Web Hosting Hardware

Determining one’s required memory :-one should determine his/her requirement for memory. If one’s web server’s daily traffic goal is 500,000 then it is recommendable to have at least 2GB worth of memory. In case of a shared server, i.e. a server having other server services running on the machine, especially a mail server or database server then one’s memory should be at least 3GB or more else the other option is one can think small and upgrade as required, a 1GB memory stick should be fine for beginners.

One should determine his/her network components, which NIC card performs best under high traffic levels and which router performs best for one’s LAN / web server. It is always considered a best option to get a router, which has a built-in firewall (commonly known as a “hardware firewall”). Now one’s ISP may offer one with a router or hardware firewall, this is the way in which they are able to authorize one’s traffic on their network. Just like a cable box does for cable television. Another role of router is that it also shares one’s IP address with other clients on one’s network. This is to enable one to share his/her Internet connection without having to get a different IP from his/her ISP. The hardware firewall is simply a router with a built-in firewall, which shares one’s IP address .In addition it also provides added protection to one’s network. It blocks addresses, which are having virus threats, and ports at the forefront, before it can damage one’s computer. It is not recommended to rely only on a hardware firewall for security; this is just the first step. However for security it is not at all only recommended to just rely on software firewall rather it is must to perform continuous timely security practices, such as updating and patching one’s system on a regular basis.

Determining one’s processor speed and power:-Irrespective of the amount of traffic one is expecting, it is recommended to have a dual processor or even greater. A dual processor or greater is considered best due to the fact that if one’s website gets unexpectedly take off in that case he/she will be in a prepared state and if one is hosting other server options or websites on the same server then one will get better performance.

If one can afford the latest technologies then that is considered best, but one should keep in mind that, at this particular time a 64-bit compatible processor is not necessary, without having many applications that require or deliver on that platform. The speed given above is considered quite good. Not only that, one should also remember that the power of the 64-bit platform and the greater the processor speed the more heat it will generate, thus it needs to be cooled much more quickly and proficiently. At this time a dual 32-bit, 2.8GHz – 3.2GHz processor will be considered sufficient. In case one can afford good amount of money in that case the latest and greatest would be fine else there is common option, which other people often take i.e. to upgrade at the time when it is required.