What is Hosting Server: Comprehensive Tutorial about Hosting Servers
Do you want to know what is hosting server. It is probably your first question if the idea of having your website has recently grabbed your attention.
If you are a newbie, there must be a plethora of terms confusing you. For example, what is server, web hosting, hosting server, etc.?
Don’t worry. You are reading the right post from The Email Shop. We are going to answer the following questions comprehensively.
- What is hosting and domain?
- What is the difference between domain and host?
- What is web hosting, and how does it work?
- What are the different types of web hosting and their differences?
What is a hosting server: Basic Terms?
A server is any computer program or device that provides a service to another computer program and its user, also known as the client.
Now let’s come back to the internet world. But, first, let us ensure that we know what it means to provide a hosting web service.
Web Hosting
Web hosting services allow organizations and individuals to post a website or web page onto the internet. A business that provides the technologies and assistance needed for the website or webpage to be viewed on the internet is a web hosting business.
When users want to view your website on the internet, they type your website address in their browser. Browser is the software used for viewing websites. Hereafter, the computer connects to your server and shows the webpages to the user via the browser.
Still, wondering ‘what is hosting server‘? Then, let’s dive into some more detail.
Hosting server is a generic term for a server that hosts or houses websites and related data, applications, and services. A hosting server is a remotely accessible Internet server with complete Web server functionality and resources. Remote access is what differentiates it from in-house servers that some organizations have.
Hosting a server is a vital component of any web hosting service. In most cases, the hosting service provider builds them and includes all elements essential to making the website work correctly. You must have heard about BlueHost. It is a good host server example.
What is Domain?
Do you remember the website address we just talked about? Something a user has to enter in the browser when they have to access your website. This something is called a domain. More precisely, we refer to it as a domain name.
It is your address. This is how people find you online.
Let’s check three definitions from three authority websites.
Wikipedia
“Domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet.”
Cloudflare
“A domain name is a unique, easy-to-remember address used to access websites, such as ‘google.com’ and ‘facebook.com’. Users can connect to websites using domain names thanks to the DNS system.”
WP Beginner
“Domain name is the address of your website that people type in the browser URL bar to visit your website. In simple terms, if your website was a house, then your domain name will be its address.”
It is imperative not to confuse hosting and domain. I hope that these definitions will have helped you grasp the difference between domain and host.
All computers on the internet are connected. However, amid this sea of computers, a unique IP address (a string of numbers 168.19.6.1) differentiates all computers from one another.
A numeric IP address of a web server is used to navigate to the website from the client’s computer. But the human mind finds it very easy to remember alphabets as compared to strings of numbers. That is why the world invented domain names.
So web hosting and domain names are two different services. Many web hosting companies will help you find or even provide the domain. A simple Google search can help you find the best domain and hosting package. Opt for the package whose hosting and domain price fits your budget.
What About Management of Domain Names
Domain registries manage the domain names.
They are the ones to delegate the reservation of domain names to registrars. So if you want to create a website, you can register a domain name with a registrar, and there are currently over 300 million registered domain names.
Domain names are always available in many different extensions. Here are some of them:
- .org
- .net
- .tv
- .uk
- .com
One of the most recommended ones is the .com extension.
After understanding the basics, choosing the best hosting options arises since there are many different types.
What is Hosting Server: Different Types of Hosting
There are many options to get your site on the web. But, first, let us understand different hosting types.
1. Shared Hosting
Your website is stored along with multiple other websites on the same server. In shared hosting, many domains share the same server resources, such as RAM and CPU. This makes the costs relatively low as compared to other types.
2. Dedicated Server
This server is precisely the opposite of shared hosting. You enjoy ultimate control over the server since you exclusively rent it, and your website is the only website stored on it.
You get full root and admin access, and you can control everything from security to the operating system you run. But of course, that comes with a price. Dedicated servers are the most expensive hosting options.
3. VPS Hosting
VPS, here, stands for Virtual Private Server. This hosting is a middle ground between both previous hostings.
VPS Hosting services host each website within its own space on the server. Although it still shares a physical server with other users. They provide good customization and storage space but are unable to tackle sudden traffic surges.
4. Cloud Hosting
It is no less than a buzzword in the technology industry today. Cloud hosting works via a network and enables companies to consume computing resources like a utility. Thus, users can utilize as many resources as they need without needing to build any computing infrastructure.
Putting It All Together
It is never about which hosting is best. It is always about which hosting is best for you. So we hope that this post from The Email Shop answers your question of “what is hosting server?”
Feel free to ask questions for further clarification.
