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Cloud Hosting → Cloud Server
What is a cloud server?
As businesses expand, finding efficient ways to handle data, and run applications and websites, becomes crucial. A cloud server can provide a flexible, reliable solution that helps meet these needs.
What is a cloud server?
A cloud server is dedicated hardware, usually delivered via a virtualized platform, that provides various features and conveniences for hosting websites and applications. Although virtualized, they deliver the same functionality as traditional, physical servers.
Virtualization allows one physical server to be divided into multiple virtual machines, each capable of running its own applications and operating systems. This means users can access and manage their server resources without owning or maintaining an entire physical server.
Further, the process of offering those cloud servers and support services for individuals and organizations to purchase and use, is called cloud hosting.
Benefits of cloud servers
Cost effective
Cloud servers both reduce a single organization’s need for physical hardware and maintenance, and allow users to pay only for the server resources they use.
Convenient
Cloud servers can be provisioned, or set up, in minutes and are managed through a simple control panel. Additionally, APIs on a cloud server help manage tasks like scaling, monitoring, and backups through automated scripts.
Scalable
Cloud servers quickly scale up or down based on your organization’s needs, allowing for growth, in most cases, without the need for new hardware or complicated server migrations.
Reliable
Cloud server providers typically offer robust systems to ensure high uptimes and server availability. In fact, many cloud hosting providers guarantee uptimes of 99.9% or more.
How to choose a cloud server
To make sure you get the best cloud server for your business or organization, consider the following.
1. Business requirements
Before you look at server options or hosts, start by identifying your specific business needs. For example, consider the types of applications you’ll be running and the amount of data you’ll be processing. This will help you choose a server without being swayed by bells and whistles that aren’t a good fit.
2. Flexibility requirements
Evaluate the server’s ability to scale in two ways, both vertically and horizontally:
- Vertically: increasing resources on a single server
- Horizontally: adding more servers
Depending on your expected growth, you may need one or both types of cloud scalability.
3. Security
Look for cloud server hosting companies with robust security credentials, including encryption, firewalls, DDoS protection, and regular security audits. Additionally, if you’re in ecommerce or the medical industry, make sure your server host is compliant to your industry’s regulations.
4. Total cost
The purchase price is only part of the total cost of a cloud server. In light of the total cost of ownership, look out for hidden fees related to data transfers, backups, or additional storage. Make sure to choose a provider with transparent pricing.
5. Provider ecosystems
Consider the cloud ecosystem offered by the hosting company. This includes integration with other services, software, and support tools that may enhance the performance and management of your cloud server overall.
6. Migration services
Smooth website and data migration are key to avoiding business disruptions. For that reason, look for a cloud provider that offers clear, reliable migration support to help you transition seamlessly to a new cloud server.
7. Available support
Finally, make sure your provider offers robust customer support, especially if you’ll need help with setup, maintenance, or management. Managed hosting options are valuable if your organization doesn’t have in-house expertise.
How cloud server hosting works
Cloud server technology operates through virtualization. Here’s how it works:
- Virtualization: Software called a hypervisor divides a physical server into multiple virtual machines (VMs), which act as independent servers.
- Resource allocation: Resources are assigned to each VM—such as CPU, memory, and storage, based on user requirements.
- Remote access: Cloud servers are accessed remotely, meaning users can manage their servers via the internet from anywhere in the world.
- Elasticity: Resources can be dynamically allocated, allowing for rapid scaling in response to demand. This flexibility ensures, for example, that businesses can handle traffic spikes or growth without performance degradation.
- Redundancy: Generally, cloud servers have built-in server redundancy, meaning data is replicated across multiple locations to ensure uptime and disaster recovery.
Traditional vs cloud servers: key considerations
Traditional servers are physical machines located on-site or in a data center, usually without virtualization or automation features.
- Investment: Traditional, non-virtualized servers require a substantial upfront investment in hardware, maintenance, and security. Cloud servers, on the other hand, are easier and faster to spin up and operate.
- Scalability: To scale traditional servers you need to purchase new hardware, which can be time-consuming, expensive, and risky. In contrast, cloud servers let businesses scale on-demand—usually with just the click of a button.
- Management: Traditional servers require owners to provide security, backups, management, and maintenance. Cloud servers, however, benefit from virtualization and automations that make routine management tasks effortless.
Types of cloud servers
There are several types of cloud servers, each suited to different needs:
Public cloud
A public cloud is a cloud server that is shared among multiple customers, with no resource allocation. Hosting providers pool server resources, while isolating each customer’s data and applications. On the whole, this makes the public cloud an affordable and scalable option. Equally important, it also means that the demands of other applications on your server may impact your site’s performance.
Private cloud
A private cloud is one dedicated to a single organization, which offers enhanced control and security. Therefore, a private cloud is often ideal for businesses with strict compliance requirements—like PCI or HIPAA—or the need for custom configurations.
Hybrid cloud
A hybrid cloud combines both public and private clouds so that businesses can keep sensitive workloads on a private server but also use the public cloud for less critical operations. This setup provides both cost efficiency and security.
Cloud server FAQs
Cloud hosting options from Liquid Web
Liquid Web has been providing industry-leading cloud hosting solutions for decades. We offer guaranteed 100% network and power uptime, instant scalability, unbeatable security, and much more.
Cloud VPS
Cloud hosting for flexible, instant cloud environments and affordable rates
Cloud servers
Cloud hosting for rapidly provisioning cloud environments with bare metal control
Managed cloud
Cloud hosting for full server management and industry-leading support
Brooke Oates is a Product Manager at Liquid Web, specializing in Cloud VPS and Cloud Metal, with a successful history of IT/hosting and leadership experience. When she’s not perfecting servers, Brooke enjoys gaming and spending time with her kids.