What is a Server?
First of all, servers are computers that process requests and share data with the user. This data is only shared with the user if they have access to the local network or the internet. Servers manage a network’s resources including access to a network, the sending and receiving of email, and also web hosting. Most of all, servers are constantly required, so they are never turned off. That is why when servers fail, a company can run into big problems.
See our Server Comparison Chart if you want to skip the details!
Cloud Server
Cloud hosting is the use of virtual server space to process requests and manage data. Each cloud server supports particular tasks. Temporary servers fill in for cloud servers that have failed or are overloaded. This provides a reliable server for storing and retrieving your data and resources.
Cloud servers are best for:
- Small and mid-size businesses
- Services and stores with variable demand
- Companies that require scalable server space
- Companies without extremely high security concerns
- Those that want to be able to quickly scale up or down their infrastructure
Cloud Server Benefits
- Quick to setup and get started
- Quick to upgrade the servers RAM, disk space or CPU
- Easy to manage remotely
- Simple to auto-scale and automatically manage
- Easy to scale and bounce back from server failure
Cloud Server Pitfalls
- Not the best fit for high security data
- Can be more expensive
Dedicated Server
Dedicated servers are physical servers used to meet a business’s needs. These servers are dedicated to one client and are not shared with others. Physical servers see all or the majority of the server maintenance. This maintenance is probably conducted by a hosting or an IT company.
Dedicated servers are great for:
- Large companies and businesses
- Companies that need high levels of data security
- Services and stores with predictable server demand
- Businesses that are heavily dependent on databases
- Big data businesses
Dedicated Server Benefits
- Great for high security needs
- Lower costs and more affordable
- Allows for full hosting control
Dedicated Server Pitfalls
- The reliability of dedicated servers is lower than cloud servers.
- Dedicated servers can also take weeks to get up and running
- Upgrades to RAM, disk space or CPUs must be scheduled
- Server improvements are also dependent on the vendor
- Must manage manually
Are you still unsure if cloud or dedicated servers are right for you?
See our Server Comparison Chart to get a quick overview instead.
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