How to Set Up a Dedicated Server
The Web industry is growing in droves, and many businesses now rely on the Web to promote products and services. Having a Web presence is a good way to establish your business both online and offline. Here are some tips to help you out when setting up your own dedicated server.
Paid Servers
Dedicated servers are hosting services that are not shared with other users. Most large companies make their own dedicated servers, and others may buy one from a third-party hosting company. The advantage of a dedicated server is that because you don’t share it with anyone, connection and transfer speeds are faster and more reliable compared to free shared hosting services.
The easiest way to get a dedicated server is to buy one from a hosting service. Many companies sell hosting services that can make your site run at a very fast speed, and you do not have to maintain them yourself. The privilege of having your own server does come at a very hefty price, with upwards to $2000 for one.
Setting Up Your Own Server
If you cannot afford to buy a dedicated server, you can always set up your own. All you need is an Internet connection, a computer with server specifications, and a lot of patience (it can take time for the server to install fully on your computer). Make sure that the computer you’re using will not be used for anything else outside of hosting your server.
Servers
There are two common ways to install a server:
Windows Server: Microsoft Windows is popular for its ease of use, although it can prove to be unreliable at times because of all the security patches needed to update it and make the operating system secure. Some computer experts also discourage using Windows-based servers because of crashes and hang-ups.
Linux Server: Linux systems, in particular Ubuntu versions, are popular for servers because they are easy to update, and are less prone to crashing. Many server administrators and computer experts today prefer Linux because of its superior server performance over Windows, although the administrator running it should have a knowledge of UNIX systems.
Server Tips
Installing a server is as easy as following the steps on the screen, but here are some tips that you should keep in mind:
Do not use your dedicated server as a workstation.
Pick a server with enough memory and disk space to properly maintain and store files, programs, and applications.
Do not forget to install and set up core components of your site when you finish installing your server component. A site will not work without a properly configured FTP and SQL components.
Build security systems within the server system, like firewalls and anti-virus applications, to prevent and intercept attacks.
Manage your server regularly to ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently.
A Web server is very important for medium- to large-scale businesses. With these tips, you can get started on installing your own dedicated server in just a few hours.