What is a dedicated server?

Author: arunarawat | Posted: 05.01.2012



A dedicated means of hosting or simply stating, a dedicated server is one means of managed hosting service in the internet, wherein an entire server is leased to a separate client without anyone else being involved. This system is more ideal and easy to maintain than a shared system, where the client has complete control over the system unlike a shared server including the choice and mode of operating system, hardware, etc. Administration of the servers is usually performed by the hosting organization as a part of the services offered. In most cases, dedicated servers although expensive are easy to maintain and thus cost less on the total amount invested on maintenance and thus increase the ROI. They are mostly located in dedicated server houses similar to a colocation house, and thus provide constant power and HVAC systems as well. Nevertheless, unlike the colocation, the hardware of the server is entirely owned by the user and in a few instances, the applications that are required to run the dedicated server are provided by the host as well.

The extent to which an individual can operate a dedicated server to a great extent depends on the familiarity of the user with the server and the operating system that is involved. Mostly LINUX and UNIX (open source operating systems) are offered at the server end with no charges that are involved to the customer. However, there are different types of commercial operating systems such as the Microsoft Windows Server that is developed by means of a unique program referred to as the Microsoft SPLA. Another commercial version of LINUX called as the Red Hat Enterprise delivers hosting services on a monthly basis and a fee that is involved. This monthly fee delivers updates to the OS and the Red Hat Network by means of an application referred to as the yum. There are also other modes of operating systems that are of the open source type and are available at absolutely no operating cost. Few of these include the CentOS, Debian, and Fedora Core, and also many other distribution systems.

Mostly, support for such operating systems can be offered depending on the type of the dedicated server plan that is chosen by the organization. Support for the operating system mainly includes the security fixes, system-wide possible vulnerability resolutions, and patches. There are updates to these core systems such as the kernel updates, application updates, and the security patches that are dedicated to keep the server safe and secure. Ideally, it can be summed up that a dedicated server is an ideal means of keeping up well with the maintenance and regular updates and thus turns over an overall reduction in the total cost of expenditure that is involved.

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