Managed vs unmanaged servers ! Which Need to select for your business?

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Nowadays most people are actively looking for new opportunities to develop their market potential with their brand products applying the online mode. This process implies that they are improving in the marketplace. They could increase their traffic and required aspects. With which they could respond to the requests from the analysis of their results. Everyone has a curiosity about which one is better while hosting managed vs unmanaged servers.

A dedicated server is a type of remote server that is entirely dedicated to an individual, or organization. It is deployed, hosted, and managed by a hosting, cloud, or managed service provider (MSP). A dedicated server is exclusive and not shared with any other customer, service, or application. In this article, we will discuss dedicated servers briefly.

Advantages of Dedicated server

Some of the pros of dedicated servers are flexibility, numerous resources, and enhanced performance. Let’s discuss some pros in detail below –

1. Use of dedicated resources

When you have your own dedicated server, you get the entire web server for use. You have full access to the CPU or RAM and bandwidth. You have root access to the server. And can add your own software and configure settings. With access to the server logs. Root access is the key advantage of dedicated servers.

2. Flexibility

A dedicated server can fulfill your growing business needs. With a dedicated server, you can decide your own server configuration. As your business grows, you can add more or modify existing services and applications. You remain more flexible when new opportunities arise. It can also be scaled and customized as per needs.

Also, today’s consumers have higher expectations. They want the convenience of quick access to your products. A dedicated server serves your customers with fast page loading. It also gives a better user experience. If you serve them well, they will return back to you.

3. Improved reliability and performance

A dedicated server provides peak performance and reliability. The reliability also means that server crashes are far less likely. Your website has extra resources during periods of high-volume traffic. If your front end includes videos and image displays, you get the bandwidth you need. The power of a dedicated server contributes to the best customer experience. Managed dedicated web hosting is a powerful solution for businesses. It comes with a higher cost than shared hosting. But you get high power, storage, and bandwidth to host your business.

4. Dedicated IP Address

Just like the server space, your IP address will be dedicated to just your needs. This means the chances of your IP address getting blocked or blacklisted because of someone else’s mistakes is completely negated.

Managed dedicated server

In a fully managed dedicated server, the client can have an entire server without sharing it with anyone else. This provides the organization more flexibility. It also provides control over the server including the operating server and hardware. Dedicated managed servers are present in data centers, powered by redundant power sources. The benefit of a dedicated server ensures high performance, security, and control. However, due to the higher pricing of a dedicated server, this is for an organization that receives high traffic on its website.

Continuous growth

If your business requires more resources, you can receive it on the same day, with managed hosting. With an unmanaged server, it can take some days to get a new server setup. This increases customer satisfaction. It helps your business grow in the long run. You don’t have to focus on technical stuff. Your service provider will do it for you. You can focus on your core business.       

High-speed connectivity

 Dedicated server hosting is becoming quite popular in the market. The reason being high speed and high bandwidth. Dedicated servers are located in a data center environment. So high bandwidth is available via large carriers. The business clients take advantage of this low-cost bandwidth ensuring high quality. Also, the bandwidth can be adjusted as per client needs. This helps in managing costs.

Monitoring

In a managed server, the detection of threats ensures that your server is protected. This does not require you to keep a 24*7 support team to monitor your servers.

Backups

A reliable host should have proper Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies in case of failure. So, your data remains protected. You do not need to worry about losing any customer data in the failure while you are on managed hosting.

These are the basic operations for you to be sure of your best performance. The most important thing is that you should understand how to do it yourself before engaging with unmanaged dedicated servers. These points are sufficient to maintain the perfect dedicated server. Let’s discuss the unmanaged dedicated servers below.

Unmanaged Dedicated Servers

In an unmanaged dedicated server, the hosting provider takes care of the hardware setup, installing the operating system, and maintains the software. The client needs to take care of configuration, firewall, and script installation. This is a good and inexpensive solution for those who have good technical knowledge. Those who can take care of the installation. Also, it provides the option for choosing any number of applications and tools.

Dedicated servers offer many benefits, for maximum leverage. Basically, you need to know how to manage the server. The main thing is to provide the right time and to have the skills for managing it on your own.

These are the key points for unmanaged dedicated server hosting-

• Root access:

The developer has administrative level root access. This allows the developer to edit any file on the server and also to install or upgrade any software.

• Linux OS:

Users can choose from versions of Ubuntu, Gentoo, and Slackware. You also require knowledge of Linux system administration. You should know the following for Linux OS –

• Install the software of your choice required for your business.
• Configure server according to the needs of your website.
• Monitor server performance regularly.
• Monitor and update databases frequently.
• Update the operating system.
• Install anti-virus software and firewalls. Update and maintain them.
• Store your daily or weekly data.
• If there is a problem, you must resolve it as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse.
• Take and install all security measures to detect and prevent any type of attack.

VPS servers

Dedicated servers give freedom. It also provides support facilities for business owners. But the cost varies from 70 USD to 200 USD based on the server configuration and managed vs unmanaged servers options. Even sometimes you can consider clearance dedicated servers that really help to manage the budget project. But it is not really affordable for small and micro business owners. If your hosting budget is less and you are looking for a similar kind of flavor then you can go for Virtual Private Servers (VPS). This will be available from 20 USD to 50 USD based on VPS configuration and managed vs unmanaged VPS options. Virtual servers are designed to function like dedicated servers in a shared hosting location. These are more private than a shared hosting server as well as less expensive than a dedicated server to your organization.

VPS allows one physical machine to host multiple virtual servers with its own operating systems. As each user possesses their own operating system, no other website can access any files. Therefore, security is improved. Each virtual compartment behaves like an independent server. However, a website that receives a very small amount of traffic does not need to have VPS. In this case, shared hosting might be a better and cheap solution. For an active website getting around 35 million hits each day, VPS is a good alternative to a fully dedicated server.

The dedicated set of resources allows you to take full advantage of your server power. While the account isolation guarantees much more optimal security off the bat. As if that’s not enough, many VPS solutions come with some level of scalability. Which is the capacity to add or remove system resources as per your need. There are two types of VPS:

Fully Managed VPS

In a fully managed VPS, the provider has the responsibility of managing and maintaining the server. This is a necessary solution for those who have a very big business setup to take care of. Also, if your team does not have technical resources to take care of your server. In that case, fully managed VPS is a good option. A fully managed VPS is a server that is installed, arranged, verified, and updated by a hosting expert. To be secure, a VPS needs to be updated with the security patches. Whatever product is installed in the OS like PHP, Apache, SQL Server, needs to be kept updated with the latest version. Also, any issues in installation or server updates are managed by the system admins.

Self-managed VPS

These are the private servers where the provider does not provide any management or maintenance. So, it is up to the users on how to manage the private servers. This provides a higher degree of freedom over fully managed VPS. Also, this is less expensive and users with technical knowledge can opt for this.

Managed and Unmanaged VPS

For some individuals who do not have a lot of specialized skills or don’t have any desire to trap themselves with the issue of running a server. Some web hosts offer managed VPS hosting. It does some tasks quite well, like WordPress VPS, or RDP VPS. You can utilize the VPS for that reason. Also, there is nothing you need to do with support. There is the standard unmanaged VPS that gives you enhanced control of the machine. And it depends on you how you need to manage it.

Advantages of VPS

1. VPS is less expensive than a dedicated server.
2. It is much easier to upgrade.
3. It is much more secure than a shared server.
4. VPS is available in two forms – managed and unmanaged form.

How to choose the right VPS plan?

If you’re still wondering as to whether a managed or an unmanaged VPS plan is the right one for you. You can ask yourself the following questions:

• Can I handle managing my own server?
• Can I deal with VPS maintenance?
• Do I have the time and resources to do it myself?
• Do I have any specific OS or software requirements?

It’s usually quite simple. If you don’t feel experienced enough to handle a server. If you don’t have any specific hosting needs. Managed VPS is the sure way to go. If you intend to tweak every little part of your server machine and have the knowledge to do so. Then choose a self-managed option and have fun with it.

If you are still unsure. Let us compare these factors which might help:

• Features – When it comes to the range of features, managed VPS solutions have no match. In fact, you will rarely find any included by default on a self-managed plan. Unmanaged VPS clients have to add desired features as paid extras.
• Security – This aspect boils down to your expertise in cybersecurity. Just leave it in the hands of your hosting provider. Only take care of your website’s protection. If you know what you’re doing, the root access on the unmanaged virtual server gives you the opportunity to harden your defenses to perfection.
• Price – At first glance, most providers lure users with more affordable prices on unmanaged VPS deals. But it lacks the support assistance. Although, when you consider all possible extras you may need to pay more. A managed server can easily turn out to be more cost-effective.

Managed vs Unmanaged servers, which one to choose?

This solely depends on the traffic on your website. Also, the technical expertise that is present in your organization is the deciding factor of managed vs unmanaged servers. If your team can handle all the installations and troubleshooting, then opting for an unmanaged server may be a better idea. Since there is more flexibility. Also, it is a much cheaper solution than a managed server.

You can look for clearance dedicated servers that are even cheaper than normal unmanaged. But getting clearance for dedicated servers is a bit difficult. If your budget is less than 70USD then you can go for Virtual Private Servers. You can choose it based on the above facts which support you.

VPS Server Vs Dedicated Server

If you find that a shared hosting platform is inadequate for your business needs. Managed VPS hosting may be the one you need. Though there are many advantages of a dedicated server. But you should avoid it unless it is necessary. Following are some of the factors you might want to consider before spending on a dedicated server:

• A dedicated hosting server can be very expensive. Also, before availing such a platform, you need to work on the resource allocation. It takes a lot of time. So, plan carefully considering the time you have in your hand.
• A dedicated hosting platform needs technical expertise for server management. If you do not have such experience or you do not want to hire a team. The best option is VPS.
• If you want to build a brand as part of your plan, dedicated hosting is ideal for that. It might not be a good idea to spend much.

The Final Takeaway

Dedicated servers outweigh the advantages of other hosting servers. But it is not necessary that you need a dedicated server for your business. Firstly, analyze your business requirements. Then conclude which server can meet your business needs currently. As a business owner, you make numerous decisions every day, all dedicated to the growth and success of your business. Switching to Dedicated Server Hosting is one such decision that will fuel your growth. It helps you to offer an unmatched website experience to your visitors. It will effectively keep scaling your business.