More about Colocation Web Hosting:

Major forms of collocation firms are telecommunication companies, who utilize such facilities in order to interchange the traffic with other telecom companies. Also included are major enterprises who utilize the facility for business continuity, offsite data backup and disaster avoidance. Besides, web commerce firms utilize such facilities for redundant and cost-effective internet connections and a safe environment.

Most centers of collocation have high physical security levels. They may either be secured with closed-circuit television camera or may be guarded 24 x 7.

There are some collocation facilities, which permit the employees to escort customers, especially if there are no cabinets or individual locked cages for every customer. There are some collocation facilities in which, it is required that employees escort their customers.

One should ask him/her self, how technically advanced he/she is? Quite often one needs not to be fully learned, but it’s necessary that he/she is possessing resources. One must know how to resolve issues and how to handle problems and that too quite quickly and efficiently. Thus it means it needs to be in real meaning Internet savvy. In this case just surfing wont help as one who surfs aimlessly wont be of any use, rather one who can always find what he/she is looking for is the right person. This is a main requirement, as with any server environment, one is going to run into problems and finding the answers are most consummate online, using multiple resources, search techniques, and engines. Now if one is sure that he/she can hire someone to fix one’s problems then too it’s not at all considered a best option to get done from anyone else. In next paragraph is the test to see if one is ready to find solutions. Requirement is of a solution to a Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Event Error – “Event ID: 1056” it’s a DHCP Server Error. Now how one would search for this?

In order to find the solution the first that one would take is to go to Google which can be seen as a good and a common effort also it is a good place to start, but usually it is best to start at the developers’ website. Thus in this case “microsoft.com” would have been the first option because Google would more than likely provide with the solution from Microsoft and other sources, but if one is not interested in getting inaccurate information from other sources, then surely he/she should choose going to Microsoft directly. It is a common practice to get information from Microsoft that not only helps resolving one’s problem, but also helps saving time. Now again one should search the error and should go to the Microsoft site and find the solution.

After going this one will find this link-http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? Scid=KB; en-us; 282001 (Event ID 1056 is Logged after installing DHCP)

Now after seeing the above what search phrase should one use? The answer is Event ID: 1056, because the Event ID is the correct and most exact error; it helps in providing the exact solution for one’s problem without broadening the search. Sometimes it may happen that the error description is also appropriate to search, just the error description by itself or in combination with the Event ID. It all depends on one’s error, his/her search feedback, his/her ability, and last but not least technique. For the above discussed example error description is not included.

Now after Microsoft, the second option one should take is Google or Yahoo, which are considered as two largest search engines. Thereafter one should search other smaller and niche search engines and then the next one should search within forums and discussion groups. If one is well known of Internet and have a plentiful or few forums and discussion groups, which he/she uses quite frequently, then he/she should visit those places before visiting Google or Yahoo. One can also visit those before visiting the developer site since it is a trusted source, but its not very recommendable as going first to developers’ site would be considered as a best option. So now after knowing little about search engines and internet one can think of purchasing a server.

1. Persons or business with additional website

If one is having more than one website and the overall disk capacity needed by one is 500 MB or more, one can take advantage by possessing a reseller account. If one has individual accounts for each site then the cost for web hosting is inferior to the nominal rates. Also, the disk space and bandwidth allocations for each site can be easily altered by anyone.

2. Associated service providers

For people who provide associate services, for them a reseller account is quite useful. If one is a web designer, for example, why impede at designing sites? The web hosting service must be provided by one under his/her company’s name and one continues to earn revenue from his/her web design clients.

Let’s say $40 is paid for a 3-GB seller account by someone. If he/she offers 30 100-MB packages at $7 per month, he/she could earn up to $170 a month (after subtracting ones cost) from that reseller account. Search engine optimization and website maintenance must be adjoined, and one’s revenue again reaches to the top.

Just like oneself many resellers are in the field of entrepreneurship. Most started their Web services from graze or as a set off to other businesses.

There are several ways by which one can generate such type of automation in his/her site, but all the processes engage either client side or server side scripting. There are several programming languages present specially designed for the web; such programming languages are used for writing scripts. Generally, customer side scripts are written in one of the best web programming languages i.e., Java. But some functions are to be accomplished through the scripting on server side; however, frequently used programming languages on this side are PHP, PERL, and CGI. PHP and PERL are fresher and are on every mouth in the market but one can’t ignore the mother of all web-scripting languages, CGI due to availability of features suitable to it.

Shopping Carts

No one can say that the online sales site is complete without a functioning shopping cart and generally best among them have been written in CGI script. CGI web hosting is ideal for shopping cart scripts because of it’s better interaction with majority of databases, which includes popular MYSQL and MS Access databases, it can be applied with simplicity of similar range on the servers like Windows, UNIX, LINUX, and MACOS, thus simply configured for sales tax and shipping cost calculations. In the market, PHP and PERL are used to apply on the newer shopping cart scripts, but the first choice still prevailing is the use of good old CGI web hosting scripts.

Password Shielding

There are several sites, which require some sort of registration and entry of a password for the user to enter the site’s features. One should need to do it due to the boundations of several reasons like simply a desire to pathway visitors for marketing reasons, like to allow postings on message boards and ensuring that users have paid any required fees associated with use of the site. One should apply the CGI scripts for the automated registration process and in the process of issuing user name/password and generally it is done in this manner only.

Form Managers

There are several people who don’t know about how the forms, they fill out online are handled. They must know that such forms are handled by CGI webhosting. When a user fills in that form and hits the “submit” button, a CGI script takes over and sends the contained data via Email or writes it to a database where the site’s administrator is able to access it later on.

Thus the above mentioned are some of the uses of the uses for CGI scripts on today’s web sites. Like these there are many more and if there is possibility for doing anything on the website, surely it can be done with CGI. PHP and PERL are gaining popularity due to any reasons, but CGI was the one since beginning with the user and is even not going anywhere. So as long as there are web sites, CGI web hosting will remain the Jack of all trade.

Distinction

If one is unsure of the difference; here it is in a nutshell. If one co-locates, it simply means renting space within someone else’s facility to store his/her own server or servers. It is very much similar to a high tech gym locker that user is renting all or part of to house his/her servers. The user either ship or deliver the server to his/her provider. Additional services that are provided by the host along with co-location differ from individual to individual host but it surely will not include the actual server. With a dedicated server the user will get all the features of co-location, as well as, the actual web server itself.

Which is superior?

Between web hosting and co-location webhosting, the best would be which is best suited for one’s need. Comparing both we will find that there are excellent situations for both the dedicated server option is quickly becoming a better choice in more and more cases. If one already possesses a web server, or prefers to use cluster, then obviously co-location possibly will be the user’s ideal choice. If the user is bearing in mind buying new equipment and shipping it off for co-location, he/she should reassess. One should know that, the prices and equipment existing in dedicated hosting currently are outstanding, not only this but it will relieve the user from the burden of hardware. Most hosts prefer to carry suitable spare parts on hand according to the servers used, so that quick action can be taken if any undesirable thing happens. Depending on one’s arrangement with a collocation deal hardware failure could simply mean paying extra to have a server shipped back, having it fixed by oneself rather then sending it back to the data center.

If the answer of above all the questions is yes, then it can be said that one is in a position to host his/her own sites. This article will help one to switch to another host easily.

One can be his/her own web host if he/she is technically inclined and have basic knowledge of operating systems, is able to understand technical terms, is able to understand how to setup a server environment (such as: DNS, IIS, Apache, etc.), is possessing basic knowledge of scripting languages and databases (PHP, Perl, MySQL, etc.), is familiar with current technologies, and have a basic understanding of hardware and server components.

However just like anything else there too are some pros & cons as saying is actually quite difficult from doing.

The one side (Pros): -

It carries own sense of responsibility

Due to it awareness level gets raised (one is at the frontline of all server happenings)

Escape from monthly hosting fees/accounts

Eradication of incompetence

Advantage of dedicated server

No limits of websites, databases, content, storage, etc.

Unlimited bandwidth

Saving of time as no more waiting on someone else time

Last but not least complete control

The other side (Cons): –

Much exhausting at times

Problems of server/hardware

Monthly business/broadband expense i.e. ISP business account

In case server goes down, the website is also offline.

No help from technical support team

other expenses in form of Software, hardware, and network

Thus, just like some mentioned above pros and cons there can be many more.

First Off:

User should always act carefully while opting new web host. One should not act manic after seeing any cheap hosting plan, rather should carefully check the plan and be aware of the terms and conditions for finding out the hidden tricks or hidden fees. One should define clearly his/her and must choose the plan which is very close to his/her requirement. Also one must look for 24/7 supports with phone support, as it is a must. Always one should try to find a host that uses the same operating system as his/her existing host. Last but not least one must chose a web host that has a fast Internet connection and has fast servers and good up time etc.

Scripts:

One must confirm that the new web host supports the same script that one is using like if one is using php, CGI, Perl or ASP that he/she must choose that host that supports it. For php one must check that the new hosts supports all the php functions required and also have all the Perl Modules that one need to use or plan on using. There are many scripts that require Mysql, so one must check to see if the new host supports that as well.

Backup:

Backup should be done on a regular basis .One must make sure to take backup of each and everything on his/her site as else at any time that data can be lost. Also one must take care to save all of his/her site’s files on a disc or one can choose to signup for a data storage service and they will save it for him/her.

Testing:

One should be very sure that his/her site is functioning before switching to new host. It is always beneficial that the new site should be tested by anyone else. One can also use more than one computer if they are available and can take the help of someone else to have a look on it. It is always advisable to test everything from links to images three or four times to make sure things are working properly.

After getting everything done its time to switch to a new host however one must be very careful for the next 48 hours to check his/her site as quite often any problem can occur in the site. If all the above things are kept in mind the site can go live soon with ease.

The following are the most common problems faced by most of the clients and can be even seen on the net such as –

User complain- every day, I get few phone calls of this sort:

Sir, My domain expires in next few days, but the company which registered it is out of business, Please RENEW it”

Sir, I want to transfer the domain to your server but I don’t have the domain control panel”

Dear Support Team, The domain is registered thru ‘X’ and his name is listed as REGISTRANT and Admin Contact, help me”

I have a website since 1998 but I am not getting any enquiries thru it. So what’s the point in having it renewed? “

My website is down most of the time, can you do anything on it? “

So above are the problems faced by most or let say by all the users? Thus the below checklist is required to deal with such problem-

Checklist for Domain NAME Registration

After getting registration of domain one must check the following things-

Is the registration of DOMAIN NAME is with an ICANN Accredited Registrar? Does the REGISTRANT NAME and ADMINSTRATIVE CONTACT is showing one’s name/email?

Is there Control Panel available with the Domain Registration Service Provider with username / password to manage/modify name servers & contact details in real-time?

Is there any facility to get reminders at the time of renewals in advance?

Checklist for Web Hosting (Web space)

Support is the most crucial point in case of hosting. One must check the response time in advance before selecting a service provider.

One must check the technical skills by putting few queries and watching their responses.

One must go though the Service Provider Website and make sure its professional looking with user-friendly navigation and layout.

One must check if they are having TESTIMONIALS listed, availability of listing of sites hosted with them, facility of discount for bulk purchases and payment modes.

One must be careful for the hidden charges as well and now above all one must check for the Bandwidth offered with the hosting plan.

The facility for Multiple Domains in single hosting space should be asked if not provided.

One must act carefully before selecting any hosting plan. One must check for availability of all the essential features like POP3 mails, SMTP support, FTP Account, Control Panel, Web mail, Spam Controller, Antivirus, and Web Statistics.

Checklist for Website Design

Is the website designer providing free minor updates or for a nominal fee on a yearly contract basis?

Is the look of the website professional and appealing to the global audience?

Check out for the listing of website in any of the search engine. To check one must put the website name on www.google.com. Does it show up anywhere in the results?

Does the website designer provides with monitoring service?

Does the website taking too much time to load. One must make care that it loads faster even on slow connections. One must keep in mind that success of website do not depends on Flashy animations, bigger size jpegs etc but on the Content. So stress on content of the website.

1. Is the company offering telephone support or 24/7 email support?

It is very important to have 24/7 Email support and one should always get reply within 1-2 hours. Not only is that telephone support also a must.

2. What is the history of the company? Since how long is the company been in existence?

One must very carefully read the company’s profile from their web page. It is important to check for the existence of the company in business. One should also check for the number of users of the company .The way to obtain all this information is by having a look on the host’s website as large number of host providers posts their customer testimonials on their site to reinforce the message.

3. What is the type of software that the company is offering?

The most important tool for a user is control panel which includes statistic, web mail, adding email account, file manager, Database management etc.

Free Scripts Provided – There are several webhosting provides offering free scripts to users. User can install these scripts through control panel. Some examples of Free Scripts are- Oscommerce, Phpnuke, Phpbb, Moodle, Phpwebsite, Xoops, etc.

4. Fees.

One should also check the provider’s service plan carefully before signing up. This service plan is usually made available by all the providers and by comparing them one can find the suitable provider suiting his/her needs. It is necessary to read the provider’s “terms and conditions” and refund conditions as well.

5. Marketing Service

There are several web hosting providers providing search engine submission to their customers. Not only that they use to provide paid per click service to their customer.

The following are the lists of 11 most essential questions before choosing a web host-

Q1. On which platform is the web hosting built i.e. on windows or UNIX or Linux etc.

Q2. What about the reliability of the service of the web host?

Q3. What is the kind of performance one is expecting?

Q4. How is the quality of email and phone support?

Q5. How expensive is it?

Q6. How much is the bandwidth available?

Q7. What is a type of control panel available?

Q8. What about a POP3 account?

Q9. What about protection i.e. anti spam and viruses features?

Q10. What about running one’s own online store?

Q11. What kind of Online Marketing Support is made available?