Today, servers ranging from dual core dedicated serverto quad core dedicated serverto 24 core server to all the way up to 96 CPU cores are available in the market. It is far easier to perform multi-core tasks such as parallel processing with the high number of cores. You will have to select your server based on your hardware requirements. Before delving into the finer details of cloud servers, it is important to understand the basic functionalities and architecture of a server.
What is a Dedicated Server?
Dedicated servers are generally maintained by some of the best dedicated server providers. These servers are built to handle massive amounts of traffic that can rise up to millions of requests or hits on a daily basis. Customers will generally be offered many options when it comes to selecting a system based on the desired configuration. A dedicated server relies on the availability of a defined amount of hard disk space, memory, and bandwidth.
What is a Cloud Server?
For a long time, engineers and developers relied on localized servers for all their online needs. With the advent of cloud servers, it has become far easier for people to remotely access and control information using cloud computing platforms. Cloud servers are essentially virtual, which means that they can act as completely non-constrained units on the internet itself. A cloud consists of a large number of servers connected to the internet. These servers form an application or software unit that can be leased to customers. Cloud servers can perform a variety of operations including web hosting and data hosting.
At this point, the question naturally arises: Are cloud servers better than dedicated servers? As some of the best cloud server providers will tell you, it depends on your requirements.
- Privacy and Exclusive Access to Resources:
If security is a major concern for a large organization, the user might decide to set aside a single computer in a network reserved exclusively for that organization. In this case, it is better to use dedicated servers. Printers and other resources can also be managed effectively with a dedicated server. - Scalability:
The scalability of dedicated hosting and cloud services are completely different. While a dedicated server generally uses a Logical Volume Manager and a battery to plug in an additional drive, a cloud server is both virtually expandable and contractible. You can easily expand your storage on a cloud server without experiencing any downtime. - Versatility:
Migration can be done quite seamlessly on dedicated servers as well as cloud-based servers. However, dedicated servers demand a significantly higher degree of planning and preparation. It is always a good idea to keep both old and new servers running until a stable state is reached. In the case of cloud servers, however, this is not the case. Migration can be done quickly and easily. - Maintenance:
Dedicated servers require a technical team within the organization when it comes to maintenance. This team should be able to adeptly handle data storage requirements and administer the system effectively. On the other hand, cloud servers are far more accessible.
Choosing either dedicated servers or cloud servers is not a simple job. You will have to keep many factors like cost, resource requirements, processing power, and scalability in mind before purchasing.
