If you’re new to the scene of owning and creating website, then looking for a web hosting company that you want to work with has likely been very difficult for you. This is because web hosting has an entire terminology that you’ve likely never seen before. When faced with the choice of a dedicated server or a shared server, you will most likely just find yourself scratching your head – wondering what all of it means. However, newcomers shouldn’t worry – here’s a guide to satisfy any questions you may have pertaining to the terminology of web hosting, and what it means to you.
First, let’s tackle that question of what the difference is between shared servers and dedicated servers. It’s really pretty simple – a shared server is, as the name implies, a server that is being shared between a number of different websites. This means that while the cost is cheaper because of the split between multiple users, the functions and resources provided by the server are too. A dedicated server is a server that is used by only one person. This means that the price is higher, but also they have more control over what the site does and how it looks and functions, as well as less limitations as to how much traffic their website can receive at any given amount of time.
While a dedicated server allows more functionality and control over a website, it also entails that the owner of that website is in charge of taking care of the server – repairing any glitches, etc.
With managed hosting, though, this problem is solved. Instead of the owner of the website taking care of technical problems that the server may have, someone with more skill and knowledge in the area does it for them, much like in a shared server experience. This makes having a dedicated server more accessible to those who need the functionality of the server for their website, but who lack the skills to do the upkeep on the site themselves.
Finally, there is some question, generally, as to what the difference between Linux and Windows hosting. You do not have to have a Windows computer to have hosting on Windows, and the same thing goes for Linux. However, Windows servers can run the popular programming language ASP, while Linux cannot. On the flip side, Linux is generally cheaper and more efficient than Windows when it comes to being used as a web host.