When you order a hosting account you get access to a special type of computer called a server. This server lets you upload files to display on your site and lets other people access your site via your domain name. Hosting accounts come in different sizes, which determines how many files and media you can have on your site and how many people can visit the site each month. These measurements are called disk space and bandwidth.

1. WEB HOSTING
Module 1: Web Hosting

2. INTRODUCTION
When you order a hosting account you get access to
a special type of computer called a server. This
server lets you upload files to display on your site
and lets other people access your site via your
domain name.
Hosting accounts come in different sizes, which
determines how many files and media you can have
on your site and how many people can visit the site
each month. These measurements are called disk
space and bandwidth.
In this module, we will cover all of the topics
mentioned above in detail.

3. MODULE OBJECTVIES
Upon completion of this module, you should
be able to:
• Define a Server
• Describe the characteristics of a server in
terms of Disk Space, Bandwidth and RAM
• Differentiate different types of servers
including:
o Shared
o VPS
o Dedicated
o Cloud
• Apply your knowledge to compare and
contrast hosting plans.

4. WHAT IS A SERVER?
A server is a computer program that provides
services to other computer programs (and
their users).
The computer that a server program runs in is
also frequently referred to as a server. That
machine may be a dedicated (only used as a
server) or used for other purposes as well.

5. WEB SERVERS
Web servers are computers that are usually set up in facilities called Data Centers, they are operated by hosting
companies.
These computers store websites, and anybody with the corresponding address can access them online.
Every Web server has an IP address and possibly a domain name. We will learn more about this further in the
lesson.
Any computer can be turned into a Web server by installing server software and connecting it to the Internet.
There are many Web server software applications, including public domain software and commercial packages.

6. Let’s see..
PAYING ATTENTION?
Select one of the
options. Then move on
to the next slide to check
your answer.
Which of the following statements are true about servers?
Only some computers can be turned into web servers, it
depends on their hardware characteristics.
Web servers are computers that are usually set up in facilities
called Data Centers
A server is a computer that provides services to other
computers.

7. Which of the following statements are true about servers?
Only some computers can be turned into web servers, it
depends on their hardware characteristics.
Web servers are computers that are usually set up in facilities
called Data Centers
A server is a computer that provides services to other
computers.
Let’s see..
PAYING ATTENTION?
Select one of the
options. Then move on
to the next slide to check
your answer.
Any computer can be turned into a
Web server by installing server
software and connecting it to the
Internet.

8. DEFINTIONS
BANDWIDTH
RAM
The storage space or disk space, refers to the amount of space on a server that
is allocated to website owners by the web hosting companies.
Having an idea of the disk space that you need to host a website or any other
service will help you choose the right web hosting plan configuration.
The space you need to launch a site is not used only for accommodating files
visible to the visitor's eye. It also refers to storing files and programs that lie in
the background, but are responsible for supporting its interactivity, dynamic
content, statistics and e-mail communication.
DISK SPACE
Web space is generally measured in bytes:
Kilobytes (1,000 bytes), Megabytes (1,000
kilobytes) and Gigabytes (1,000 megabytes).

9. DEFINTIONS
DISK SPACE
RAM
The bandwidth of a website is the actual amount of data transferred through
the website at one time.
If you have less bandwidth, this may slow down the speed of your website.
There is a particular amount of data which has to be transferred through the
website that has to be calculated wisely; otherwise you may end up making your
website unavailable for the visitors.
If you’re launching a new site, calculating your bandwidth is something of a shot
in the dark. The best approach is to keep careful track of your site’s activity
for the first few months after it goes live so you can determine your monthly
usage, and adjust your account accordingly.
BANDWIDTH
Calculating your estimated bandwidth is easy:
Estimate the average page size of your site, in kilobytes (KB).
Multiply this value by the monthly average number of visitors.
Multiply the result by the average number of pageviews per visitor.

10. DEFINTIONS
DISK SPACE
BANDWIDTH
RAM (random access memory) is the place in a computing device where the
operating system (OS), application programs and data in current use are kept so
they can be quickly reached by the device's processor. RAM is much faster to
read from and write to than other kinds of storage in a computer. Data remains in
RAM as long as the computer is running. When the computer is turned off, RAM
loses its data. When the computer is turned on again, the OS and other files are
once again loaded into RAM.
More RAM memory generally means your server is better in handling
demanding applications. A small part of the available memory is used by the
operating system and its applications. The biggest chunk of memory however is
reserved for all the applications and its users.
RAM
You can compare RAM to a person's short-term memory and a hard
disk to long-term memory. Short-term memory focuses on the work at
hand, but can only keep so many facts in view at one time.

11. Let’s see..
PAYING ATTENTION?
Select one of the
options. Then move on
to the next slide to check
your answer.
True or False:
Disk Space is the place in a computing device where the
operating system (OS), application programs and data in current
use are kept so they can be quickly reached by the device's
processor.
True
False

12. Let’s see..
PAYING ATTENTION?
Select one of the
options. Then move on
to the next slide to check
your answer.
True or False:
Disk Space is the place in a computing device where the
operating system (OS), application programs and data in current
use are kept so they can be quickly reached by the device's
processor.
True
False
False!
RAM is the place where data in
current use is kept for quick access.

13. HOSTING OPTIONS
CLOUD
VIRTUAL
SHARED
DEDICATED
There four main hosting options: Shared, Dedicated, VPS and Cloud hosting.
Each of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Not only does it depend
on what you need the hosting for, it also depends on your budget.
As you can imagine, shared hosting is quite a bit cheaper than dedicated
hosting, so it’s up to you!
Let’s analyze each of them in detail.

14. HOSTING OPTIONS
CLOUD
VIRTUAL
SHARED
DEDICATED
This is the most popular hosting plan.
Shared hosting means you will share resources like CPU, time, memory and
space with other websites on the same server.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Affordable
• Easy to use and set up
• No control over performance
• Useful for small websites

15. HOSTING OPTIONS
CLOUD
VIRTUAL
SHARED
DEDICATED
With a normal hosting, a machine gives you the resources. With cloud hosting,
there's NO machine. You hardware is virtual. It is very advanced and can be cost
efficient.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Scalable and efficient.
• Pay only for what you use.
• Requires advanced IT knowledge.
• Potentially insecure.

16. HOSTING OPTIONS
CLOUD
VIRTUAL
SHARED
DEDICATED
Similar to shared hosting, but you are responsible for performance and
maintenance. It is not very popular and prices may vary.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• More powerful than shared hosting.
• Other websites will not affect your
own.
• Private space is more expensive.
• Required more IT knowledge.

17. HOSTING OPTIONS
CLOUD
VIRTUAL
SHARED
DEDICATED
Dedicated hosting is basically owning your own server.
All resources belong to you, you don't share time and memory. You have the
only account access.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Full control.
• Best performance and availability.
• More expensive.
• Extensive IT knowledge is required.

18. Let’s see..
PAYING ATTENTION?
Select one of the
options. Then move on
to the next slide to check
your answer.
Which hosting would you recommend a company that wants to
pay only for what they use?
Virtual
Cloud
Shared
Dedicated

19. Let’s see..
PAYING ATTENTION?
Select one of the
options. Then move on
to the next slide to check
your answer.
Cloud hosting allows you to pay only
for what you use.
Which hosting would you recommend a company that wants to
pay only for what they use?
Virtual
Cloud
Shared
Dedicated

20. PRACTICE TASK
Take some time to
research and complete
this task.
1. Make a list of 10 different hosting companies of your choice (you may want to
include Web Hosting for Students for comparison).
2. Look at the different types of hosting they offer (Shared, VPS, Dedicated,
Cloud). Compare the plans for each type of hosting
3. How would you rate the different providers?

21. CASE STUDY
Recommend the web
hosting provider you
would choose for each of
the case scenarios on
the right.
Justify your answer. A media site that gets
millions of hits per
day.
A large business site.
A small personal site,
Recommended hosting:
Recommended hosting:
Recommended hosting:

22. CONGRATULATIONS!
You should now be able to:
• Define a Server
• Describe the characteristics of a server in
terms of Disk Space, Bandwidth and RAM
• Differentiate different types of servers
including:
o Shared
o VPS
o Dedicated
o Cloud
• Apply your knowledge to compare and
contrast hosting plans.