Friday, 20 June 2008
Dedicated server is a network connected computer running one or more network services. This computer might be a as simple as a PC, or it is a specialised pice of HW, rackmount server.
There are two principal types of dedicated server service:
- dedicated server
- managed server
Dedicated server
In this case a server is aiter customer owned, or rented, placed in the provider´s data center room. Customer installs and administers all SW on the server, is accoutable for the server system security.
Advatages:
In this case provider provides power, cooling and network connectivity. On request remote hands can be provides (server restart, HW maintenance).
Among the advatages of running own dedicated server the data security stands on first place. The dedicated server runs web services or databases, all for the one customer, there is no resource sharing.
Another advantage represents the performance. There exist a number of recommended server configurations for different type uf jobs. Thus the server could be fine tuned to server best its purpose.
The customer is in no way limited in the server usage, could install any arbistrary application, solely controls the server thru exclusive root access rights.
Data backup and firewall are standard features offered for dedicated servers.
Disadvatages:
The customer must have the neccessary skills of server administration, SW installing and updating. This predefines the use of dedicated servers for advanced system administrators only.
Managed server
On contrary with managed server the system admistration responsibility is shifted to the service provider. He acounts for SW install and updates, HW maintenance, access accounts management and all other server administation tasks requested by the customer.
Advantage:
Customer does not need the skills nad know-how of server SW and HW maintenance and administration. Provider should be able to provide these services on much higher professinal level.
Disadvantage:
There is a higher provider dependence, and also there is a service fee to reimburse.
Network connectivity in both the scenarios is provided under two principal methods:
- Unlimited data transfers (unlimited bandtwith) – which does not limit the overall data transfers, it only limits the peeks – usually by sharing the bandtwith.
- Limited data transfers – allowing commited data volume only, but allowng for momentaneus transfer peeks.
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