What is Hosting?

Introduction to Hosting

Hosting is a service through which business files for one or more websites can be served and maintained for individuals or organizations. So the definition can be as, hosting service that provides storage and computing resources to an individual or organization for the accommodation and maintenance of one or more websites and related services. This is also known as Website hosting, Webhosting, and Web hosting. The IP address is not required while hosting the website, so it doesn’t need to be IP-based, but it is web-based services from the Internet which allow a website or web service to be globally accessible.

These services provide facilities for Hosting by providing specialized backend computing infrastructure. In another sense, we can tell the website developer or website owner utilizes the infrastructure provided by the hosting services to host its website through the uploading source code. Each website logically allocates webspace and storage so that each website is distinguishable in its unique domain name. Once the domain name is established after hosting the website, a website can be accessed through the Internet by writing the website’s domain name.

All the Web sites are hosted and stored on central computers or special computers called servers. All the user request is sent to the servers, and servers are solely responsible for returning the user request response (or requested data or requested website). So when users want to view your website through the internet, they need to type your domain name or website address in their browser. Then your webpages will be displayed by connecting to the server where your webpages are stored.

Because the evolution is based on delivery models, it has evolved into various formats as dedicated, shared and cloud. We can host the websites, but we can also host data or storage hosting; it can also host IT services and host software or application. The line is also blurred with cloud computing and virtualization, which allow another level of sophistication and customization.

Features

These Web services or packages offer features depending on different pricing. Depending on the specific website hosting requirements, you need to choose the website package or website planning.

These services can offer the following features –

• Storage or Disk Space
• Bandwidth/Data Transfer
• Control Panel Features
• Uptime
• Domain Name
• Dedicated And Shared IP Address
• Email Features
• Privacy And Security
• Building Tools
• Supports

Storage or Disk Space

When you are going to host a website, you need to create a web hosting account, and the account should be allocated to some storage or disk space that can be rented on a server. The storage space used for storing all the web pages’ content, any files that are available for visitors to download, any graphic or other media content like music, pictures, and videos can be used on the pages, and any space that can be used for emails. Depending on the policy, storage space is allocated, and different companies have different policies.

Bandwidth or Data Transfer

The bandwidth feature of hosting decides how much the website in one second can transfer data. If the bandwidth allocated is less than your website, then it will be slower regardless of the connection speed of the visitors, but higher bandwidth is costly as it takes and drains the server’s resources which could affect the performance of other customers’ sites on the same server. Whereas how much data is being transferred on a monthly basis is Data transfer. So depending upon the policy, a website can transfer data on a monthly basis. If the data transfer limit is over, it can result in a temporary shutdown or downtime or an extra fee for the website.

Control Panel Features

Control Panel Features includes the tools for uploading and managing web pages, add-on domains, managing domains, subdomains, creating parked domains, FTP accounts, protecting directories, website statistics, redirecting visitors to another location, virus protection, spam filters, backup data, the tools to keep privacy, security and so on.

Uptime

Uptime is the most important feature of a reliable web hosting provider. It includes uptime 99.9 percent of the time and is available to visitors as well as server uptime, network uptime, and 24/7 support.

Domain Name

It provides a domain name that is a unique name and address on the World Wide Web. The registration needs to do for the domain name for an individual, or a company secures a website domain for a specified time period usually, one year and later can be renewed to anytime for an extended time.

Dedicated and Shared IP Address

A Dedicated means only one site on the internet using a specific IP address number allocated or a Shared IP Address, which means that hundreds of websites share one server that shares a single IP address allocated.

Email Features

This feature offers various features for both individuals and businesses like customized email addresses, unlimited storage, import or export address book, webmail accessible from mobile phones, mail forwarding, calendar alerts, autoresponders, phone, and email tech support, and email filters that protect from viruses and spam.

Privacy And Security

Privacy And Security are importantly concerned for sensitive or unauthorized data access. So this service includes SSL secure servers, software to prevent other websites from accessing other websites files and databases, SSL certificates, antivirus protection, strong passwords, firewall protection, reliable authentication, email encryption, strict privacy policies, and secure payment processing.

Building Tools

Building Tools includes advanced website building tools that teach guestbooks, add a photo album, ads, blogs, newsletters, visitor tracker, FAQ module, banner rotator, auto-installer software for blogs galleries, forums, and so all.

Support

Technical support is available 24/7, quick replying to support issues by telephone support or chat service support.

Web Hosting Companies

Following are the web hosting companies:

• InMotion Hosting
• Hostwinds
• HostGator
• GoDaddy
• Hostinger
• iPage
• Bluehost
• HostFav
• DreamHost
• Interserver
• 1&1
• Namecheap
• GreenGeeks
• Fasthosts
• SiteGround
• Justhost
• Arvixe
• Host1Plus
• server deals
• eUKhost

The cost for this always differs from web host to web host but is usually 99 to 10000 per month depending on the requirements.

Conclusion

• It basically means providing storage and computing resources to an individual or organization for the accommodation and maintenance of one or more websites and related services.
• A variety of hosting formats as dedicated, shared, and cloud hosting.
• This service can offer the following features: Storage or Disk Space, Bandwidth/Data Transfer, Domain Name, Control Panel Features, Uptime, Dedicated And Shared IP Address Privacy, And Security, Email Features, Supports, Building Tools.
• The following are web hosting companies: InMotion Hosting, Hostwinds, HostGator, GoDaddy, Hostinger, iPage, Bluehost, HostFav, DreamHost, Interserve, 1&1, Namecheap, GreenGeeks, Fasthosts, SiteGround, Justhost, Arvixe, Host1Plus, ServerDeals, eUKhost.
• The cost of website hosting Prices usually varies from 99 to 10000 per month.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to the What is Hosting?. Here we covered the key concept, features, and a few web host companies, respectively. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

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