CWCS Managed Hosting Blog

Web Hosting, Web Hosting UK, Dedicated Servers, Managed Hosting, Dedicated Server | CWCS


Friday, 29 May 2009

Colocation – A cost effective hosting solution

Are you the kind of person that searches through pages of pages of web hosting solutions to find the best deal?

You have lots of websites that require a stable web hosting platform, or a single/small amount of websites that need a reliable, performance critical hosting setup.

Why not consider colocation?

Moving your own server to a data centre could be the ideal solution for you and your business. You provide your own hardware, which allows you to choose exactly what you are looking for. Colocation packages are well priced due to your own hardware being used and the benefits of a redundant data centre setup gives you the peace of mind you need.

Endless rack space and resources provides endless opportunity for expansion

Colocation is all about choosing exactly what you want and having the ability to move any equipment into the data centre whenever you need to. Rather than the standard dedicated server packages many hosting providers offer, colocation gives the opportunity for those customers’ whose requirements are non-standard. A data centre is the house for your servers and equipment, no matter what you decide you want to bring in, you will always be safe and looked after by a professional hosting provider.

Technical support with technical excellence

We understand that choosing colocation may not necessary require support for your equipment on a regular basis. The redundant data centre environment ensures everything remains ticketing over smoothly without interruption. Although having a technical support team available at all times is always an important precaution in the event of a disaster or failure. The level of technical support is also important for colocation customers. In the event of a disaster, qualified engineers need to be ready at all times to deal with support requests promptly and effectively.

Colocation could save your online business… and your wallet…

Colocation has many benefits and reasons why it’s the desirable solution for your business, although with a high price tag it would not be considered. CWCS Managed Hosting are offering colocation for a single server for as little as £49.99 (+ VAT) per month. Colocation will actually save you money than deciding to host your equipment within your office. Contact myself directly to discuss what colocation options we have and weather it’s a suitable hosting solution for your business
Tel: 0845 203 1000
Web: http://www.cwcs.co.uk

Friday, 29 May 2009

Dedicated Hosting, Bandwidth & Connectivity

Bandwidth is the transfer rate of data or the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another within a specific time period (usually seconds) and which is represented as bits of data per second, or Bps.

When a visitor lands on a webpage they use bandwidth as they move from the server to the internet and back again. Connectivity on the other hand refers those who provide bandwidth which works through various connection points across the network to one or more data centers that house a dedicated server.

Bandwidth measurements are defined as First, Second and Third. First refers to the 95th method which is line speed billed on the 95th percentile of peak usage and refers to the speed in which the data flows from the server. Line speed is measured in bits per second, kilpobits, megabits or gigabits per second.

The unmetered or second method refers to second bandwidth measurement where providers cap or control the top line speed for a server. This means that the top line speed in unmetered bandwidth is the total Mbit/s that is allocated to the server and which is configured on the switch level. This second method can incur additional charges.

The third, or total transfer method means that some providers calculate the total transfer which in effect means they measure the total data leaving and arriving. It is measured in bytes. One byte equals eight bits of data. It has three equations, the first is where IN traffice + OUT traffic = TOTAL transfer. The next equation is IN traffic = TOTAL transfer and the last equation is OUT traffic = TOTAL Transfer.

In order to make sure you have the right bandwidth set-up to meet your needs, why not speak to an experienced CWCS adviser who can ensure that your business website reaches its full potential through great web hosting.

Thursday, 28 May 2009

The Hub Of Connectivity

To understand a colocation centre, one first needs an understanding of a data centre. A data centre is a facility, or a specific area designed to house a computer server system and its related components. These components include telecommunications and data storage as well as redundant or backup power supplies and redundant data communications. Data centres are designed with environmental controls in mind such as air conditioning and fire controls as well as sophisticated security devices to ensure that equipment doesn’t overheat and remains safe.

Data centres which make provision for bandwidth and power and which require that the customer or user provide the necessary hardware and are responsible for managing it, are called colocation centres.

Colocation centres allow multiple users to locate their networks, servers and storage requirements and be able to interconnect to a variety of telecommunications and other network service providers with the minimum of complexity and reduced costs.

Colocation is becoming more and more popular because of the cost and time savings when compared to having a data centre in-house. Customers or users who can gain great benefits from using a Colocation centre are web commerce companies who need this facility in order to create a safe and cost effect environment for their website.

Major enterprises also benefit because this facility helps with disaster avoidance and off site data back up, which all help with business continuity if the worst should happen.

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Web Hosting Choices

Reasons which prompt companies or individuals to opt to host their websites elsewhere are related not only to costs, but also security, ease of use, faster connectivity and the benefits associated with the use of up to date technology.

Shared web hosting is more economical than dedicated web hosting but does not compromise on quality, disk space, bandwidth as well as pre-installed applications, without which you would not be able to publish your website. This option is probably the best way to start out with as you can upgrade to a dedicated server at a later stage should your requirements change.

Web hosting should offer you large security benefits on a reasonable budget. Security which will help you reduce, or eliminate hackers from exploiting or damaging your business. Part of their offerings should include secure FTP and POP3 features which will allow you to manage your website without exposing passwords, emails or configurations.

Web hosting with a reputable company like CWCS can also ensure that your POP3 connection is encrypted so that your passwords and emails are safe and will allow you to receive your emails via your personal mail client, such as Outlook.

Another feature of web hosting is that it allows for dynamic web pages through the ability of a control panel which allows management and administration facilities which allows you to manage your domain, the status of your website and its configuration.

A secure web hosting company must provide the right tools and a safe server environment which will protect your website and allow it to do the job it was designed for which is to grow and prosper your business.

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Reasons to choose a web host carefully

For an increasing number of companies, the internet is becoming an ever increasing necessity for trading. With the reduced costs of web hosting compared to renting a high street shop or operating a 24/7 sales line, the internet has proven to be a massive part of every major company strategy in operation today.

One of the key parts of any business internet strategy is choosing the right supplier to offer the hosting platform your website will rely on. Without a strong, responsive and stable hosting platform, your internet presence can become more of a burden and a blight on your companies overall cooperate image.

Costs tend to be the main concern for any company, but with all walks of life, you tend to get what you pay for with web hosting. If you see a provider offering unlimited everything for just £5 a month, they may well keep their word, but at the end of the day you will get £5’s worth of hosting. Not something you should consider if the website is expected to earn your company thousands. It is always important to invest proportionately into your internet suppliers for what you expect to make from them. If the internet is mission critical to your business, it is always worth finding the best value for money but also taking into account other factors.

Overall uptime is important. Problems are always likely to occur with something as complex and interdependent as the internet. Malfunctions, attacks and accidents happen on the internet super highway as often as they do on any normal highway, as such its important that your host offer redundancy if you need it. Power, internet connectivity and air conditioning should all offer redundancy in order to guarantee uptime so its best to check your hosts offer this.

Security is essential, especially in a period where criminal activity plagues the internet. Make sure your host are able to help you secure your website and offer both physical and network security to your services to reduce the chances of your customer’s data being breached. Following on from this is data security, ensuring that your services are backed up regularly in the case of a major failure at your hosts end, be it hardware breakdown or worse, your data will be recoverable.

These are the key factors to take into account when choosing your web host and what plan to go for. Depending on your circumstances will depend on how much emphasis will be placed on each of these criteria.

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Managed Hosting Services

When it comes to dedicated web hosting, users can choose to own their own web server. This means that they are fully responsible for it, including if something goes wrong. If you have the technical know-how then this doesn’t have to be a problem, but most people simply wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to maintaining their own server.

This why many individuals, organisations and businesses choose a reputable web hosting company such as CWCS to provide a managed dedicated server for their website.

Web hosting providers may offer one of the following types of dedicated managed servers:

Fully managed web servers would include monitoring, software and operating system updates as well as reboots and security patches. Customers can leave everything in the hands of CWCS.

In a managed dedicated server environment, the provider would offer a medium level of management which would include monitoring, updates and a limited amount of support. Users or clients would probably be required to perform specific tasks.

Self managed web servers require regular monitoring and some form of maintenance by the web hosting company, whereas the client would be expected to provide most of the operational duties and tasks required to maintain and run the server.

You need to decide which level of management you will require to keep your business running optimally. CWCS can provide expert advice about which package will suit your needs best.

Monday, 25 May 2009

Web Hosting Services In The UK

What is Web Hosting? Basically, it is a facility which stores a website. Web hosting companies supply the server space needed to store them and make them available on the Internet.

Web hosting requires a monthly subscription for the hosting; the costs related to this are dependent on what is required. At the least, a web hosting company must be able to provide their clients with at least 1GB of space on their server as well as fast data transfers together. They should also be able to offer a host, if not hundreds of mail boxes as well as web mail abilities and anti virus protection.

Easy to use control panels are an added benefit because they allow the owner of the website to make their own changes as and when necessary, whether they are minor or more complex. They must be able to guarantee no down time as well.

Support is an important factor in web hosting and a good web hosting company like CWCS provides around the clock support, both telephonically and via email with short lead times.

Web hosting facilities are usually provided on a shared server, but facilities for dedicated servers are available for those who require it. The reason for a dedicated server may include the size and amount of the websites being hosted as well as issues relating to security and confidentiality.

Choosing web hosting in the UK with a highly regarded company like CWCS makes things easier. With their data centres also based in the UK and a high ratio of guaranteed up-time, they are a name which can be relied upon to deliver great services, wherever you are based.

Saturday, 23 May 2009

Web Server Management

Managing a dedicated server can include operating systems, application updates, monitoring the performance of hardware and software as well as its applications.

It includes technical support and benefits such as firewall services, antivirus updates and security audits which make up part of basic security measures. Security is vital in a dedicated hosting environment and web hosting providers have to use extreme measures in order to ensure the safety of stored data which often entails that they deploy various software programs which scan and detect invaders such as hackers, spammers and other nasties such as worms and crashers.

Apart from that, security measures have to be provided in their database administration such as disaster recovery, intrusion detection as well as backups and restoration.

A large part of web server management relates to software installations and configurations. And because providers include specific software packages in their monthly billing this has resulted in the different software providers, such as Microsoft for example, coming to realise the potential to bundle their software together with a dedicated server, so they started introducing pricing models which allow providers of dedicated web servers the ability to buy and sell software to users at a reduced fee.

Dedicated server providers offer the user the ability to choose and install their own software on the server as well as their choice of operating system, database and applications. This allows customisation in order to host specific control panels, or programs.

A control panel is a set of software applications which include integration into web servers and programming languages and database applications which allow the ability to automate tasks via a web based front end.

For peace of mind, opt for a reputable web hosting company such as CWCS to manage all of your web server requirements.

Friday, 22 May 2009

Do You Have Time To Manage Your Web Hosting?

In today’s day and age, management of everything from your time and schedule to your home and relationships is paramount to any semblance of success. Your web hosting is no exception to this rule of thumb. Managing your web hosting is something that many small businesses do to help save money when they start out, but unless you are an expert, you could run into problems.

But when you enter the realm of dedicated servers and dedicated hosting it becomes a lot harder to do. The technical knowledge needed to run a dedicated server is significantly greater than piggybacking on shared hosting provided by a good web hosting company.

This is where managed hosting steps in to offer you a well deserved helping hand. Having started your business up and then nurtured it to where it is today is no small task. So don’t be too proud to admit that your baby has grown and you need help with the web hosting now.

Dedication and management

Companies that expand often move on to dedicated hosting, and those that go it alone often soon find that they do not have the IT capabilities to back up their expansion. Managed hosting services offered by CWCS Managed Hosting can keep your business going at the optimal level all the time. Managed hosting offers you the chance to hand the reins of your web hosting over to a reputable company like CWCS.

A company like CWCS will then run and manage your web hosting for you. This allows you to get on with running the rest of your company. Managed hosting can greatly improve the efficiency of your website, so think of the benefits when moving to managed web hosting.

Thursday, 21 May 2009

How To Choose A Dedicated Host

When you are looking at investing in dedicated servers there are obviously certain factors that you need to think about regarding your possible web hosting candidates. You need to make sure that you know enough about the company and that they have a high level of integrity. You need to know that they will keep your data secure and offer you the right technical support.

Then you need to know about the availability of bandwidth, their hardware maintenance plan, what equipment they use and what the uptime is.

Little pieces of information make a big difference

You need to investigate their rates of data transfer. The rate you will need data transferred at will depend on how many downloads will take place and how much each download will be. You also need to look at what type of content your website will be sharing. A good host providing dedicated servers such as CWCS Managed Hosting offers variety.

They will offer you different dedicated server packages to suit different needs and wants. You need to consider what platform you will be using. Will it be Windows or Linux? Windows will prove more expensive, but unanimously more user-friendly, abundant and preferred by many.

Does your candidate offer server monitoring to minimize interruptions and downtime? Do they offer assistance with backing up data and automated software? An important thing to take note of is the service level agreements that your candidate offers. CWCS can provide for all of your web hosting and dedicated server requirements.

Older Posts »

CWCS | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Site Map

© CompuWeb Communications Services Limited trading as CWCS Managed Hosting is a company registered in England and Wales

Registered company number: 3798604. VAT number: 728 5805 09. Registered office address: Bowden Drive, Beeston, Nottingham. NG9 2JY

Web Design Nottingham: Absolute Design | VPS Hosting from Supreme Servers