The view of the IT infrastructure in the company is usually characterized by worry lines: Especially in medium-sized companies in the networked business quickly reach their limits. After all, IT has to keep up with the growth of the company. Over time, the complexity increases due to increasing dependencies and requirements. Help from the outside is just right: IT outsourcing and hosting solutions relieve you of the work on your own IT. But which options are worthwhile for your company? Would you rather rent your own server or opt for cloud hosting? The answer lies in the requirements of your IT infrastructure.
Cloud hosting vs. Server Hosting: What is the difference in practice?
To make clear the differences between rented, exclusive hardware and a cloud service, let’s first look at the similarities.
In functionality, a dedicated server and a cloud server cannot be distinguished.
Both classic server hosting and a cloud infrastructure can support your entire IT environment. While all computing and classic hosting applications run on a given hardware server, cloud computing is relying on the power of the masses. Computing power, resources, disk space, and software reside in a large footprint that you access with your devices.
Dedicated server hosting: Own hardware – whether rented or purchased
Traditional hosting sounds like a contradiction at first. After all, the technology is not old enough for well-established traditions. But the IT world is in a state of flux – and most of all, the options companies have.
Hosting “Dedicated” is a single server or a small multi-server network that works exclusively for you. From the power supply to the main memory, the components provide their function just for you.
Own hardware has the advantage that you are sure how high the load is and how it is generated. They determine the operating system, the items, and the location. Even if you hire Dedicated Server from an IT service provider, you have control over everything that happens on the device.
What is included in traditional hosting?
Your dedicated server is powered by the provider and has a network connection to the Internet. The availability of these connections is usually governed by a service-level agreement (SLA). For some providers, you may also agree to have replacement hardware and, if necessary, an employee to assist you in restarting the server and performing other simple tasks.
Application areas for dedicated servers
- Companies with consistent demands on IT resources
- Large database servers that require enormous, concentrated computing power
- Companies that work with sensitive data and need to physically separate data, not just technically
- Hardware for locations where only a few functions are needed without fail-safety
Enterprise Cloud Computing: Your Virtual IT Infrastructure
Cloud hosting provides enterprises with server resources based on a complete IT infrastructure. The cloud-based hardware is more comprehensive in classic hosting: redundant network components, redundant server systems, and comprehensive network control are standard.
There are several variants to realize cloud computing for a company. From the private cloud to the public, however, they all have one thing in common: Cloud computing is secure, reliable and powerful. In cloud hosting, you do not derive the resources from a single piece of hardware reserved for you, but you access a resource pool.
Dedicated networks with their own internet servers have a major disadvantage: they are more prone to downtime. Because if a server fails in a cloud network, that’s not a big problem. But if you only have one server, you have to wait until it works again.
The scope of cloud hosting:
Cloud hosting services guarantee the availability of your virtual systems. That is, beyond the power supply and the network connection, the function of the hardware and the underlying system is ensured. This includes the regular replacement of server and network components, the installation of updates and patches as well as important security checks of the environment.
You determine the amount of assigned resources yourself.
In addition, companies can often extend the cloud to include additional features such as discrete networks, backup systems, and archiving, as well as protection features such as firewalls and intrusion-detection systems, or even DDoS protection. For example, cloud providers often offer DSR features that, in the event of a catastrophic failure, can be restored within a set amount of time.
Application areas for cloud hosting
- Companies with growing demand for the IT infrastructure
- Companies that are networked in several locations
- Hosting systems that need to be 100% available
- IT environments that need to stay flexible
- Important and vulnerable data
- Networked systems with multiple servers
Conclusion: The Cloud suggests traditional hosting
In practice, you and your employees would not even notice which IT infrastructure is behind your work. Both your own hardware and the cloud will simplify do your daily work. Cloud hosting is ahead of the pack: In contrast to traditional networks, you are flexible and have a larger range of functions. At the push of a button, you get more storage space or more power. You do not pay for a large metal cabinet whose potential you barely use but get the resources you really need. In addition, the scope of cloud hosting includes important features for your system environment.
Compared to normal hosting, cloud solutions can meet the high requirements for high availability, performance, and customizability. With cloud resources, you replace the local server environment with highly available resources, on the basis of which you can operate your IT securely, scalably and with high performance.
Contact Bleuwire™ to learn about cloud services and solutions – how they can help your business.
