This dedicated server hosting checklist is designed to help you understand what it takes to run a dedicated server. After all, it’s not just about purchasing a box - you need to know how to manage and work with it too. So here’s what it takes, your checklist for running a dedicated server:

• A powerful web hosting platform
• Managed Hosting
• 24/7 technical support - through email is best, so you can document errors and solutions
• State of the art data centers - the more data centers a provider runs, the better chances of redundant uptime for you and your server
• Guaranteed RAM
• Easy upgrades
• Great dedicated hosting deals - amazing coupons to help lower your monthly costs or incentives for staying longer
• Ability to perform website backups

You want to be the next Facebook or MySpace, you had better have a deep pocket.  Now putting aside the fact that you would need a lot of users, social praise and traffic to make this all work - according to one web site resource these are the current stats for Facebook on the hosting side of things:

30,000 databases & 1,800 db servers

1200 dedicated servers

805 caching servers

Now with any dedicated hosting provider out there you could get a good start if nothing else.  Many of the social network clone scripts will run on a VPS or dedicated hosting plan too.  This is just to give you a little insight on what you may be getting yourself into.

Are you a business owner in the need of a little dedicated hosting?  Your not alone.  There are many of you out there and here are some special tutorials just for you.

• What is Necessary for an Ecommerce Website?
• What is Business Web Hosting?
• Dedicated Server Hosting
• Plesk Power Pack Web Hosting Features
• Fantastico Web Hosting
• Dedicated Hosting for Small Business Owners

Sure there will be plenty more in the future, so as always keep checking back for more help business owners out there.

After yesterday’s article I thought I would also list an alternative way to help secure the SSH.  You can also secure your ssh changing default port (22).  Change the port that SSH listens for connections on:

      #Port 22

      Port XX    (where XX = your new portnumber)

You can choose something like 22202 or something you can remember.

You are now done editing the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file (save your changes, and quit your editor).
Another important thing dont forgot to allow the port you choose from firewall:

      /etc/apf/conf.apf

Then you add there your new ssh port.  Hope you enjoyed.  Any good dedicated hosting provider should be able to provide you with additional help if needed.

One of the best ways I often recommend for people to get around the GFoC (Great Firewall of China) issues is to move towards Virtual Private Server (VPS) or dedicated hosting.

On a shared hosting server where you might be sharing your hosting setup with anything from three hundred to four hundred (or maybe even more).  Your chances are higher that somebody on one of those dedicated hosting servers will get caught by the GFoC.  It is a simple math issue.

Now on a dedicated hosting server, you are on a server with fewer people.  Sometimes you may be the only other one on that machine.  So in turn, as far as the GFoC goes you are a needle in a proverbial haystack. 

There is no doubt that after a while, the prices can really add up when it deals with a dedicated hosting server.  It is probably the most expensive thing you will ever buy that you will never get to touch or look at in person.  With that in mind always be a smart shopper when it comes to picking the best deal for you.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about prices.  If something costs a ‘bit more one place than the other go ahead and let them know and ask them why this is so.  There may be a good reason for it.  Also it is always smart to do some comparison shopping before you get started, so you have a ballpark figure you think you should spend before you really do.  You can also often get caught up in addons and additional services so much that you aren’t sure what your getting or why your getting it - you just want it because it is an additional check box on the order form.

We live in a world where you can do endless amounts of research, so why not do so?  You wouldn’t rush into buying a car or a house, so dedicated hosting should be treated no differently.

As you realize the importance of a reliable dedicated hosting provider, you’ll also notice that that correlates to the reliability of the web host’s data center. This is because the data center is the backbone of the entire web hosting operation – if the data center is not secured or unsafe or loses power, your website could go down as well for the same undetermined amount of time. So choose your reliable dedicated hosting provider carefully!

Just for your safety, here’s a Data Center Checklist for you to use when comparing dedicated web hosts and their data center operations:

Enhanced Building Security – You don’t want just anybody gaining access to a data center and essentially your dedicated servers, so make sure the data center itself has enhanced security measures.

Backup and Redundant Power – Firstly, you don’t want you server to crash but if something does happen (i.e. the power goes out during an electrical storm), you need to know how long it will take to get your servers back up and running. The best dedicated web hosts won’t have an ounce of downtime because they offer redundant power and backup generators for every emergency.

Temperature & Weather Controlled Environment – If humidity can be a bother to your hair, imagine what that kind of heated moisture could do to your computer or dedicated server! Choose a dedicated host who can provide cooling to support your dedicated servers, one who offers humidity and climate control, and one with AC for sure.

Disaster Recovery – If something horrible happens (an earthquake, a terrorist attack, a flood, or any disaster), does your dedicated web host know how to handle it? Make sure they do!

These data center tips are very important, so make sure you know them before you buy!

One of the first things you’ll notice about Dedicated Server Hosting is that dedicated web hosts tend to push the reliability of their data centers and equipment. So if you’re unsure of what a data center is, you won’t understand its importance as it relates to your dedicated server and website. In reality, it is one of the most important underlying factors which assures the safety of your content and the security of your information and dedicated server.

So what is a data center?

Simply put, a data center is a building that houses a server or multiple dedicated servers or computers. More often than not, a data center will house data center staff or technicians who monitor your servers 24/7. If your dedicated web hosting provider does not offer 24/7 monitoring of your server, don’t be fooled by pricing, support, or resources – they are not reliable if they are not providing 24/7 dedicated support!

You should also research the data center checklist or a list of what every data center must utilize in order for your dedicated server to remain secure.

There are many flavors of Linux that can be used to run and control a hosting server.  One of the more popular choices out there in this field of candidates is CentOS.  It is a freely distributed version of Linux based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.  This version of Red Hat is in turn, based on Fedora Linux. 

Fedora to Red Hat Enterprise Linux to Cent OS

It can be used both as a server  operating system and a desktop X Windows System based desktop.  In dedicated hosting, you will see the server-style installs.  The basics of CentOS as far as the most popular tool used is based off yum.  here is a little more about CentOS from Wikipedia:

CentOS version numbers have two parts, a major version and a minor version. The major version corresponds to the version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux from which the source packages used to build CentOS are taken. The minor version corresponds to the update set of that Red Hat Enterprise Linux version from which the source packages used to build CentOS are taken. For example, CentOS 4.4 is built from the source packages from Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 update 4.

CentOS is an awesome choice for any dedicated server setup, so you might ask for it on your next one.

Without data centers, your Dedicated Server would be sitting in the middle of your living room, without proper air conditioning, fire suppression, and a redundant power supply.  More or less, without a good data center, your Dedicated Server would not run as efficiently and you would be in charge of managing it and replacing parts or restoring hard drives as necessary.

Data Centers are simply facilities that house racks of dedicated servers and maintain the proper environmental conditions necessary to keep them running smoothly.  Any good data center will have the following features:

• Air Conditioning & Humidity Control – any good data center will keep the temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the servers cool and the humidity around 35-65%
• Redundant Backup Power
• Fire Prevention & Extinguishing Systems – any good data center should be able to detect the conditions that spark server fires and should have dual methods in place to take full scale action if and when they occur, including sprinkler systems
• Security Protection – both physical and virtual security is incredibly important