[RTC List] Hosting synopsis

[M Welch]

Hi Sean. Thanks so much for this synopsis of hosting types. I was somewhat aware of all the options, but you put it very well and explained perfectly the differences and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Sean Connors wrote at 03:50 PM 12/26/2008:
 
>Hi Cole ( and whoever else may be interested ),
> 
>I'm a little confused with what LGBT & hosting have to do with each other ( are there LGBT hostile hosting providers out there? If so, then this would make more sense to me ).
> 
>In any event, given your response to Bob, I thought it might help to summarize common hosting options.
> 
>Shared Hosting: 
>This is where a hosting provider provides hosting for a lot of hosting accounts on a single server. The benefit is that it's very inexpensive. The down side could be that the server may not be ideally managed for such a variety of clients, that it is typically at least somewhat restrictive in terms of customizations a client may need/want, and that a client may outgrow the resources provided in a shared hosting environment. This is the "bread & butter" of the hosting industry, and frankly is just dandy for the vast majority of small businesses and organizations.
> 
>Virtual Private Servers:
>This is a bit like shared hosting, only a client is only sharing with a very small number of other clients (maybe 2-3 others). The benefit is that this environment provides more resources and flexibility, and that it is much less expensive than a dedicated server. The downside is that it is much more expensive than shared hosting, and that while it does provide more flexibility than a shared hosting environment, it doesn't typically provide the full flexibility of a dedicated server.
> 
>Managed Dedicated Servers:
>This is a step up from VPS, in that the entire server is dedicated to a single client. The benefit is that it's completely flexible to the needs of the client, that there is no competition for resources by other clients, and that the client doesn't need to know anything about managing servers -- as that is provided by the hosting service. What's more, the hosting provider typically shells out for all of the hardware and software (saving the client a good deal of money up front). The down side is that it's more expensive than managing your own server, for obvious reasons ( i.e., that's a significant part of what one is paying for at this level ). This is a good option for the large small business that needs a lot of resources dedicated to it, but doesn't need/want to get into managing servers for themselves. It's also a good option for the development house that wants to start reselling hosting to their clients in an environment where they have considerable control and can keep "their flock" of clients safely "corralled" -- for example, a developer might use a managed dedi server as a shared server for their own clients ( which is exactly where we started many years ago ).
> 
>Unmanaged Dedicated Servers:
>In this scenario, the hosting provider typically just supplies the hardware, the network infrastructure, and core fundamentals such as security, power, bandwidth, IP addresses, etc. The client has full control over the server itself . . . and the responsibility to maintain it. The hosting provider typically shells out for the hardware and the setup and configuration of the OS & network. The benefit is that the client has total control over the server and can have it set up however they like and can install and run any software components they like, and it's less expensive than a managed dedicated server account. The downside is that it puts the management responsibility on the shoulders of the client ( though support is typically available for a fee ), and that there are more upfront costs for software. This is a good option for a company that needs the full use of resources AND has the talent to manage servers, but not the capacity to manage the hardware and/or network. It's also a good option for the development house that has enough experience managing servers, as they can affordably offer all of the above options to their own clients from here. This is about as far as most development houses and many smaller hosting companies go.
> 
>Colocation/Rack Space:
>This is the highest rung of the ladder short of building one's own data center. The data center provides only the core fundamentals: security to the building, power and bandwidth -- and very minor support, such as having someone go reboot a machine when needed. The client is responsible for everything else -- all of the hardware for the entire network including DNS servers, mail servers, database servers, site servers, firewalls, etc.; all of the software for the entire network; the installation and configuration of the entire network; and the support and maintenance of all of the hardware, firmware and software for the entire network. The benefit is that it offers complete control over the entire network, and it's very inexpensive monthly -- rather like a utility bill. The downside is that it's very expensive on the front end to purchase all of the hardware, firmware and software and that one needs to have the expertise to configure and maintain the entire network. It's an excellent option for the smaller hosting company that has the monetary & human capital and needs/wants the total control over the entire network.
> 
>Over the past decade I've stepped my company up through each of these levels as each became appropriate during the growth of our business.
> 
>Half of our company is actually located in Sacramento, so we use a colo there, esp. as down town Sacramento is a very unlikely place for any sort of natural disaster, including even flooding or earthquakes (curiously, Sac. doesn't really get earthquakes), and the infrastructure for power and bandwidth is superb. We've honestly maintained better than 99.9% uptime in the three years or so we've been there.
>
>Warm regards,
> 
>Sean Connors
><mailto:Sean at WMSmerchantservices.com>Sean at WMSmerchantservices.com
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