Web Hosting
Web Hosting Basics
Web hosting is the act or process of storing files on a computer, called a web server, that is specifically set up to manage requests for resources (files) from the internet. Web servers require server software for handling the requests and checking access privileges. The most common server software used today is Apache HTTP Server.
Web servers utilize a specific type of connection to the internet that provides them with a "static" IP address. An IP address is a unique string of numbers that identifies each computer connected to the internet. Each domain name's associated "name servers" points to an IP address, therefore directing the request for files from that domain to that specific computer/server.
The server will read the request from the network, try to locate the file and then send a response containing the file contents or appropriate error message back to the requesting web browser. The web browser reads the file, interprets the html/content and displays the contents to the user.
Web Hosting Services
Setting up and maintaing a web server is a complicated and costly endeavor. Unless you are a seasoned server administrator and trying to become your own hosting company it is far more convenient and cost effective to use the services of a web hosting provider.
The most affordable and common method of hosting is shared hosting. Shared hosting is when you host your website on a sever that has many websites on the same server. Each web site has their own piece of disk space alloted to them and are protected/separated from access by other sites and users through file system permissions. Since the web hosting provider can accommodate numerous customers with one machine(computer), shared hosting is the most affordable hosting option.
You can get affordable shared web hosting that will satisfy all but the more complicated needs (such as administrator access) from around $3-$5 a month. For those who demand a higher level of control over their server, you can look into dedicated, or virtual dedicated servers.
A dedicated server is when a hosting company gives you your own server. This means that no one else will have files on, or access to that server. Dedicated servers can cost anywhere from $80 up to several hundred dollars a month depending on your desired processor speed, disk storage and bandwidth/traffic requirements.
A virtual dedicated server is when you have administrator access to your server, but like shared hosting, you are not the only person using that machine. It is in my opinion the best combination of cost and control for more advanced users. You ca get a virtual dedicated server for around $30 and up depending on how much disk storage and bandwidth you need.