If you are a business owner trying to upgrade from shared or VPS hosting, there are high chances you have considered dedicated hosting and server colocation as the alternatives. Both dedicated server hosting and colocation offer immense benefits in terms of overall performance, making a choice can, therefore, be difficult. 

In this blog, we will discuss the key differences between the two kinds of hosting solutions and why should you choose one over the other.

What is Dedicated Server Hosting?

Dedicated server hosting is the service where the client leases an entire physical server and its resources from the service provider. The server may be housed in the host’s data center or the client’s premises. Dedicated servers usually involve a setup fee and a range of support levels depending on how much the client is prepared to pay. 

What are the Key Benefits of Dedicated Server Hosting?

Let us look at the major benefits of using dedicated server hosting services for your business.

1) Performance

In cheaper forms of hosting such as shared hosting, you compete with other tenants for server resources. In contrast, in dedicated hosting services, your website and applications exclusively use the disk space and bandwidth of the physical server. 

As a result, the performance of your website is not bogged down by other websites hogging resources on your server. So, your website delivers superior performance and speed. And because webpage loading speed is a crucial factor in deciding the Google ranking of your website, a dedicated server also helps your website rank higher in Google search results.

2) Security

In dedicated server hosting, you do not share resources with other clients; your data and applications reside outside a public cloud. This safeguards your website from malware and potential spammers. Dedicated server hosting in India is particularly beneficial for your organization if it deals with critical and sensitive data.

3) Control and Customization

Dedicated server hosting in India allows you to have a great deal of control over your server hardware and software. You can tweak your server specifications (such as RAM, disk space and bandwidth) to meet your specific needs. You can decide which application, script and program to run on the server. You can monitor your resource consumption and identify issues that may impact the functioning of your website.

4) Unique IP Address

With dedicated server hosting in India, you get a unique IP address for your website. As a result, your website remains immune to issues that hamper the functioning of other websites.

Are there any Drawbacks of Dedicated Server Hosting?

Of course, there are. The key drawbacks include:

1) Cost

A dedicated server may offer top-notch performance and speed in addition to robust security features but these services involve a cost. Because there are no websites to share the cost of the physical server, dedicated hosting services are among the most expensive hosting solutions available in the marketplace. In addition to the basic charges of using the physical server, there are additional charges for hardware upgrades and software installation. Choosing a dedicated server, therefore, needs careful deliberation.

2) Server Management Issues

A dedicated server can be difficult to handle if you lack the required technical know-how in server management. You need technical knowledge for installing and maintaining the server and implementing additional tasks under your control. 

Now that we have discussed dedicated server hosting, let us take a look at the alternative hosting solution .i.e. server colocation.

What is Server Colocation?

Server colocation is the practice of renting space in a third-party-owned data center to house servers and other related hardware. In colocation, the client provides the server whereas the host provides everything else-space for housing servers, internet bandwidth, power supply, cooling systems and robust security system, all needed for uninterrupted running of servers. In other words, the host offers an ideal environment for server management. In colocation, the client maintains complete control over the server hardware and software. 

What are the Benefits of Server Colocation?

1) Constant Monitoring of Equipment

In server colocation, a team of dedicated professionals monitors your hardware round-the-clock, all 365 days a year. So, all tasks related to maintenance, update or repair can be performed well in time. This allows your servers to function optimally and websites to run without interruption.

2) Security and Compliance

Colocation facilities offer the complete spectrum of security features to avert any unsolicited intrusion. Colocation centers have a multi-tier security system that includes biometric scanners, high-definition CCTV cameras, monitored alarms, fire extinguishers in addition to armed personnel at all entry and exit points. Besides, only authorized staff gets access to the server racks. As far as cybersecurity is concerned, there are robust firewalls and automated back-up mechanism to keep the data secure. 

Colocation centers maintain a professionally-managed environment that allows organizations to stay compliant with the regulations that apply to their area of operation. For example, healthcare organizations that need to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) can choose a colocation center that holds the requisite certifications.

3) High Availability

Colocation data centers offer access to a range of amenities that keep servers up and running at all times. Most of the colocation centers have uninterrupted power supply owing to the availability of back-up generators and reserve fuel. In addition to surplus power, redundant internet connection keeps the servers running if the existing high-speed network fails. 

A central air-conditioning system maintains the temperature of servers and prevents it from reaching dangerous levels. In addition to this, there is a team of technical experts available on the premises all the time to ensure no glitches hamper the running of your websites. 

4) Ease of Scaling

Colocation services may it easy for you to scale if there is a spike in demand. You can ask for more disc space, more CPUs and higher network speed if your applications need them. You can also switch to a more powerful server that can handle the increase in workload. 

5) Shared Cost of Amenities

Colocation facilities have hundreds of servers housed within the same premises. Organizations that choose to co-locate their servers enjoy the benefit of economies of scale as they share the expenses with other clients. 

Are there any Drawbacks of Server Colocation?

1) High Upfront Expenditure

Server colocation requires you to purchase your own hardware before you place it in a facility. As a result, colocation is a viable alternative only for those who are prepared to spend so much.

2) Server Maintenance 

In colocation, you own the equipment, so if there is a need to update or replace the servers, you need to travel to the colocation site to get it done. If the facility is far from your office, it can cost you considerable time and money. Plus, it can take your business offline for some time even when done quickly. 

Choosing between Dedicated Server Hosting and Server Colocation 

In dedicated server hosting, the host owns the server and not you. So, if a component stops working, you just need to raise a ticket and the host will fix it at their expense. Dedicated hosting services are optimum for businesses that seek high performance, speed and control but don’t want to purchase new hardware. A dedicated server may have lower upfront expenditure but higher monthly costs when compared to colocation. 

In server colocation, on the other hand, you own the servers, so if you need to repair, upgrade or add servers, you will need to send a technician to the colocation facility or pay a fee to your hosting providers in India to get it done. On the flip side, you enjoy near-complete control over your servers. 

Colocation is thus an optimum solution for businesses that have the capital to spend on IT hardware and seek advanced technology and control over their servers. Some colocation hosting providers in India offer hardware financing options, try to find one if possible. 

If you have questions on dedicated server hosting or server colocation, let us know. We will be glad to answer your queries.