Technology is the lifeblood of the modern business. A business without a strong digital base and web presence these days is scarcely a business at all.

The problem is that unless your business operates specifically in a technological field, it can be tough to keep up with the finer points of computers and networking. A lot of business end up spending fortunes trying to maintain an in-house IT department that’s often more trouble than it’s worth. There is another solution, however, and that’s fully managed hosting.

Fully managed hosting allows you to completely outsource your information technology needs to a group of trained experts, thereby freeing up your IT department for other tasks or removing the need for an IT group altogether. This means that you can focus more on core business concerns and not have to divert attention to random computer problems.

While such services are by no means cheap to employ, it is well worth the price and can save a lot of money in the long run over an in-house tech group. So how does fully managed hosting work, and how can it help solve your personal or business needs?

When you contract with a fully managed hosting service, then you give over the day-to-day maintenance of your IT infrastructure over to an outside agency. This can include your web servers, applications, databases, and more. All of your data is moved onto their servers, which has a few benefits.

First of all, managed hosting companies are always on the cusp of technological advancements. You no longer have to spend money building and maintaining new technology, giving your business an easy way to scale up as the business grows and technology marches on. While you are in some ways sharing resources with other companies that use the same service, this won’t negatively impact the quality of your business at all. You also have a support advantage.

People at the managed hosting service will not only be performing preventative maintenance on the servers, but they’re also available around the clock to help deal with any emergency situations that crop up. Plus, they’ll be monitoring your systems regularly, so any potential problems won’t go unnoticed for long. Also, you can feel comfortable that your IT network is extremely secure from any virtual threats. And, if all else fails, most fully managed hosting services offer complete backup of all of your data. So even if something catastrophic happens, all of your information will be safe and easily recoverable.

Fully managed hosting services can be an especially effective option for small but growing businesses. Their ability to help a small business meet it’s IT needs for a reasonable price is unmatched – it’s often far more economical than hiring an extensive on-site IT team. Perhaps the nicest thing about fully managed services is the peace of mind they provide. You can always rest assured, comfortable that if an IT problem arises with your business, it will be taken care of without hassle or stress.

This is the era of Internet. Internet is being admired, appreciated and applied at several levels by most of the professionals, celebrities, corporate and government departments to serve many purposes efficiently. This has been used as an effective tool to perform many varieties of work including entertainment, knowledge, and for communication of messages and data transfers. The web is holding numerous websites to collect, store and interchange innumerable amount of data at each moment.

What is a managed server? Managed server, as the name suggests, is the process whereby a customers gets to manage their own server. In other words, they simply lease the server from companies that have huge server capacity and then manage it on their own. While there are numerous types of server hosting options that are available, most people consider a managed server to be most effective.

A customer will always need a server to have a website. Server space can be obtained from large companies on lease or rent and are available in the market. The web hosting companies usually have large storage capacity for data in their servers because of the gigantic size of the server blocks. The customer has to select the server company for his requirement depending upon the capacity, the required configuration and so on.

Even though the cost to run a managed server is higher than a shared server, one thing that must always be kept in mind is that the benefits are way too higher and in the long run a managed server can reduce your overhead expenses and hence resulting in greater ROI (return on investment).

A direct comparison of the managed server to a shared server is practically not possible as the business that can be managed using both the servers greatly differ from each other. A managed server gives the user the option to personalize the servers with the customer deciding the operating system, applications needed to be installed and hardware to be used. This much level of customization is simply not possible with a shared server.

With a managed server a customers often gets the option to be to select the software that they want to be installed on their server. Based on the overall usage of your managed server, this usually includes your choice of specific applications, database and operating system. Also, there is option for customers to personalize their managed server to suit their specific needs and requirements.

Another important aspect is the security of data. A company’s success depends on a large extent to the security of its data. This explains the reason behind the fact that most managed server hosts are stringent in the norms relating to the safety of data in the servers.

However, managed servers are not without their own set of drawbacks and disadvantages. When it comes to professional limitations of a managed server, some server hosts don’t allow adult content for its legality might be dubious or it might consume huge amount of bandwidth. Also, most server hosts are a little stringent on copyright issues. Nonetheless, in today’s turbulent economy and tight money markets when capital budgets are squeezed overall, going for a managed server could actually yield some serious long-term benefits.

Once you have decided on getting your own dedicated server, you need to choose on the server operating system which can depend on the availability, price and employee expertise.

Unlike the desktop world Microsoft have overwhelming market share. There is a multiplicity of open source operating systems including Linux and FreeBSD. These are often bundled at no extra charge to the customer. Commercial operating systems such as Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or 2008, can be installed on the server if the dedicated server hoster has a Microsoft SPLA agreement.

A commercial version of Linux is Redhat Enterprise or RHEL popular with web hosts and available on a monthly fee basis. With Red Hat there is a subscription which allows for Operating System updates through the Red Hat Network using an application called up2date which is rpm based. Updating is largely automatic This can set to automatic.

Other operating systems are available from the open source community at no charge. These include CentOS, Fedora Core, Debian, and many other Linux distributions or BSD systems FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD. Fedora Core is more cutting edge version of RHEL, the latter being designed for stability.

Support for any of the operating systems above mainly depends on the type of management offered with a particular dedicated server plan. Operating system support may include updates to the core system in order to that the latest patches and security fixes are installed.

Non Microsoft Servers tend to have a web based control panel to operate the server, especially if the intended use of the server is web hosting. Cpanel which includes Web Host Manager allows for the maintenance ofthe core operationg system as well as the common userand management tasks.

A business will often outgrow shared web hosting and it will need its own managed dedicated hosting server. Unmanaged Dedicated hosting, is a type of hosting in which you rent your own server from a dedicated hosting company. This company will maintain a stock of servers and operate its own data center and network. The server is for your exclusive use only, meaning it does not share resources with other users or websites.

You will need some technical experience with web servers or you may struggle to perform your own server management and admin tasks. If your company doesn’t possess the in house technical experience, you could consider hiring a system administrator to carry out these tasks if you feel your your company requires a dedicated server. There are many freelancing sites such as elance where you could advertise for additional help and many business allow you to outsource your server administration work.

With Managed dedicated hosting the hosting provider gives very basic technical support and basic system help. They will have technicians on site on a 24 hour basis in order to carry out a reboot of your server if neccessary. Increasing numbers of dedicated server providers give access to a “reboot switch” or offline management. In most instance you still have complete technical control thee server, and additionally you will also have access to optional managed services such as an upgrading service, security hardening, firewalls, and online backup services

Dedicated hosting providers usually offer a choice of operating systems which are usually Windows 2003 and Linux (Centos, Ubuntu, Fedora etc). This will be installed by the web host when the server is first commissioned. To assist in the management of the server the managed hosting provider will often install a control panel. The most popular control panels are Cpanel (Web Host Manager) Plesk, Helm and H-Sphere. This makes managing your server and carrying out routine tasks much easier and is a time saver. If this is a Linux server this will often require command line expertise. A server without a control panel or graphical interface is sometimes known as a “root server.”

Whether renting an unmanaged dedicated server or a managed server, try and explore all options before making a decision. Use online review sites and forums to research the various hosting companies and find out what each offers. Ensure that if they offer 24/7/365 support, make sure they can actually provide it. When choosing a dedicated server provider, always go for quality of service rather than price, as the old adage that you get what you pay for applies to dedicated server hosting, as with anything else.

A data centre is a facility where computer systems and their associated components are physically housed. Data centres include a backup power supply, redundant data communications connections, environmental (climate, etc.) controls, and security devices. Any business that relies upon a computer network and web-based applications can reasonably expect to require the use of a data centre. Some companies build their own data centres on their premises. Many other companies, (especially those with complex business functions that rely heavily on technology) elect to outsource their infrastructure and web hosting to a service that includes use of the vendors data centre. The latter has several different benefits, including:

- Greater value with managed hosting options – Better use of your time and resources – Business continuity and quick responsiveness in disaster recovery situations – Bonus added-value features

Shopping for a Data Centre Once youve made the decision to outsource your managed hosting and data centre needs, you must start the grueling process of searching for a vendor. There are many different factors to consider when evaluating infrastructure-hosting vendors. Not the least of these factors is the actual data centre itself. Take the time to evaluate the data centre properly and make sure you are thorough about assessing if it will meet your organizations needs. Below are some guidelines to help get you started.

Identify Your Needs It seems logical, right? Well, you would be surprised to learn how many IT managers search for outsourced data centre space or services without really taking stock of their datas physical needs. If you are a small or large company that doesnt quite transmit much data your needs will be much different than they would be for a huge online business that sees thousands of web transactions daily. Think about what your needs are before you start meeting with vendors.

Inspect the Facility At the very least, good data centres must possess certain physical qualities and properties. When you first walk into a data centre, you may not find it to appear very interesting. Generally, you will see a large or small room (or it can be as large as an entire building) with row upon row of 19-inch rack cabinets, which contain (mostly) servers and some other communications or storage equipment. You should confirm that backup power (at least one, but more is better) in the form of uninterruptable power supplies or diesel generators are present. In order to prevent power failure to any part of the system, you should confirm that all elements of the electrical system (including backup power) are fully duplicated. The data centre should be carefully climate-controlled with air conditioning so that the temperature ranges from 20″25 C (68″75 F) and humidity ranges from 40″55%. Physical security is a crucial component in a good data centre. Make sure physical access is restricted to selected staff and select a data centre that offers video camera surveillance and permanent security guards 24 hours a day.

Dont Forget About Service Though there are many other considerations when inspecting data centre facilities, the most important ones are the redundant power supply, climate control, and security. You must consider, however, that the data centre is only part of a larger package. Dont forget to analyze all the aspects of the hosting solution you are considering. Talk to different vendors and try to get a sense of the value thats added to their overall service. If you can, try to speak with current and/or former clients of the hosting provider to ask questions about their experience with the service.

Both a managed hosting service and dedicated service mean running a server that is not shared with anyone else. Beyond that, the services you get will depend largely on the provider since there is no industry standards set for servers. What this means is that fully managed to one provider may mean the same as self-managed to another provider. It is the term ‘managed’ that causes the confusion.

Many things can be involved in managed hosting including – Application monitoring – System updates – Intrusion detection – Server monitoring – Backups – Database administration

These are only a few of the many items which can fall under the term of managed hosting. Because there are no industry standards, it is best to check the details before you decide on a dedicated hosting site. Managed hosting is always dedicated but dedicated hosting has different management definitions depending on the provider. Dedicated hosting can further be broken down into different types

- Basic: This is normally is chosen if low RAM, Hard Disc and Operating System on the server – High End: Usually involves Quad Core Configuration – Bandwidth Dedicated – Database Dedicated – Server Mirroring Dedicated

You will notice that ‘managed’ is not mentioned in any of the categories. Management is above and beyond what dedicated servers provide. For those still learning their way around computer terminology, it can get confusing because the words are often interchanged and terms like dedicated hosting and managed hosting are often implied to mean the same thing.

Always read the fine print when choosing a server. Terminology often is misused and you may not end up getting the services you are expecting. Until there are industry standards the confusion will continue. Simply put, dedicated hosting means that you do not have to share a server. Managed hosting means whatever the provider decides it means. Therefore, even though they are used together very often, they do not actually mean the same thing. Colocation services and dedicated services are more closely related than dedicated servers and managed servers.

In summary, there are different types of dedicated servers but they all mean not having to share a server. Managed servers can mean a variety of different services in addition to having a dedicated server. When referring to web hosting; dedicated servers are basically a rented service which includes the server, the internet connection and the software whereas managed hosting refers to the administration of the website. Managed hosting goes above and beyond what dedicated servers provide. Managed hosting is an additional service with varying degrees of options available depending on the provider. While they are often used in the same context, they mean very different things. Again, managed hosting is always on a dedicated server but a dedicated server does not necessarily mean you will get managed hosting. Different providers offer different management hosting on top of the dedicated server they provide. Managed hosting and dedicated servers do not have the same meaning.

Its safe to say that most modern businesses are highly dependent on the technology that facilitates their processes. In most cases, losing or accidentally erasing data can be extremely detrimental to a companys operations. In some cases, business will come to a complete standstill if data is lost. For this reason, data recovery strategies have become a necessity. Some businesses choose to create a disaster recovery site in-house. With this strategy, IT executives can choose to outsource disaster recovery or to train in-house staff to perform it. Case studies have shown that outsourced recovery service (whether with an in-house site or an off-site facility) is less likely to fail than outsourced disaster recovery service.

Your Companys Needs There are several different factors to take into consideration when evaluating potential disaster recovery vendors. First, an introspective approach should be taken. Companies seeking disaster recovery services should review their business functions and their reliance on technology and data. This step will help define the organizations needs, especially in terms of timing and opportunity cost. In other words, a company must determine how much downtime they can afford and how much that downtime will cost. Since larger amounts will be paid to an outsourced provider for faster recovery, you must weigh the cost of downtime in relation to the cost of more expedient recovery.

Your Vendors Capabilities Another consideration for IT executives considering disaster recovery options is the breadth and depth of the services provided by any given vendor. Companies must determine whether they need a fuller range of services, such as data center space or workspace for employees. Businesses must also evaluate vendors technical strengths in relation to the specific functions and processes that their business operations rely on. In speaking with representatives of a disaster recovery service provider, principles must feel confident that the vendor not only understands their business needs, but that the vendor has the resources necessary to support the customers core technologies.

Data Center Location & Layout When choosing a data recovery site, a company must consider the location of the data center carefully. Choosing a site that is too close to its own data center can mean that the data recovery site is also affected by whatever storm or power outage is causing problems. A site that is too distant can be difficult to get to in a timely way (or it may take more time for a representative from the data recovery service to arrive at your location). Layout of the data center is also important. Consider where the equipment is located in relation to windows, doors, and possible sources of moisture or heat. The best-case scenario is a hardened data center with excellent security, backup power, and communication links.

Experience and Continuity When choosing any type of vendor, experience and general customer satisfaction must be taken into account. How long has the data recovery service provider been providing such services? How would present and past customers who have purchased this service from them rate the service? Is the company financially stable enough to have the resources necessary to support every type of emergency? What successes and failures has the service provider been through over the past few years?

Choosing a data recovery service and site is not to be taken lightly. In the event of an emergency that causes data loss, your company needs the peace of mind that business functions and processes can be restored quickly and fully. In order to achieve that peace of mind, IT managers need to have complete confidence in their disaster recovery plan. Choosing the right provider and facility can provide that confidence.

As technology becomes more complex and businesses look for ways to streamline processes and improve productivity, managed hosting is rapidly becoming a valuable resource for many companies. Find out what managed hosting is and how your organization can benefit from it.

What is Managed Hosting? Simply put, dedicated hosting services, a dedicated server, or managed hosting is a type of Internet hosting in which the client pays for use of a server that will not be shared with anyone. Unlike shared hosting, organizations enjoy full control over the server(s), including choice of operating system, hardware, etc. A complete managed hosting solution usually includes server administration provided by the hosting company. Dedicated servers are most often housed in a data centre, which provide redundant power sources and HVAC systems. Managed hosting service providers are typically also responsible for your network, devices, operating system and application infrastructure components.

The Benefits of Managed Hosting There are several benefits to managed hosting. Below we will examine three of the most valuable benefits of using a managed hosting service.

Greater Value Managed hosting can in most cases provide greater value by increasing the cost efficiency of the entire process. Service providers have fully trained experts readily available and there is no need for you to invest in education and training as you may have to do with your own staff in order to get them to the level of efficiency that service providers already have. Thus managed hosting allows you to focus on your core business, rather than spending extra time and resources managing your technical infrastructure. Furthermore, there is a cost advantage with managed hosting. Because service providers distribute the cost and amount of available bandwidth among several clients, they are able to offer better prices on bandwidth and services than the client would be able to obtain n their own. The cost savings available to users of managed hosting solutions include not having to invest in.

Better Responsiveness Managed hosting provides better responsiveness by guaranteeing 24-hour service and building in many layers of support and contingency planning. Because it is the core business of managed hosting service providers to proactively manage and optimize resources, they are in a much better position to conduct effective risk management and provide timely and efficient responsiveness to any unexpected issues. Because they know what they are doing, service providers provide better case management than internal IT staff could hope to achieve. Furthermore, because a large part of their business is customer service, most managed hosting companies pride themselves on quick response times and expedient solutions.

More Features Investing in managed hosting often buys you even more than you bargained for. Many managed hosting services include an array of features that provide even greater value than the solution itself. Some of these features are invaluable for a company that relies heavily upon technology infrastructure but does not have the time or resources to consider all the ‘extras’ that work towards optimizing the companys network. Some of the features commonly included or at least available with managed hosting are:

- On-going management, optimization and technical support – Customer portals with user-friendly reporting functionality – Online trouble-ticketing – Risk assessment and management services – Data back-up and disaster recovery services – Managed firewall, VPN and intrusion detection services – Content strategies for web optimization – Content delivery services

For the reasons detailed above and many others, managed hosting is simply the wisest and most comprehensive solution for companies with complex operations and business processes. Though some of the features listed may vary from provider to provider, a good managed hosting service will provide great value.

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