| By :
Dirik Hameed
Understanding how dedicated server architecture works will help in making the right decisions for the best types of systems for both internal and web applications. Most web hosts offer dedicated server hosting for websites, but many people are not aware that many companies use this same type of setup to manage critical systems within a company. Shared and dedicated server hosting systems often use the same type of hardware. The difference is in how they are used. The shared system often has multiple programs or customers using the same hardware. The stand-alone system is specifically set aside for one program or customer to use. Many wonder how the stand-alone system fits into the network environment. For example, when an email server is not on a shared system, the user may wonder how the traffic knows to go to that particular box. Every computer attached to a network as its own IP address. The router is aware of what IP address are mapped for specific purposes. Using a web domain as an example, the domain is equal to an Internet IP address. Traffic to this domain is routed to the specific box associated to the IP address. In a shared environment, there may be many domains on the same IP address. In this case, the server then routes the traffic to the reserved space on the hard drive. The stand-alone system does not have the last layer of routing needed. Many companies use these systems for email or financial systems. Because these types of systems are usually highly critical to daily operation, having them on a separate system frees them to avoid crashes from other applications and to use the entire processor for the individual purpose. Sharing many applications on a single box can slow each application due to sharing. If one application crashes, it can take several systems down at the same time. Web hosting is the most well known environment for these systems. Companies that have a high volume of traffic or very critical web services often will lease a single box for their own website. This prevents other websites from sharing the IP address and processor with the critical systems. There are many advantages to having a separate system. In many cases, shared servers can have an IP blacklisted because of spam from a single customer. When this happens, all the customers on the shared box are negatively affected. Anyone sharing the same IP address may be automatically blacklisted without participating in the questionable activity. If one customer has a rogue application running that takes up an enormous amount of processor speed, the box may have to be stopped. This will take down several customer websites because of a single bad program. The cost of employing dedicated servers is minimal when compared to the risks of sharing systems. The actual price is usually higher because the hardware cost cannot be spread out to other customers. The reward is knowing that no one else can have a negative impact on your own website or systems. In many cases, the host provides additional access to the box that is not available in shared environments. This gives your team more control and options that others may not enjoy. Dedicated servers provide a better environment for critical business systems. When compared to shared systems, the architecture of the dedicated system provides you better response and control. Having this stronger environment available can ensure that both your employees and customers are much happier with continually running systems.
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