Need intro to web servers

[tryin_to_learn]

I have a friend who's starting a new company and has asked me about servers. I'm in web design but I know zilch about the IT end of things. Can someone give me a good rundown (or resource) on the various options? For example, the differences between hosted servers, dedicated servers, own-your-own, shared servers, etc?

[AquariusRyan]

Shared hosting accounts are just a bunch of accounts on a server together.

Reseller hosting is once again, just a server usually utilizing a control panel such as cPanel or DirectAdmin to break the quota of space/bandwidth up into chunks and provides the ability to resell it.

VPS Hosting is like having your own dedicated server without the cost of a dedicated server + added scalability if you go with the right provider. VPS is your best bet to keep your costs low, yet enjoy some of the great isolation that a dedicated server provides.

Dedicated Hosting is pretty much the cream of the crop.. you can go higher then (load balanced solution/cloud hosting) this but the price becomes pretty ridiculous at this point so unless you run a mission critical website, you will not need anything about a dedicated server.

[Cassidy]

To do it right you need a dedicated server at around $200 per month.

If that's not in the budget, a VPS for around $30-$50

Last but not least shared hosting <$10/mo

You get what you pay for if you are lucky.

[AquariusRyan]

To do it right you eed a dedicated server at around $200 per month.

If that's not in the budget, a VPS for around $30-$50

Last but not least shared hosting <$10/mo

You get what you pay for if you are lucky.

A dedicated server @ 200$ per month? You're speaking RackSpace quality service. Does the OP really need a dedicated support team for his single server. I think recommend a 200$ dedicated server is going a little crazy...

[Kaumil]

This link will give you a pretty good run down of what is happening in the industry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_hosting_service

[bluestartech]

dedicated hosting is the way to go in most cases, but for small sites a shared hosting solution would probably be sufficient

[mixke]

Whenever you want to gain initial information about anything, Wiki and Google are probably the best sources which you can use.

What I can tell you, if you or your is just getting into the web business then a shared hosting account will be sufficient. As you make progress in your business, you'd require VPS or a dedicated server to meet bandwidth requirements. For new sites, shared hosting account on some reputable host is good enough.

[tryin_to_learn]

Thanks so much for all the replies. The Wiki article looks excellent. I'll look it over - learn some stuff myself - and pass the info along.

[mystery7]

Whenever you want to gain initial information about anything, Wiki and Google are probably the best sources which you can use.

What I can tell you, if you or your is just getting into the web business then a shared hosting account will be sufficient. As you make progress in your business, you'd require VPS or a dedicated server to meet bandwidth requirements. For new sites, shared hosting account on some reputable host is good enough.

Exactly.

P.S. as for Wiki... isn't it editable by anyone?

[ldcdc]

P.S. as for Wiki... isn't it editable by anyone?

Wikipedia is one great resource despite that, or rather, because of it.

[~ServerPoint~]

I have a friend who's starting a new company and has asked me about servers. I'm in web design but I know zilch about the IT end of things. Can someone give me a good rundown (or resource) on the various options? For example, the differences between hosted servers, dedicated servers, own-your-own, shared servers, etc?

If you need to learn opinions on the different kind of the services as well as on the different companies provided that I believe you should visit webhostingtalk.com
They are the biggest web hosting guide on the NET to ask the question and learn about the web hosting