Managed VS Unmanaged Dedicated Server

To compete in today business word, a company or business person has to have an effective website that runs on server with reliable and high-speed performance. There are two types of dedicated servers, managed and unmanaged. The choice will depend on the business needs and preferences so it is important to understand the differences between the two servers.

Managed Dedicated Servers

A managed dedicated server consists of a single computer watch over the needs of a network.  The client rents out a server, internet connection, and software from the host provider. If you have a small IT department on your firm, managed hosting may be the solution. For managed dedicate servers, the web hosting provider will manage the server which will include set-up, installation, backup of the server, updating software, installing security measures such as the firewall and managing and monitoring the server. The host provider will troubleshoot and repair any problems that may arise. The client will have 24/7/365 technical support.

With a managed dedicated server, you will not have to be concerned about server downtime as the host provider will normally guarantee somewhere around 99.9% up-time ensuring high availability and high performance. You will not have to worry about visitors not being able to access your website. As well, the host provider will have measures in place for disaster recovery. This will allow you and your business to focus your efforts on other business responsibilities such as marketing, financing, etc. As well, a managed dedicate server is easy to use with an uncomplicated control panel.

Unmanaged Dedicated Servers

An unmanaged dedicated server means that the server is not managed by the hosting company. If you are planning to rent an unmanaged server, you should have a good IT team. The physical resources of the unmanaged dedicated server machine, its operating system and the network connectivity are provided by the hosting provider, but you will have to deal with maintenance, troubleshooting and repair problems. You will have to install the software to configure domains and mailboxes. As well, you will have to maintain updated security solutions to stop hackers, viruses, Trojans and other malicious elements on the website. High performance, availability and security are your responsibility. It may make it less expensive but you will have to have a team of qualified and experienced IT experts. Managing the server can be a challenge if you do not have the IT “know how.” Those who choose unmanaged servers usually end up moving to a managed dedicated server.

Making the Best Dedicated Server Choice

Choosing the right server is important to ensure you get exactly what you need to run your website. There are quality hosting providers with a solid reputation offering both managed dedicated servers and unmanaged dedicated servers.  It is important to take the time to assess such business needs as time constraints, IT budget, technical knowledge, flexibility, downtime considerations, and high availability, when determining the best dedicated server that will fit your business model and goals.