Regardless of the size and scope of your business, selecting the ideal dedicated server is imperative when it comes to ensuring all customer experiences are of the highest quality. While you may be aware of the importance of a managed dedicated server plan, with the sheer amount of service providers on the current market, the task of selecting the best provider is much easier said than done. In order to assist in this challenging task, there are several primary considerations you must take into account before you make your final decision.
Consideration #1 – Fully Managed Plans
Unlike shared hosting accounts, dedicated server plans are complex and require near-constant attention to ensure it operates as it should. Perhaps the most common and effective solution to this situation is to purchase a fully managed hosting plan. Ultimately, this means that the hosting provider agrees to fully manage your server for you. Although there are several options when it comes to selecting a fully managed dedicated server, there are several essential coverage areas you should look for, which include:
1.) Server Monitoring
2.) Storage Management
3.) Database Management
4.) Automatic Backups
5.) Comprehensive Server Security
Consideration #2 – Data Centers
Perhaps the most important element to uncover before you purchase a dedicated server plan is to determine where and what kind of data center facility the server will be housed in. The geographical location of the data center is imperative. Along with ensuring the server is local within the United States, there are several other elements you must discover, which include:
1.) Power Redundancy
2.) Bandwidth Redundancy
3.) Cooling System Infrastructure
4.) Physical Security
5.) Projected and Experienced Downtime
Consideration #5 – Server Speed
The most essential aspect of your server is it's speed. Determining if your website is fast enough with a tool like this one is recommended for any webmaster or network administrator. There are many authoritative resources that analyze web host speed, reporting the results in a detailed manner. A recommended page to review is http://webhostingprof.com/fastest-web-hosting-providers/ which tests web hosts from the US as well as internationally, so you can make an informed decision about what network is most important to you and your hosting needs. Typically, web host speed is determined by three main factors: hardware components, distance from an internet backbone (latency), and distance from the root server to the end user. Your domain registrar and DNS provider is also an essential chain in determining the speed of your website. Be sure to carefully vet any web host, and run an external website speed test on some of their hosted sites before purchasing.
Consideration #4 – Remote Server Reboot
Another essential consideration you must make when it comes to choosing a dedicated server is whether or not you can force a server reboot from a remote location. You should be given the opportunity to reboot the server without having to physically contact the server provider. This ensures maximum control when it comes to performing server maintenance and software updates – which are imperative if you’re operating a large-scale website.
Consideration #5 – Availability of a CDN
A Content Delivery Network, or CDN, is one of the most efficient and effective ways to deliver content to users across the world. In our modern digital world, Internet users have very little patience for website loading times. Therefore, a CDN interface can significantly reduce load times and increase responsiveness. It’s imperative that your server provider offer CDN capabilities within your actual package. Although there are third-party CDN providers, the sheer cost of having a dedicated server should include a CDN option to help keep your overall operational costs as minimal as possible.
