What You Should Know About Managed Hosting

Leasing a dedicated server can provide you with all the control and flexibility you need to establish your web presence, but it is also an immense responsibility. The regular maintenance of keeping up the server, performing OS upgrades, applying kernel patches and ensuring security around the clock are overwhelming challenges many users simply are not prepared to face.

You have exceeded the capacity of the shared hosting platform by far, but do not have the time or skill set required to maintain a dedicated server. Where do you turn now? The most practical solution would be managed hosting.

Managed hosting is designed to give you the benefits of a dedicated server without all the complexities. You still have complete control, the flexibility to customize the server to your liking, and the scalability needed to comfortably grow your business. The addition of managed services adds to the value of this service and is often the major selling point for such a solution.

Why Opt for Managed Hosting?

If you do not possess server management skills or have an IT staff on hand that does, then managed hosting can be the best option for your needs. Some of the advantages that come along with this type of service include:

• Active Server Monitoring - A managed service provider will monitor your dedicated server on a 24/7 basis to make sure it is stable and functioning properly. Such a feature alone could be worth the price for many businesses that do not have the time or resources to effectively monitor their server. Monitoring can help technicians quickly identify performance issues and immediately address them before they turn into even bigger problems.
• Software Installation and System Updates - One of the major benefits of managed hosting is having a provider that installs your software and applies regularly needed updates to the system. The latter is extremely important because outdated software can leave your server terribly vulnerable to a broad range of security threats. In addition, should you have the need to incorporate other technologies into your hosting environment, the service provider can perform the software installations to provide the functionality you require.
• A Peace of Mind - A quality managed hosting solution can help you sleep much better at night. You don't have to worry about system crashes or any other instances that might bring forth the threat of downtime. If an error like a hardware failure does occurs, you can rest easy by knowing that the provider is managing the situation and working diligently to make sure the matter is resolved.

Types of Managed Hosting

One of the most essential factors that must be considered for managed hosting is determining the level of service you require. Depending on your skill set and IT resources, you may only need a few select services, which could actually help you save money in the end. On the other hand, if you are lacking in the aforementioned areas, you may require all the managed services on the menu. Below we have provided details on the most commons types of managed hosting currently available on the market.

• Fully Managed - As the name indicates, a fully managed solution provides you with full support for your server. The features for this option include server monitoring, updates, software installation and complete server administration. Because of the extensive support, this is the most costly form of managed hosting.
• Semi Managed - This is the option that allows you to save a few dollars on your hosting bill. Unlike the fully managed variation, this option provides you with select features and requires that you handle some of administrative processes on your own accord. With a semi managed solution, you want to find out exactly what services are provided before signing up with the provider.
• Self Managed - Often referred to as unmanaged, self managed hosting describes the basic service you get from a dedicated server provider. As you have probably assumed, this option calls for you to have extensive knowledge of server administration and take on a great deal of responsibility. While some managed services are provided, you are typically required to handle the bulk of these responsibilities yourself.

Managed hosting is a great choice if you to need outsource the perplexing technical aspects of your server, while retaining a comfortable level of flexibility and control. When absolutely certain of your requirements and choosing a reliable provider, this could be one of the best decisions you ever make for your business' online presence.