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By admin On February 2, 2010
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To create a website and to host it in the internet, one needs a little bit of technical knowledge. Even a computer novice can easily host a website with basic internet and web server knowledge. The jargon ‘web server’ refers to a high speed computer storing web pages, that serves web pages to its requesters. Choosing an appropriate web hosting provider is the first step in hosting a website instead of looking for cheap web hosting providers. Website hosting providers will receive the website from the clients and will store the web pages in the centralized web server, which will be accessible by anyone connected to the internet. Internet started out in the late 1960s as a project on “new network technologies”. The link between the two research groups UCLA and Stanford Research Institute lead to ARPANET, the predecessor to internet. More feature addition to this basic network became internet. There are wide spread standards for internet which makes communication across various hardware platforms possible.
Browser is a piece of software that accepts a URL, fetches and displays a web page to the users. The computer on the other end of internet communication is a client. The name ‘client’ makes sense itself, meaning a requester of service. From the computer and internet view point, both the communicating entities the client and the server are two computers, what is also called as hardware. Hardware works well only if someone tells it what to do and how to do, which is taken care of by software. Browser is also a piece of software, which helps map a complex IP address into an easier domain names. The web server coordinates data transfer between the two communicating parties using a common rule or protocol called Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP).
The browser uses the URL to locate a web page in the web server. The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) has many parts separated by periods. The various parts involved are:
• Transfer Protocol: The type of content that is transferred and the mode of transfer. In this category there are limited options like HTTP, FTP, etc..
• Domain: This forms the last part of the URL indicating the category to which the contents of the website belongs to. For example, commercial industries’ website ends with .com and there are a multitude of options for this part like .net, .com, .edu, .gov etc…
• Domain Name: This forms the unique part of the website, which differs for every site. And it is packed in between the Protocol and the domain. For example, in the URL www.google.com, google is the domain name.
The browser gets the address from the user, prepares a request and passes the request to the web server. The server, on the receipt of request, dismantles the request and searches for the page, if the page is found, then the page is displayed on the browser, else an error code is returned.
By admin On February 1, 2010
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It’s high time that one thinks about on looking for a web hosting that summits ones needs. Web masters are looking for hosts that can provide an effective level of technical support as business web hosting, which the consumers search as their site grows popular. It’s important that one have copies of contents including web pages, database and scripts that relates to ones web site hosting before switching. This should be done at regular intervals to protect data loss. This will make sure that the data is stored and packed in its original directories which will retain the reliability of ones web site when you move.
Once you have documented your site, you should perform a search using high search convenience in no doubt that the company you consider should provide you your new requirements. As there is no use of changing your site when you have the same old services, therefore make sure that the service you choose has necessary services and is better than the current web hosting. One should look for providers that offer something technically that your previous provider can’t, you need to get what you want in a cheap web hosting at a price you can pay for.
Having found a new web hosting you will need to follow a process to ensure that you upload your archived data successfully.
• You will be allocated with an IP number from the new hosting company.
• Upload your archived Web pages, database and scripts to the new host.
• Correct and test the new site from the individual IP number.
• Confirm that all site functionality is working.
• Transfer your domain name service (DNS) servers from your old host to your new host.
During this DNS transition period your web site will be in changeover by both new and old host. As the DNS transition filters through the internet, it takes 1-2 weeks for the transfer to fully spread around the internet worldwide. During this transition it’s also important to keep the old site running in case you get people whose ISP’s name servers haven’t updated fully.
As some regions in internet directs e-mail to your old host, it’s important to run both the old and new host simultaneously as to ensure stability during transition. Once the transition period has approved, you can cancel your account with the previous hosting company. You must also pull the plug on from your old account only when e-mails stop arriving from your old server. Then the transition will be complete.
By admin On January 30, 2010
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In shared or virtual web-hosting, there are two basic operating systems: one is Windows of course, the other is UNIX. Both OS come with specific features. Given below is an overview of both.
UNIX is the OS of almost half the websites today. This is much simpler, user friendly platform with less complicated technical requirements as compared to those of Windows. One of the many advantages of this platform is that it has “shell environment” along with a good, breathable connection and handles heavy traffic as well as server load. This is ideal for business web hosting. It allows owners to have complete control without there being any need for much expensive additional software.
On the other hand, Windows Server web hosting OS, developed by Microsoft, focuses mainly on their own advanced applications, which include MS SQL, Front Page and Access etc. It is aptly accessible when the website has a web hosting package allowing administration through a GUI-program or control panel and that too if the server is controlled.
Windows Server also links up the data application to the web through programs like Visual Basic script, Acute Server Pages (ASP) and Cold Fusion. One of the positive aspects of the Windows Server is its manageable and dynamic feature. Perhaps this feature is more due to the development in the NET Technology in web hosting.
If you are not interested to subscribe to the shared server, Windows Server is perfect for you. However if you are a beginner and cannot put hours to manage the system, it is not your cup of tea. Nonetheless, Microsoft is the leading industry in providing customer support for keeping the clients happy is their basic aim. And all that makes Microsoft great.
UNIX on the other hand, offers features with great efficiency which makes it far superior to the Windows Server. The biggest plus for UNIX web hosting OS is simultaneous data-transfer ability to multiple sites, all of which can be done at a lightening fast speed. Most webmasters are up for the UNIX because Microsoft system needs special tweaks to match the upload speed of UNIX.
UNIX being less complicated and rather suitable for cheap web hosting is recommended to the new webmasters. UNIX OS runs most of the software without causing any trouble, where as Microsoft Server will only support the software designed to be compatible with the Microsoft system. A big thumbs up to UNIX for its user friendly web hosting OS!
By admin On January 29, 2010
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There are a millions and millions of webmasters out there in search of good but cheap web hosting. The question is though why do they need that? There can be a myriad of reasons for that! The simplest of all the reasons is perhaps the need to fit it all in the budget for at the end of the day, it is all about smart investment and nobody wants to spend in setting up website more than they need to. But webmasters are right for there are plenty of quality web hosting services for which you do not have to pay a fortune. But there are a few things to keep in mind while hunting for quality web hosting.
First thing you need to keep in mind is your requirement i.e. what do you need a web space for? Is it a simple family photo album or any other plain website with a few pages? There are different web hosting deals for different customers. You may be selling products or services, your requirement must be really different than that of a small company owner. The more space you use, the more you pay. Some of the cheapest web hosting companies provides only basic features, nothing too fancy. So it is important to be sure of you needs in order to make the right deal.
One of the basic business ethics is reliability. You don’t want to buy web space from a company with severe reliability issues. Reliability should be held above everything else. Some of the cheaper web hosting companies are somehow more reliable than others. So, be very careful in picking a company that is truly dependable. Cheap web hosting companies work very hard to maintain their status since it is the most important aspect of any business!
For any business, cost is the most important factor. Same is true for web hosting as well. Usually, the cheapest web hosting can cost up to $ 4 per month. Startup charges can cost you a little more than you would like but then again that is the cost for lower monthly charges. It is important to find and maintain a balance between prices. It would simply be unwise to select a web hosting due to cheap startup fee with a huge monthly free and vise versa.
Some web hosting companies provide special features as well. This could be anything ranging from a user friendly photo album creator or a service allowing you to feature a premade shopping cart on your website or anything at all! It is actually these special features which distingue companies apart are designed for specific customers.
Data compatibility is also an important issue. Sometimes, the data compatibility of cheap web hosting can be limited. But that is not the case always. This again comes back to the basic point of being aware of your needs. If you know how much space you require, and what are the applications you need then selecting the web hosting with right features becomes all the more easy.
In a nutshell, there are plenty of excellent cheap web hosting out there, ready to help you by saving your time and money, providing efficient services and catering to all webmasters’ needs. The best thing about it all is that you have a huge list of companies to choose from since innovation is an important factor in the industry, where everyone is trying to thrive. Just browse through any popular website, contact the owner and drop in a query for who knows this all better than somebody who has been in it for so long!
By admin On January 29, 2010
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The more complex the hosting is, the more services they provide this could be the only difference between regular web hosting and sub-domain web hosting. Regular web hosting provides high personalized functions that assures one a quality in sound level. As these services are fee-based, the money produced are used in maintenance, service improvement and for supplying greater technical support. However, cheap web hosting can be found with regular web hosts. Cheap web hosting offer clients the ability to host their website on a powerful, well managed server, at a low monthly cost. They provide individual websites with connectivity, certain uptime and vast technical hold.
They may not be a good choice to host private websites because the range and difficulty of services provided is not really needed for the purpose of posting your resume, or sharing pictures with family members. In this case, business web hosting will be acknowledged for those who are looking for a reliable web presence without having advanced technical skills. This would be mostly attracted by the people who are starting an Internet business and the feature that lure would be business start-up id that they allow them to have their website hosting on their field name such as http://www.their businessname dot com.
In these services the prices vary widely and users can expect the quality to change depending upon the amount paid for the service. There is no exception to the rule, “buyer bewares”. If one buys a reasonably inexpensive package, then you can expect the quality to be reflected to the cost of the service. However, you will not get all the “bells and whistles” that you would get from a regular web hosting service. Low priced or even free packages would lead to a variety of problems such as more network outages and other unexpected service problems. These low priced or free packages may be suitable for the people who are looking for plainness for their unnecessary personal site, but it would definitely be inappropriate for someone trying to carry out a genuine business on the web.
By admin On January 29, 2010
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ASP (Active Server Page)
An HTML page that includes scripts processed on a web server before the page is sent to the user. The scripts can be written using the standard programming languages and then processed by the server.
Browser
Client software application used to access, navigate and traverse information over the World Wide Web. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and the Google Chrome are the widely used web browsers.
CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
A standard method for a web browser to forward a request from the user to an application program and receive data back from the application program to send it back to the user. A typical use of CGI is in form processing, where it is used in conjunction with the HTML forms to build database applications.
Database
A database is a collection of logically related information that is organized so that it can facilitate ease of access, search and updates. The databases are usually classified on the basis of content. These databases can be put up on the World Wide Web where the users can access and add the information to them.
Domain Name
A domain name is a name that identifies a network location over the Internet. A domain name is in the format: server dot organization dot type. In a web address like www dot webmedia dot com, webmedia.com is the domain name where the suffix ‘com’ indicates the top level domain (TLD). Apart from TLDs, there are second-level and third-level domain names that are open for reservation by users that wish to the create Internet publicly accessible Internet resources.
E-mail
Electronic mail or e-mail is a method of exchanging digital messages like electronic text and computer files over a communications network like the Internet, etc. The e-mail server forwards, receives and stores files on the behalf of the users. The users only need to connect to the e-mail server client with a network-enabled device to digitally send and receive files.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol that defines the transfer of files from one computer to another on a TCP/IP network like the Internet.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
ISP is a company that provides its customer’s access to the Internet. The company allows the users to connect using a data transmission technology viable for delivering IP data, such as a modem, dial-up, DSL, cable connection or wireless. Some of the prominent ISPs are AOL and Prodigy.
By admin On January 28, 2010
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When you compare standard web hosts with sub-domain web hosts with the objective of selecting between one of the two, remember that the superiority and hence the cost of web hosts is directly influenced by the number of services that they provide. An advanced web host will boast of a dazzling array of services and will come with any accompanying price tag.
Standard web hosts are commonly referred to as ‘regular’ web hosts and come with personalized functions that are aimed at providing the highest possible level of ease of use to the users. However, as the complexity of services offered grows in number and dexterity so does the fees of the hosting services. By paying the hosting services for their programs you are enabling them to finance their own operations and in effect are funding their costs of maintenance and upkeep, their support and customer service programs and their regular software updates and advancements.
If expenses are an issue and you are looking for a cheap web hosting service that will enable you to work within your budget you will need to research the different kinds of sub domain web hosts that are available in the online market. For people working within a budget there are some regular hosts that can prove to be rather reasonable. If you are only just starting out and don’t want to spend too much money you can always consider the option of shared hosting sites or “virtual” hosting sites. The benefit of using a shared hosting server is that you will be able to publish your website on a mass server that is managed by professionals and is doing well on its account. You have to pay a minimal fee to be able to avail of these hosting services which is acceptable in comparison to the widespread coverage, publicity and ensuing traffic you receive. By hosting with a shared service you can cut down on your costs while being assured of traffic and technical support.
While browsing between regular hosts and sub domain hosts, experts advise some caution. While it is undoubtedly beneficial to hire a sub-domain host when starting out in the website-launching field, it is equally important to understand that you will only get what you pay for. So while in the beginning it is financially sounder to take up a sub-domain host that lets you use its services, in the long run you will miss out on the more advanced technical applications and services that are offered by regular hosts.
By admin On January 27, 2010
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The success of a web hosting company purely lies in the risk free and efficient functioning of its web servers and such a level of reliability is achieved only by proper maintenance that includes both hardware maintenance and software maintenance. Having a properly maintained web site hosting system relieves the web masters from the burden of pondering on technical issues. Many cheap web hosting companies claim that they provide 24/7 technical support as a selling point, taking into consideration the cost of staffing required to provide such a facility which is practically impossible charging clients as low as $2.99 per month. If a web site hosting company is truly committed to satisfying its clients, then the technical support it provides should be excellent. The prime concern while choosing a business web hosting solution is to have a service provider with reliable technical support.
A thorough analysis should be made to verify the efficiency of the technical support team of the web hosting company chosen, because many service providers may claim to have a powerful team waiting to crack any problem that may arise, but its validity should be verified. Many web hosting providers offer no proof of such a team’s existence. The lack of qualified man power for technical support leads to utilizing cheap and the most less qualified people to provide technical assistance in many firms, and a handful portion of funds allotted for acquiring skilled man power goes to marketing and advertisements. In both of the cases the losers are the customers, because they are not armed with qualified technical assistants. So the first step in selecting a host is to validate the client support completely.
Validating the technical support of a web hosting concern can be done in many ways, the best way is to manually test the supporting staff by calling them and shooting basic questions like asking them to brief you on how to maintain the site, their hours of availability, their qualification to do such a job, like the certification or degree programme that they have acquired and the related information. One should try to extract maximum information about the business web hosting service they provide. The knowledge of the technical assistant is also really important, which can be assessed easily by the way the person interacts, by the voice modulation, and if a technical assistant of a web hosting concern, puts you on hold often, it clearly indicates that he/she is unaware of the solution and that he/she has to consult someone else for the solution.
To know more about the geographical placement of the technical support personnel, they can be questioned, which will reveal where they are located either close to the data centre or in the head office. And one can also surmise if the technical assistant is full time employee or on a contract basis. The technical person can be also asked for your account details, with which the client inquiry tracking system’s availability and its automation can be tested. Find out if the company has an online “technical support centre”, which can be used for support documentation and FAQs. By conducting such an assessment, one can validate the reliability of the cheap web hosting providers.
By admin On January 26, 2010
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Confused as to what Web Hosting plan to choose? Well, don’t be for we have the perfect guideline for you which will make it all a piece of cake. There are a number of Web Hosting Plans to choose from, all you have to do is pick one which fits your needs best. Following are the tips which could help you understand why prices vary from Web Host to Web Host, which one should you select and why.
• Low Cost Plans: Low cost plans cost low, obviously but there is a reason why they come so cheap and that is because oftentimes they come with little or no technical support. These plans are primarily meant for people looking to create a simple family web photo album. These are definitely not meant to host small business for they lack the necessary support to accommodate the required services.
• Dedicated Servers: The name says it all! These plans come with more technical support and a wider range of services. Some of the best services offer some too-good-to-be-true features including network infrastructure and a data-base. This, of course, comes at a price. The types of servers used by such Web Host service providers can add to the cost. And if there is a brand involved like DELL, then of course, it can cost a little extra too.
• Other Options: Some Web Hosts offer additional services too like bandwidth, web space or email etc. All this may cost a little extra but is definitely worth the price. All these options can come at an affordable price too but this also limits the application of the services. Crossing the space limit an significantly increase the expenditure as well. This can be avoided by opting for a good Web Host Plan which costs wee bit more than the regular plan, but on the plus side, it comes with more space and without any additional cost.
• Setup Fee: The startup charges are part of the standard procedure of almost all Web Hosts. The fee can be anything from $50 to $100, which you have to pay once and only once, for which, the Web Host may also offer additional services and support with domain registration etc. This setup fee can also be waived upon request.
• High-End Hosting Plans: Expensive plans, costing $100 or more are high-end hosting plans. These plans come with some solid services and much better technical support. For these plans, the Web Hosts dedicate longer hours to cater to the needs of their customers. Some even provide stellar customer care services, ensuring easier, quicker solutions to technical queries.
In a nutshell, it is very important to know exactly what you need and select a web hosting plan to go with it for making the right choice absolutely essential for the growth of small businesses. Good web hosting makes good presentation of one’s presence on the web. All this requires some important features and services to accommodate the growth of your business. It is best to be absolute sure of your needs like bandwidth, technical support, space limit and email accounts etc because all these things are vital for keeping your business up and running. Get acquainted with different plans to get the perfect match for you business for today and future as well.
By admin On January 20, 2010
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Web hosting is usually considered a necessary evil by most people. Its increasing need is acknowledged but the only time it is given serious consideration is when it is not working properly. As far as small sites or blogs are concerned web hosting is not really a problem but as the site grows and the traffic increases web hosting metamorphoses into a serious headache.
Earlier, picking hosting solutions was pretty simple; one could choose a shared hosting account or go for a dedicated one depending on one’s needs. Usually for a small site where you are not looking for a lot of control you can go for cheap web hosting account but with a bigger site the need for control increases, thus you could go for dedicated hosting which would give you root level access.
Now things are fast changing with the advent of technology. Apart from the traditional shared/ dedicated hosting accounts that were offered earlier, there are many other options available these days. These new options have the benefits of dedicated hosting minus its problems and shortcomings; they challenge the traditional understanding of scalability while doing away with the need for shared hosting.
Cloud/grid computing and virtualizations are going to be the future of web hosting. They are very different from the traditional shared/dedicated solutions yet they serve as replacements. For instance MT’s Grid is a great choice for anyone requiring servers for almost any level of bandwidth. Joyent and EC2 are for those who need root access to the servers though some technical knowledge is required in setting them up.
One chief feature of all of these is the loss of user control in comparison to a traditional solution, like co-location. First hand control of the hosting hardware is lost but in return, one gets almost unlimited potential for adjustments in scale. Another downside is the fact that though virtually limitless in terms of potential, cloud computing still retains some characteristics of shared hosting and mishaps with other sites CAN affect yours.
These new solutions are very fascinating and will change the face of web hosting technology as we see it today. Apart from them free web hosting sites like blogger, type pad etc. will also play a major role in shaping the future of web hosting. It would be a good idea to keep yourself updated about the upcoming web hosting options and understanding what they offer.
