Purchase the best dedicated hosting plans for your business

What is a dedicated server? How does it work?

A dedicated web hosting server or dedicated hosting service is a hosting plan where the client leases an entire server that is for their exclusive use. This is a far more flexible arrangement then a shared hosting or a VPS hosting platform where you have total control over your server or servers from what operating system, hardware, or specific software that is setup or running on your server. Thus a dedicated server it is much like having your own server except that you do not need a large initial investment to set it up but rather are renting the server from your hosting provider.

Managed and Unmanaged dedicated hosting

Dedicated web hosting comes in two forms managed and unmanaged. Generally speaking unmanaged hosting plans include providing you with just the hardware (as in the web server), an operating systems (either Linux or windows), and your internet connections. Managed dedicated hosting plans however include all the above and pretty much everything else so that the only thing you need worry about is your website and it’s content.

Your very own ungarnished resources and disk space

Ah the ultimate in luxury! Your very own dedicated web server that allows you to run your web sites without sharing space and resources and without the need of superfluous software that your website does not need garnishing resources and disk space! Ah the bliss of not having to reprogram your website to fit the server. Thus if cost is not the only determinant then having your own web server is always the ultimate in hosting experience!

Switching your hosting provider without any downtime

Ah, what to do, to switch your web hosting provider; below are 10 easy and straightforward steps to reduce the chance of your site going down whilst you transfer over to a new hosting provider.

Well before we start, remember however upset you may be with your existing hosting provider, don't cancel your old hosting provider until you finished transfering -- i.e. the very last thing you do!

Set up a new web hosting account

This is the first thing that you should do, so find a hosting provider you are happy with, and sign up a new web hosting package that you are happy with, and that is offering the same set of features as your previous hosting provider to mitigate any future problems. Remember don't cancel your old account yet -- that is critical, that's why we're repeating it! Bare in mind that you should cho

Download/ Backup your entire website

Get the latest copy of your web site by either downloading the content of your entire website using a free FTP program such as FileZilla. If your are struggling with FTP programs and have paid for a control panel, than you can probably backup your site using Cpanel, or Plesk.

Don't forget to also export/ download the database or databases that you are using. Remember to maintain naming conventions otherwise you might create some problems later on.

Again, hold you finger off of the trigger, I know your itchy to cancel, but again hold off until the very end.

Upload your files onto the new account

Upload the files onto your new account making sure that you import the database and use the same naming convention as before using the new hosts FTP or control panel.

Setup your email accounts

To avoid losing any email when you change domain servers, or for emails to go down, then it is important to replicate all your old email accounts from your previous hosting providers that you were using. It is probably a useful excersise to have a bit of a spring clean whilst your at it, but in short make sure you have re created all the email accounts that are in use. If you are using Plesk, try using Plesk's inbuilt mail feature to make your life easier.

Check to make sure your site is fully functional

At this stage it is best to now check to see everything is working, make sure that yuo re-chmod your folders if you are running scripts and need to do so, and see that your site is fully functional. If you are using Plesk, utilize the site preview function to fully test out the site, making sure all your links, and pages work.

Changing your DNS (Domain Name Server) records

Once you are happy go to the control panel of the site where you registered your domain name and change your domain names name server by repointing the A records of your domain.

If you are luck enough to be using Plesk as your control panel, then this will be even more straightforward as Plesk's inbuilt control funciton should prove very useful.

Within 24 to 72 hours your site should propagate to its new IP address, check your site using nominet, or whois to see your current name server.



The very last thing; Canceling your old hosting provider

Now, just before you do finally pull the trigger and cancel your old hosting provider, it is wise to check one final time and make sure that the propagation is complete and that your site is resolving to the new IP address. Once this is done, you can now finally cancel your old hosting provider.

A Few final bits of advice

It is best at all times to have a backup of your site, just in case something happens to your site, it is a good habit to get into and provides great peace of mind!

If at any stage you are stuck, it is always worth asking your new hosting provider for some help, after all they are about to get your business, so they should have no problem in helping you!