WEB HOSTINGModule 1: Web Hosting

INTRODUCTIONWhen you order a hosting account you get access to a special type of computer called a server. This server lets you upload files to display on your site and lets other people access your site via your domain name.

Hosting accounts come in different sizes, which determines how many files and media you can have on your site and how many people can visit the site each month.  These measurements are called disk space and bandwidth.

In this module, we will cover all of the topics mentioned above in detail.

MODULE OBJECTVIESUpon completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Define a Server• Describe the characteristics of a

server in terms of Disk Space, Bandwidth and RAM

• Differentiate different types of servers including:o Sharedo VPSo Dedicatedo Cloud

• Apply your knowledge to compare and contrast hosting plans.

WHAT IS A SERVER?A server is a computer program that provides services to other computer programs (and their users).

The computer that a server program runs in is also frequently referred to as a server. That machine may be a dedicated (only used as a server) or used for other purposes as well.

WEB SERVERS

Web servers are computers that are usually set up in facilities called Data Centers, they are operated by hosting companies.

These computers store websites, and anybody with the corresponding address can access them online. Every Web server has an IP address and possibly a domain name. We will learn more about this further in the lesson.

Any computer can be turned into a Web server by installing server software and connecting it to the Internet. There are many Web server software applications, including public domain software and commercial packages.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Which of the following statements are true about servers?

Only some computers can be turned into web servers, it depends on their hardware characteristics.

Web servers are computers that are usually set up in facilities called Data Centers

A server is a computer that provides services to other computers.

Which of the following statements are true about servers?

Only some computers can be turned into web servers, it depends on their hardware characteristics.

Web servers are computers that are usually set up in facilities called Data Centers

A server is a computer that provides services to other computers.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Any computer can be turned into a Web server by installing server software and connecting it to the

Internet.

DEFINTIONS

BANDWIDTH

RAM

The storage space or disk space, refers to the amount of space on a server that is allocated to website owners by the web hosting companies.

Having an idea of the disk space that you need to host a website or any other service will help you choose the right web hosting plan configuration.

The space you need to launch a site is not used only for accommodating files visible to the visitor's eye. It also refers to storing files and programs that lie in the background, but are responsible for supporting its interactivity, dynamic content, statistics and e-mail communication.

DISK SPACE

Web space is generally measured in bytes: Kilobytes (1,000 bytes), Megabytes

(1,000 kilobytes) and Gigabytes (1,000 megabytes).

DEFINTIONS

DISK SPACE

RAM

The bandwidth of a website is the actual amount of data transferred through the website at one time.

If you have less bandwidth, this may slow down the speed of your website. There is a particular amount of data which has to be transferred through the website that has to be calculated wisely; otherwise you may end up making your website unavailable for the visitors.

If you’re launching a new site, calculating your bandwidth is something of a shot in the dark. The best approach is to keep careful track of your site’s activity for the first few months after it goes live so you can determine your monthly usage, and adjust your account accordingly.

BANDWIDTH

Calculating your estimated bandwidth is easy:Estimate the average page size of your site, in kilobytes (KB). Multiply this value by the monthly average number of visitors.Multiply the result by the average number of pageviews per visitor.

DEFINTIONS

DISK SPACE

BANDWIDTH

RAM (random access memory) is the place in a computing device where the operating system (OS), application programs and data in current use are kept so they can be quickly reached by the device's processor. RAM is much faster to read from and write to than other kinds of storage in a computer. Data remains in RAM as long as the computer is running. When the computer is turned off, RAM loses its data. When the computer is turned on again, the OS and other files are once again loaded into RAM.

More RAM memory generally means your server is better in handling demanding applications. A small part of the available memory is used by the operating system and its applications. The biggest chunk of memory however is reserved for all the applications and its users.

RAM

You can compare RAM to a person's short-term memory and a hard disk to long-term memory. Short-term memory focuses on the work at hand, but can only keep so many facts in view

at one time.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

True or False:Disk Space is the place in a computing device where the operating system (OS), application programs and data in current use are kept so they can be quickly reached by the device's processor.

True

False

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

True or False:Disk Space is the place in a computing device where the operating system (OS), application programs and data in current use are kept so they can be quickly reached by the device's processor.

True

False

False! RAM is the place where data in

current use is kept for quick access.

HOSTING OPTIONS

CLOUD

VIRTUAL

SHARED

DEDICATED

There four main hosting options: Shared, Dedicated, VPS and Cloud hosting.

Each of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Not only does it depend on what you need the hosting for, it also depends on your budget.

As you can imagine, shared hosting is quite a bit cheaper than dedicated hosting, so it’s up to you!

Let’s analyze each of them in detail.

HOSTING OPTIONS

CLOUD

VIRTUAL

SHARED

DEDICATED

This is the most popular hosting plan. Shared hosting means you will share resources like CPU, time, memory

and space with other websites on the same server.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Affordable • Easy to use and set up

• No control over performance• Useful for small websites

HOSTING OPTIONS

CLOUD

VIRTUAL

SHARED

DEDICATED

With a normal hosting, a machine gives you the resources. With cloud hosting, there's NO machine. You hardware is virtual. It is very advanced and can be cost efficient.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Scalable and efficient. • Pay only for what you use.

• Requires advanced IT knowledge.

• Potentially insecure.

HOSTING OPTIONS

CLOUD

VIRTUAL

SHARED

DEDICATED

Similar to shared hosting, but you are responsible for performance and maintenance. It is not very popular and prices may vary.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES• More powerful than shared

hosting. • Other websites will not affect

your own.

• Private space is more expensive.

• Required more IT knowledge.

HOSTING OPTIONS

CLOUD

VIRTUAL

SHARED

DEDICATED

Dedicated hosting is basically owning your own server. All resources belong to you, you don't share time and memory. You have the only account access.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Full control. • Best performance and

availability.

• More expensive. • Extensive IT knowledge is

required.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Which hosting would you recommend a company that wants to pay only for what they use?

Virtual

Cloud

Shared

Dedicated

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Cloud hosting allows you to pay only for what you use.

Which hosting would you recommend a company that wants to pay only for what they use?

Virtual

Cloud

Shared

Dedicated

PRACTICE TASK

Take some time to research and complete this task.

1. Make a list of 10 different hosting companies of your choice (you may want to include Web Hosting for Students for comparison).

2. Look at the different types of hosting they offer (Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Cloud). Compare the plans for each type of hosting

3. How would you rate the different providers?

CASE STUDY

Recommend the web hosting provider you would choose for each of the case scenarios on the right.

Justify your answer. A media site that gets millions of hits per day.

A large business site.

A small personal site,

Recommended hosting:

Recommended hosting:

Recommended hosting:

CONGRATULATIONS! You should now be able to:

• Define a Server• Describe the characteristics of a

server in terms of Disk Space, Bandwidth and RAM

• Differentiate different types of servers including:o Sharedo VPSo Dedicatedo Cloud

• Apply your knowledge to compare and contrast hosting plans.