What is web hosting?
What is dedicated server hosting?
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is basically an Internet service where individuals and organizations can host or “store” their web pages online so that others can access their website. Instead of owning and maintain their own server in-house, people can outsource this function to a web hosting company. Web hosting companies, such as Clever Internet, host their servers in a data center that incorporates safety and security features so that both the physical and online access to these servers are kept safe from unauthorized access.
When web hosting services first become popular, the most basic of services were offered. Users can simply log in to their FTP account, load up their html web pages, and set up their email accounts and that's basically it. Soon, other functionalities were added, such as adding scripts, running cron jobs (scheduled running of scripts) and databases. These days, web hosting services have gotten a lot more sophisticated as individuals and companies require greater functionalities and control over their websites. As a result, e-commerce, blogs, auctions, e-learning sites, among many others flourished.
Generally, web hosting companies offer 2 or 3 basic operating systems to choose from: Windows, Unix and Linux. From these, a variety of customized distributions of operating systems may be offered. Additionally, customers can also choose the kind of databases they require, such MySQL or MSSQL and also the kinds of scripting language they require with their account. There are a wide variety of scripting languages that are supported by hosting companies, but the most common ones include: PHP, Perl, ASP.NET, and Ruby on Rails. Naturally, the price and configuration of these web hosting packages vary from web host to web host and people will have to decide for themselves what works for them.
These days, web hosting providers are expected to provide a “control panel” for account management. A control panel basically is an intuitive, web-based interface where a customer can easily manage their hosting account. The functions include email account managements, permissions settings, script installations, and many more. These certainly allows even a novice to manage their website professionally, even without any prior programming knowledge.
Web host may also throw in a free website builder so that smaller businesses and individuals can set up their own websites easily. These website builders usually come with a wide variety of templates and graphics. All you have to do is to upload your content. Often, it is as easy as typing a word document. Of course, if you have the creative flair, there are also numerous other permutations that you can try out with your website builder, but the extent in which you can customize your website may be limited by the limitations of the software. Of course, you can also design your own web pages or hire a professional to do it for you.
One of the latest features that some web hosting companies are offering is the online backup service. An online backup service allows users to back up important data (from their in-house servers, laptops, personal computers, etc) automatically and incrementally. The importance of backing up your data remotely cannot be overemphasized. People do not normally think it is important to back up their data online until they lose their laptops, or worse, experienced a natural disaster. The cost of an online backup service is certainly affordable, often about the same price as a basic web hosting service. The best thing is: such a service can run in the background, without your manipulation of any complicated settings.
The scope of services offered by hosting companies also varies. Clever Internet offers the following services:
 Shared virtual servers (a.k.a shared hosting service)
Virtual private servers (a.k.a VPS hosting)
Dedicated servers
Private Microsoft exchange hosting
Private cloud hosting
Database hosting
Email server hosting
Online backup
Managed hosting services
Domain name registration
Search engine optimization (SEO)
If you require a customized dedicated hosting plan, why not email us today at: sales@cleverinternet.com for a non-obligatory quote?
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