Backing up is something you do with your personal computer at home all the time, is it not?  Then why should your hosting space and dedicated server be treated any differently.  Remote backups are an important part of dedicated hosting because they give you the ease of mind that your information is safely stored somewhere else.

A remove or managed backup service is providing a user with an Online system for backing up or storing files, setting and more from the server.  The backing up is usually customized around a client’s needs and are run on a schedule (for an example, once a day). 

Now the advantages of doing remote server backups is that it does not require much work on your part.  It is all done automatically most of the time without you even having to hit a button.  Also most if not all remote backups are totally secure so no need to worry about documents falling into the wrong hands.  The disadvantage would mainly be the fact that depending on the location of the backup it might take some time to do a full restore if needed. 

As with any kind of backing up, it is always better to have done it rather than not do it at all.  Restoring from any type of backup can not be nearly as painful as trying to recreate any content you had if it was ever lost for good.

Especially if you’re just starting with a new Dedicated Server, you are going to run across Managed Hosting services.  Knowing exactly what managing a dedicated server entails will help you understand if it’s something you will need to include in your dedicated server purchase.  Finding affordable managed hosting solutions can often be tough, so make sure to choose your web hosting provider carefully.

Managed Hosting is a service that any reliable dedicated hosting provider should offer.  Normally, there will be various levels of managed hosting solutions available at various costs.  Depending on your level of familiarity with dedicated servers, you may be comfortable adding the cheaper option or the more expensive one.

Included in the most basic managed hosting services should be internal monitoring tools that check if your server is displaying HTTP, that there are no issues with high processes or CPU usage, and that FTP and MySQL databases are fully functional.  Any reliable dedicated host will also include the ability to email you when problems arise with immediate 24/7/365 monitoring of your server for these issues.

For a more intense managed hosting solution, clients should get the following for their dedicated server:

•    Free setup of APF Firewall
•    Free Root Kit Check on your server or servers
•    Immediate and advanced notifications of exploits on the most well known 3rd party software and applications
•    24/7 upgrades of kernels, PHP, Apache, and administration panels for security on your dedicated server (keep in mind, this should be per your verification)
•    24/7/365 Monitoring of your server
•    Unlimited rebooting instances for your server

Every dedicated host is different, so make sure you choose one with managed hosting options available.  The best dedicated hosting company we have come across will also add some extra freebies to your managed hosting purchase, so make sure to look carefully.