Web Hosting Tutorial - What is Web Hosting ?

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Web Hosting, Web Design > Web Hosting Tutorial

Web page design and website build tutorial

1. What is Web Hosting ?

A web hosting company provides server space to individuals and companies so that their web pages are connected to the Internet and can be viewed through a web browser. The web host is responsible for supplying the hardware and software, the connectivity to the Internet and the administrative maintenance of the servers.

That means they make sure the servers are plugged in, operating properly and online. Hopefully it's 24/7. The host's customers are responsible for the maintenance of their website and its content. The customer pays the hosting company a monthly fee for the use and maintenance of the host's equipment and resources.

2. Web Hosting Provider List of Components

The basic components or requirements for a web hosting company to operate and provide hosting services to their clients are:

Hardware - The physical equipment needed should include: The server, routers, and switches, tape backups, racks and wiring, secure climate controlled environment, backup power supply etc.

Software - Operating system, e-commerce software, databases, encryption, traffic and server monitoring and reporting, web server software.

Connection to the Internet - T-1 connection.

Human administrator - As automated as the world has become, web hosting still requires the human touch. Someone has to perform certain functions like monitoring server performance, managing the disk space and bandwidth, run and monitor backup operations, install and configure software, run reports and handle technical support for customers.

3. Types of web hosting services

Shared - The most common service is shared hosting. This arrangement puts multiple websites on a single server. Each website is separate and distinct in its access by web surfers, but the websites share the use of the hardware, software, connection and administrative resources.

Dedicated - This arrangement is like buying or renting a home in a managed housing development in that you share a piece of real estate, but you live separately from the neighbors. This arrangement allows the customer to rent or own their own server. The host furnishes the server, installs the software and maintains it. The website owner is responsible for managing the applications and the content of the website.

In-House - If you were to take the components of a hosting company; the hardware, software, Internet connection and administration and operate it on the premises of your business, you have in-house hosting.

4. Web Host Operating System

The first option is to choose which server operating system you want to use. The three most common are UNIX (including all variations), Windows (NT and IIS), and Macintosh OS. Windows from Microsoft, and MacIntosh from Apple, are less secure and less stable than UNIX.

UNIX has been around the longest, and hosts the greatest number of web sites. It is a powerful multi-user, multitasking operating system originally developed by AT&T. UNIX is the most stable and secure platform for web servers available today. UNIX is an excellent choice for web servers. Unix is often less expensive than Windows.

Windows web hosting should be used if you plan to use ASP (Active Server Pages), or if you plan to use a database like Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server.

5. Web Hosting Glossary of Terms

Web Server - A computer dedicated to the storing of and having the ability to deliver access to web pages on the Internet.

Disk/Storage Space - The amount of disk space allowed for your account on the host's servers. Usually quoted in megabytes

Bandwidth - The amount of monthly traffic or data transfer through your account. Usually quoted in megabytes per month.

CGI - More commonly known as CGI - Bin. "Common Gateway Interface - Binary." The folder on the server for your account where scripts that interact with the server are stored. An example of a CGI script is a website traffic report.

FTP - "File Transfer Protocol" The procedure used to upload and download files to the web host's servers.

Technical support - Every company claims to have it. Is it by phone, support ticket system, email, Fax or carrier pigeon?

Front Page Extensions - Web development tool from Microsoft. It has some limitations, but it's easy to use and most hosts provide the extensions for free.

MYSQL Database - Common database used as an electronic filing system for web applications because of its speed and reliability.

Shopping cart system - Software used to process e-commerce transactions online.

Server operating system - The software used to run the server. Is it Linux or Windows, you'll need to know.

Domain based email - Email accounts based on a website's domain name.

Multiple domain support - Hosting of multiple websites in one account.

SSL secure server - "Secure Socket Layer" basically means secure encrypted communication. E-commerce sites require SSL.

Scripting/Language - Programming language that adds functionality to a web page. Examples are: Javascript, PHP, Perl and C++.

Uptime guarantee - Guarantee by the host for maintaining connectivity. They all claim it's 99%...We'll tell you how they get away with being untruthful later in another tutorial.

Features :

Autoresponder - Application that automatically responds to emails with a pre-written reply.
Spam Filtering - Application designed to reduce the receipt of junk email *SPAM*
Traffic statistics - Valuable website application showing details about websites visitors. Essential tool for testing a website's marketing and promotion.
User friendly control panel - Your gateway to your hosting account.

The basics of hosting that we've described will help you get started making the right decision of picking a web host for your website.

All prices are GST Included