Articles on Hosting | Topics: hosting, web, host
by Porter Noble
So you want to be a Web Host? Here's what you should know!
Being a web host can be a very daunting task. Not only do you need a vast array of technical knowledge, but also you need a lot of money just to get started. You'll need money to buy servers, to rent space to put those servers, as well as other things. There are a variety of benefits and drawbacks to being a web host, and this article will attempt to put those in clear view. It will also go over what you need to know so that you can make an informed decision on whether to go all out and become a web host or not.
First, before all of your hopes are dashed, let's look at the pros of hosting your own web server. To start with, you're responsible for everything. You don't have to worry about other people messing up – if something goes wrong, it's on you. You'll always know what's going on – no more wondering what's happening to your server and when it will be back up. There are no monthly hosting fees or accounts to deal with, which can sometimes be a pain if you get stuck with a bad web host. You don't have to share your server with anyone else and worry about their website bringing it down. You'll have as much space as you can afford which means you can put up an unlimited number of websites and content. Finally, you'll be in complete control, which means if something goes wrong you won't have to wait for someone else to fix it.
That's a lot of benefits, so what are the bad parts about owning your own web server? To start with, you're going to be the person dealing with all of the server and hardware problems. If something goes wrong, you have to fix it – it's a double-edged sword. This can become exhausting very quickly, and wear you down. Once the server goes down, it's up to you to get it up, or the website remains offline. Also, you won't have a technical support team behind you backing you up. There will also be software, hardware, and network expenses, and those can add up very quickly.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is how technically advanced are you? Usually you don't have to be extremely good with technology, but you must have some understanding of what you're doing. Since you're the web host, you're going to have to be able to fix problems immediately after they arise. It also means you have to be incredibly good at researching any problem that might arise.
The next thing you need to decide on is your budget. If you're being realistic, expect to be spending at the very least $2,500 for a lower quality server. If you purchase other equipment and services, you will very quickly end up over $5,000. If you are unwilling to make this commitment right away, you may want to look into reseller web hosting.
| Bit of History |
Our friendships hurry to short and poor conclusions, because we have made them a texture of wine and dreams, instead of the tough fibre of the human heart. The laws of friendship are austere and eternal, of one web with the laws of nature and of morals.
| —Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) |
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Next you'll need to decide who is going to be your Internet service provider. Make sure you do plenty of research and speak with a lot of different companies before deciding. Each company can give you different benefits, and it's going to take a careful examination before you figure out which one fits your needs the best. Don't forget to factor in the amount of bandwidth each ISP will supply you with.
You're going to want a back up device that you should purchase before you install the server. This back up device should have double the server storage space. It can be anything from a standalone piece of technology to multiple devices such as CDs, discs and other hard drives. On this backup device you should be able to keep at least 24 weeks worth of backup and not have to worry about storage problems. Generally the backup is for emergency, such as theft or some kind of disaster, including a malicious computer virus.
When you're choosing an operating system pick the one that you have used the most, and are the most comfortable with. If you've never used a piece of Linux technology before, now is not the time to start. Things are going to be difficult enough without having to learn a new type of operating system.
Generally speaking, hosting your own web server isn't going to save you money. Sometimes it will cost you more if you factor in the time you spend doing upkeep and maintenance. However, the benefits are that you can provide better for your customers. In the end it's your decision to decide whether the end justifies the means or not.
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