Web Hosting and its pros and cons

What is Web Hosting?

In its very basic form, what Web hosting means, is running a Web server. Let us define a Web server as any tool that contains the software and hardware necessary to electronically shift data files between a storage system i.e hard drive or other and a client device i.e computer, phone, PDA, through the Internet. Web servers and ftp servers are the most common server.

Other server types include file servers, mail servers, domain name (DNS) servers, database servers, backup servers and more. 

The Pros

Hosting at our home gives us the highest level of control over the equipment. Physical access permits one to ‘own’ the server. All the advantages of hosting at home flow from that control.

Complete say over hardware specifications:  The home host may create servers with specifications that would not be readily available in any other settings. Many data centres advises a choice of ‘good, better and best’, which generally means that the processor speed, storage, memory, and bandwidth grow together. Combinations of slow processor with marvellous memory and storage, or an extremely fast processor with least storage are difficult to find. These designs can be useful, respectively, for serving a small number of very large static files, and for a large dynamic environment with multiple connections but a very ls small amount of static content.

Easy access to and control over hardware: Having the server on the premises makes it very easy to modify hardware. It is possible to add, replace memory remove or replace memory .

Lower initial cost, fewer barriers to entry: Using existing equipment, including the computer, Internet access, existing real-estate, router makes getting started with Web hosting very reasonably priced. While it may not be sensible, it positively is possible to also use an old computer for the job, at least for proof of concept.

Instant gratification: Changes made to the server at home can be immediately viewed and verified. No communication, delegation or waiting for third parties are involved.

The Cons

Hosting a server at own home puts great power in the owner’s hands, but with great power comes great responsibility to which one might add and great pain.

Dealing with service providers:  DSL and cable providers are not all the time hospitable to Web hosting. Some ISPs block ports needed for hosting like http, ftp, sftp and ssh ports.

IP address issues:  Most ISPs provide dynamic IP addresses to home users, which generally means that the server’s IP address changes every few days or even every few hours. A set IP address is better for hosting a server, and is recommended even if incurs an additional cost from the ISP. If the ISP does not offer set IP addresses, it is possible register the site’s domain name with a dynamic DNS host and install a scripts to bring up to date the IP address at that DNS host either whenever the home IP address will change.Internet speed:  Standard DSL is asymmetric, that offers a download rate of 1.5 Mbit per second, and it also offers an upload rate that is 1/4 to 1/2 of that speed. This may be sufficient for personal Web pages that are reconsidered only a few times a day, but after the hosted site becomes popular, viewers may experience lags or time-out failures when they attempt to access the server.