What Is Dedicated Server Hosting?

Dedicated server hosting is a configuration in which a service provider leases an entire server to a single organization. This means the client has exclusive access to all the hardware resources available on that machine. In this type of server environment, you do not share computing power, memory usage, or disk space with other users. The physical server resides in our data center, which provides the necessary power, cooling, and network infrastructure to keep the machine fully operational around the clock.

This hosting solution is the opposite of shared hosting. In a shared server, many different user accounts reside on the same physical hardware resources. When one user experiences high-traffic, it can consume the same resources needed by others, leading to inconsistent performance.

With a dedicated hosting service, your online business has all the resources of the entire server. This leads to higher stability and faster processing speeds for resource-intensive applications.

Dedicated Server Hardware

When you rent a dedicated server, you are paying for the physical hardware resources themselves. This includes the processors, storage drives, and RAM. Unlike virtualized infrastructure, where a single physical machine is split into multiple virtual units, a dedicated server gives you direct access to the metal.

The server is not shared; you have complete control over the server configurations. You can choose the specific hardware that matches your workload, such as high-core-count CPUs for heavy data processing or large amounts of memory for database management. The server’s CPU is never impacted by the processes of other users, ensuring that your applications have consistent access to the power they need.

Essential Features Of Dedicated Hosting

To maximize the utility of a dedicated environment, certain features are necessary for enterprise operations.

These include:

  • High-Speed SSD and NVMe Storage: Modern servers utilize Solid State Drives rather than traditional spinning disks to provide rapid data access and high IOPS.
  • Large RAM Capacities: Large-scale applications require significant memory to handle concurrent user requests and database caching without slowing down.
  • IPMI and KVM over IP: These tools allow for out-of-band management, giving you the ability to access the server at the BIOS level even if the operating system is unresponsive.
  • RAID Configurations: Implementing RAID 1, 5, or 10 ensures that your data remains available even if a physical drive fails.
  • Redundant Power and Network: Reliable providers ensure the server is connected to multiple power grids and network backbones.
  • Dedicated IP Addresses: This ensures your reputation is not affected by other users and is required for certain SSL and security protocols.
  • DDoS Protection: High-level mitigation helps prevent malicious traffic from reaching your hardware.
  • Choice of Operating System: You have the freedom to select specific versions of Windows Server or various Linux distributions.
  • Physical Security: The data center environment provides biometric access and surveillance that on-premise solutions often lack.

Dedicated Hosting vs Shared Hosting vs Cloud Hosting

Understanding which hosting solution fits your needs requires comparing the three primary models. Your choice depends on your budget, technical expertise, and performance requirements.

Shared hosting is the entry-level option. It is cost-effective because the operating costs are split among hundreds of users. However, because you share the same resources, you lack complete control and may suffer from performance dips if a “noisy neighbor” consumes too much bandwidth or CPU. You should choose shared hosting only if you are running a low-traffic personal blog or a small static website.

Cloud hosting and virtualized infrastructure offer more flexibility than shared hosting. They use a hypervisor to split a physical server into several virtual private servers (VPS). This allows for easy scaling, but there is still a layer of software between your application and the hardware. You should choose cloud hosting if your traffic fluctuates and you need to scale resources up or down on demand.

Dedicated server hosting is the highest tier. It removes the hypervisor layer, providing the most computing power possible. You should choose dedicated hosting if your online business runs resource intensive applications, processes sensitive data requiring enhanced security, or handles high traffic volumes that a virtual environment cannot sustain.

Virtualized Infrastructure vs Physical Hardware

While virtualized infrastructure such as cloud hosting offers flexibility, it cannot always match the raw power of physical hardware. In a virtual environment, a layer of software called a hypervisor manages the resources, which can introduce a small amount of latency. A dedicated server removes this layer, allowing the software to communicate directly with the hardware.

This direct access is why dedicated servers are preferred for high-performance tasks. There is no risk of other users on the same host machine affecting your disk I/O or network speeds. For resource-intensive applications, the consistent performance of a physical server is often the most reliable choice.

How Dedicated Servers Work

The server acts as a remote computer that is always connected to the internet. When a user visits your website, their browser sends a request to your server’s IP address. Because it is a dedicated machine, all the resources of that server are available to process that single request.

The server’s CPU executes the code, the memory usage handles the active data, and the disk space provides the stored files. Because there are no other users on the machine, the processing happens as quickly as the hardware allows. This results in the high performance that users expect from modern web applications..

Dedicated Hosting Service Features

A professional dedicated hosting service goes beyond providing a machine. It includes the environment and support needed to keep that machine running at its peak.

  • Network Reliability: Includes high-speed network connections and redundant power supplies.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Within our data center, your server is monitored to ensure it remains reachable.
  • Dedicated IP Addresses: These are unique to your server and are not shared with other customers.

This is beneficial for email reputation and is a requirement for certain types of TLS certificates and specialized networking tasks. Having your own IP addresses ensures that your traffic is isolated and easily identifiable on the network.

Complete Control and Root Access

When you own the environment, you have root access or administrative privileges throughout. This level of access allows you to install software that might be prohibited on a shared platform. You can change server settings at the kernel level if necessary to optimize performance for a specific application.

With complete control, you can choose the exact operating system that your team prefers, whether it is a specific distribution of Linux or a version of Windows Server. You can also implement custom security configurations that meet the specific compliance requirements of your industry.

This autonomy is essential for developers who need to build and deploy complex software stacks that require specific environment variables or libraries.

Unmanaged Hosting Services and Root Access

Unmanaged hosting services are a cost-effective choice for those with significant technical expertise. In this model, the service provider is only responsible for the physical hardware and the network connection. You are responsible for the server setup, including the operating system installation and all software configurations.

With root access, you have the highest level of permission on the server. You can install software, change server settings, and manage all user accounts. However, this also means you are responsible for security configurations and backup solutions. If something goes wrong with the software, you must have the technical knowledge to fix it. This is a common choice for developers and IT departments that want total independence.

Fully Managed Dedicated Hosting

Many businesses prefer to focus on their core competencies rather than server management. Managed services are essential for these organizations. In a fully managed environment, the hosting provider manages the technical details of the server.

  • Initial Setup: Includes the initial server setup and configuration.
  • Ongoing Maintenance: Ongoing server monitoring and software updates.
  • Security Patching: Our support team handles security patches and operating system updates.

Fully managed dedicated servers are ideal for companies that do not have a dedicated system administrator on staff. This managed hosting service ensures that the server remains secure and optimized without requiring the client to have specialized technical knowledge.

Enhanced Security and HIPAA-Compliant Options

Security is a primary concern for any online business. Enhanced security is one of the biggest advantages of dedicated hosting. Because you are the only user on the physical hardware, the risk of a “neighbor” on the same server causing a security breach is eliminated.

With a dedicated machine, you can implement your own security patches and software updates as soon as they are released. You can also install advanced firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for threats.

This level of data protection is necessary for companies that handle sensitive customer information or financial records. For healthcare organizations, we provide HIPAA-compliant hosting environments that meet all regulatory standards for protecting ePHI (electronic Protected Health Information).

Other Considerations for Dedicated Hosting

Technical Requirements and Server Hardware

The server’s CPU is the brain of the machine. More cores and higher clock speeds allow the server to process more data simultaneously. Memory usage, or RAM, is where the server stores data for immediate access. Large databases, like those using Microsoft SQL Server, require significant RAM to maintain high performance.

Disk space is also a consideration. You can choose between traditional hard drives for high-capacity storage or NVMe SSDs for high-speed data access. RAID configurations can be used to protect your data; for example, RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, so if one fails, the server continues to run. These technical requirements should be based on the specific needs of your applications.

Data Center Infrastructure

The data center is the physical location where your server is housed. A hosting provider’s data center is designed for maximum uptime.

  • Redundant Cooling: Features redundant cooling systems to maintain the ideal temperature for server hardware.
  • Backup Power: Includes backup power systems, such as large battery arrays and diesel generators, to ensure the server remains online during power grid failures.
  • Physical Security: Access is restricted to authorized personnel and is monitored by surveillance cameras and biometric locks.

This level of data protection is superior to what most businesses can provide in an on-site office closet. By placing your server in a professional data center, you benefit from industrial-grade infrastructure.

High-Performance Use Cases

Dedicated server hosting is often used for specific high-performance tasks. For instance, a dedicated gaming server requires low latency and high-speed processing to handle the real-time interactions of hundreds of players. When hosting multiplayer online games, the server must be able to process game logic and player data without delay.

The dedicated server hosting model ensures that all the server resources are focused on the game. This prevents the lag and downtime that may occur on a shared server. Beyond gaming, this type of hosting is used for large-scale e-commerce, media streaming, and big data analytics.

Any application that requires high performance and the ability to handle large volumes of simultaneous users will benefit from a dedicated environment.

Advantages for Online Businesses

High-traffic websites require the robust performance that only a dedicated machine can provide. When a site loads quickly and reliably, it improves the user experience and can lead to higher conversion rates. Search engines also favor fast-loading sites, which can improve your rankings.

The ability to customize the server environment is also an advantage. You can install software specifically designed for your business processes. Whether you are running a custom CRM, a large e-commerce platform, or an internal data processing tool, dedicated hosting provides the computing power to handle the workload without compromise.

Server Monitoring and Maintenance

Effective server management requires continuous server monitoring. This involves tracking the server’s CPU usage, memory usage, and disk space to ensure there are no bottlenecks.

  • Proactive Alerts: Monitoring helps in identifying potential hardware failures or security threats.
  • Hardware Maintenance: Over time, components like fans and power supplies can wear out. As your provider, we handle the replacement of these parts.

This ensures that your physical hardware resources are always in top condition, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime.

Software Licenses and Operating Systems

When setting up a dedicated server, you must consider the software licenses needed for your environment. If you choose a Windows Server, you will need a license from Microsoft. If you are running a database, you may need a license for Microsoft SQL Server. We can often help you acquire these licenses as part of your hosting package.

The choice of operating system will dictate how you interact with the server. Linux distributions are popular for web servers due to their stability and low cost. Windows Server is often chosen for businesses that rely on Microsoft technologies. Regardless of the choice, having an entire server means you can optimize the operating system specifically for your applications.

Data Protection and Backup Solutions

With a dedicated server, you have the ability to implement thorough backup solutions. You can back up your data to a second drive on the same server or to an external storage device in the same data center. Some businesses choose to back up their data to a completely different geographic location for maximum safety.

Because you have all the resources of the server, running a backup process does not slow down your website for other users. This allows you to perform frequent backups, ensuring that you can quickly recover in the event of a software failure or a data corruption issue.

Server Setup and Configurations

Proper server configurations ensure that the server is both fast and secure. This includes:

  • Firewall Setup: Establishing robust barriers against unauthorized access.
  • Software Optimization: Tuning the web server software for maximum speed.
  • Database Configuration: Aligning database settings with your specific application needs.

For an unmanaged server, this requires a person with high technical expertise. For a managed hosting service, we handle this for you based on your requirements.

How to Pick the Right Hosting Solution

Choosing the right hosting solution involves balancing cost, performance, and management needs. If you are running high-traffic websites or resource-intensive applications, dedicated server hosting is the most effective choice. It provides the exclusive access and robust performance needed to handle modern web demands.

We can help you determine the best path forward. Whether you need the complete control of an unmanaged machine or the convenience of fully managed dedicated hosting, the move to a dedicated environment is a significant step in the growth of your online business.

Choosing a Dedicated Server Provider

As your partner, we offer 24/7 technical support and a network uptime guarantee. Our team possesses extensive knowledge of server hardware and can provide advice on the best server configurations for your needs.

When evaluating a dedicated server provider, consider the location and quality of their data center. The facility should have enterprise-grade physical security and multiple internet service provider connections.

At Atlantic.Net, we offer both unmanaged hosting services and managed hosting services to cater to different levels of technical expertise.

Dedicated Server Hosting Summary

Dedicated server hosting offers a level of performance and security that other hosting models cannot match. By renting a physical server, you gain exclusive access to all the hardware resources, ensuring consistent performance for your users. The ability to customize every aspect of the server environment, from the operating system to the security configurations, provides the flexibility that modern businesses require.

With the support of Atlantic.Net and our high-quality data centers, your server becomes a powerful tool for your online business. Whether you are hosting multiplayer online games or managing sensitive enterprise data, dedicated hosting provides the computing power and data protection you need to succeed.

See Additional Guides on Key IaaS Topics

Together with our content partners, we have authored in-depth guides on several other topics that can also be useful as you explore the world of IaaS.

Load Balancer

Authored by Radware

Cloud Cost Management

Authored by Finout

What is Cloud Hosting

Authored by Atlantic.Net