be passed around.
Hosting – Introduction To Web Hosting Services
Hosting, or web hosting, is defined as a service that allows individuals or organizations to make their website available on the web. Web hosts are companies that lease out space on their servers providing Internet connectivity, which basically means the web hosting companies have the equipment you need to make your site live on the Internet. Web hosting is available in many different varieties, depending on whether you have a personal site that is 1 page or you have a huge website with thousands of pages.
Typical hosting services cost anywhere from a few dollars per month (when you’re just starting out) to many hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per month, depending on the needs of your business. Your hosting needs will usually grow in correlation to the growth in your online traffic. Paying for hosting is just part of what it takes to run an online business.
When you’re starting out in your business, most likely you will use a ‘shared hosting’ service, which means you share server space with other people. This keeps your costs down as the costs of the server equipment is shared with other patrons. As your business grows and your traffic grows, you probably will upgrade to dedicated servers meaning your website(s) will be the only occupants on that server. Of course, when this happens, your costs increase.
The main thing you need to understand is that having a hosting service for your business is ‘non-negotiable’. The reason for this can be summed up in one word… control.
You see, there are many sites and programs out there that can make you free websites and will give you free hosting. For instance, WordPress.com is an example of this. This site allows you to create your own blog and they will host it for you. All you have to do is just add content and you’re good to go!
Not so fast…
If WordPress.com ever decided they don’t like your content or they don’t like you for any reason, they have the power to shut down your account and there’s nothing you can do about it. Ever had your Facebook account temporarily banned or shut down? How about your YouTube account? If you don’t believe me, Google about the topic and see what you find.
Point is when you pay for your own hosting, you have the control. The only way your site comes down is if you forget to pay the bill or you do something illegal. If you are serious about building an online empire, you MUST have control in your business. You never want to take the chance that someone else can pull your plug at any time. That’s why paying for web hosting is a ‘non-negotiable’ in your online business.