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Managed hosting is a mix of both dedicated server and shared web hosting and is accompanied by a full suite of technical support, maintenance and monitoring services. This feature differentiate it from dedicated Web hosting, where customers are provided own servers but are held responsible for virtually all administrative and maintenance duties.

For websites designed to host busy e-commerce sites and dynamic, database driven Web pages managed hosting are considered best. Even for companies that lack capital or time to invest in server administration, managed server work as best. The equation for managed server is as under-

MANAGED SERVER = DEDICATED SERVER + COMPLETE SUPPORT TO SERVER ADMINISTRATION

A managed server consists of all the features of a dedicated server including administrative support.

There are many companies assigning dedicated service representative who caters to user’s needs and a handful of other accounts. They provide support in the form of proprietary control panel technology that enables the inexperienced administrator to do maintenance of site by user. Best part is, it is not required to learn complicated commands rather it is achieved through an intuitive and user-friendly point and click method.

Hosting company’s offer a supplementary suite of features and services that related to managed hosting, including application and database management, high-availability services and load balancing. These hosting companies will back up their services with performance guarantees and Service Level Agreements.

Unmanaged services, on the other hand, give the customer complete remote server administration capability and freedom. The downside to this is that unmanaged servers require a large amount of time and technical expertise, as the customer is ultimately responsible for the installation and management of the server – not the Web host. It is due to this reason only unmanaged servers are only recommended for individuals and companies with extensive server administration resources or expertise, as well as a significant amount of time available to take care of the server.

Conclusion

Now if one is just a beginner for host world, it is serious advice for him/her to consider managed server. Though it is expensive to take managed route but it is best for the inexperienced administrator as option is also there to switch over to an unmanaged service later on after gaining some expertise in server administration. Due to all of the above advantages it is worth saying, once one opts for managed host he/she might think twice of turning into an unmanaged service afterwards.

Managed hosting is one of many types available on today’s web hosting market, geared towards businesses that require more personalized care for their web presence. As the name suggests, the provider takes on a great deal of the management aspects, freeing the client of grueling responsibilities and thus allowing them to be more productive. There are numerous advantages that come along with managed hosting and below we have listed the top nine.

1.) Simplified Administration – Managed hosting gives you an additional level of support that stems beyond what the typical hosting service can offer. This often includes server administration and various other management tasks.

2.) Cost Effective – Though it is more expensive than most types of web hosting, managed hosting can be a very cost effective option due to the fact that it can free up time and help an organization be more productive.

3.) Enhanced Security – In the ideal arrangement, managed hosting provides an added layer of security with features such as critical system updates, disaster recovery, and data backup. Companies that are truly reliant on their web presence will benefit tremendously from a service that takes the necessary measures to ensure they are protected.

4.) Extensive Monitoring – Managed hosting typically provides an environment that is monitored 24/7. This often includes monitoring of the hardware, systems and the network itself. With such extensive monitoring, you can better assure superb performance and availability as any problems will be addressed as soon as they are detected.

5.) High-Performance – The hardware you get from a managed hosting provider usually towers over what is provided in a shared hosting arrangement. This is because you normally receive high quality dedicated equipment and are not forced to share with other customers. In the ideal environment, managed hosting can deliver performance that puts its shared counterpart to shame.

6.) Increased Reliability – Many new customers who upgrade to a dedicated server incur a significant amount of downtime because of all the technical challenges. Managed hosting can help you elude these crucial periods of downtime by putting the technical burdens on the shoulders of trained IT experts.

7.) Guaranteed Resources and Features – While all types of web hosting tend to offer great feature and resource allotments, managed hosting tends to give you significantly more. For example, you get more disk storage and bandwidth as well as more flexibility with features like programming languages, web applications, and services.

8.) Cost Savings – Managed hosting can be so advantageous that it eliminates the need for a full-time system administrator. Since the web hosting company is taking care of the bulk of administration, you can save the money that would normally be needed to pay someone to maintain your systems.

9.) Personalized Support – Because managed hosting is modeled around the concept of dedicated support, this sort of arrangement often makes it much easier to obtain the assistance you need. Almost all managed hosting services offer 24/7 support, ensuring that you can reach the IT experts when you need them.

Source: http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/01/nine-unique-advantages-of-managed-hosting/

There are many advantages to purchasing a dedicated hosting plan. This arrangement is perfect for customers who require a higher degree of flexibility, security, reliability and a website that gives out an enterprise-grade performance. Although you are actually leasing the hardware from the hosting company, you are still provided with a great deal of flexibility and control that allows you to customize the server based on your specific needs. So even though you do not really own the server, this can actually turn out to be a good thing, especially if your organization does not have the manpower to handle the various maintenance tasks that must be performed on a day to day basis.

The Experience Factor

While some customers have the experience needed to maintain a dedicated server, others do not. If you have a capable in-house team, you should be able to thrive just fine in this more complex environment. For the more technically inclined user, managing an entire web server is usually no problem at all. For those that have no experience or knowledgeable administrator, a managed solution may be the best option for their dedicated server. With a managed service, the hosting provider handles the bulk of the maintenance and is often responsible for making sure the server stays up and running. This generally includes taking care of the operating system, web server, applications and the hardware itself. While an unmanaged server is usually the cheaper route, managed hosting is often the best way to go if you lack the knowledge and experience needed to maintain the system.

Is it the Right Move for You?

Whether or not you have the resources needed to manage a dedicated server is a critical factor to determining if this type of hosting is right for you. If you are have the budget to take on the cost associated with leasing the hardware and feel that the hosting firm can provide you with an acceptable level of support, this could be the best move. Regardless of where you stand in terms of experience, it is critical to first determine whether your website or business demands the power of a dedicated server. If not, you could taking on an unnecessary expense and complexity that makes it more difficult for you to succeed. As long as you warrant the need, a dedicated server can be a viable option whether you possess the technical abilities or not. With the market for managed hosting services growing rapidly, you do not have to let the lack of experience deter your plans because solutions are widely available.

In today’s internet driven world, the website often reflects on the credibility of the company behind it. A dedicated server can help you a establish and maintain a credible online presence while providing your business with the best possible chance to succeed. If you are not sure of how to proceed, reach out to a few service providers for a little guidance. This way, you can gather the information you need and perhaps find yourself a good partner in the process.

Source: http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/11/17/can-you-handle-a-dedicated-server/