Dedicated Server hosting
This form of hosting allows customers to lease pre-configured, high-end equipment and connectivity from the provider. Offering greater flexibility than shared hosting and less responsibility than colocated hosting, the customer generally retains control over their hosting environment. They choose their operating system and software and tailor it to their needs. The provider, however, remains responsible for administration.

Customers using a dedicated server hosting solution require an overall competency in IT and server administration issues. It also requires a more significant investment of finances, time and human resources than shared hosting.

Shared hosting
Sometimes known as virtual hosting, this is the most basic and the most inexpensive of hosting alternatives. With shared hosting, numerous customers host their websites on one server, sharing the cost of an Internet connection that’s generally faster and more secure than dial-up connections. An range of basic bundled services at a low monthly fee makes this a popular choice for first-time webmasters.

While economically sound, this type of shared hosting typically cannot handle large amounts of storage or traffic and the provider offers little to no IT services or flexibility.

Colocated hosting
For webmasters who desire complete control over their server, colocated hosting is an option. The provider offers only space for a server on their rack and usually a low performance bandwidth. The customer is responsible for everything else — purchasing, configuring and maintaining the physical hardware (servers, firewalls, etc.), software and the operating system.

Setting up and maintaining a colocated server is not a simple undertaking. It demands that the customer have a great deal of IT expertise and time. Any extra services or assistance by the provider also incurs extra costs.

Load Balancing
Distributing data across a network of servers in order to ensure that a single Web server does not get overloaded with work, thereby affecting performance.

Managed Backup
Refers to the copying of data for the purpose of having an additional copy of an original source, specifically storing data on separate tape media not located on the server. If the original data is damaged or lost, the data may be copied back from that source.

Name Server
A server responsible for translating domain names and IP addresses.

NOC
Short for Network Operations Center, a hosting company’s “home base,” so to speak. The NOC is usually where most administration, technical support and physical server storage takes place.

Packet switching
The method by which most data is exchanged throughout the Internet. Most data is broken down in to smaller “packets” prior to transfer, and then reassembled at the destination.

RAID
Short for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, a method of data protection/backup. Data is stored over a number of servers so that information will still be accessible if a piece of hardware/software crashes.

SAN
Short for Storage Area Network, a network designed to attach computer storage devices such as disk array controllers and tape libraries to servers. In a storage network, a server issues a request for specific blocks, or data segments, from specific disk drives. This method is known as block storage. The device acts in a similar fashion to an internal drive, accessing the specified block, and sending the response across the network.

Scalability
The ability of a piece of software or hardware to expand/grow as necessary.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)
A formal written agreement made between two parties: the service provider and the service recipient. The SLA itself defines the basis of understanding between the two parties for delivery of the service itself. The document can be quite complex, and sometimes underpins a formal contract. Generally, an SLA should contain clauses that define a specified level of service, support options, incentive awards for service levels exceeded and/or penalty provisions for services not provided.

SQL
Short for Standard Query Language. A standard protocol used to request information from databases. Servers that can handle SQL are known as SQL servers.

SSL
Short for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol developed by Netscape to handle and protect confidential/sensitive information required for e-commerce transactions (like credit card numbers). SSL addresses usually begin with ‘https’.

VPN
Short for Virtual Private Network, a private communications network usually used within a company, or by several different companies, to communicate over a public network.

Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that allows users to post web pages to the Internet. A Web host, or hosting service provider (HSP), is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for Web sites to be viewed on the Web.

XML
Short for Extensible Markup Language. XML is a language allowing developers to create their own markup tags. All XML tags are defined by the programmer, and can be interpreted differently in different applications. For example, the “” tag in HTML means Italics, but could mean anything in XML, depending on the function the developer assigns to it.

The Sun Java System Messaging Server (formerly Sun ONE Messaging Server) is a high-performance, highly secure messaging platform one of the leaders in the service provider messaging market. Scaling from thousands to millions of users, the Java System Messaging Server is suitable for both service providers and enterprises interested in consolidating email servers and reducing total cost of ownership of communications infrastructure.

The Sun Messaging server also provides extensive security features that help ensure the integrity of communications through user authentication, session encryption, and the appropriate content filtering to help prevent spam and viruses.

The Sun Java System Messaging Server along with the Sun Java System Calendar Server and Sun Java System Instant Messaging offer their users a comprehensive communications and collaboration environment. The Sun Java System Messaging Server is also a key component of the Sun Infrastructure Solution for Enterprise Messaging Consolidation, enabling customers to offer rich collaborative services while dramatically reducing costs.

Key Features
* High performance and scalability
* Extensive security features
* Virtual domain hosting and delegated administration
* Scalable, robust and extensible messaging components
* Multiple client support

It has been ported to Unix, Linux & Windows Operating systems.

WorkgroupMail is a full featured mail server, which can provide any size organization with secure and dependable messaging. To help combat increasing security threats to your email, WorkgroupMail offers comprehensive features to protect you from virus infected messages and senders of spam mail.

Its key features include :

* Virus protection - Server based virus protection using your existing anti-virus software.
* Spam filtering - Checks to see if the computer which sent a message is blacklisted on the major RBL lists. Quarantines or deletes any such messages.
* Content filtering - Add commercial and legal disclaimers. Check for unacceptable language.
* Attachment filtering - Part of the content filtering. Removes unwanted types of file attachment before they reach the end user.
* Public Folders - Encourage collaboration by sharing certain folders amongst the users.
* IMAP support - Store all message folders centrally, allowing side by side access from a mail client or WebMail.
* Web-based mail client - Provide users with web-based access to their email.
* Web-based administration - Remotely administer WorkgroupMail using a web browser.

Whether it is for a large enterprise, hosting its own email, or a smaller organization, collecting mail from one or more ISPs, the makers of WorkgroupMail mail web server claim that it can provide everything required to run a smooth and effective mail system.

WorkgroupMail is extremely easy to install and configure. A 30 day trail version is available on their website so you can try-n-buy.

A mail-server solution from down-under ! MailEnable is an Australian company whose Mail Server software provides a powerful, scalable hosted messaging platform for Microsoft Windows. The software is reliable, affordable and has many of the features of a professional high performance mail server without the complexity or cost.

The software is relatively easy to install and configure. With clear instructions and logical installation wizards, if you prefer a DIY approach, you can have your mail server up and running within minutes. There are three options available , the Standard edition which is downloadable for free to the full featured enterprise edition.

MailEnable Standard Edition - ideal for users who need the power and stability of a high performance mail server, but require only basic email services such as POP, SMTP, standard spam protection, list server and auto-responders.

MailEnable Professional Edition - For small to medium sized organizations. Professional Edition adds important functionality such as IMAP4, HTTPMail, 3rd party Anti-Virus support, enhanced anti-spam including SPF and global filtering, WebMail & powerful API, allowing you to easily modify, integrate and expand on mail services you provide.

MailEnable Enterprise Edition - Designed for large scale organizations (eg: ISP’s) Enterprise Edition includes clustering support, service selection per mailbox, Bayesian filtering, optimised services for speed and scalability and enhanced WebMail.

Installing the Client Software :

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. When the Welcome page appears, click Perform additional tasks, and then click Setup Remote Desktop Connection.
3.  When the installation wizard starts, follow the directions that appear on your screen.
4. You will have to agree to the license agreement
5.  Enter your personal information and click Next
6. Finish the installation and you will now have Remote Desktop Service Installed on your XP system.

Enable Your Server as the Host

Before you use Remote Desktop Service , your dedicated server has to be configured to allow it to be controlled remotely. Change the system properties to enable RDS.

1. Log in as an Administrator
2. Open the System Applet in the Control Panel.
3. Click Start > Control Panel > System Applet > Remote Tab
4. On the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box.
5. Make sure that you have the proper permissions to connect to a computer remotely, and click OK.

To Start a RDS Session

Once you have enabled your Dedicated Server to allow remote connections and installed client software on a Windows-based client computer, you are ready to start a Remote Desktop Service session.

To create a new Remote Desktop Connection

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection.
2. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection
3. In Computer, type the computer name or TCP/IP address of the host you want to control.
4. Fill in your user-name & password , Domain if needed, save the connection as a ‘profile’ for later use.
5. Click Connect.
6. Your request will now be sent to the server you want to connect to. The Log On to Windows dialog box appears.
7. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type your user name, password, and domain (if required), and then click OK.
8. The Remote Desktop window will open and you will see the desktop settings, files, and programs that are on the server. You can proceed to administer the server as required.

To open a saved connection

1. Saved connections are stored in the ‘My Documents’ folder
2. Windows Explorer > My Documents folder
3. Click the .Rdp file for the connection you want to use

A Remote Desktop file (*.rdp) file is a profile that holds the RDS settings. You can make copies of them as you would any other file and just change the options internally to that profile and save it with another name. You can copy all the *.rdp files and store them in a folder on your desktop; you can even edit the Start Menu and make a folder called RDP with all your profiles in it. Whatever makes it easy for you to manage…

To edit an *.rdp file and change the connections settings it contains, right-click the file and then click Edit.

To log off and end the session

1. In the Remote Desktop Connection window > click Start > Shut Down.
2. The Shut Down Windows dialog box appears
3. In the drop-down menu, select Log Off <username> > click OK

Remote Desktop Service with Windows Dedicated Server

What is Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop Service is an tool through which you can remotely control a computer and allows you to use the data, applications, and network resources that are on the target computer. Remote Desktop Service is an evolution of the older Windows based Terminal Services Client that (like with Windows 2000), would allow you to connect to and manage a dedicated server remotely, allowing you to do maintenance on the server and so on. Remote Desktop (Windows Server 2003 / XP), allows the same functionality with enhanced features and security.

To install Remote Desktop Service , you need the following:

* Windows XP or 2003 server installed on the computer you plan to operate remotely. i.e the host computer.
* A good internet connection with adequate bandwidth. [Such as a broadband connection]

How to find the Remote Desktop Service ?

* The Remote Desktop Service Connection software is pre-installed with Windows XP & 2003 server. You can access it from the start menu as follows :
Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications> Remote Desktop Connection
* If it is not installed, you can find it on the Windows Installation CD [XP or 2003 server]
* You can also download a copy from Microsoft’s website

The Remote Desktop Service Connection software can be installed on any supported Windows platform. This is the front-end through which you will control the host computer or a Windows Dedicated Server.

Managed Dedicated Servers

People might be thinking about managing their own dedicated server. Before making a decision to do so they should check out the hosting packages online on fully managed dedicated servers. This will save some headaches in maintenance. A hosting service will manage and keep it up and running. Most sites offer support for technical problems pertaining to any kinds of site issues. Hosting packages range in price depending on the customized features offered. Choosing faster processor speeds and more memory will end up costing more than just the low-end basic service. However, the basic service will provide the designated dedicated server hosting with a good processor speed and adequate memory.

When choosing a web hosting service, individuals should evaluate the site for effectiveness. The functionality, traffic, and available services must be closely examined. Of course one must consider a budget when it comes to web hosting services. Weigh the differences in cost to having a dedicated server verses a full one. With managed dedicated servers technical issues will be taken care of by the hosting service. Any hardware or software issues are usually also included with technical support.

Using managed dedicated servers for a website will provide a service that will allow people to concentrate on the more important aspects of a business. Some companies that offer web hosting server management also offer tips on marketing techniques. Some include marketing packages along with hosting services to help the new business owner with initial advertising. Do some research on fully managed dedicated servers and find a reputable company that offers reasonable prices. Become informed by reading frequently answered questions on various sites and if not sure about some issues, make some phone calls using available contact information or do a live chat with a professional. This will help clear up anything people may be concerned about. “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Dedicated server vs Shared Server:

Most people pick dedicated servers, this could be because they have some experience using this services or they already read some stories about this content. If we think logically on the word “shared” this drive us directly to the knowledge that we share some concepts of the server.We hope that the server we share is totally debugged and with zero problems, we don’t want any kind of downtime on our website, this is never sure for shared websites.

So why is better the dedicated server, you principally have total control on your website, also you can install any kind of application, you can update any kind of software or hardware in your server, it’s made by your specific requirements and only for them.

Also, this option is great for people that need to upload huge amount of data, and need great capabilities for bandwidth.

For the dedicated servers we also can provide the capabilities to manage firewalls and password access, this is for security purposes. If you have big knowledge on dedicated servers, can control any kind of problem

Dedicated Server Hosting Company:

Step 1 : Search the net using search engines like google with the name of the dedicated server web-hosts from your list, you can see references to your web-hosting company on different sites. See what people are saying… are there any negative comments ? are the people singing praises Go through any discussions , comments posted on news-groups, forums etc.

While all companies will list their satisfied customers, you’ll not find the unhappy customers & negative comments posted there.. it is upto you to see if all is as rosy as it looks. See what web-hosting review sites like ours have to say about the company.

Delete from your list any hosting companies with negative feedback.

Step 2 : The customer Support factor.

Once you buy into the services of a dedicated server web hosting company, there will be occasions when you will have to contact the hosting company , for general queries, specific technical support, to register a complaint etc. So how ‘available’ is the company ? What modes of contact do they provide ?

The three basic modes of contact would ve via ‘Live-Help’ on their website, where you can chat in realtime with a customer support rep. Or via email, or via phone [many top-class companies provide a toll-free number] . Read their customer support pages to find out what kind of turn-around-time they promise on any emails. Do they promise 24×7 support ?

Many web-hosts also have some quick trouble shooting pages & DIY help pages on their site, check out how extensive and comprehensible it is.

Step 3 : The email test !

Send an email to the support email address of all the web-hosting companies on your list. You can even send an email on a Sunday or after hours to see if they really do have 24×7 support. Request for specific technical information about their service & also some pointed questions specific to the type of service you are looking for.

Evaluate the speed of their responses, judge the quality, competence and care taken in their responses to you. Test them even further by demanding that they assign a specific contact person to administer your account, so that his person will be familiar with your site and any problems it may have. This will do wonders for the Web Hosts’ accountability and sense of responsibility. Eliminate all those hosts who have not responded to your email or have responded inadequately.

Step 4 : Price-wise.

Evaluate the prices and see which host in your list offers the most for the least. The most expensive host need not be the best, neither does the cheapest host have to be the worst. Choose a host that offers you most of what you need at the most reasonable price, and with options to upgrade later for reasonable rates. If the web host has scalable packages, you can always upgrade to those other features later.

Most web hosting companies offer monthly, quarterly and yearly payment options, so be sure to ask about their minimum commitment period as well as their refund and cancellation policies. You should also receive a discount for longer time periods paid for. Exercising due diligence in these matters pays off many times over in the long run.

Now that you have all the information required.. it is decision time !

Step 5 : The final cut.

Having completed all the steps outlined above, you should be in a good position to make your decision. All the hosting companies who are remaining on your list are probably the best in the market. Choose the one which fits your requirement & your budget the best and the deal is done !

All that is left to do then is place your order and do the needful to get your site online…