A number of factors decide the choice between opting for a shared web server and a dedicated web server, which include budget and requirement for dedicated server resources.

1. DedicatedWeb Servers or
SharedWeb Servers?

2. Table of Contents
2
Introduction
Web Servers
Web Hosts
Web Servers for Hosting Websites
Shared Web Servers
Dedicated Web Servers
Advantage of Using Shared Web
Servers
Advantages of Using
Dedicated Web Servers
Disadvantages of Using
Shared Web Servers
Disadvantage of Using
Dedicated Web Servers
Shared Web Server Usage
Dedicated Web Server Usage
Shared Web Server or
Dedicated Web Server
HTS Hosting

3.  If you are in a dilemma whether to opt for a dedicated server or a shared server, then the information
provided here will prove to be useful for you. Comprehensive information shall be provided, in brief, on
both these types of servers and their advantages and disadvantages, to help you choose the most
appropriate option between these two types of servers.
3
Introduction

4.  A web server refers to computer software and the underlying hardware that are used for storing and
processing the files of a website or multiple websites.Web servers store web server software, as well
as the component files of websites and accept and respond to HTTP/HTTPS requests of web browsers
by either letting them access the files or by sending an error message, depending on the circumstance.
 The web browsers of the Internet-connected devices of site visitors communicate with various web
servers through HTTP/HTTPS requests for the stored web pages.The web servers locate the web
pages’ stored files in their storage and process those based on the incoming requests. Subsequently,
these files are delivered over an active internet connection to site visitors’ devices, rendering the
hosted sites accessible to them.
4
Web Servers

5.  Space on web servers can be availed from various service providers that are known as web hosts or
web hosting companies, through a range of plans offered by them.These service providers offer server
space for storing and processing the files of websites, in order to make the sites accessible over the
Internet. It is through the service of web hosting that server space can be availed on the web servers
of web hosting companies by different website owners.
 Web hosts not only provide web server space but also the technologies and the services that are
required for keeping sites up and remaining seamlessly.
5
Web Hosts

6. Web servers can be categorized into three main types of servers, based on how the files of websites are hosted on
these servers.These are as follows:
 Shared web servers
 Dedicated web servers
 Virtual Private Servers (VPS)
In the next few slides, we shall provide information on shared web servers and dedicated web servers, to help you
understand the differences between these two types of web servers, so that you can choose the option that
suits your requirements.
6
Web Servers for Hosting Websites

7. A shared server is a type of web server that stores and processes the files of multiple websites on it. Its typical
characteristics include the following:
 Shared server space
 Shared server resources
 Multiple websites hosted on a single web server
 Unavailability of dedicated server resources
7
Shared Web Servers

8. 8
1-800-123 -8156
Whoa!That’s a big number, aren’t
you proud?

9. A dedicated server stores and processes the files of a single website on it. Its typical characteristics
include the following:
 No sharing of server space
 No sharing of web server resources
 A single website is hosted on a single web server
 Availability of dedicated server resources
9
DedicatedWeb Servers

10.  Owing to multiple websites being stored and processed on a single web server, the price of availing this type of server
goes down, as the cost gets divided among the websites that are hosted on the same web server. This renders a shared
web server highly economical to avail, in terms of the pricing of its plans. This is the main reason for which a shared
server is preferred by those that opt for it.
10
Advantage of Using SharedWeb Servers

11. Since a dedicated server stores and processes a single website on it, it is able to provide dedicated server resources to the
hosted site. The hosted site gets to reap the full benefits of utilizing the entire resources of the web server on which it
has been hosted. Some of the main benefits of using a dedicated server are being mentioned below:
 Server customization
 Enhanced site speed
 Augmented performance
 Elevated level of security
 Exclusive IP address
11
Advantages of Using Dedicated Web Servers

12. The shared server space as well as the sharing of server resources in a shared server, results in the following issues for the
sites hosted on such a web server:
 Slow site speed
 Unimpressive site performance
 Security concerns
 Limited server resource availability
Moreover, unlike dedicated servers, shared servers cannot be customized and cannot provide dedicated server resources.
12
Disadvantages of Using Shared Web Servers

13.  With regard to performance, speed and security of a site that is hosted on a dedicated server, there are no
disadvantages. The only downer is that dedicated web servers are priced higher than shared web servers and that is for a
reason. Since a single website is hosted on a single dedicated server, the price for availing a dedicated server will
obviously be higher than that for availing shared server space on a shared server. The high prices of plans for availing
dedicated web servers is the only downer with such web servers.
13
Disadvantage of Using Dedicated Web Servers

14. Due to the limited server resources that a shared web server is able to offer to the hosted sites, it is not a viable option for
those sites that require dedicated server resources for their optimum functioning. It is also not an effective option for
sites that require enhanced speed, performance and security and/or server customization. The following types of sites
usually avail shared web servers:
 Sites that get low web traffic
 Sites that are simple
 Sites of small-sized businesses
 Blogging sites
As the most economical type of web servers, shared web servers are opted for, by those with less budget for availing servers
to host their files.
14
Shared Web Server Usage

15. Dedicated server resources that are provided by dedicated web servers, make these prime choices for sites that require
dedicated server resources for their peak performance. Sites that require enhanced speed, performance and security
and/or server customization also prefer to opt for dedicated web servers. This type of web server is commonly found to
be used by the following types of websites:
 Sites that get a lot of web traffic
 E-commerce sites
 Business critical applications
 Sites of large-sized businesses
 Sites of businesses that are expected to grow quickly
15
DedicatedWeb Server Usage

16. The choice between a shared web server and a dedicated web server is decided largely by the following factors:
 Need for dedicated server resources
 Budget for availing plans for web servers
 Requirement for server customization
 Need for enhanced site speed and performance
 Requirement for dedicated IP address
 Requirement for elevated security
If you need all the aforementioned features in your web server and you have the budget to avail a dedicated server, which
always costs more than a shared web server, then you should opt for a dedicated web server to significantly boost the
performance, speed and security of your hosted site.
16
SharedWeb Server or Dedicated Web Server?

17.  HTS Hosting, the most preferred web hosting company that is often referred to as the best Cloud Hosting
Company, offers a wide range of plans for availing server space on its powerfully configured, fast and secure dedicated
web servers at massively discounted prices.
17
HTS Hosting

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