A server is a computer in a computer network that manages all the functions on that network. There are various kinds of servers according to their functions File servers, printer servers and Database servers. Servers are an integral part of web hosting services. Web hosting is a type of internet hosting service where clients enlist the services of web-hosting companies to put up their websites on the World Wide Web. The web-hosting companies company provides servers and related services, like maintenance and up gradation for the website-owning clients. The clients can either buy the server or lease it. There are various types of web hosting services available like- dedicated hosting, cloud hosting, clustered hosting etc.
In Dedicated hosting service, dedicated hosting, or managed hosting service, a client has a dedicated server in a network all for himself. He does not share it with other user as in shared web hosting. When a computer serves only the functions of a server, it is called a dedicated server. These servers are generally placed in data centers. The reason is that data centers have backup database and power supply. The clients are also given the option to choose the operating system, hardware configuration. The hosting company normally provides the server administration and maintenance. The cost for dedicated hosting ranges from moderate to expensive, depending on the services that the client selects.
Cloud hosting is another kind of web hosting based on the concept of cloud computing. In Cloud hosting, clients receive services through multiple computers, which are connected with each other. These multiple machines together are known as a ‘cloud’. The computers are connected through the internet. Cloud hosting delivers more efficient, versatile service than dedicated and shared hosting. Even if one computer is at fault, the other connected devices perform its task. Therefore, the functions of that network are not hampered. This reduces the client’s cost of buying computer systems and other related hardware. Clients pay only for the resources they consume, nothing extra. However, cloud hosting is not as secure as the other types of hosting. In addition, clients do not have much control over the servers. Accessing data can also become problematic.
As the name suggests, Clustered hosting is based on clustered computing. In clustered computing technique, a group of computers are connected together. They perform as one machine. In clustered web hosting, the workload and functions of hosting is divided between more than one computer.
Each computer is known as a node. Almost all hosting services use a single computer to host multiple services, such as- email, FTP, etc. If that one computer stops working, the entire network breaks down. In addition, one single machine can handle very limited web traffic. This can be problematic for big websites. Therefore, most big websites run on clustered hosting. By clustering or dividing the functions among multiple physical machines and by using load balancing, chances of the complete break down of service are a minimum. Clustered hosting is also similar to Cloud hosting in some technical aspects.
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