Should You Run Your Own Server?

A key question for every organization planning to use the Internet is whether to operate its own Web server or to opt for outsourcing to an Internet service provider or web hosting company. Several options are available: Web hosting refers to the practice of renting space on an outside server (usually from an ISP) that you share with other users and organizations. You will be given access to your own directory on the server for uploading and downloading material to your Web site via FTP. When you register a domain name, such as www.abcdesign.com, the Web hosting service will arrange to have visitors directed to your site on their server.The principal advantages of Web hosting are that you avoid the expense of purchasing and maintaining a server and of bringing a high speed Internet connection to your location. The primary disadvantage is that you will not have the same degree of control and security that operating your own server provides. If you plan on using interactive features in your Web site, you may be limited in what you can offer bythe policies of the ISP. For example, if you are providing fill-out forms,threaded discussion lists, or password authentication, you will require the ability to upload scripts to the server. Usually the ISP will require that scripts be placed in a designated subdirectory on the server to which you may or may not have direct access. Your ISP may require that you use only standard scripts that it provides, or it may require prior review and authorization of custom scripts. Some ISPs will not allow scripting functions at all, while others allow unlimited upload of custom scripts without review. Moreover, an ISP may or may not provide a searching/indexing function for your Web site. If your site contains information that you want users to be able to search, such as specifications, correspondence, or product data, lack of such a function would be a significant loss.

A limited degree of Web hosting is offered by most ISPs as part ofthe basic subscriber package. Most ISPs will limit the size of the Website that can be placed on their servers, and their limits vary widely,from 2MB to 50MB or more. ISPs may also place upper limits on the activity of the Web site, defined, perhaps, as a specified number of hits per month, or just a volume of traffic expressed in megabytes. A larger Web site or more monthly activity may result in a higher monthly fee. The reporting or logging of activity on your Web site will alsovary, depending on the policy of the ISP.

An alternative to Web hosting is co-hosting or co-location, which refers to the practice of owning and operating your own server but physically locating it at your ISP, where it can be attached to a high speed connection and kept in a secure location. In this case, you have the same degree of control that you would have if the server were located on your premises, without the physical security concerns or the need to bring expensive high-speed dedicated lines into your offices. Most of the administrative functions that are required to keepthe server operational can be done remotely, usually through a browser interface.

The advantages of co-hosting over having your own server include:

If you have decided to operate your own server, the next set of choices involves the hardware and software required. Configuringand maintaining a server require more than the minimum amount of in-house computer expertise. You will need one of the advanced network operating systems, such as Windows 2003, Netware, Mac OS X, or Unix (which includes such versions as Sun’s Solaris, SGI’s IRIX, and the freeware Linux). Considerations here include security, ease of setup, capacity, and cost.

Your server must run continuously and unattended for long periods of time. The requirements of a server are very different from those of a desktop PC or workstation, and it usually makes sense to purchase hardware and software specifically for this purpose. Your server hardware and operating system must run unattended twenty-four hours a day. With a client-server system, all of your files are in one central location,but if the server goes down, you are out of business.

Frequent backup of all data is critical. Some features that enhance hardware reliability include: redundant and/or quickly replaceable power supplies,redundant cooling fans, error-correcting memory, and multiple, hotswappablehard drives which can be replaced without shutting down the computer. Your system must also be scalable; its capacity can increase as the company grows. A scalable server might include easily replaceable CPUs, a capacity to support multiple processors, and room for lots of RAM. Technical support for the system is also critical. Firms without a dedicated support expert should consider contracting for service with a support company that can guarantee on site response within a few hours.

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