When it comes to web hosting, it doesn’t get any better than a powerful dedicated server. Dedicated hosting gives customers access to the raw power of an entire server, without the limitations that affect shared and VPS hosting solutions.

Modern dedicated servers are powerful machines that combine abundant physical resources with cutting-edge software technologies. Additionally, modern dedicated servers are finely tuned to maximize the potential of the hosting infrastructure. Dedicated hosting solutions span a wide range of specifications and budgets, with substantial differences between the two ends of the scale. You can get a reasonably capable machine that is well suited for smaller websites for less than $100. On the other hand, a fully-optioned dedicated web hosting service can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month. That’s the equivalent of purchasing a new laptop every month.

Most dedicated server web hosting service providers will let you customize your dedicated server. With so many options available and an equally diverse price range, it’s important to know how to select the components of a custom dedicated server in order to maximize performance and keep expenses in check. The following article will guide you through the three main stages of server customization and explain how to personalize your dedicated hosting solution. You will also learn how to keep costs in check by eliminating expenses that are not absolutely necessary.

Step one – choose the hardware of the dedicated server

It all starts with the physical infrastructure that will host your online properties. Arguably the most important part of the customization process, the initial component selection will determine how your dedicated server will perform during day to day operations.

Chassis and CPU

Most dedicated hosting solutions providers offer a limited range of server chassis that act as the foundation of the server, providing the electrical feed and a cooling system. Chassis are frequently overlooked when building custom dedicated servers, but a good chassis, with optimized heat exhaust design and hot-swappable power supplies, is crucial for the well-functioning of the server. Look for a dedicated server hosting provider that uses equipment from recognized manufacturers, such as Supermicro, Rackmount, or Cisco.

The next aspect to consider is the central processing unit (CPU), the heart of any dedicated server. The speed, cache, and other characteristics of the CPU have a direct influence on the functioning of your website. Beefier CPUs provide consistently high page load speeds, even during traffic spikes. At the very least, your dedicated server web hosting solution should boast a dual-core processor. Anything less than dual-core is not worth it, unless you have modest performance requirements. But if that’s the case, you probably don’t actually need a dedicated web hosting solution.

Avoid providers that sell desktop-grade processors as server processors, even if at first sight, the clock speeds are similar. Opt for a server-grade 64-bit processor with multiple cores and high on-chip cache. The processor is a major cost source, so try to strike a balance between your current and future requirements and the price of the solution. If your website receives only a few hundred visitors per day, you don’t really need a pricey dual quad-core machine.

RAM and Hard-Disk

The information processed by the CPU is stored temporarily in the random access memory (RAM) modules. With RAM, more is better, but the quality of the RAM module is a major factor that you should consider. Even the slightest defect in the construction of the module can cause errors and downtime, so make sure you choose a dedicated hosting provider that offers quality components from recognized brand names.

For small websites and web applications, 1GB of RAM may suffice, but the cost of memory modules is quite low, so it’s recommended to upgrade your dedicated server to at least 2 or 4GB of RAM. Generally speaking, about 4GB of RAM should be enough for most applications. For special requirements, you can install much more RAM, but expect a price tag to match the performance.

The hard disk drive (HDD) plays a smaller role in the functioning of a dedicated web server, but you should nevertheless choose an HDD that offers high data transfer speeds. Most server-grade HDDs spin at 10,000 RPM, and the higher-end ones at 15,000. The higher the rotation speed, the faster the hard disk will find and retrieve data, and the faster your applications will load.

If you plan to use several hard disks, you will need a RAID controller, either software-based or a physical RAID controller card. Depending on the number of drives you need to connect, the interface, and whether you need a BBU (battery backup unit), a multiple disk setup can set you back $80-$100, without the HDDs.

Step two – operating system and control panel

The software side of building a dedicated server is just as important as the physical infrastructure. The operating system and the administration software installed on your dedicated server web hosting service determine how well you will be able to configure and optimize your server. Additionally, the hosting environment determines what types of applications you will be able to run on your dedicated server.

Operating system

Most dedicated web hosting providers offers a limited range of operating systems with their pre-built servers, but allow customers to choose their own OS on custom machines.

Linux is the most popular operating system for dedicated servers, thanks to its wealth of features and affordability. There are many flavors of Linux available, so make sure you check with your provider on which distributions are supported. CentOS is one of the most widely-used Linux distributions, with Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora following closely.

Linux is a great choice if you are looking for a secure, reliable operating system that is affordable at the same time. One limitation of Linux is the lack of support for Microsoft web development technologies. If you need to run a website built with the .NET Framework or ASP.NET, you have to install Windows Server on your dedicated server.

Quality dedicated hosting solutions include Windows Server 2008 R2, the latest version of the server OS from Microsoft. Windows Server 2008 is available in several editions – Web, Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter. For websites or small applications without extensive database requirements, Web Server is the ideal solution, as it provides a solid hosting environment at an affordable price. For advanced uses, such as enterprise scenarios, it’s recommended to opt for one of the other editions.

Control panel

Control panels are applications that simplify the task of administering and configuring web servers. cPanel, Parallels Plesk, or Interworx, are examples of popular control panels. Generally, it’s recommended to choose a feature-rich administration tool even if it will increase the cost of the solution, especially for Linux and Unix-based operating systems that do not supply a graphical interface.

With control panels, it’s easy to manage your dedicated server solution, including domain configuration, IPs, database management, email accounts, or scripts installation.

Step three – management and other services

A quality dedicated hosting provider will give you more than a box in a data center.

You can opt for a fully managed service, meaning that the provider’s technical team will handle every aspect of the dedicated server administration. Among others, common tasks included in managed services packages are system patching, security hardening, application configuration, and third-party software installation.

If you don’t need a full package, you can also go for the cheaper semi-managed option that only includes basic managed services and limited administration time per month. The third option is to manage the dedicated server yourself, which gives you more control and flexibility over the web server, and of course is completely free.

Other services that you might consider when choosing a dedicated server are regular backup services, additional IPs, domain services, and improved bandwidth.

Certified Hosting delivers the best experience in dedicated hosting

Certified Hosting is committed to providing the best possible dedicated hosting to all customers. From private users to hot startups and the most established businesses, every client at Certified Hosting receives full attention, the best brand-name equipment, and excellent managed services.

Whether you are looking for a fully-managed dedicated hosting plan or just a simple dedicated server without many bells and whistles, you will definitely find it at Certified Hosting. We offer dedicated server hosting solutions in various configurations, pre-built or custom, as well as quality services, including semi-managed and fully-managed solutions, for your complete peace of mind.

Visit us at certifiedhosting.com or call 1-909-498-4415 to learn more about our dedicated server solutions or to order a quality dedicated hosting plan.