As a medium or large enterprise, having a dedicated server can have numerous benefits. Firstly, it helps to start with a brief description of exactly what a dedicated server is. Your company website will be stored on a web server and for personal websites or for very small businesses this is generally done by renting space from a large server that is split between many clients. A dedicated server on the other hand is, as the name suggests, one which is dedicated entirely to your company. This benefits your business for a number of reasons, described below.
Firstly, the web hosting company that rents you the dedicated server is very likely to provide excellent customer service along with it. If they do not, choose a different company, as this should be something that comes as standard. Having a fully managed server with knowledgeable IT support staff on hand when you need them is invaluable if you do not have highly trained IT staff at your company who specialise in server issues. Any problems that may arise will be solved quickly, and you will save the money and effort of needing to call in outside help. You will also save money by not needing to employ IT staff for this purpose. As the sole user of your dedicated server, you have the option to choose and customise both hardware and software to suit your needs. You will be able to rent a dedicated server that has enough storage space and memory to meet demand, whilst also not paying extra for space that you do not need. You can install any programs needed and change configurations to suit your needs, which is something that you would not be able to do on a shared server without permission from all the other users, for whom the changes that you want to make may cause problems.
A very important benefit of using a dedicated server is that as the sole user you have absolute control over what happens on the server, such as which scripts are run, and which types of online activities are allowed. As one user on a server comprising many businesses, however, you may be affected by the activities of others, which are something outside of your control, causing downtime at very inconvenient moments. Another user can slow down the entire network or, in the worst case scenario, cause it to crash entirely. With a dedicated server, performance and reliability are not affected by other users. You are pretty much guaranteed permanent uptime unless it is your own activities causing problems. You can therefore plan ahead and try out new software or to carry out required maintenance activities during off-peak times or overnight, and do not have to worry about the possibility of your server and your website becoming inaccessible during peak times. A dedicated server therefore leads to enhanced security and stability for your business.
Finally, a dedicated server also has the advantage of allowing you to create several different domains within the server, which is great for a company with multiple divisions or retail outlets. Each division or outlet can have their own sub domain within the larger domain whilst still making use of the same basic software as the others. This allows you to streamline your whole process and simplify administration and support, saving money on factors such as in-house training, especially if users transfer from one division to another, as they will already be familiar with the software and interface being used.
The term colocation refers to choosing to have your server stored in a secure location along with other servers. These server storage facilities typically come with very advanced levels of security to prevent against theft, fire damage, flooding or anything else that may put your server at risk. By storing your dedicated server via colocation you are gaining access to a level of security that you are most likely unable to provide at your own place of work, or at least without spending a considerable sum of money. Although you can also rent a private cabinet at one of these facilities, colocation is by far the most cost-effective option.
It is clear to see, therefore, that having a dedicated server is the best choice for all but the very smallest of businesses. A managed server eliminates the cost of employing IT staff and gives you access to cost-effective technical help only when it is needed most, whilst choosing to store your new server via colocation provides a level of security that could be the thing that keeps your company in business in the unfortunate event of damage to your office equipment.
Sarah Shore writes for ConnetU on everything related to choosing a dedicated server for your business. She is a firm believer in the benefits of opting for a managed server to save both time and effort, plus also saving the cost of expensive one-off maintenance work. Sarah would also recommend storing your new server in a trustworthy location to keep it safe, secure and protected.
