There is more to an internet connection than just the ethernet cable that a lot of people use in this day and age. Many people find themselves concerned about not only the speed and strength of their internet connection, but also their privacy levels. Cyber security has become a major concern for people in recent years, both when they’re working and when they’re at home. Already, VPNs have taken off online, with clients using these portals to get a secure internet connection that will allow them to not only browse the web securely, but also go to websites that would normally be blocked due to their countries of origin. This is the same type of mentality, the desire to expand our horizons while at the same time maintaining some individuality online, that has led people to ask the question “Do I need a dedicated server?”. For many, however, it can be difficult to decide whether or not a dedicated server is really necessary, and many aren’t informed about what a dedicated server is in the first place.
Therefore, our first priority is demystifying the dedicated server. A dedicated server is meant for those who want to host their own websites, and essentially allows your website to have its very own server. This means that you’re able to have more flexibility when operating the site, as well as greater power. Most websites, in contrast, begin on a shared server. Eventually, a website’s traffic or needs may expand beyond what that shared server can accommodate. If your website is currently on a shared hosting platform, you may already be wondering “Do I need a dedicated server”. But the upgrade isn’t without its own costs, and it isn’t going to be worth it to everyone. Furthermore, once you decide that you need a dedicated server, you’ll still need to consider the practicalities of keeping it. If you’re seeking out your first server, for example, you may want to consider a tower system at first. Tower system servers can offer a lot of hardware in a relatively compact form factor. But no matter what you ultimately decide, you should know that there are some reasons why a dedicated server will probably be a need, if not immediately, then eventually.
1. If You’re A Gamer
Gaming has always been an important part of the online world; ever since the earliest personal computers were being sold, people were figuring out a way to game on them. However, games have become much more complex than they once were, and have expanded beyond the types of games hosted through downloaded software or external discs. One game that has grown tremendously in popularity over recent years is Minecraft. This game is known for giving the players the ability to interact with each other heavily. They can also modify the game as they see fit, and many have made connections across the world that has allowed them to make the game their own. Minecraft players can become quite competitive and intense, with many taking their gameplay quite seriously. Therefore, though the question of “Do I need a dedicated server” may not initially seem to apply to Minecraft players, in fact, their gaming needs are much more complex than they may seem. Minecraft server hosting services are offered for a reason, and targeting the exact issues that players can run into.
The reasons why Minecraft server hosting services are needed in the first place are myriad. For one thing, players don’t need to worry about their server needing to update or be powered down unless they choose to do so themselves. When a game is being hosted on a shared server, there is no control over when the server will go offline, which can result in gameplay being interrupted for hours or even days. The only way to combat this is keeping your computer powered on 24 hours a day, and staying logged in during that time. This obviously isn’t ideal for the computer’s health, and is a major reason why serious players decide to move on to individual servers. Another reason why Minecraft players end up asking themselves “Do I need a dedicated server” is simply the improved performance found in dedicated servers. When your computer is dedicated to gaming, you’ll want to get as strong a connection as possible in order to prevent any excessive buffering or even a game cut short.
2. If You’re Responsible For Banking
Banking institutions obviously are responsible for a great deal of private information, not to mention immense funds on a collective level. As with most older institutions, most major banks have embraced the worldwide web, as have most smaller, local banks. However, just like individual internet users, those in charge of information technology for banking institutions have asked themselves “Do I need a dedicated server to better control this bank’s online security”? Obviously, a dedicated server for a bank or multiple banks would be much more complex than the type of server bought for one person’s individual Minecraft game. Therefore, this question is always evaluated carefully by those responsible for budgeting a bank’s expenses. These questions don’t merely apply to straightforward banks, but also credit unions and any companies that deal with clients’ money management.
Security is obviously the chief reasons why banking institutions should consider using a dedicated server for their websites. The secure data centers associated with dedicated servers actually employ real people who can help patrol the server and ensure its security. While every server will vary in terms of its security levels, you should always be able to ask questions about how a hosting agent provides security, and should make comparisons about different servers hosts’ security levels before making a final decision. Many banking institutions are also prioritizing the higher load capacities provided by dedicated servers. As banks are moving online, they need to be able to provide a seamless experience for their users, through which they can manage their accounts most effectively. It can be difficult for banking institutions, which often have a large number of clients, to offer new advantages and host all of the relevant information at the same time. An individual server will make it less likely that banking sites will crash, and therefore people will have access to their money at all times.
3. Medical Practices Must Manage Their Websites
There are a lot of people that need to ask themselves “Do I need a dedicated server” before even beginning their businesses and launching their websites. Certainly, medical practices of all sorts are among them. Obviously, a lot of major hospitals do have dedicated servers, as it’s vital that they stay online and are available at all times. But many smaller private physician’s practices don’t have their own dedicated servers, and don’t necessarily put the time into creating a strong website in the first place. This is a major mistake, not only in terms of ensuring that patients have the information that they need at all times; it also ensures that the clinic itself will receive the publicity that it needs. Although these practices provide important medical work, this doesn’t mean that they don’t also need to make themselves known on a business level. The stronger the practice’s online presence, the easier it will be for future patients to find them.
Of course, security is also a major concern for medical practices and dental clinics alike. These types of practices and clinics hold valuable information, like patients’ medical histories that contain a lot of personal, private details. It’s not enough for this information to be kept secure, however. It also needs to be immediately accessible for medical professionals that may need to access that information immediately in urgent or even emergency situations. If those medical records are lost, it can be difficult for them to be recovered. Patients may need to provide their own medical records for immigration purposes, and sometimes even when taking certain jobs. Finally, a dedicated server also ensures that a practice is not only keeping information secure, but is also able to employ all necessary firewalls and protections required by regulations in some cases. If the head of a medical or dental clinic is asking “Do I need a dedicated server”, they should realize that it’s about providing the best possible patient care, while also ensuring that the practice will be long-lasting.
4. An Email List Has Grown Too Large
This particular issue is well-known to small businesses. In this day and age, a lot of small business owners utilize email lists to keep in touch with their clients or potential clients. Mass email blasts are a great way of keeping clients up to date, and many small business owners spend years accumulating their email lists. When the lists are small, they are often managed through third party sites or software. But the larger they grow, the harder they can be to manage in a quick and efficient manner. Furthermore, web-based email clients can crash at times, and this can delay businesses from sending out emails effectively.
A dedicated server eliminates a number of problems in this case. Not only does this take away the need to depend upon web-based clients; it also makes it easier for business owners to organize different inboxes and files. Furthermore, this also means that you can set your email file sizes and capacity. This means that you simply have a lot more control over the types of emails you’re sending out, and to who they’re being sent. Therefore, when you look into “Do I need a dedicated server”, you should really consider your long term email marketing strategy. Servers can play a key role within it over time, as your business grows.
5. Increased Web Traffic
Another issue that brings small businesses to ask themselves “Do I need a dedicated server” is of course increased web traffic on their own sites. This is obviously a good thing, but it doesn’t come without its own issues. Many of us have been on websites that crash unexpectedly. This is extremely frustrating, especially when you’re trying to buy something. Many small businesses lose money, and sometimes even permanent customer loyalty, due to the fact that their shared servers have crashed due to increased web traffic at the worst possible time.
Individual servers mean that these small businesses are better able to prepare for and control the website’s response to web traffic. Another major reason why small business owners like to use individual servers is the fact that even if a website doesn’t crash due to increased web traffic, it may very well move more slowly than usual. Lots of people abandon a website if it’s not efficient, which means that small businesses may potentially be missing out on chances to connect with customers and build up a brand due to their slow website. A slow website isn’t just frustrating; it actually gives a very poor impression to newcomers.
If you’re asking the question “Do I need a dedicated server”, chances are that you will need it at some point or the other. There are a number of reasons why people seek out dedicated servers for their own personal homes, but they’re certainly needed by a number of different businesses. The more a business grows, the more it will need a personal server. While some people might like the idea of saving money by putting off investing in a dedicated server, this can actually end up costing business owners money, and costs individual users time and frustration.
Using a dedicated server, whether it’s for Minecraft or a medical practice, is also rather exciting. It allows people to have more control over their websites and online activities, ultimately resulting in more personal freedom and privacy. While it might require something an initial investment, it will be well worth it in the long term, and is an important part of moving up to the “next level” of online activity. Soon enough, owning a dedicated server may very well be the norm.
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