Dedicated Server Hosting: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Server

Liutauras Morkaitis 2024-10-28

Nowadays, businesses have various server hosting options, including one of the most reliable ones – dedicated server hosting. Whether you’re running a high-traffic website, web applications, game servers, or need a trustworthy solution for data storage, dedicated hosting can provide everything you need.

In this guide, we’ll explore what dedicated server hosting is, how it differs from shared hosting, the benefits of using a dedicated server, and how to choose the right server host for your needs.

What is dedicated server hosting?

Dedicated server hosting is when a customer rents an entire physical server exclusively for their own use. Unlike shared hosting, where different businesses share the same server resources, a dedicated server ensures that everything is allocated to one user. You get full control, customization opportunities, and performance, making it an ideal choice for large companies.

Dedicated server hosting vs. shared hosting

Simply put, in shared hosting, multiple users share the same server and its resources, such as CPU, RAM, and bandwidth. In contrast, with dedicated server hosting, a user has complete control over the entire server. You don’t have to share resources with other websites, resulting in faster performance, reliability, and improved security. Dedicated hosting is an ideal option for businesses that need consistent high performance or have specific server environment requirements.

An IT engineer stands in a dimly lit server room, holding a laptop while inspecting server racks. She is wearing a white blouse and a gray knitted vest, with a blue lanyard around her neck. She looks focused, appearing to troubleshoot or monitor network systems. The scene reflects a professional setting in a data center or network infrastructure environment.

Benefits of using a dedicated server

Dedicated servers have various benefits for businesses, including performance, security, full control and customization, scalability, and a dedicated IP address. Let’s overview each advantage to better understand dedicated servers.

Better performance

Since the server is dedicated solely to one user, one of the biggest advantages of using a dedicated server is improved performance. This is especially important for companies that run high-traffic websites or handle large amounts of data.

Security

Compared to shared servers, you don’t have to worry about security risks from other users on the same server because you have full control. Companies can configure the server according to their security requirements, and there’s a lower risk of data breaches or malware attacks.

Full control and customization

Dedicated servers allow users to customize the server environment. You have the freedom to choose the operating system, such as Windows or Linux hosting, software, and configurations that best suit your needs.

Scalability

As your business grows, you can easily scale your server resources, upgrade hardware components, or add additional servers if needed.

Dedicated IP address

With a dedicated server, you receive a unique IP address that isn’t shared with other websites. This can be beneficial for SEO purposes, and it’s important for businesses requiring a secure environment for processing payments.

What is managed hosting?

Managed dedicated server hosting is the term used when a provider handles the server’s technical maintenance. In this case, the hosting provider takes care of the technical aspects of the server, so you don’t have to worry about software upgrades, server monitoring, backups, and security patches. Managed hosting is ideal for businesses that don’t have the time or expertise to manage servers on their own.

Dedicated server hosting for large businesses

Large businesses often require high performance, reliability, and scalability. The best dedicated server hosting services for enterprises typically include:

Reliable hardware. Look for a provider that offers top-tier hardware from trusted manufacturers. This ensures your server can handle large volumes of data and traffic without crashing.
High availability. The best dedicated servers have multiple data centers worldwide. For example, Hostline offers data centers in New York, London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Vilnius.
Security features. Choose a managed dedicated server that offers advanced security features, including DDoS protection, firewalls, and SSL certificates.
Scalability options. As your business grows, you’ll need to scale your server resources. We suggest opting for a hosting provider with flexible upgrade options.

A close-up of a person typing on a laptop in a server room or control center, with large monitors displaying data in the blurred background. The individual wears a beige shirt and a blue lanyard, suggesting a professional, possibly in IT or network security, monitoring or managing server operations.

Linux vs. Windows hosting for dedicated server

When deciding between Windows and Linux hosting for your dedicated server, it’s important to consider:

Operating system (OS) compatibility. If your business relies on software compatible only with Windows, then a Windows hosting environment is a suitable choice. However, if you use PHP, MySQL, or Python, a Linux dedicated server might be a better fit.
Cost. Linux hosting is generally cheaper because it’s an open-source operating system. Licensing fees may make Windows hosting more expensive.
Ease of use. Windows may be more familiar and easier to use for many users compared to Linux because it’s simply a more popular operating system.
Performance. Both Linux and Windows can deliver excellent performance, but Linux is often preferred for dedicated web hosting due to its stability and efficiency.

Conclusion

Dedicated server hosting is an excellent choice for businesses that require high performance, security, and complete control over their server environment. Whether you choose a managed hosting option or decide to handle everything yourself, make sure to pick a reliable hosting provider. You should buy a dedicated server carefully, evaluating operating system compatibility, scalability, and budget.

Frequently asked questions

How to buy or rent a dedicated server?

Follow these steps to buy or rent a dedicated server:

Determine your requirements. Before searching for a dedicated server, make a list of your requirements. Consider factors like the storage amount, bandwidth, and processing power you need, as well as whether you want managed dedicated hosting or prefer to manage the server yourself.
Choose a server host. Look for a reliable server hosting provider that offers the features and performance you need. Compare prices, read reviews, and check what kind of support they provide. Hostline, for example, offers high-performing, easily manageable and secure SSD dedicated servers for your needs.
Complete the purchase. Select a suitable plan and complete the purchase by filling in your details and making the payment. Many providers offer server rental options, allowing you to rent a server for a specific period rather than buying it outright.
Configure your server. Once your dedicated server is set up, you’ll need to configure it according to your business requirements. This includes installing software, setting up security protocols, and managing backups.

How to choose the best dedicated hosting provider?

To choose the best dedicated hosting provider, you should consider performance, the provider’s reliability, scalability opportunities, security, support available, pricing, and customization.

What is managed and unmanaged hosting?

Managed hosting means the hosting provider takes care of server maintenance, updates, security, and technical support, while unmanaged hosting requires the user to handle all aspects of server management. It offers more control but demands technical knowledge.