Find out what’s the difference between managed and unmanaged dedicated servers, and which solution can be more suitable for your project and expertise.
Dedicated server is a perfect solution, if you are not ready to buy your own server hardware, but need the advantages of collocation without capital investing. Dedicated server is a powerful machine with high-quality components that are carefully chosen to guarantee excellent performance and reliability. A lot of online entrepreneurs choose this type of hosting due to uncompromised quality and safety. While cloud servers are convenient and easy to scale and set up, there’s a price to pay, and reliability stays a big concern. Dedicated servers offer a more optimal price/quality ratio.
There are two basic types of dedicated servers available: unmanaged and managed. Let’s figure out what is the difference between managed and unmanaged dedicated servers, and which option can be suitable for you.
Unmanaged Dedicated Servers
This is a good option for users who are ready to manage servers on their own. If you order an unmanaged dedicated server, be ready to look after hardware, network connection and all the other things your servers needs to function reliably. Sometimes users also have to install an operating system on their own.
If you have enough technical knowledge, that’s a totally agreeable option that comes at a lower price than a supported managed dedicated server. You will have complete freedom over software and tools you install. If you have some problems you can’t solve, there’s always an opportunity to ask for provider’s help: minor issues can be solved for free, while dealing with serious problems can be charged on per-hour basis.
Managed Dedicated Servers
Managed dedicated servers are suitable for clients who either don’t want, or can’t deal with daily management of their hosting environment. Indeed, server management is a hard task that requires complex approach, and many clients prefer concentrating attention on other aspects of their business. Therefore, if you are not technically educated enough, or don’t have much time to deal with server maintenance, it would make sense, if you order a managed hosting solution. Administrators will take care of the lion’s share of tasks while you focus in creating your applications and growing your business.
So what exactly is included in managed hosting? First, the host’s team deals with hardware problems and takes all preventative measures to keep the server up and running and replacing failed parts. The provider monitors performance and identifies potential problems before serious outbreak. Server admins also keep tabs on basic services like databases and ensure that everything is working as it should.
What’s also crucial for clients is that provider takes care of security basics. The most risky part about self-managing a server is that you can eventually create vulnerabilities without necessary expertise. That’s why it’s crucial to have an experienced team to back you up. Managed security service presupposes updating and hardening OS. Besides, well-established hosts also use intrusion detection software to detect malware and rootkits.
What’s better for your business?
If you need overall control over your dedicated server and possess enough knowledge to ensure good performance, security and reliability, opt for unmanaged server plans. But if you’d rather let the host take care of daily tasks connected with server management, and complex tasks like working with DNS hosting, you should select managed server hosting.
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