Cloud web hosting
In the following article I will try to explain in simple language what is meant.
Or in English Cloud Web Hosting.
Web hosting, in simpler and more precise language, is file storage.
Websites are actually files within folders and website hosting is actually storing those folders with the files of that website or websites.
The files in cloud web storage are mainly files of:
- Programming code such as Php, Aspx, Html, etc.
- Image files such as Png, Gif, Jpeg, etc.
- Various video files such as mp4, mpeg4, etc.
- Various data files such as mdb, mssql, mysql, xml, etc.
When a website owner purchases website hosting, he is actually purchasing storage space for his website files on a computer/server,
There, the website owner, or in most cases the website builder, uploads the files to the storage server.
When purchasing storage space, there is a specific allocation of space on the storage server to that website owner or websites.
As an integral part of purchasing a website hosting package, the website owner receives access to a control panel,
Through it, he can manage all the storage components he has purchased, such as:
- Setting up and managing email boxes
- Managing FTP accounts
- Logging into File Manager
- Access to create and update its databases
- One-click creation of applications or website building platforms such as WordPress
- And many other diverse definitions.
The most common operating systems for both web hosting are:
Linux – Linux – currently the leading server operating system for web hosting.
Windows – Windows – previously dominated the web hosting market, but today much less so and in constant decline.
The most common control panel today is Cpanel, which is mainly installed on Linux servers.
Today, Cpanel is the most reliable, stable, and functional control panel.
Unlike previous web hosting management control panels, Cpanel has a roadmap and constant development.
There are also regular updates and endless plugins and security components.
In order to upload the website/site files to the storage server,
The website owner gains access to the folder assigned to him in 2 main ways:
- FTP access, which is an abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol.
- File Manager access
After the site files have been uploaded to the storage server, a link must be made between the site files and the database,
In professional language, this is called: Connection string.
There are sites that do not have a database, in which case you only need to upload the site files to the relevant folder on the server.
IIS server and Apache server:
IIS server and Apache server are essential services installed on most web hosting servers.
IIS server is usually installed on Windows servers.
The abbreviation for IIS is: Internet Information Service – in Hebrew, the meaning is Internet Information Service.
Which actually reflects the main and important role of the IIS server.
And the Apache server is usually installed on Linux servers – and its function is the same as above, only in a Linux format.
The above service accesses the root directory of the stored website files, and displays their content to the browser.
Cloud Web Hosting – DNS Server:
A DNS server is another essential service installed on a web hosting server.
The meaning of DNS server is: Domain Name Server
This server actually translates the domain address, or in other words, the website address, into the IP address to which the domain is associated on the host server.
In simple terms, a DNS server is actually a tool that translates website addresses into IP addresses,
So, as soon as a browser types a domain name, and Name Servers are defined for that domain, the initial response will be from the DNS server, which will identify the site by its IP address, thus allowing the IIS or Apache server to display it to the browser.
Website hosting on a shared server:
There is another term called web hosting on a shared server, meaning that multiple websites are stored on one server, sometimes just a few, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of websites stored on the same server.
The same sites on a shared server share resources
In order for multiple websites to function properly on a shared web hosting server, that hosting server must have enough resources to run those websites properly, such as the number of CPUs, active RAM, bandwidth, and so on.
The advantages of a shared web hosting server:
- Cheap costs
- Managed, monitored and backed up server.
- Comes by default in most cases with a hardware firewall.
- All essential services are installed.
- Responsibility for the server lies with the web hosting company.
- Operation and support of email boxes.
Disadvantages of a shared web hosting server:
- Several sites share the same resources.
- A particular website’s load may cause a shared server to crash or slow down.
- Bandwidth/traffic limitation in most Israeli hosting companies.
- The end user does not have the ability to run programs/Exe files, for example, independently.
- The end user cannot install components or change server settings.
- Usually, the IP address of all sites is also shared.
- If the number of visitors to the site increases, it may be necessary to move to a private server – requiring considerable effort to upgrade.
- Resources can be expanded – only up to a certain limit.
Website hosting on a private server:
Another website hosting option that is different from a shared website hosting service is website hosting on a private server or, in other terminology, a dedicated server. In other words, a VPS server and also a Dedicated Server.
Cloud web hosting, the advantages of a private web hosting server – VPS server:
- Allows one website to benefit from the server’s resources.
- Better performance level.
- Server survivability is high.
- There is usually no monthly traffic limit.
- The end user has the option to run programs/Exe files, for example, independently.
- The end user has the option to install components or change server settings.
- The IP address is a unique address for the stored website.
- You can increase resources and expand server throughput with the click of a button to the dimensions of a huge and powerful storage server.
Disadvantages of a private web hosting server – VPS server:
- Costs are more expensive than shared web hosting.
- The server in most companies is usually not managed or monitored – for an additional fee.
- Backup usually costs extra.
- Does not come with a hardware firewall by default.
- Sometimes not all necessary services are installed.
- Responsibility for the operation and functioning of the server lies with the server owner in the case of an unmanaged server. – A managed server usually comes at an additional cost. At Host Center, server management is included 🙂
In conclusion,
Every website, in order to be accessible to the general public, requires a web hosting server,
Shared or dedicated. The prices and resources provided are different for each of the different web hosting companies.
Emphasis should be placed on the company’s seniority, which indicates its experience in the field.
Emphasis should be placed on the price being reasonable. Not too expensive but not too cheap either, which could indicate a poor level of service and servers.
In new sites where it is not always clear what the site’s needs will be in the future,
You can always start with a small website hosting package and grow as needed.
A matter of experiment and wonder.
You don’t always have to start a private server, even if you think it’s going to be a site with a lot of traffic, etc.
You can start with a website hosting package on a shared server.
Moving from a shared server to a private server is a hassle, but it’s not a big deal.
Usually, hosting companies accompany the transition from a shared server to a private server and also give recommendations regarding which private storage server should be used initially.
Wikipedia entry on the topic of cloud computing
Good luck to everyone!
Article author: Tzachi Bengiat, CEO of Shop Center Internet Solutions Ltd. (Host Center)
