Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Different Types of Web Hosting
So, you are going to set up a website but do not know what kind of hosting to get? Do not worry. We understand that it can be a bit confusing at first which is the reason to why we have written descriptions of a couple of the most popular forms of web hosting available on the market today. There are more types of hosting than the ones described here but they all originate from these some way or the other.
Shared Hosting
This is without a doubt the single most popular form of web hosting today. The main reason for this is most likely that shared web hosting is a very affordable alternative, only costing a couple of dollars per month. Shared hosting is cheap since you share the server with other websites. Some claim that this form of hosting lacks in quality but can not find this to be true. However, it is always advisable to do some research beforehand. For example, make sure that you get plenty of bandwidth, disk space and uptime, which thankfully is something that many of the shared web hosting providers provide their customers with. Checking the uptime of a web host can be done either via our web hosting reviews (LINK) or through a free uptime hosting monitor. Lastly, check up in advance that the web host offers the opportunity to work with a user-friendly control panel, as it will be a struggle if they do not.
Dedicated Server
If you are looking for the crème de la crème of web hosting you will be more than pleased with dedicated servers, also known as dedicated hosting. This form of hosting will provide your company, dedicated hosting is aimed at being a hosting solution for major online businesses, with an extremely powerful computer/server that will put all of its efforts on you and your site alone. It will only provide services for one account, hence meaning that you will not share the server with anyone else. Do not worry that you will have to make any physical room for the server at your office as it will be stored, maintained and under the security of the web host. We have already mentioned that dedicated servers are aimed at being a hosting solution for major online businesses and with this we mean a site that is sure to drive a substantial amount of traffic on a daily basis. Important to think about when deciding on dedicated hosting is whether you want it to be managed or unmanaged. Managed dedicated servers are good if you only want the basics and do not handle anything else than the onsite content. If you, or anyone else in the company, on the other hand have the necessary technical knowledge – you can pick unmanaged dedicated hosting. This way you will be more in charge of the server.
Virtual Private Server
What if you need something that is stronger than shared hosting but do not need it to be as strong as dedicated web hosting? The solution is VPS Hosting. This form of web hosting displays a virtualization of a server being split into several “virtual” servers. Next to shared hosting, virtual private servers are becoming the foundation among many web hosts. With VPS hosting you will get grass-root level access without having to think about the hassle (it can be a hassle if you are not technically minded) that can come with dedicated servers. Shared hosting can be kind of a “closed” environment and with virtual private servers you will get a more customizable solution. This form of web hosting is often utilized by medium-sized companies and it will most often cost around $30 to $40 per month.
Wait a minute…
We are not done yet! As with all businesses there are trends and the hosting industry is no exception. There are yet two other forms of web hosting that we feel are worthy of some recognition as they are very trendy at the moment, even though they are not as commonly used as the three mentioned above. We are of course talking about Green Hosting and Cloud Computing.
Green Hosting
As the earth is getting increasingly ill the web hosting industry is making an attempt in green hosting to do something about it. Green hosting is eco-friendly and is growing in popularity which has lead to more web hosts offering it to their customers. With eco-friendly means that the web host either purchase carbon offsets or use eco-friendly energy efficient servers. Green hosting is almost exclusively shared hosting which means that it can be a good alternative for you that want to do something for the environment and only require shared hosting for your website.
Cloud Computing
The other type of "it" hosting at the moment is called cloud computing. The easiest way of explaining cloud computing is in the way that it is different from the “traditional” hosting.
1.Cloud computing is elastic which means that the consumer only use as much hosting that is needed.
2.As a consumer you will only have to pay for the amount of hosting that is used. If you require a lot of hosting one month you will pay more that month and other months, when you require less hosting, you will also pay less.
The above mentioned qualities are also what make cloud computing as popular as it is today. Your hosting grows when you need it to and you only pay for the amount of hosting that you are using.
What is the next step when setting up a website?
Paltalk is the largest voice and video chat service. Claim your free trial of Paltalk Scene for video messaging and chat.
Shared Hosting
This is without a doubt the single most popular form of web hosting today. The main reason for this is most likely that shared web hosting is a very affordable alternative, only costing a couple of dollars per month. Shared hosting is cheap since you share the server with other websites. Some claim that this form of hosting lacks in quality but can not find this to be true. However, it is always advisable to do some research beforehand. For example, make sure that you get plenty of bandwidth, disk space and uptime, which thankfully is something that many of the shared web hosting providers provide their customers with. Checking the uptime of a web host can be done either via our web hosting reviews (LINK) or through a free uptime hosting monitor. Lastly, check up in advance that the web host offers the opportunity to work with a user-friendly control panel, as it will be a struggle if they do not.
Dedicated Server
If you are looking for the crème de la crème of web hosting you will be more than pleased with dedicated servers, also known as dedicated hosting. This form of hosting will provide your company, dedicated hosting is aimed at being a hosting solution for major online businesses, with an extremely powerful computer/server that will put all of its efforts on you and your site alone. It will only provide services for one account, hence meaning that you will not share the server with anyone else. Do not worry that you will have to make any physical room for the server at your office as it will be stored, maintained and under the security of the web host. We have already mentioned that dedicated servers are aimed at being a hosting solution for major online businesses and with this we mean a site that is sure to drive a substantial amount of traffic on a daily basis. Important to think about when deciding on dedicated hosting is whether you want it to be managed or unmanaged. Managed dedicated servers are good if you only want the basics and do not handle anything else than the onsite content. If you, or anyone else in the company, on the other hand have the necessary technical knowledge – you can pick unmanaged dedicated hosting. This way you will be more in charge of the server.
Virtual Private Server
What if you need something that is stronger than shared hosting but do not need it to be as strong as dedicated web hosting? The solution is VPS Hosting. This form of web hosting displays a virtualization of a server being split into several “virtual” servers. Next to shared hosting, virtual private servers are becoming the foundation among many web hosts. With VPS hosting you will get grass-root level access without having to think about the hassle (it can be a hassle if you are not technically minded) that can come with dedicated servers. Shared hosting can be kind of a “closed” environment and with virtual private servers you will get a more customizable solution. This form of web hosting is often utilized by medium-sized companies and it will most often cost around $30 to $40 per month.
Wait a minute…
We are not done yet! As with all businesses there are trends and the hosting industry is no exception. There are yet two other forms of web hosting that we feel are worthy of some recognition as they are very trendy at the moment, even though they are not as commonly used as the three mentioned above. We are of course talking about Green Hosting and Cloud Computing.
Green Hosting
As the earth is getting increasingly ill the web hosting industry is making an attempt in green hosting to do something about it. Green hosting is eco-friendly and is growing in popularity which has lead to more web hosts offering it to their customers. With eco-friendly means that the web host either purchase carbon offsets or use eco-friendly energy efficient servers. Green hosting is almost exclusively shared hosting which means that it can be a good alternative for you that want to do something for the environment and only require shared hosting for your website.
Cloud Computing
The other type of "it" hosting at the moment is called cloud computing. The easiest way of explaining cloud computing is in the way that it is different from the “traditional” hosting.
1.Cloud computing is elastic which means that the consumer only use as much hosting that is needed.
2.As a consumer you will only have to pay for the amount of hosting that is used. If you require a lot of hosting one month you will pay more that month and other months, when you require less hosting, you will also pay less.
The above mentioned qualities are also what make cloud computing as popular as it is today. Your hosting grows when you need it to and you only pay for the amount of hosting that you are using.
What is the next step when setting up a website?
Paltalk is the largest voice and video chat service. Claim your free trial of Paltalk Scene for video messaging and chat.
cPanel - Complete Web Host Control Panel
The first impression of cPanel's control panel can be expressed as basic. Nothing fancy or flashy; a simple interface with several icons representing the control panel's functions. This is also the reason why cPanel has grown to become such a popular and frequently used control panel by web hosts. What you see is what you get. What you get is exactly what you need to manage domains, server storage, emails, stats and ftp file upload. One of the greatest functions offered by cPanel are service scripts allowing users to easily install blogs, CMS and more plus neat functions like clocks, counters, formMail etc.
Video tutorials and Wizards
To make sure that the user find everything and is 100% pleased with the cPanel interface the user have complete access to the control panel preferences and know-how. Video tutorials and wizard to get started and editable style, language and profile settings to give user full control.
Manage E-mail accounts
Not only can user create email accounts but manage them and prevent SPAM with Spam Assassin, access email though webmail function and several more functions to complete the user's email experience.
Access Files with web based FTP
Devoted to the security and importance of website files cPanel offer a backup function with a wizard to help safely copy and store files in case they are lost or destroyed. Furthermore user has a direct connection to files with a FTP function allowing the user to manage, upload or download files directly from the web browser.
Limited Stats
With over 8 statistical applications such as Webalizer, Bandwidth monitoring, Latest Visitors and Analog Stats and Error Log the user can monitor all aspects of the website. Statistics graphics are quite simple reporting according to basic values like monthly hits, files and hits they fill the need of the common user. cPanel logs section is thus a bit limited in giving information about the website.
Your website on Your terms
cPanel user has a variety of secure settings to choose between. Offering secure file transfer and remote logins with SSH, IP Blocking, Password Protection, message encryption and decryption using private key with GnuPG Keys.
Control, add and redirect domains
Park, redirect, add or create subdomains with just a few easy steps. Video tutorials are available to all functions enabling user to understand the process completely before attempting to use desired functions.
MySQL and PHPMyAdmin Databases
User can access, add, remove and manage databases in MySQL both directly through cPanel but also by using the Remote MySQL function. phpMyAdmin is also available.
Easy Blog and CMS installation
One of the most valuable functions are found under Software/Services, add-ons offering pre-installed CGI Scripts allowing users to display anything from a counter, clock, countdown timer, formMail to a search engine and banners. Probably the most known service is Fantastico available to help the user install blogs (WordPress, Nucleus, b2evolution), content managagement (Joomla, PHP-Nuke, Drupal etc.), forums, ecommerce, image galleries and much more. PHP configuration is also available.
But Wait There's More
Futhermore the user can choose to customize control panel and website further. Personal error pages can be created, image display can be managed and command and scripts can be set to activate and deactivate at specific times.
Video tutorials and Wizards
To make sure that the user find everything and is 100% pleased with the cPanel interface the user have complete access to the control panel preferences and know-how. Video tutorials and wizard to get started and editable style, language and profile settings to give user full control.
Manage E-mail accounts
Not only can user create email accounts but manage them and prevent SPAM with Spam Assassin, access email though webmail function and several more functions to complete the user's email experience.
Access Files with web based FTP
Devoted to the security and importance of website files cPanel offer a backup function with a wizard to help safely copy and store files in case they are lost or destroyed. Furthermore user has a direct connection to files with a FTP function allowing the user to manage, upload or download files directly from the web browser.
Limited Stats
With over 8 statistical applications such as Webalizer, Bandwidth monitoring, Latest Visitors and Analog Stats and Error Log the user can monitor all aspects of the website. Statistics graphics are quite simple reporting according to basic values like monthly hits, files and hits they fill the need of the common user. cPanel logs section is thus a bit limited in giving information about the website.
Your website on Your terms
cPanel user has a variety of secure settings to choose between. Offering secure file transfer and remote logins with SSH, IP Blocking, Password Protection, message encryption and decryption using private key with GnuPG Keys.
Control, add and redirect domains
Park, redirect, add or create subdomains with just a few easy steps. Video tutorials are available to all functions enabling user to understand the process completely before attempting to use desired functions.
MySQL and PHPMyAdmin Databases
User can access, add, remove and manage databases in MySQL both directly through cPanel but also by using the Remote MySQL function. phpMyAdmin is also available.
Easy Blog and CMS installation
One of the most valuable functions are found under Software/Services, add-ons offering pre-installed CGI Scripts allowing users to display anything from a counter, clock, countdown timer, formMail to a search engine and banners. Probably the most known service is Fantastico available to help the user install blogs (WordPress, Nucleus, b2evolution), content managagement (Joomla, PHP-Nuke, Drupal etc.), forums, ecommerce, image galleries and much more. PHP configuration is also available.
But Wait There's More
Futhermore the user can choose to customize control panel and website further. Personal error pages can be created, image display can be managed and command and scripts can be set to activate and deactivate at specific times.
An Introduction to Cloud Computing
IT is expensive – if you want to run the latest and greatest technology achievements in house, you need a lot of money. Hardware equipment costs a fortune and it gets old so fast that even rich companies can't afford to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements. On the other hand, even if you can afford to buy this expensive equipment and your volume of work drops, the money you invested is wasted. Even in times of economic boom volumes of work do drop, unexpectedly at that, so spending millions on equipment is rarely a wise investment. Wouldn't it be more reasonable if companies could share their equipment – i.e. lend free resources when they have them and borrow additional capacity when they need? Yes, it is more reasonable to do it and in fact it has already been done – under the name “cloud computing”.
What Is Cloud Computing?
There are many definitions of cloud computing but basically they all state that cloud computing uses resources, shared over the Internet to perform on demand computational tasks. To put it simply, a cloud computing vendor buys the necessary hardware and software, builds the necessary infrastructure and offers these capacities over the Internet for fee to anybody who needs them.
The idea is that this way the cloud computing vendor manages to earn more than when the equipment is used solely for internal purposes. Additionally, depending on the particular clauses in the contracts, it is quite possible to arrange that this equipment/infrastructure is leased only when it is not needed internally - i.e. if you need it internally, you are not bound to share it with other companies.
Cloud computing comes in many forms and one of the most popular is SaaS (Software As A Service). The SaaS model uses not only the equipment and infrastructure of the cloud computing vendor but it also includes software applications as part of the package. PaaS (Platform As a Service) is another popular form of cloud computing.
How Can a Company Benefit from Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing wouldn't have become that popular, if it didn't have many advantages for all parties concerned. In a sense, it is a win-win deal. For the cloud computing vendor the benefits are that the existing infrastructure is better utilized and it generates additional revenue rather than stay unused. For the companies that use cloud computing services the benefits are also tangible and some of them are:
•Lower costs. This is the most obvious benefit - you use the equipment/infrastructure you need without having to buy it. Even if the rental fees are high, unless you use the cloud infrastructure heavily, the savings for you are substantial. Actually, you pay only for what you use. On the other hand, if you use cloud computing services frequently, maybe it is better to build that infrastructure in house than to rent it.
•No need to have dedicated IT experts for the maintenance of the infrastructure. In addition to the fact that you save money because you don't have to buy the equipment, you also save because you don't have to employ dedicated IT experts to install and maintain this infrastructure. Installation and maintenance costs could surpass the cost of the equipment itself and that is why not many companies can afford to keep dedicated IT staff on payroll.
•Saves time. Finally, when you don't have to waste time on installation and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure and you just use the capacity you need, this saves a lot of time and contributes to your increased efficiency. Time is money, so why waste it on maintaining an infrastructure, when you can rent it?
Are There Any Downsides Related to Cloud Computing?
To a manager, who is always pressed by time and money constraints, cloud computing might look like a dream come true. In a sense, this is so, because cloud computing offers so many benefits but on the other hand, cloud computing is not bug-free and here are some of its downsides:
•Security. When cloud computing is concerned, security is the main issue. When confidential data travels over the Internet and is stored at third party premises (i.e. the premises of your cloud computing provider), there are many factors outside of your control. For many managers these potential security risks are a major reason why they say "No" to cloud computing. Of course, if security is properly taken care of, cloud computing is a safer option than in-house data storage.
•Might not be available when you need it. While cloud computing vendors generally try to maintain uptime above the industry average, nobody is insured against outages. Well, outages happen in house too. The more important is how frequently these outages happen and how soon the infrastructure is back up again. With a reliable cloud computing provider, outages might not happen for a long period of time and even if they do, they are short, while if you have an in-house outage, even if you mobilize all your experts, it will take longer to restore operations.
•Quality. Downtime and security are just too of the concerns regarding the quality of cloud computing. Since you don't have control over the infrastructure of the cloud computing provider, you might be surprised by their low broadband, slow computers, and rude staff. Needless to say, if you choose a good cloud computing provider, you shouldn't have to face such issues. In a sense, quality concerns are not related to cloud computing itself but more to the cloud computing vendor you choose.
In this relation it makes sense to point out that the downsides of cloud computing can be easily overcome if you select the right vendor. When choosing a cloud computing vendor, price should be your last concern - reliability and professionalism are much more important and if you save on them, then you shouldn't complain that cloud computing doesn't work for you. Cloud computing is great but only when you have picked up the right vendor.
If you're interested in Cloud Computing you might also want to check out
What Is Cloud Computing?
There are many definitions of cloud computing but basically they all state that cloud computing uses resources, shared over the Internet to perform on demand computational tasks. To put it simply, a cloud computing vendor buys the necessary hardware and software, builds the necessary infrastructure and offers these capacities over the Internet for fee to anybody who needs them.
The idea is that this way the cloud computing vendor manages to earn more than when the equipment is used solely for internal purposes. Additionally, depending on the particular clauses in the contracts, it is quite possible to arrange that this equipment/infrastructure is leased only when it is not needed internally - i.e. if you need it internally, you are not bound to share it with other companies.
Cloud computing comes in many forms and one of the most popular is SaaS (Software As A Service). The SaaS model uses not only the equipment and infrastructure of the cloud computing vendor but it also includes software applications as part of the package. PaaS (Platform As a Service) is another popular form of cloud computing.
How Can a Company Benefit from Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing wouldn't have become that popular, if it didn't have many advantages for all parties concerned. In a sense, it is a win-win deal. For the cloud computing vendor the benefits are that the existing infrastructure is better utilized and it generates additional revenue rather than stay unused. For the companies that use cloud computing services the benefits are also tangible and some of them are:
•Lower costs. This is the most obvious benefit - you use the equipment/infrastructure you need without having to buy it. Even if the rental fees are high, unless you use the cloud infrastructure heavily, the savings for you are substantial. Actually, you pay only for what you use. On the other hand, if you use cloud computing services frequently, maybe it is better to build that infrastructure in house than to rent it.
•No need to have dedicated IT experts for the maintenance of the infrastructure. In addition to the fact that you save money because you don't have to buy the equipment, you also save because you don't have to employ dedicated IT experts to install and maintain this infrastructure. Installation and maintenance costs could surpass the cost of the equipment itself and that is why not many companies can afford to keep dedicated IT staff on payroll.
•Saves time. Finally, when you don't have to waste time on installation and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure and you just use the capacity you need, this saves a lot of time and contributes to your increased efficiency. Time is money, so why waste it on maintaining an infrastructure, when you can rent it?
Are There Any Downsides Related to Cloud Computing?
To a manager, who is always pressed by time and money constraints, cloud computing might look like a dream come true. In a sense, this is so, because cloud computing offers so many benefits but on the other hand, cloud computing is not bug-free and here are some of its downsides:
•Security. When cloud computing is concerned, security is the main issue. When confidential data travels over the Internet and is stored at third party premises (i.e. the premises of your cloud computing provider), there are many factors outside of your control. For many managers these potential security risks are a major reason why they say "No" to cloud computing. Of course, if security is properly taken care of, cloud computing is a safer option than in-house data storage.
•Might not be available when you need it. While cloud computing vendors generally try to maintain uptime above the industry average, nobody is insured against outages. Well, outages happen in house too. The more important is how frequently these outages happen and how soon the infrastructure is back up again. With a reliable cloud computing provider, outages might not happen for a long period of time and even if they do, they are short, while if you have an in-house outage, even if you mobilize all your experts, it will take longer to restore operations.
•Quality. Downtime and security are just too of the concerns regarding the quality of cloud computing. Since you don't have control over the infrastructure of the cloud computing provider, you might be surprised by their low broadband, slow computers, and rude staff. Needless to say, if you choose a good cloud computing provider, you shouldn't have to face such issues. In a sense, quality concerns are not related to cloud computing itself but more to the cloud computing vendor you choose.
In this relation it makes sense to point out that the downsides of cloud computing can be easily overcome if you select the right vendor. When choosing a cloud computing vendor, price should be your last concern - reliability and professionalism are much more important and if you save on them, then you shouldn't complain that cloud computing doesn't work for you. Cloud computing is great but only when you have picked up the right vendor.
If you're interested in Cloud Computing you might also want to check out
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