Components of a Managed Web Hosting Solution

In a managed hosting engagement, a business owner engages a provider to handle the entire infrastructure necessary to keep a web site up and running. For a specified fee, the hosting provider assumes responsibility for the server, backups, storage and more, leaving the business owner free to tend to their core business and responsibilities.

• Server: A server is a beefed-up computer built for a singular function. Hosting companies employ thousands of servers, built to run web platforms like IIS or Apache, which serve sites and their pages to web surfers on demand.
• Storage: Unlike your desktop, a server typically uses offloaded storage. Large arrays of disks, known as storage area networks, provide the massive amounts of space that a hosting provider’s web servers need.
• Load Balancing: Two or more servers can work together to provide a seamless, smooth experience to visitors to a site. This is known as load balancing and it is especially important to high-traffic sites.
• Security: Another worry that managed hosting alleviates is security. Web sites can be vulnerable to hackers out to deface sites, cause trouble or even steal data. Managed hosting providers employ web security experts who work tirelessly to stay ahead of cyber criminals.
• Firewall: The firewall is vital piece of the infrastructure that the hosting provider is responsible for. It is a piece of hardware that sits between an internal network and the Internet, filtering traffic. The hosting company configures their firewall to allow only the web traffic required to access their hosted sites while dismissing unwanted, malicious data.
• Backup: A hosting provider also takes responsibility for disaster recovery, backing up all data. In the event of server failure or data loss, it is the hosting company’s responsibility to use their backups to restore systems quickly to minimize downtime.

For business owners, hosting their own sites and paying for servers, data storage, infrastructure, backings and more can be a costly proposition. Managed hosting alleviates these costs and hassles for a monthly fee, allowing businesses to predict their costs.

If you are in search of a reliable hosting provider, contact Syndeo, the experts in San Diego IT consulting. We offer free consultations and will look at your business, future goals and budget to help you create an IT infrastructure that will increase your efficiency and profitability.