By Claude Glenda Knapp


Understanding how dedicated server architecture works will help in making the right decisions for the best types of systems for both internal and web applications. Most web hosts offer dedicated server hosting for websites, but many people are not aware that many companies use this same type of setup to manage critical systems within a company.

Shared and dedicated server hosting systems often use the same type of hardware. The difference is in how they are used. The shared system often has multiple programs or customers using the same hardware. The stand-alone system is specifically set aside for one program or customer to use.

You may wonder how it works. All computers connected to an internal or external network have an individual IP address. A router is setup to route the specific traffic needed to the box appropriately. An example is a web address. Each address is mapped to a single IP address. When a shared environment exists, the IP address is then mapped internally to the specific location on the hard drive. A dedicated system does not have to have the additional mapping included because the system is stand-alone.

Email and financial programs often use the stand-alone systems. This is because the systems are typically high volume or contains critical data. In order to process the high amount of traffic, the system works better by focusing on only one program. Systems with extremely important data can be protected by keeping other programs from running on the same box. If one of the less critical programs crashes the system, the critical data can also be destroyed.

Web hosting is the most well known environment for these systems. Companies that have a high volume of traffic or very critical web services often will lease a single box for their own website. This prevents other websites from sharing the IP address and processor with the critical systems.

The advantages of having a stand-alone system are many. The shared IP address can become a problem if one of the shared hosting customers happens to be involved in sending spam. In this case, the entire IP address may be blacklisted and rejected when emails are sent from other customer accounts. If a shared customer happens to run a program that has a bug causing the system to crash, every customer on that particular shared box will temporarily lose their websites.

Dedicated servers cost more. The increase in cost is justified when your website is continually impacted by other customer actions. Since the price of the hosting cannot be shared with other customers, the price will be slightly higher. However, making sure that you have a clean IP address with plenty of processor available can provide a much better hosting environment. Usually, hosts offer more services for those using the stand-alone systems.

Dedicated servers are a better investment for critical systems. The separation from other customers or non-critical systems gives you the comfort of knowing that your system cannot be impacted if someone else makes a mistake. This peace of mind and higher customer service can increase your business potential.




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