What is Hosting?
Hosting is a service through which business files for one or more websites can be served and maintained for individual or organizations. So the definition can be as, hosting service 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 web site, so it doesn’t need to be IP-based, but it is web-based services from the Internet which allows a website or web service to be globally accessible.
These services provide facilities for Hosting by providing specialized backend computing infrastructure. In other 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, where each website logically allocates web space and storage so that each website is distinguishable by 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 domain name of the web site.
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 of the evolution is based on delivery models,it has evolved into a variety of formats as dedicated, shared and cloud. Not only we can host the websites we can also host data or storage hosting it can also host IT services and can 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 service or packages offer features depending on different pricing. And also depending on the specific website hosting requirements 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 content of the web pages, 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.
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Bandwidth or Data Transfer
Bandwidth feature of hosting decides how much data can be transferred by the website in one second. 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 temporary shutdown or downtime or an extra fee of 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 which is a unique name and address on the World Wide Web for the website. 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 which means only one site on the internet using a specific IP address number allocated or Shared IP Address which means that there could be hundreds of websites sharing one server that share a single IP address allocated.
Email Features
This feature offers a variety of 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 which teach guestbook, how to 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 such as 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 varies usually from 99 to 10000 per month.
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