A dedicated server is a computer built for a specific task, Things as hosting an application or website. A dedicated server takes different forms. Sometimes, a dedicated server can be set up at your business location. But this solution has its advantages and disadvantages.
The clear advantage of this method is that you will have complete physical control over the server and hardware and the person who has access to it. This case is suitable for companies that need very high security.
Of course, this level of security is not necessary for hosting every website and is more suitable for companies that deal with financial data, medical records, and sensitive government and legal data.
On the other hand, the drawback of this decision, i.e., in-house server, is the difficulty in maintaining, repairing, and scaling it, Especially if you use an unmanaged server. Updating software and hardware can result in many financial and time costs that can be spent elsewhere.
In addition, you should also allocate a server room for this work, which is in good condition in terms of temperature and is controlled in terms of access.
On the opposite side of the on-site server is the off-site option, which allows the web or software hosting company (your company) to enjoy the benefits of a dedicated server, with the difference that it will no longer be set up on the company’s premises. (Instead, it will be implemented in the data centers of the provider company).
Companies often rent these servers and leave the hosting company’s backup, maintenance, updates, and upgrades.
In short, a dedicated server is a server that is completely dedicated to your site or other hosting needs. Unlike a shared server, all the resources are only for you; no other site will have access to them.
This increases the speed, security, and reliability of your site. In addition, you will have complete control over all server affairs, including hardware configurations and software customization options.
The difference between a dedicated server and shared hosting
The management, configuration, and configuration of the server are completely in the hands of the user. Still, in shared hosting, the management is completely in the hands of the hosting company.
In terms of speed and power, the dedicated server is much stronger; Because all the hardware resources are in the hands of one user, but in shared hosting, the resources are shared between several users.
It is possible to upgrade resources in a dedicated server, but in shared hosting, you are limited, and you do not have such a possibility.
For large websites and security organizations that deal with important data, a dedicated server is recommended; Because in shared hosting, if a site faces a problem, it affects other sites.
In these servers, you can use one or more dedicated IPs that are not shared with other users.
In this service, you will not face any restrictions for sending emails because you have your IP, but in shared hosting, a ceiling is defined for sending emails.
Your hand is open to implementing and choosing hardware, software, and operating system because you have a server completely at your disposal, but this is not possible in shared hosting.
The difference between a dedicated server and VPS
A dedicated server differs from a virtual server, some of which we mention below, but if you want to read more about this, refer to the article on the difference between a virtual server and a dedicated server.
In a dedicated server, resources belong to only one user, but users who use a virtual server share things like network cards and electricity.
In terms of power, the dedicated server is much stronger; Because all resources belong to one user.
Dedicated server security is more than virtual server; Because other people do not have access to it.
You can install any operating system and any version on it, while in a virtual server, you face restrictions in some versions, which is impossible.
Dedicated server bandwidth is more than virtual servers.
In the dedicated server, the user has complete control over the hardware and software resources; Because in a dedicated server, the hardware is completely at the user’s disposal, and this user can install several operating systems on it, but in VPS, the user does not have access to the hardware and only has a desired operating system.
Dedicated server features
Unlike the CPU in home systems or laptops, the CPU in the server is much more powerful, which enables the server to process more data at a higher speed or have other features such as the ability to correct error codes (ECC).
Dedicated servers also use ECC RAM, which is more reliable than PC RAM. ECC RAM detects data and corrects it when an error occurs. This makes servers more reliable and secure for business-critical tasks.
Why a dedicated server?
Most business owners ask themselves why they should use a dedicated server when there are cheaper servers available in the market, like cloud servers. The answer to this question shows itself when the site goes down due to excessive use of resources or many visitors.
At this point, the site owner decides to migrate to a dedicated server with more powerful resources.
Businesses that have sensitive data or comply with government regulations should use a dedicated server to minimize potential risks, financial losses, and serious crimes.
The best-dedicated server
When choosing the right plan, you first need to see what plan you need and what you will be using the server for. For example, a blog needs different resources than an online store site. But when you understand that you need a dedicated server, be sure to pay attention to these factors when buying the desired plan:
How powerful do you expect your processor to be?
The more resources your site needs for specific applications or video encoding, the more powerful your server’s processor should be.
How much bandwidth do you need?
You will need more bandwidth if you anticipate that a lot of traffic will be directed to your site or if you want to use HD photos or stream multimedia files.
How much memory or RAM do you need?
Higher RAM will greatly help your site load faster, bringing you many benefits, including improved SEO.
Do you need a specific operating system?
Many website owners don’t care about this at all. But if you prefer one of the two types of OS, Linux or Windows, over the other, or you want to use ASP.NET or SQL, you have to choose a specific plan.
How to find a good dedicated server provider?
Choosing a good dedicated server provider is like choosing a server as described above. Before buying, you must consider whether the service they provide matches your needs or not. These factors are at least things you should check:
Server stability: This is a measure based on overall performance, availability, and functionality; You should choose a server with an uptime of 99.9% to minimize downtime as much as possible.
Customer Support: Look for a hosting provider that offers 24/7 support and is available in multiple ways (phone calls, online messenger, WhatsApp, etc.). Because when you face a problem, you need an online expert to respond quickly and fix the problem.
Customization: Does the provider support both Linux and Windows? Can you partition the hard drive as you like? What kind of hardware options are available to you?
Security: Dedicated servers are inherently more secure than other shared options, but that doesn’t mean you’re 100% safe from attacks. If you want more security, choose a provider that guarantees higher security.