Levels of Web hosting

When you start to look at hosting plans you'll find out rather quickly that there are many different types of hosting. The prices of the plans will clue you in on the fact that service levels differ, but how much do they differ and what plan is right for you? Let's take a few minutes to go over the different hosting types.

Shared Web Hosting

Shared hosting is the most common kind of hosting. Called shared because you share the server with your host's other clients, this is the type of plan that most people will use. Hosts may have any number of clients located on a server. Typically, you will not have access to root (command line access) with shared hosting, nor will you have more than an end user control panel. Bandwidth, disk space, and other features are usually at their most limited with shared hosting. Traditionally, management and support of the servers are handled most completely with this type of hosting, with your host handling patching, load balancing, and any other server difficulties on your behalf.

Reseller Web Hosting

Reseller hosting can be thought of as shared hosting, but in bulk. You will still share a server with your host's other clients and have your host handle patching, security, and other server issues. Reseller plans were created for hosting more than one account; they are created to allow you to "resell" your host's services and keep your own clients. Resellers typically have limited access to root and/or access to a special reseller GUI (graphical user interface) that allows them to do things regular shared hosting plans do not allow such as create new accounts, modify DNS information, limit features on certain accounts, etc. Reseller accounts are not solely for those wanting to provide hosting services, however. End-users may use such accounts to host all of their web sites under one account.

Virtual Private Servers

Virtual Private Servers (or Virtual Dedicated Servers) are a huge step above reseller hosting. These accounts are created on a server with partitions which create security and provide the account holder with a certain amount of the server's RAM, disk space, and processor power guaranteed their account. VPS/VDS accounts are usually set with a limited number of accounts on every server to enable high functionality. Each partition boasts its own operating system and account holders typically have access to root. Oftentimes, however, the hosting company will still maintain responsiblity for maintaining the server. Resources, such as bandwidth and disk space, are very high with these accounts and the account holder will usually have their choice of operating system. Such accounts are a wonderful stepping stone between reseller accounts and dedicated servers.

Dedicated Servers

Dedicated servers are the top of the line in web hosting. All other hosting types involve sharing a server (computer) with other clients. Dedicated servers are just that, dedicated to you alone. The sites you place on them are the sites that are hosted, and the only sites hosted. Dedicated accounts provide enormous amounts of bandwidth and full use of all system resources. You will be able to choose your operating system and control panel. In most cases, the client, not the hosting company, is responsible for maintaining server security, patching, load balancing, and handling any other bugs and issues that may arise. No one without prior experience in handling a server should attempt to run a dedicated server unless it is run from a company offering a great deal of server management.