Choose Linux or Windows Dedicated Server?

Dedicated server hosting gives you complete control of the server hosting your web site. You choose what runs on the server and how secure it is. Different dedicated server operating systems are available and the main two operating systems used are Linux and Windows.

Linux Dedicated Server Hosting

The free operating system of Linux is installed on these servers, as the name implies. The main configuration setup of software on a cheap linux dedicated server is to use Apache as the web server, in addition to PHP and mySQL. With these servers, you will be given root access for control of aspects including php setup configuration, operating system patches and apache add on settings. Since Linux is a free operating system, there is no overhead cost for licensing and this results in the Linux Dedicated Servers being a cheaper option.

Windows Dedicated Servers

Windows servers are normally running a version of the Windows Server operating system. You will normally see the newest version of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 running on these servers. Unlike the Linux server, these are typically running IIS as the web server and SQL server for the database side. The option to run Apache on the dedicated web server is available on Windows by running a WAMP (Windows, Apache, mySql, PHP) configuration setup. On average most servers running Windows do have a higher monthly cost due to the licensing fees the service provider needs to pay for the operating system.

The owner of the server will ultimately need to decide if they would like Linux or Window on their dedicated server, as it depends on their server needs. Different requirements will lead to different server selection. Those looking for a cheap dedicated server solution will want to purchase the cheaper Linux servers. Anyone running open source PHP applications will almost always want to select a Linux server as their first option. If you plan to develop using Microsoft .Net, you will need to select a Windows Server, and you will typically get SQL server database with it. The choice ultimately depends on what you will be running on the server.

You will need to decide if you want a managed or unmanaged dedicated server after selecting a server operating system. Managed indicates the provider will do OS patch upgrades and installations, while unmanaged means everything except the power on the server going down is your responsibility.

Domain Name Registration Essentials

When it comes to building a business in the online world, branding questions will arise and the main method to branding online is through internet domain name registration. This provides you with a brandable name online that people can remember to get to your web site. The most famous one that everyone probably knows is google.com. As you look to buy your domain name, you should inform yourself about three things within the process.

Domain Name Spelling

Making sure your domain name is spelled correctly ensures you are paying for something that you want and avoids frustration. Many times people do it quickly and overlook checking this simple fact. Then their web designer will go to set up the domain for the hosting and the web person realizes that the domain they think they own is not actually theirs. Most registrars do allow a short window where a domain name can be returned to the provider, so noticing this early is crucial.

Multiple TLD Registration

With domain names, there are multiple top level domains (TLD for short). The .com domain name extensions is the most common extension every average person knows about and this is what they are after. The .net or .org domains are hardly registered as well as country code specific domains such as .ca and .us. Company branding and branding all variations of your domain name is the reason you want to register multiple top level domains. If anyone forgets your website and by mistake puts a different domain name extension, it will still redirect to your site (if you set it up properly). Going with multiple tlds will also make sure others are not using your name for gain, such as cybersquatters.

Enter in Valid Contact Information

ICANN regulates domain names and requires you to enter in valid information when you buy a domain name. If you do not, you are at risk of losing your domain name. Let’s face it, no one wants to lose their domain name over an administrative error, especially as the domain brands their company online. Their really is no reason that you should be entering incorrect information anyways.

If you follow these beginner concepts when registering your cheap domain names and you will have a great start to your online business branding.

Web Hosting defined for beginners

Welcome to the web world – domain names, web hosting, dedicated servers, dedicated IP address, ssl certificates. Confused yet? If you are new to this you probably are. What are the main ingredients a web site absolutely needs to be up and running. Two items exist that are essential for any web site to be up and running – a domain name and web hosting. Your name would be something like google.com and your files would be hosted online for people to see.

The domain name is easier to understand, as every day you are typing in domain names. What about the web hosting side of things? When you buy web hosting, what are you actually purchasing? Let’s explain. Web Hosting is like a container for your web files. Files for your web site could be code or multimedia files, such as HTML, CSS or Flash. Your web site requires a web hosting server, that is essentially a computer configured to show your web pages. Basically a web hosting package is a service provided by a Company that will make your web site live so people all around the world can view it at any time.

Now that we have defined web hosting, when you look to purchase web hosting what do all these features mean? For starting sites, two main features will be of interest – disk space and bandwidth. The former translates to the size of files you can store on the web hosting server. Bandwidth means how much data your server is allowed to transfer to your web site visitors in a given time. When your web site grows and needs more advanced features like a Content Management System, your next steps are to check into features for language support and database support. The programming language the site was coded in will help you choose the language support required, while the storage container for your web data is placed in a database.

To summarize, web site hosting is a web server that displays your code and visual files to users of your site. Depending on the nature of your site, you will then need to consider package features such as disk space, bandwidth, language support and database support.

Introduction to Basic Web hosting

Welcome to the web world – domain names, web hosting, dedicated servers, dedicated IP address, ssl certificates. These words may be quite confusing to you if you are new to getting a website running. What do you need and what are the extras they are trying to sell you on. Two items exist that are essential for any web site to be up and running –domain name registration and web hosting. Basically your name like “myspace.com” and a place to keep your files that your visitor will see.

The domain name is easier to understand, as every day you are typing in domain names. What about the web hosting aspect of it? Well let’s explain what you are doing when you buy website hosting. Web Hosting is like a container for your web files. These files may include Code files (HTML, CSS, PHP, ASP) or Visual Files (Images, Flash, Video). Your site requires a web hosting server, which is basically a computer designed to display your web pages. Basically a web hosting package is a service provided by a Company that allows anybody with access to the internet the ability to view your web site files.

Now that we understand what web hosting actually is, what do all these features mean when I am looking to buy website hosting packages? For beginner sites, you will be mainly looking at two main features – disk space and bandwidth. The former translates to the file size you are allowed to keep on the actual web server. The latter indicates how much data your server can transfer to your web site visitors in a given time. When your web site grows and needs more advanced features like a Content Management System, your next steps are to check into features for language support and database support. The programming language the site was coded in will help you choose the language support required, while the database is essentially where your data is stored.

To summarize, web site hosting is a server that allows visitors of your site to view your web site files. The needs and requirements of your site will then determine what you need to look for in terms of disk space, bandwith, language support and database support.

.CA Domain Name Registration

Domain name registration over a decade ago was a more specialized business with very few offering you the ability to purchase and register your own domain name. Since then, the domain name industry has blossomed and currently their is in existence of hundreds to thousands of service providers offering the chance to pick up and register your own domain name. The most popular Top Level Domain (TLD) extension is the .com extension, and almost everyone will pick that extension up if available.

Do TLD domain name extensions exist that are specific for different countries? Yes they exist and you can purchase everything from .co.uk for United Kingdom (UK) based companies, to even .us domain names for United States companies. For those living in Canada, you also have available your own domain name extension which is the .ca domain. Anyone who wishes to register their site for a canadian audience and to show they are in the canadian market will register a .ca domain extension.

The controlling company for canadian domain names (.ca) is CIRA. This simply stands for the Canadian Internet Registration Authority. Their responsiblity is to oversee activity related to .ca domain name registration and when you decide to register a domain canada, an email will be sent to the administrative contact email indicating the registration process has been completed and you own the domain name.

Do you need to register the domain name through a company that is specifically located in Canada or will any cheap domain name registrar work? The answer to this is that any registrar will work provided that you find on their website that they actually offer ca domain names. Most are offering the capability to register canadian domain names, but their still are companies who do not. Before making the purchase of your domain name, just double check that the price showing on the website is in Canadian Dollars instead of US Dollars. Since the Canadian dollar at the time of this writing, is lower than the US dollar you will be paying more than the posted cost if they are showing it in US dollars.