Best Linux Dedicated Hosting Companies
Today any web project you start requires purchasing good web hosting. Hosting packages can include disk space, bandwidth, software, administration services and other important options. Two main platforms used for servers are Windows and Linux. Both of them have certain advantages, but currently Linux is more popular among web developers, so we’d like to speak about this platform in more details.
Linux servers have high performance, cost less and support many popular formats of databases and other files. Linux hosting is good both for big and small projects. This operating system is very flexible, so you can adjust it the way you like. Anyway, before purchasing a web hosting package, check the most important information about different types of hosting.
There are three most popular types of web hosting. They are Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting and Dedicated Hosting. The best option of all listed is Dedicated server hosting. It works perfect, gives you a whole server, and a lot of useful services and options. Most web host companies will offer you all these types of hosting packages, but their special attention is always driven to the clients that buy Linux Dedicated Servers.
To choose a good web hosting package you need to know several important moments. After you decided your server has to work with Linux platform, you have to sketch the basic numbers your site will operate with. First, think of the number of visitors you plan to see on your site daily. Then, think of the disk space needed for allocating your site and the possible amounts of dynamic information hosted.
The planned basic numbers will give you two strong advantages. First, you will get a better understanding of your web hosting – you can even find some weak points and correct them at once. Second, you will get the most important data for choosing a proper hosting server. Dedicated servers are the best choice for big and fast-growing projects that need to host many databases and media files.
Dedicated Linux hosting is also the best option if you already had a Shared or VPS hosting package, and now they are not enough for your project. Dedicated hosting gives you more control over the server, includes many important services, and can process really big amounts of information daily. By purchasing a dedicated server, you get special treatment at customers support, which is important for solving any problems the soonest possible.
Dedicated Linux Servers
Dedicated Linux servers combine the best features of Linux operating system and dedicated servers. This type of hosting allows you to process big amounts of database information for really low prices. The prices do not influence the quality, as Linux operating system is absolutely free. Dedicated Linux hosting gives you many important services and excludes the possibility of bad server neighbourhood.
Linux servers work mainly with MySQL databases, which is good for big and dynamic web projects. If you purchase a dedicated Linux server, you will get a possibility to work with many databases at once. Dedicated hosting also gives you more control over the server, and allows you to support and administer it the way you like.
Depending on the needs of your project, it is possible to purchase managed and unmanaged dedicated hosting plans. Managed dedicated hosting lets you feel relaxed, and forget about maintenance of your servers. Unmanaged hosting, in its turn, lets you adjust the server to some special needs of your project. Managed hosting solutions fit you best if your time is limited and some standardized solutions are ok.
Some web host companies suggest you to choose between managed and unmanaged hosting packages, others work only in one format. Note that managed hosting saves your time, but costs more. This is because you pay not only for the server itself, but for its support, too. Unmanaged hosting is considerably cheaper, but requires more time. We advise you to choose unmanaged hosting if your project requires some specific server settings.
Linux Server Hosting Main Features
Linux hosting works with Linux operating system, and it gives this type of servers a decent bunch of advantages. Linux hosting servers offer good flexibility, cheap prices and good performance. Most experts advise to start with Linux hosting, if you are not bound to any formats yet. This operating system lets you transfer even big projects to Windows servers in case of need.
Many web masters also claim that Linux hosting is more secure than that of Windows, but this point is still arguable. The main idea about the issues of Linux servers security is the minor number of viruses. Most existing viruses are targeted at Windows, so the chances that your server will be damaged by a harmful program are much smaller if you use Linux.
The main advantage of Linux servers admired by many developers is their low price. This is an open source system, so Linux requires no license fee. This is what makes their web hosting so cheap. Anyway, hosting packages include not only the operating system, but also many other services like disk space, bandwidth, administration, etc, so the prices may vary a lot.
Dedicated IP Hosting
Dedicated Hosting is a top-rank package that will solve a lot of problems if your project is growing really fast. Purchasing dedicated hosting means getting a whole server at service. This gives you a lot of opportunities, and allows to develop your web project much faster.
It is reasonable to purchase dedicated hosting in two cases. The first case is when you plan to start a really big project that will require a lot of server resources already on the first days of work. The second case is if you already have a running project, and it has grown so much that shared and VPS hosting solutions are already not enough for providing better results.
When purchasing dedicated hosting, you have to consider several important points. Different providers offer you different prices depending on the amount of disk space and bandwidth you get. Also, the prices depend on the hosting plan you choose. You can purchase managed or unmanaged server. Both these variants are good, but you should decide on it considering the requirements of your web project.
Linux Dedicated Hosing with SSL
Many providers suggest you to purchase Linux dedicated hosting with Secure Sockets Layer. This option, commonly referred as SSL, allows to get saver connection with your server. SSL protocols give you confidential data exchange with server. The main feature of SSL is that it uses two keys for encoding information. For encoding some data it applies one key, and for decoding another.
SSL technology is very important for many cases. For example, if you plan to make banking transactions via your web site, SSL protocol will protect banking details better. Also, this protocols are important if you plan to request some special information from your client: ID number, SIN, or other important private data. SSL doesn’t influence the package price a lot, as the license for this protocol is rather cheap.
Linux Dedicated Hosting Plans
There are two main types of hosting plans – Managed Dedicated Hosting and Unmanaged Dedicated Hosting. Many hosting providers suggest you to choose from these two options when you purchase hosting, but many of them only work with one of these server types. You should consider this options when choosing Linux dedicated hosting solution, as it influences your project a lot.
Managed Hosting
Managed hosting is the first plan that ever existed. Purchasing a managed dedicated server means getting not only hosting, but also its administration and support. The hosting company that offers you managed dedicated hosting also takes responsibility for maintaining correct server operation. With managed server solutions you will not have to install a lot of software, or even hire another employee.
Managed hosting plans usually cost more, but also save a lot of your time. If your project develops dynamically, and you’d like to invest your time into its growth, it is better to choose a managed hosting plan. Also note that this type of dedicated hosting gives you only limited access to settings and different adjustments. You cannot adjust your server personally, as managed solutions give you access only to the basic instruments of server management.
Unmanaged Hosting
Unmanaged server hosting is a newer solution. It gives you control over the whole server. The first unmanaged dedicated servers were requested among web projects with very special needs. Standardized managed hosting solutions couldn’t solve their tasks with maximal efficiency. Unmanaged dedicated hosting solution gives you keys to all server settings, so you can adjust it the best way – right for your project.
Note that by purchasing this type of hosting you overtake all responsibilities. You will have to maintain and update the server personally all the time. To keep it secure you will need to regularly update its antivirus bases. Also, you will have to continuously check if the server is up and running. If the server is down, you will also have to restore it yourself.
Working with unmanaged server requires many skills, so if you are not a prof, it is better to hire a specialist who will manage this. Or you can delegate this responsibility to one of your present employees possessing these skills. Administering and supporting an unmanaged dedicated server requires much time and efforts, but gives you more opportunities and money.
Unmanaged hosting solutions cost less. The reason for this is the absence of additional services usually provided by the web host company. This option is good if you want to invest every cent into developing the project, but not into hosting. To sum it all up, keep in mind that by purchasing unmanaged dedicated hosting you will have to balance between time spent on its support, and the opportunities you get.