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Web Hosting Explained Bookmark this page Web Hosting Tips and Advice Center Topic: Web Hosting Explained See the subtopics menu for explanations about the basics of web hosting. For additional information about web hosting, see the topic list directly below. Web Hosting Topics · Web Hosting Explained · Dedicated Web Hosting · Web Hosting Terminology · Shared Web Hosting · Choose the Best Host · Unix / Linux / Windows Web Hosting Explained - Subtopics · Web Hosting in a Nutshell · Web Hosting Technicalities · Hosting Software and Hardware · Business Web Hosting · eCommerce Web Hosting · Home Web Hosting · Professional Web Hosts Web Hosting in a Nutshell What is web hosting? Web hosting is like a bulletin board. There are bulletin boards (the servers) that you can put flyers (web pages) on. That's it. That's really how simple web hosting is. Servers are configured so that whenever a person wants to access your website, they are directed to the specific server that your website is on (your web host) and from there they are directed to the files that make up your website. Web hosting servers can be provided by companies who specialize in hosting, or individuals can even set them up themselves. And web servers, like bulletin boards, can hold more than one flyer from one person. They can hold a lot of web pages from a lot of different people all on the same server. Servers can also contain just one website (dedicate servers). There are a wide variety of hosting options out there but all hosting plan involve the same elements. ^ Back to top Web Hosting Technicalities How does web hosting work? Web hosting is often seen as a rather mysterious process. Sure, you can create your own website, but how does it actually get out on the Internet? It's all in the hosting. When you typically put a website on the Internet, it isn't being viewed from your computer. Those pages that you see are actually on someone else's computer, probably far away from you, and maybe even in another country. You - and everyone else - can see those pages because the computer that they are on is set up as a server. Servers are simply computers configured to display web pages to viewers throughout the world. A server serves web pages to users. Whenever a user requests the address of your website, their Internet browser translates the name (www.ewisdom.com) into a series of numbers, which it then uses to locate the server that your website is on. Once that server is found, it is sent a request to view the webpages. If it is a viewable site, then the server happily responds to the browser and sends it the information about the page. Voila! Your page has just been viewed. ^ Back to top Web Hosting Software and Hardware What kind of equipment is used for web hosting? To host a website, you need the following items: An "always on" internet connection with a static IP address A computer with an operating system like Microsoft Server 2003, or Linux A backup battery that will keep the computer on even if the power flickers or goes out That is really all you need as far as hardware and software go, although you have a lot of configuring to do once you get things set up. The configuration and maintenance, however, are not for the faint of heart or the newbie. But if you have enough determination, resources and knowledge, you may be able to run your own server. ^ Back to top Business Web Hosting How do businesses handle web hosting? Each business will handle web hosting differently. If it's a small business, then the business may utilize hosting services from a professional web hosting company. If the company is very large, however, then they may set up their own web server so that they can have greater control over it and what goes on with it. Businesses generally own and maintain their own server(s) so that the can easily make backups, protect confidential data, and be able to quickly make changes to the server that they want to make, instead of relying on a web hosting company to make them. ^ Back to top eCommerce Web Hosting Is there anything special about eCommerce web hosting? eCommerce (electronic commerce) is a common term for business that is conducted over the Internet. With eCommerce web hosting, a web server is needed that can withstand a large amount of traffic and also process a large amount of data. Information about products, customer information, and traffic through the website is stored in databases, which are kept on the computer and require database software, such as SQL. Traffic to the web server can also be intense, especially for heavily visited websites, so a computer with a lot of RAM and a fast processor is essential. Backups are required, since vital customer information such as addresses and credit card numbers are stored. And last, but not least, above average security it required, so that that sensitive customer information will not be compromised. ^ Back to top Home Web Hosting How do I host a website from my home or office? Hosting a website in your home or office is a lot different than professional web hosting. Below is a basic checklist of what you'll need to get started. A static Internet Protocol (IP) address that is used to direct people to your website. A computer with a server operating system installed and configured properly. A power supply for the computer that is un-interruptible and will provide emergency power for the computer should your main power fail. A safe and secure room to store the computer in that is properly cooled and ventilated. In short, you will need a lot of equipment and resources that may cost a lot more in both time and money than going with a professional web hosting company. ^ Back to top Professional Web Hosts How do I pick a professional web host? Professional web hosting doesn't have to come from big-name companies like GoDaddy or Verio in order to be affordable and reliable. Oftentimes, you can find a cheap and reliable web host in a smaller company or an individual, and you may even receive much higher quality of service in the process. The key to whether or not they are professionals is how they treat you and your information. They should treat you like a prized customer, because you are one. Web hosting is big business and companies should want to have you as a customer. They should answer your questions, provide you with a lot of information about themselves, and not shirk their duty if and when problems arise. They should provide backups of your data, or at the very least with information on how you can backup your data. Finally, they should protect your data, both physically and virtually, by securing their servers from being stolen, and enacting security software to keep them from being broken into. ^ Back to top Note: This information is for general use only. Use this information as part of a full research process. General advice does not always apply directly to individual matters. Please consult a local expert with specific and complex questions about your individual situation. Recommend this page to a friend  ^ Back to top

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