What's a Managed Web Server?

Articles on Hosting | Topics: hosting, web, host

by Kristofer Alvarez

What's a Managed Web Server?

The majority of web hosts rely on the sufficiency of dedicated servers, however dedicated servers have their share of problems, one of the worse being that they can have a number of technical and operational glitches. More and more is being expected of web hosts and that is where a managed web server (also known as managed hosting) comes in. Managed web servers provide services that are above and beyond that of dedicated servers. These services include managed load balancing, managed security, managed storage, reporting, monitoring and managed databases. A managed virtual server can be described as being a cross between "a shared and a dedicated hosting solution." It is the best of both worlds as it is a combination of the excellent attributes of each.

A more comprehensive definition would be that, "A managed server includes administration and support. A good managed host will troubleshoot problems, help you with configuration, answer your questions, install or patch software, and keep the server running- your job is simply to upload your files and run your site. Managed servers are the most expensive option, but if you don't want the hassle of administration they are ideal."

This is contrasted with an unmanaged server whereby you do your own administrative work. This server comes complete with a connection to the Internet and a server that is preconfigured. An unmanaged host will help you with your hardware concerns but when it comes to configuration beyond the basics, as well as security, software and troubleshooting, you're on your own. The technical assistance you receive with an unmanaged server is not a great deal. The good news in this case is that unmanaged servers are an awful lot cheaper than managed ones but require the individual to do almost all of their own administrative tasks. This point cannot be emphasized enough. A managed server allows an individual to spend more time working and fine tuning their website and leaves the technical headaches and bumps in the road to others to contend with.

Quote of the Day

In every philosophical school, three thinkers succeed one another in the following way: the first produces out of himself the sap and seed, the second draws it out into threads and spins a synthetic web, and the third waits in this web for the sacrificial victims that are caught in it—and tries to live off philosophy.

—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

Those with a "high traffic website" are likely to require a dedicated server and the disadvantages of this kind of server is the administrative concerns that go along with it. The individual must do the bulk of his /her own administrative duties and this is where managed hosting comes into the picture. Requiring a dedicated server is one thing, but if you also need specialized services such as firewalls, security data backup, monitoring and reporting then a managed web server is the way to go.

There are a few necessities you must look for in a managed web server and these include reliability and speedy support; freedom; a fast and reliable Internet connection, and finally, competitiveness. To determine whether a web host consists of both a reliable team and has quick response time then contact them by e-mail and see how long it takes them to respond. Not only that but see how informative and forthcoming their response e-mail is to yours. Freedoms to pick and choose what services you require and which ones you don't, is an important element. For example, perhaps firewall protection and/or monitoring is not of interest to you. You should have the option of therefore not getting or having to pay for any services you don't partake of. The method of payment that is made available to you also come under the category of freedom. Managed server companies that allow individuals or small businesses to pay their bills monthly make it easier and simpler for their clients to effectively manage their budgets. On the other hand, contracts that are generated on a yearly basis can be very costly and unnecessary.

An Internet connection is what a fast and reliable connection must be composed of to be classed as an excellent one. Discuss with the web host in question both their network and connectivity dos and don'ts and have them send the appropriate information to you via e-mail. Be aware that some companies have this information readily available on their website. Knowing where the location of the web host's Network Operations Center (NOC) is imperative. Bear in mind that the fastest and also most reliable Internet connections anywhere across the globe is to be found in the United States. Therefore a NOC is the U.S. is everyone's best choice. Competition between companies is healthy and very good for business. There are different managed web server packages although the services, and their prospective prices, vary considerably. As managed hosting becomes more and more common, it will become more affordable and also will encourage even more competitiveness between varieties of companies.

We strive to provide only top rate articles on our website. If there is a specific hosting-related topic that you do not see but would like us to cover, please contact us here.

Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "What's a Managed Web Server?" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by WebDesignConferencing.com.

SEO or PPC: Which One is Right for You?
By Dorthy Kidd
SEO or PPC: Which One is Right for You? There are two major search engine marketing strategies in use today: SEO (search engine optimization) and PPC (pay-per-click). These two methods are very different, and deciding which one is right for you can be hard....

Budget Busters – Pitfalls to Avoid when Choosing Cheap a Cheap Web Host
By Eternity Cunningham
Budget Busters – Pitfalls to Avoid when Choosing Cheap a Cheap Web Host If you want a website to proudly display on the Internet, it doesn't matter if it's an ecommerce website or a small personal one that lets the world know you love dogs, you'll need to know some of the necessities for running one when choosing your web hosting company. After all if you're going to all of the trouble to have one, you'll want the most for your efforts....

The Top 10 Biggest Web Design Mistakes
By Pierre M. Terry
The Top 10 Biggest Web Design Mistakes. In the world of web design, there are plenty of mistakes you can make, and in this article, I'm going to look at what I believe to be the top 10 biggest....

Choosing the Right Software for Web Conferencing
By Edward Dickerson
Putting it plainly, computers and the net become virtual alternatives to various physical locations where meetings and crucial entrepreneurial decisions take place. It has the same elements such as people, minutes, scribes, topics and discussions....

Five Ways On How To Benefit From Web Conferencing
By Jezebel Quinn
Web conferencing is a live and simultaneous meeting and live presentations over the Internet. It is a forum of collaborative and interactive presentations that often covers meetings, conferences and seminars where user starts the conversation through seating in their own computer....