You
have decided that a dedicated server offers the best
features for your online presence. There is no need
to share resources and you can set up the server as
you please. There remains just one question: Are you
going to rent or buy your server? Dedicated hosting
means that you are renting a server from a web host.
But you also have the option of buying your own server
and having the host provide the facilities to house
it and connect it to the Internet. This service is called
colocated hosting.
The
advantages of colocating include all the advantages
of dedicated hosting – you have the resources
of the entire server and bandwidth to do with as you
please. The additional benefit over dedicated hosting
is the lower cost. Because you own the server, your
monthly fees don't include charges for hardware maintenance
and upkeep. On the other hand, your initial outlay will
be larger because you have to buy the server. If the
server is good quality and remains in service for a
reasonable length of time, however, your overall costs
will be lower with colocation.
The
cost of colocation depends on the amount of space your
server occupies. Data centers house servers in racks
that in turn are housed in cabinets. Cabinets are usually
40 rack units in height, with each rack unit equal to
1.75'. The cases of server computers are measured in
rack heights – 1U = 1.75'. Typical sizes for servers
are 1U, 2U and 4U, so the physical size of your server
will determine how much the colocation host will charge
per month. Bandwidth is another factor affecting price.
There
are several options available when purchasing a server
and getting it to the colocation data center. If you
live in close proximity to the data center you could
buy a server locally and set it up at your own premises.
Once it is setup you can personally deliver it to the
data center. Another option is to buy the server from
a mail order retailer and have them deliver it directly
to the data center. This is a good option if you are
not located near the data center. It saves you the cost
of shipping the server and the retailer will be responsible
if the server happens to be damaged in transit. The
disadvantage is that you have to set up the server remotely
through a web interface. The third option is to buy
the server direct from the host. Not all hosts are in
the business of selling servers, but those that do may
offer financing and setup assistance.
Colocation
or Dedicated?
Colocation
puts you in charge of the hardware, but that also means
that you are responsible in the case of hardware failure.
If you have signed up for dedicated hosting you are
renting the server, so the host will replace hard drives
or CPUs if they malfunction. The initial costs of colocation
are much higher than dedicated hosting. You have to
buy the server as well as insurance and software licences.
All that is included in a dedicated hosting plan. Hardware
upgrades are also more expensive with colocation because
you have to buy the new equipment outright and pay to
have it installed. Dedicated hosting plans usually allow
you to upgrade either hardware or bandwidth at a reasonable
cost.
