Web hosting provides an actual physical location from which to operate a website. Web hosting allows space for file storage and a location for individuals to visit a website. Although web hosting is fairly simple, beginners require some basic information to understand the process and make the best decision when choosing a web hosting provider.
Data Centers
A data center is a web hosting company that operates a facility filled with a large number of servers. For this reason, it is more commonly known as a server farm or a server cluster. The company divides up the space within the servers and rents it out to individuals and businesses for their web hosting needs. Data centers maintain hardware, software and security while providing 24-hour tech support for their clients.
Shared vs. Dedicated
The first decision when considering web hosting is whether you will require a dedicated server or if shared server hosting is sufficient for your needs. On a shared server, a number of individuals or companies share space in the same server unit. Think of it like an apartment building, where each tenant has her own separate and secure space within a larger structure. With a dedicated server, the whole unit is dedicated to your needs. If you are setting up an e-commerce website, the bank that provides online credit card processing for your website will require an SSL (Secured Socket Layer) certificate to prevent hackers from accessing credit card information. You must have a dedicated server to install an SSL certificate.
Windows vs. Linux
The server is much like a computer, in that it requires an operating system to manage the files. Some data centers offer a choice between Windows and Linux, while others may only offer one or the other. The Windows platform is necessary if using Microsoft ASP.net for website creation. If using Open Source applications such as Joomla, Drupal, Php-Nuke, ZenCart or Magento, look for Linux platforms as they include the the databases and necessary server side scripts for these websites.
Storage and Bandwidth
When choosing a web hosting package, you are presented with options based on the amount of storage space and bandwidth included in the package for the monthly fee. The storage space is the amount of the hard drive that is dedicated to storing website files, images, video and other content. The bandwidth is the speed at which the website will operate based on demands from visitors and the content included in the site. The greater the bandwidth, the less chance of the site crashing if a lot of visitors are on at the same time or when content such as videos are displayed. Most providers allocate the bandwidth on a monthly basis. If the bandwidth is exceeded, there may be additional charges to keep the website up and running.
DNS Transfer
A website hosting will have a distinct IP address in a numerical format such as 192.168.1.200, according to Steven Lau in an article for computer training organization the SANS Institute. A web host provider will give you the IP address specific to your account. In order to use your domain name, such as www.MyOwnWebsiteName.com, with your website, a change must be made inside the control panel of your domain registrar account with the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS directs the domain name to the web hosting location so nobody needs to know the string of numbers for the IP address.