Dedicated Servers Operating On A Windows OS

Any business that has a dramatic online presence should be using a dedicated server for hosting everything on the web.  Unlike other forms of hosting, utilizing all the space and bandwidth that comes with a dedicated server provides more businesses with more room to grow.  When using  dedicated server for hosting a website or web based applications, the entire server is leased to you, and you are the only one who has direct access to the available resources.  Once a hosting company has been selected, deciding on which operating system to use on this particular server is the next big decision. There are actually several options available for dedicated server operating system, and many people typically go with one of the big two choices, either using a Windows-based OS or going through a variation of Linux or Unix. 

Many people choose to go with the Windows based server OS, and there are a number of variations of this program to meet the specific needs of a particular company.  Whether the dedicated server is being setup to run a series of high-traffic websites, to manage a popular online program, or for basic information storage for a small business, there are a number of Windows operating systems available for dedicated server hosting.

• Windows Server - This is the basic application that can help to organize and manage all information and technical resources on a server.  The additional support provided make this a very popular choice.  The last version of Windows Server was 2008.
  
  
• Windows Small Business Server - Used for small businesses who use web based applications to operate.  The small business variation of the sever OS allows small businesses to set up various workstation that would then have access to the sever to pull information or run an application.
  
  
• Essential Business Server - Just like the small business variation, only it allows for a greater number of network connection through the dedicated server.
  
  
• Storage Server - This is a variation of the Windows Server OS that is designed more for storing and backing up computer information onto a dedicated server, rather than allowing for access from all users connected to the Internet.

Windows Server programs have proven themselves to be very reliable and user friendly, and the selection of which variation of the OS is based entirely upon what the server's purpose is.  For security purposes, if you are running a business only application that requires a server to store information, then going with one of the business versions of the OS would be a good fit.  This provides additional security and programming features that help to keep business information and applications secure.  If everyone on the Internet will need to have access to the information hosted on a dedicated server, then using one of the more basic Windows Server OS will be the ideal decision.

The Advantages of a Dedicated Server

With most hosting services, each client is just renting space on a server to host data.  This means that several users will be working and operating off of a single server.  A dedicated server is where the client just rents the entire server for their own personal use.  A good analogy would be renting an apartment.  If you rent an apartment in a complex, you will be sharing the entire building with several other people.  If you want to be more secure and private, you could just rent the entire building.  Using a dedicated server is just like renting the entire building.  Through operating on your own dedicated server, you are no longer sharing bandwidth and other resources with other clients, allowing your data to benefit from all the available space and bandwidth.

The use of a dedicated server also helps to increase the level of security for your data.  When multiple users have access to the server your information is hosted on, there are a number of things that can go wrong.  People can find back doors to access and alter your data, it could be accidental altered or deleted, or you could do the same thing to others.  By using a dedicated server, the only people who have access to everything stored on the server is you, the technical support from the hosting company, and anyone else you give access to.  It is a fantastic way to keep your information safe and secure.