Dedicated Server Hosting with or without RAID Configuration

Wed Aug 07, 2024

Waqas Waheed

Keeping business data and company information safe while maintaining a quality performance is standard and it is possible through dedicated server hosting.

RAID configuration is important to consider when we talk about dedicated server hosting. It means combining multiple hard drives to protect the data and improve the performance.

Impact with RAID and without RAID can be understood by:

1) Dedicated Server Hosting with RAID Configuration:

It improves server speed and uses multiple hard drives, if one drive fails data can be transferred to the other drives to keep information safe.

2) Dedicated Server Hosting without RAID Configuration:

It uses a single hard drive and if it fails, all the data is lost.

RAID Levels:

Different RAID levels are depending on the performance, these are as follows,

•RAID 0: It is also known as Striping, where files are stored in several disks, and if the drive crashes you don’t get any backup.

•RAID 1: It is also known as Mirroring, here duplicated data is kept on two disks and if you lose something, it is available on another disk.

•RAID 5: Known as Striping with Parity, it makes use of three disks.

•RAID 10: It is a Combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0, it uses four disks and increases server speed therefore providing a powerful solution.

How Dedicated Server Hosting Works?

A dedicated server hosting is allocated to one client with complete control over software and hardware configurations.

Components of a dedicated Server Hosting:

CPU: Think of this as the brain. High-traffic websites or resource-heavy applications need a powerful, multi-core processor.

RAM: This is your server’s memory. An additional amount of RAM benefits the server because it can process more activities simultaneously than slow down.

Storage: Your main options are getting more storage from multiple HDDs at a lower cost or getting SSDs with faster data-read times.

NIC: It connects the server to the Internet.

PSU: It is the power supply of the server.

Server Resources: Server resources include CPU, RAM, Storage space, and bandwidth.

Isolation: To completely separate data and applications from other users, Isolation is done in dedicated servers. The benefits of isolation give you control over your server and security.

Importance and Advantages of Dedicated Server Hosting:

Through a dedicated server, you have proper control over your data with security and no or minimum chances of data breaching and you can update server resources as your business grows.

Along with increased speed, you will get an efficient and smooth-running system.

Considerations before choosing dedicated server hosting:

1) Business needs:

Any business should choose a dedicated server hosting depending on the business needs, it includes website traffic, software, data available to store, and the sensitivity of the data.

2) Cost:

It includes software, hardware, setup, and maintenance fees, hosting cost per user, and ROI.

3) Technical and management requirements:

It involves multiple factors including team assessment to manage and handle server administration and time resources required in the process.

Types of Dedicated Server Hosting Services:

Depending on the functioning and system demand, there are various types of hosting services including,

Managed and Unmanaged Dedicated Server Hosting:

In managed dedicated server hosting, the hosting provider manages all the tasks while in unmanaged servers you manage all the responsibilities in server management.

Single Processor and Multiprocessor Servers:

Single processor uses one CPU and is suitable for small websites with less traffic while multiprocessor uses many processors and are suitable for large websites with heavy traffic and are used to manage complex tasks.

Setting up a Dedicated server:

Hardware Selection:

Hardware selection should be the main focus when choosing a dedicated server.

Choose a CPU based on workload, RAM selection depends on the memory requirements of your system, storage depends on data, NIC for required features, and PSU depends on power supply.

Selection of Operating System:

The base of your system should be strong and the operating system should be compatible with your applications and security features.

The best options available among the operating systems are Windows Servers, Linux, and FreeBSD.

•Linux Distributions (Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian): Popular among developers, mainly because of the stability and performance of the framework.

•Windows Server: Essential for applications that require Windows-based software environments.

•FreeBSD: It is adjustable with strong network capabilities.

Initial Server Configuration and Setup

Setting up your dedicated server in Pakistan can feel like getting together a new piece of furniture, following steps are being followed in the process,

1. OS installation: Just like setting up a new computer, install the operation system.

2. Configuring Network Settings: To start working with the server, assign an IP address and input DNS settings into it.

3. Setting Up Firewalls and Security: Use basic precautions to protect your hosted server from potential threats.

Managing and Maintaining a Dedicated Server

Server Monitoring and Management Tools

You need following steps to follow for a smooth server running,

• Monitoring Tools (Nagios, Zabbix): These tools provide information about server health and if any issue is present.

• Management Software (cPanel, Plesk): These user-friendly interfaces simplify server management tasks.

Performing Regular Backups and Updates

Regular maintenance is crucial for data integrity and security:

• Regular Backups: Schedule frequent backups to prevent data loss, much like saving your work on a document.

• System Updates: You should update your OS and software occasionally to fix some security optimization issues.

Security Measures and Best Practices

Protect your server with these measures:

• Firewalls: Firewalls shall also be set to prevent unauthorized access just as closing doors to your house.

• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Always check your server as it will show any possibility of malware in the system.

• Regular Audits: Security Audits should be done regularly for error checking.

Choosing the Right Dedicated Server Hosting Provider

Evaluating Hosting Providers Based on Reliability and Performance

Choosing a dedicated hosting provider is like picking a reliable partner:

Uptime Guarantees: Seek out those services that provide you with guarantees of the service's uptime; ideally, these should be 99. 9% and above.
Performance Benchmarks: When acquiring a server, it is important to seek independent benchmarks and reviews to get the best of the servers.

Assessing Customer Support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Reliable dedicated hosting support can make or break your experience:

24/7 Support: Make sure the provider has round-the-clock support.
SLAs: Search for SLAs covering all service aspects, which should be done by noting the provider’s obligations and commitments.

Reviews and Recommendations for Dedicated Server Hosting Providers

Research and compare providers:

Customer Reviews: It is also important to read the feedback presented by existing and former clients.
Expert Recommendations: Consult other people, specifically professionals in the field, and read some reviews to make the final decision.

Future Trends in Dedicated Server Hosting

Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Dedicated Server Hosting

Follow the latest trends by,

Edge Computing: It reduces the time to process data.
AI and Automation: Improves server management and impact security, making the operation more effective.

Anticipated Developments in Server Hardware and Software

Look forward to these advancements:

Advanced Processors: Prepare for more powerful and performant CPUs than the current Intel chips.
Enhanced Security Features: Hardware and software solutions to counter new emerging threats that are being faced by computers today.

When you realize and take advantage of these factors about dedicated server hosting, you stand to have your business secure on the internet and ready for expansion.

The author Waqas Waheed

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in web hosting and Linux, stands out as a practical expert in the field. At Websouls, he applies his deep technical skills to solve complex challenges, directly impacting the success of brands. Waqas's approach combines innovative problem-solving with a rich understanding of digital infrastructure, making him a key player in the industry. Follow him on LinkedIn.