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Internet servers are classified according to how they function and the features they are able to support. As a webmaster you should already be familiar with the types of Internet servers so that you can pick a cost-effective option for your websites. In addition, picking the wrong server type could prove to be a handicap.

The entry-level server type is shared hosting. Shared hosting puts you on a server with anywhere from a few to large amount of other webmasters. The main reason you would go for shared hosting is because it is insanely cheap. At the same time, having other webmasters on the server means you could have downtime associated with problems with other websites on the server.

Some applications will demand you have more access to your server than what a shared hosting server allows. In that case a Virtual Private Server, or VPS, is a small upgrade that isn’t going to require you to pay too much more money each period. If you have your own dedicated server, you may even consider sanctioning a portion of your system resources to a VPS so that you can run a different operating system.

The final upgrade is more expensive, but offers the freedom of a VPS and the hardware upgrades that you will no doubt need if your websites become popular. Dedicated servers usually start around $100 each month and only rise from there, depending on the hardware you decide to side with. It can be hard to stomach, but it’s nice to have your own server to yourself.

Some web hosts also offer something called a reseller hosting plan. Don’t be confused, technically every server type could be a reseller hosting plan. You are granted access to a Web Host Manager, or WHM, that allows you to allot different accounts to different limits of bandwidth and disk space usage. It’s unlikely to see such a thing on shared environments, but VPS and dedicated servers will often have this by default.

The hierarchy of servers would seem to be shared hosting, virtual private servers, and then finally dedicated servers. That’s not always the case, but it’s generally what you will notice. You can get inexpensive dedicated servers cheaper than a VPS, and sometimes shared hosting can be more reliable than an unmanaged dedicated server. What it really comes down to is what the host you obtain the server from allows and at what price.

Closing Comments

Pricing in web hosting is very competitive. You will find that starter packages can be just dollars each month. Such packages are usually enough to get you started on your way to learning more in web development and design.

Learn more about cPanel Hosting and affordable hosting.