Dedicated Server Upgrades
Overview
When your website or application outgrows its current server resources, it’s time to consider an upgrade. Upgrading your dedicated server at Liquid Web can enhance performance, improve security, and provide a better experience for your users. This guide will walk you through the available upgrade options and the process for each.
Hardware Upgrade Options
When you need to boost your server’s physical capabilities, a hardware upgrade is the way to go. At Liquid Web, we offer a range of powerful dedicated server options to meet your growing demands.
Traditional Dedicated Servers
For our traditional dedicated servers, upgrading hardware components like the CPU, RAM, or storage typically involves a migration to a new, more powerful server. Our expert Migrations team is here to assist you with this process to ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime.
To initiate a hardware upgrade for a traditional dedicated server, please contact our Sales team. They will discuss your specific needs, recommend the best server configuration for you, and outline the migration plan.
Cloud Dedicated or VPS Servers
Our Cloud Dedicated and VPS Servers offer greater flexibility when it comes to hardware upgrades. You can easily scale your resources, such as CPU cores and RAM, with just a few clicks from your management portal. This allows you to quickly adapt to changing traffic patterns and resource requirements. For storage upgrades, you can add more space to your cloud server as needed. See our guide to Resizing your Cloud Server for more information.
Software Upgrade Options
Keeping your server’s software up-to-date is crucial for security and performance. Liquid Web provides support for a variety of software upgrades on our managed dedicated servers.
Operating System Upgrades
As older operating systems reach their End-of-Life (EOL), it’s essential to upgrade to a supported version to continue receiving security updates and patches. For instance, if you are running an older version of CentOS, we can help you with an in-place upgrade to a newer OS like AlmaLinux. In other cases, a migration to new hardware may be needed. To begin this process, please open a case with our Support team.
Control Panel Upgrades
We can assist with upgrading your cPanel/WHM, Plesk, or InterWorx control panel to the latest version. This ensures you have access to the newest features and security enhancements. You can often perform these upgrades directly through your control panel interface. For assistance, check out one of our Control Panel upgrade guides:
PHP and MySQL Upgrades
Upgrading your PHP and MySQL versions can significantly improve your website’s performance and security. Our support team can guide you through the process of upgrading to a newer version. It’s important to ensure your website’s code is compatible with the new version before proceeding. For assistance, refer to help docs in the guides specific to your product.
Prerequisites
- A Liquid Web Dedicated Server.
Step-by-step Instructions
Identifying the Need for an Upgrade
Not sure if it’s time to upgrade? Here are a few signs that indicate your dedicated server may need more resources:
- Slow Performance: If your website is loading slowly or your applications are running sluggishly, it could be a sign that your server’s CPU or RAM is being maxed out. See our guide to Server Optimization for ideas about evaluating performance.
- High Resource Usage: Consistently high CPU, RAM, or disk space usage are clear indicators that you’re pushing the limits of your current server. You can monitor your resource usage through your control panel or command line.
- Error Messages: Frequent error messages, such as “500 Internal Server Error” or “Database Connection Failed,” can sometimes be attributed to insufficient server resources.
- Increased Traffic: A significant increase in website traffic is a positive sign for your business, but it also means your server needs to handle more requests. If you anticipate a surge in traffic, it’s wise to upgrade your server proactively.
- Outdated Software: Running older versions of software, such as PHP or MySQL, can pose security risks and limit your access to new features.
How to Initiate a Hardware Upgrade
Ready to upgrade your dedicated server? Here’s how to get started:
- Assess Your Needs: Determine which resources you need to upgrade. Are you experiencing slow performance (CPU/RAM), running out of storage (disk space), or needing to update your software?
- Contact Our Team: The best way to begin any upgrade is to contact our Sales team. Our knowledgeable representatives will review your current server configuration, discuss your requirements, and recommend the most suitable upgrade path.
- Schedule the Upgrade: For hardware upgrades and significant software changes, our team will work with you to schedule the maintenance at a time that minimizes disruption to your website and users.