How to pick a Managed or Unmanaged Dedicated Server

[wangxufeng]

Web server hosting in simple terms is the process of a computer with a node designed to operate as a server that hosts your web site files. The server loads up the files to all people accessing your web domain name, if set up as a web file server. Different hosting plans exist, and they range from shared hosting servers to semi-dedicated and dedicated servers. Dedicated servers come in two choices: managed and unmanaged servers.

Managed Dedicated Server Hosting

Managed servers come managed by the service provider. As with all servers, you are provided admin access, however a managed server has the added benefit of the OS (Windows or Linux) patches being installed for you. This ensures all security patches are updated on time. The assisted service plans will also handle initial web server setup, security scans for viruses, and emergency services. If you are not familiar with windows servers and the methods to apply patches and troubleshoot problems like memory useage, then this option is an optimal solution for you. When researching these servers, they can also also be called an assisted service plan.

Unmanaged Servers

Unlike the servers where it is all managed for you, these are completely under your control. If you have an issue with your server, you will have to troubleshoot. Many dedicated server service providers do still offer support with unmanaged dedicated hosting. Support is required for computer failures and other network problems within the hosting centre. After all, you can connect to the server, but you do not ever physically see the server, so you are unable to troubleshoot hardware problems.

The purchaser’s knowledge of server configuration and setup will determine if a managed or unmanaged server option is the best choice. Many dedicated hosting plans exist with different price points, but knowing if its a managed dedicated server or an unmanaged dedicated server will assist you in determining if that price warrants the service being provided to you. As with all purchases made, the higher the cost directly relates to the value of the dedicated server purchased, but not always.

Information is from: webhostingreviews4u

[SiberForum]

If someone has grown for the such TOP as dedicated server I suppose that he do know what he is doing. But that in any case can be useful

[~ServerPoint~]

That is good article so far. As fAQ base

[~fine-networks~]

can we reuse those article for one of our clients?

[wangxufeng]

can we reuse those article for one of our clients?

Yes, you can use those articles, but remember that you should write out the original source: webhostingreviews4u

[nasis]

i'll choose a managed one. Unmanaged is just like you have a server on your destop.

[guvnrDOTcom]

Originally Posted by nasis

i'll choose a managed one. Unmanaged is just like you have a server on your destop.

but a very powerful server, sat on a damn wide pipe. er, so no, it ain't!

I would say that, i've just signed up to one

[Karooki]

You know I prefer to use fully managed servers as I don't have much money to manage them. And the company must have qualifies support providing managed dedicated servers, for example glowhost, hostgator and serverpoint have such experts who manage their clients servers in a quality way.

[bobchrist]

For day to day maintenance like security hardening, software updates, Security Setting, server maintenance etc it is always good to opt for full pro-active server management.

[HQHost.net]

We have lots of clients that buy unmanaged dedicated servers and get server management on an hourly basis when they need to troubleshoot some hardware staff. A proprely configured dedicated server isn't that complicated as one can think.

[guvnrDOTcom]

i went live with my new Linode server yesterday, having learnt some linux and built the svr, choosing nginx rather than apache, and using google apps for my email solution.

the result...damn, my site is fast now! check it out, http://guvnr.com

why linode rather than slicehost? came down to the ram offerred, 360 MB rather than 250.

was it complicated? yes. it took a lot of time to research, and getting used to the command line interface.

...i plan to write a blog post, plotting the steps, to help other folks who want a good value virtual solution. I'll post a link here when done; gimme 2 weeks for that.

but hte main thing is, no longer do i have to put up with a third rate, third party "support" department, as is commonly the case with cheap hosts.

then again, i'll continue to use my cheap host for some sites, the ones that are unlikely to get suspended after being digged.

...just my 2c.

[Natcoweb.com]

Thanks for the thread, keep us updated about your experience with linode.

[guvnrDOTcom]

tx Natcoweb - will do...

[alter-ego]

If you are going to go with an unmanaged server make sure you know what you are doing. I switched from unmanaged to professionally managed "in house" by a new company because my unmanaged webhost only managed to turn a blind eye to everything except hardware.

I had a problem with e-mail spoofing which was tying up system resources to the point my sites were offline. Since I couldn't find the root of the problem on my own I decided to hire a professional third party monitoring service which only managed to drain my pockets more while remaining reactive instead of proactive.

I've since switched to a new in house fully managed dedicated server and even though it costs a bit more there has been a quantum leap in value.

[guvnrDOTcom]

cheers Natcoweb... am using Google Apps for email at the moment, but that's a temporary solution...works pretty well, mind, smtp'ing to Thunderbird