Load balancing is the technique of spreading work between computers, hard disks, processes, etc. with the purpose of decreasing computing time and getting optimal resource utilization. This technique is generally performed by load balancers, whose aim is to exceed the capacity of a single server by increasing that of a server farm. Load balancers also allow the service to continue even in situations of server maintenance or server failure. Reducing downtime is essential in the prevention of huge losses, which is why automatic detection of server failure or server lock-up software are recommended.

But why is server load balancing necessary? If all the incoming HTTP requests for your website are responded to with only one web server, its capacity may fail in handling high volumes of traffic, when and if your website becomes popular. This means that pages will load slowly and there will be quite some time before some of the users get to have their requests processed by the web server. The more connections and incoming traffic to your website, the greater chances are you will need server upgrading, which may no longer be cost effective. This is what server load balancing is about: adding more servers and distributing load among them, in order to attain web server scalability. Be it an application server, database server, or HTTP server, load balancing applies for and is recommended for all types of servers.

There is a limit for each server as far as the number of users that it can server is concerned. Once that limit has been reached, you only have two options. You can either replace it with a newer one, or you can add one more server and make it possible that the load is shared between them. A load balancer will help you in that it will distribute connections among servers and cut the work proportionally for each of them.

Many server deployments can do with using basic information about the services and the clients they want to reach, as means for load balancing. Still, this will prove insufficient as your needs develop and become more complex. At this point, you have to take a closer look at the options you have and make a more detailed decision about load balancing. This is where Layer 7 load balancer comes into place.

There are times when sharing traffic over a group of servers simply is not enough. One reason is that all the content that comes with a request will have to be on each server, if they are equally likely to service that particular request. Your servers will function with maximum efficiency if you group them so as to handle different tasks at the same time. For instance, some can be optimized for streaming video downloading, others can serve as massive storage systems, while others can handle transactions. In fact, the main reason for using a load balancer is that of increasing the capacity of IP servers.

The ability to handle huge amounts of traffic is extremely important in a server load balancer. This is all the more true for sites with significant volumes of SSL transactions, which require built-in SSL terminations and SSL acceleration cards. Theses cards are very important to the security of transactions on e-commerce web sites through the encryption keys that they generate. But the process of performing a secure transaction can overload a server severely, which results in a smaller number of transactions being processed by second. This ultimately leads to fewer sales. The importance of SSL acceleration cards is obvious, as they take over the process, subsequently allowing the load on the server to be reduced. Under these circumstances, the Layer 7 load balancer can perform correctly, despite the large number of HTTPS packets coming in. The ideal product will increase efficiency and reduce costs, as it provides performance and quality, and requires no separate appliance.

Layer-7 load balancer is concerned with parsing requests and distributing them to servers, according to the different types of content these requests have. By doing so, Layer-7 load balancer improves overall cluster performance, although its scalability is rather limited compared to Layer-4 load balancer, due to the high overhead of parsing requests.

An important feature of any efficient Layer- 7 load balancer is its ability to manage traffic based on the content. Traffic management is performed by comparing URL content with customized configuration settings. This process helps to determine which server is able to handle the request and making an appropriate routing.

For more resources about layer 7 load balancer or even about server load balancing please review this page http://www.cainetworks.com

Introduction

Used in almost all automated library systems, client/server technology is the computer architecture. Client/Server technology is computer architecture for separating the application’s functions into two or more distinct parts. Client/Server technology divides functions into client (requestor) and server (provider) subsystems, with standard communication methods (such as TCP/IP and z39.50). To facilitate the sharing of information between them, it divides the functions. On the desktop computer the client presents and manipulates data. To store and retrieve protected data the server acts like a mainframe. The machines can perform their duties to their best.

Characteristics

The main characteristics of Client Server Technology is as under-

• By the differences in their performing tasks the client and server can be differentiated from one another.

• The client and server generally function on different computer platforms.

• One or more servers may be connected by the clients.

• Multiple clients may be connected by the servers at the same time.

• Without affecting each other the client or server may be upgraded.

• By requesting a service the clients always initiate the dialogue.

In a client/server environment a client PC almost does the following:

• screen handling

• menu or command interpretation

• data entry

• help processing

• error recovery

A server can be anywhere along the dividing line and with a broad range between the clients. Only the user interface has been moved onto the client at one end; at the other end the database may be distributed.

Along the range there are at least five points:

1.Distributed presentation: The server and the client partly handle the presentation

2. Remote presentation: The client handles or controls the entire presentation

3. Distributed logic: The server and the client partly handle the application logic

4. Remote data management: The server handles or controls the entire Database management

5. Distributed database: The server and the client partly handle the Database management

In a library environment there are two major applications for client/server:

1) For an automated library system as the architecture- To facilitate use of this system a vendor designs a system using client/server technology to access multiple servers to improve productivity and to bring together multiple product lines.

2) To linking heterogeneous systems as an approach- To facilitate transparent access a vendor designs a client to systems of other vendors and from others a server to facilitate transparent access to its system.

Benefits

The benefits of client/server computing are as under

1) In spite of changing the legacy application it is much easier to implement client/server

2) Move to rapid application development and new technology like object oriented technology

3) For development and support it is a long term cost benefits

4) To support new systems it is easy to add new hardware like document imaging and video teleconferencing

5) For each application it can implement multiple vendor software tools

Client/Server technology is proved much cost efficient and feasible in a mainframe environment.

Concerns

The companies implement client/server technology on the following concerns-

• Between the client and server where there are many levels of complexity and compatibility issues

• Since you will need to maintain the old system (mainframe) and the new client server architecture development cost will rise in the short term

• There are many layers of complexity and compatibility issues between the client and server.

• Cost will rise in the short term since you will need to maintain the old system (mainframe) and the new client server architecture development.

• Software’s competency such as tools of security and management are not as mature as mainframe counterparts.

• With these tools takes time to become proficient.

• At giving up control of a centralized computing environment Information System departments may draw back.

Some years ago, Linux was often preferred by most webmasters. Systems running the Microsoft Windows NT4 were critiqued, neglected because of lack of security, and difficulty to administer. According to many, Linux has simplified core, which could be easily reduced to the sole purpose of web hosting, unlike windows.

Listening to those critics, Microsoft launched Windows 2000 server that is not only secure adequately, but also easy to use, even by computer newbies. With the development of Windows 2000, Microsoft offered webmasters (1) a more secure system based on a new core, and (2) an interface like Windows 98, but much easier to be administered. The development of Windows Server 2003 family (Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition) offers even more advantages; some of them include:

Automate Operations with Script-based and Policy-based Management Tools- The new Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) allows administrators to better deploy and manage group policies for multiple domains and sites within one or more forests in a simplified user interface (UI)

Easy to deploy, administer and use – Windows Server 2003 R2 is an extension of Windows Server 2003 operating system. With its familiar graphical interface, it is easy to use. In addition, Windows Server 2003 R2 is secure and reliable.

Converting your file server in a collaboration server – Windows SharePoint Services is the ideal platform for creating web sites for information sharing and productivity of teams. It can accommodate thousands of sites within an organization, manages the distribution of charge within a server farm and deployment of databases in cluster.

Web services easy to find, share and reuse – Windows Server 2003 R2 includes the multi-platform UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration) for the establishment of a dynamic and flexible infrastructure for Web services.

Secure and open infrastructure- Windows Server 2003 has an implementation of a secure and efficient infrastructure for the competitiveness of enterprises.

Reduced TCO through server consolidation and support of the latest technology – Windows Server 2003 R2 has many advanced technologies that enable lower total cost of ownership.

Creation of dynamic websites for Internet and intranet – IIS 6.0, the embedded web server for Windows Server 2003 R2, provides a greatly improved security and a reliable architecture that allow the isolation of applications and better performance.

Improve the protection and availability of documents – With its new restoration function, any user can instantly recover previous versions of their files, without the need of a computer technician.

Rapid Deployment of Applications with the Integrated Web Application Server – The integrated Microsoft. NET is deeply integrated into the operating system Windows Server 2003 R2, enabling the creation of high-performance Web applications without ambiguity.

In addition, only Microsoft Windows server can use all existing technologies such as ASP,. NET, PHP, MySQL, MS SQL, Access, Outlook, Java, Python, Perl, AJAX, Sylverlight, and more. Linux, in contrast, does not allow use of Framework. NET and the support of ASP via an emulator or an Apache module, … to learn more about windows server, visit smallbusinessserverwindows.com , or click on the link in the resource box below.

What is Virtual Private Server Web Hosting?

Virtual Private Servers offer hosting customers a great balance
between the control and power of a dedicated server, but at very
affordable prices as compared to shared hosting. Virtual Private
Servers, also known as VPS, Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS), or
virtual server hosting, offer developers and web hosting
resellers an excellent way of maximizing hosting investments.

As an intermediary service between shared web hosting and
dedicated server hosting, the actual hardware server is divided
into several isolated environments. Each environment, or space
of the hardware, has its own server software, mail server, and
independent software instances and services. This provides total
independence for that particular website, as a crashed or
corrupted application in another client’s VPS setup has no
effect on your virtual server hosting package. Virtual Private
Servers minimize the compromises that shared web hosting has, as
one does not have to share resources, applications, nor an
environment a large number of other users in the same directory.
Overall, VPS offers a distinct advantage in performance and
security, as compared to shared web hosting.

Advantages:

The rewards of Virtual server hosting are based around control,
security, and scalability.

VPS offers control, as many of the server resources available to
end users are very similar to that of dedicated servers without
the cost and expenses associated with utilizing a totally
dedicated solution. Because of the control, VPS users are able
to install their own applications, as well as use the feature of
dedicated web servers, mail servers, database servers, and FTP
servers.

Security is a major issue, as each VPS has its own dedicated
system files. Other virtual server hosting accounts should never
be able to ’see’ your data, detect your presence, or affect the
operation of your VPS. As compared to shared hosting, the
benefit is protection from usage or behavior of other sites.

Lastly, scalability offers a great benefit in being able to
upgrade to a more robust VPS solution or transfer files and
applications to a dedicated server solution.

DisAdvantages:

There are a plethora of known advantages. However, one of the
major disadvantages is the requirement of advanced technical
skills and program knowledge to install, maintain, and tweak
specialized applications that need to run on VPS platforms. The
answer to this, however, is that better Virtual Server Hosting
companies provide detailed manuals that make processes of
configuration and control easier, no matter what level of
knowledge one has.

Next, mismanagement of too many virtual servers residing on the
same computer, or if a few virtual servers start hogging
resources, there may be an observable decrease in speed and
performance on web page delivery.

Furthermore, depending on the hosting package, a virtual private
server may allow endless ways of configuration, but it may not
always include with it the essential web hosting tools and
multiple-user management functions necessary to run the site of
your specifications. One may have to find specific software to
run, or may even have to purchase customized software to run on
that platform, as compared to software which may be provided by
shared hosting plans.

Lastly, although an advanced user would see the return on
investment of virtual private hosting, cost may be prohibitive
to a user who needs more basic functionality. As compared to
shared web hosting, VPS pricing plans and packages cost more per
unit time.

Technical Benefits:

Web hosting companies developed the virtual private server to
provide features usually reserved for a dedicated server at a
more affordable price. An increasing number of web hosting users
needed more flexibility, custom configurations, and root access,
and the concept of a true virtual server fit their needs
perfectly.

What is the best application of a Virtual Private Server web
hosting service provider?

Utility of virtual private services for advanced users is
multifaceted. VPS users, in management of servers, have a wide
variety of applications and uses. Flexibility, speed of data
delivery, security, and reliability, as compared to a shared
server environment, are markedly improved. Therefore, solutions
such as e-commerce, multimedia, and web development testing
suites and platforms such as ColdFusion, Active Server Pages,
and Java™ are viable options for implementation on a VPS.

From simple websites to complex needs, Virtual private hosting
can truly accommodate the present hosting needs, but also is for
those who need the scalability of growth and prediction of
future resource requirements.

Some more examples of applications that Virtual Private web
hosting is duly suited for include:

* Web-based calendaring & scheduling with employee scheduling *
Multimedia applications through graphics, video, audio, and
advanced rich advertising needs. * Tighter Email management
(including possible spam protection) * More robust and powerful
e-commerce possibilities (with secure data storage) * Corporate
intranet implementation. * Multiple custom application
development & hosting * Customer support ticket tracking * Data
management

=| How to decide: |==

Generally being more technically savvy, users of VPS would be
able to compare architectures that would offer the necessary
speeds, ease of new software deployment, and the ability to
install the latest technologies. Furthermore, possible VPS
customers should be able to compare features on the hardware and
software packages. Therefore, the following list of questions
would be appropriate to understand and compare what packages are
being offered and how they will affect the web page delivery.

* If something breaks, do you have spare server parts to fix it
immediately? * What kind of maintenance plan do you have with
your hardware provider? * What kind of backup options do you
offer to save my data? * What application options and modules
are available to me for installation * What management methods
are available for me to administer my server? * What kind of
connection to the Internet do you have? * What are the brand and
specifications of computers that you use? What are the hardware
specs you have available (CPU speed, drive size, memory, etc.)?
* Overall, virtual server hosting gives a high degree of
flexibility and operative benefits.

Overall, the ROI for Virtual Private Servers offers web savvy
customers needing fast and reliable services a great solution
for their web hosting needs.

Server consolidation and data center moves can deliver
significant benefits – including cost savings, enhanced business
continuity, optimized service management, and improved
regulatory compliance.

The impact of this physical displacement should not be
underestimated. If you don’t adequately understand and address
the issues that arise when you put more physical distance
between users and servers, you can set yourself up for serious
pain and potential failure.

Here are four killer mistakes you should be particularly careful
to avoid:

1) Confusing network latency with application latency If moving
your servers adds 50 milliseconds of network latency, that
doesn’t mean that your application response times will only
increase by 50 milliseconds. On the contrary, applications
require many back-and-forth interactions between user and server
(often referred to as application “turns”). So the addition of
50 milliseconds of network latency can cause an action that only
took 3 seconds to complete locally to take 30 seconds to
complete after a server move.

Network managers can’t change the speed of light, or make Tokyo
closer to New York. So it doesn’t make sense to lay the problem
entirely on them. In fact, because application design issues are
often responsible for poor response times after a server move,
additional investments in the network will be of little use
whatsoever.

2) Failing to realize how network latency impacts server
performance and scalability Servers allocate resources to each
client session and lock them up until the session is completed.
Local clients complete their sessions quickly, because their
application turns experience minimal network-related delay.
Remote sessions take much longer to complete.

Thus, remote users keep the server’s resources busy for a longer
period of time – preventing the server from releasing its
resources for use by other clients and severely limiting its
ability to scale. That’s why IT organizations should consider
the possibility that network latency will require them to invest
in additional server infrastructure.

3) Putting distance between servers – even temporarily – can
crush performance It can take weeks or months to complete a move
to a new location. During interim stages, some systems will
operate from their original locations while others will operate
from the new location.

The impact this separation between servers has on application
performance can be even more dramatic and unexpected than the
introduction of latency between users and servers, because
computing processes are almost never designed to accommodate
significant inter-server latency.

Consider the following example of a credit application that
authenticates users on an Active Directory (AD) server and
accesses a database to validate customer credit scores:

1. Client accesses the credit application server (10 turns) 2.
Credit application server authenticates client on the AD server
(50 turns) 3. Credit application server gets credit data from
database server (200 turns) 4. Client receives answer from the
credit application server (5 turns)

Note that there aren’t many application turns between the client
and the front-end credit application, but there are many turns
between the servers. Thus, if distance between these servers is
introduced during a move, there is likely to be a severe impact
on application performance.

Any IT organization planning a
data center move must therefore ask a variety of questions.
What happens when servers with critical inter-dependencies are
temporarily separated? Which servers must be moved with other
servers? When should Active Directory servers be moved? Which
servers will need to be replicated for the duration of the move?

4) Not dealing with users’ performance expectations until after
the move Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to set a
post-relocation Service Level Objective (SLO) that is identical
to the SLO before the move. If it originally took a local user
three seconds to execute a task, it is very unlikely that the
task will take the same amount of time after servers are moved
across the country. So an SLO of seven seconds, for example, may
be more reasonable.

It’s therefore critical to address users’ service level
expectations up front. If you wait until after the move and tell
users they have to live with what you can deliver, you’re
setting yourself up for a battle. But if you can get buy-in
beforehand as part of the planning process, you can avoid such
hassles and ensure that no one has unrealistic expectations.

To achieve this pre-relocation acceptance, IT must be able to
predict and simulate post-relocation performance. These
predictive and simulation capabilities enable IT to set up
“acceptance environments” where users can experience
post-relocation performance before the move is actually executed
- and where they can buy into post-move SLOs before a single
server is relocated.

Seven Steps for Project Success IT organizations can avoid all
of these mistakes. But to do so, they must leverage the
expertise of the application team, systems managers and network
architects. They also need to be able to create virtual models
of both the pre- and post-relocation enterprise environment – as
well as all transitional phases.

IT organizations can avoid all of these mistakes. But to do so,
they must leverage the expertise of the application team,
systems managers and network architects. They also need to be
able to create virtual models of both the pre- and
post-relocation enterprise environment – as well as all
transitional phases.

The following seven-step plan highlights how collaboration and
modeling can ensure the success of a data center move:

1. Build a virtual model of the pre- and post-relocation
enterprise environment, as well as all planned transitional
phases. All participants in the planning process, including
business users, need concrete information about how network
infrastructure will impact application performance with the new
data center.

2. Establish an SLO baseline by measuring application
performance before the move. Users’ needs and expectations don’t
exist in a vacuum. Pre-move transaction response times provide
essential context for determining reasonable SLOs for after the
move.

3. Measure post-move application performance in a virtual
environment. The only way to accurately predict the impact of
server moves on application performance is to run those
applications in a fully simulated post-move environment. This
will provide the specific data on potential performance
degradations essential for proper planning.

4. Identify applications that need special performance tuning.
Rather than wasting time, effort and money on beefing up all
elements of your enterprise infrastructure, focus instead on
specific applications or network components that may be
particularly problematic.

5. Assess dependencies between back-end servers to establish an
appropriate move plan. In addition to addressing network
latencies between clients and servers, the team must fully
understand the impact of latencies that may be created between
servers during transitional stages of the move.

6. Analyze problems and validate potential fixes for failing
applications. Before investing in and deploying a solution, it’s
important to make sure that it actually works. Assumptions about
bandwidth or CPU power should always be tested before being
executed in the production environment.

7. Manage user expectations and get buy-in commitments for
performance improving investments through hands-on acceptance.
Users should therefore be given the opportunity to directly
experience post-move application performance in advance, so they
can offer informed consent to the relocation plan.

By following this seven-step plan, IT organizations can
substantially reduce risk, eliminate unnecessary infrastructure
spending, accelerate time-to-benefit, and overcome a wide range
of potential political pitfalls. So if you’re planning a server
consolidation or other type of rel="external nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.shunra.com">data center move, consider
investing in simulation technology that allows you to experiment
with alternative scenarios and determine in advance what will
work and what won’t. It’s a great way to ensure that your
business reaps the full benefits of the move – without suffering
any of its potentially disastrous consequences.

For this and other network performance articles, white papers,
and industry resources, please visit Shunra at
http://www.shunra.com/resource_center.aspx.

About Shunra Shunra’s solutions empower organizations to
address service level and performance concerns before rollout.
The Shunra VE solution creates an exact replica of the
production network environment, enabling IT professionals to
safely develop, test and experiment with applications and
infrastructure before deployment, and effectively plan for
growth and change. Tailored for networking, performance and
testing professionals, and software developers, Shunra VE
facilitates collaboration across IT disciplines so IT
organizations can quickly and more efficiently uncover and
resolve problems before they impact the business. Over 1,500
leading enterprises and technology vendors worldwide are using
Shunra’s award-winning solutions including 3M, Boeing, Cisco,
Dow Chemical, EMC, FedEx, General Electric, General Motors,
JPMorgan Chase, Kelly Services, Merrill Lynch, Motorola, Nestle,
Pitney Bowes, and Vodafone. Shunra’s headquarters are located in
New York City and Kfar Saba, Israel, with worldwide offices in
the UK, Sweden and India. Shunra is also supported through a
global network of channel partners.

This is a guide to setting up a new WHM/cPanel Server to be used for web hosting accounts. It is intended for web hosting company administrators and dedicated server owners. For under $99 per month, it is easier than ever to manage and run your own dedicated server. You can have guaranteed uptime from your datacenter, and outsourced support starting at $30/month. All you need to do is set up the server and get going. Whether it is for a web hosting company or a couple of personal websites, an inexpensive Linux server is powerful, reliable, and easy to setup.

Web Host Manager (WHM) is a common Linux based tool for managing websites on a server. Panel is a common control panel to manage an individual website. It allows you to add email accounts, view stats, make backups, install programs, etc. These 2 tools are the most inexpensive set used commonly to manage hosting accounts, and you will find them very prevalent in the budget shared hosting world. It usually adds about $20/month to the cost of a dedicated server but provides most of the features of the more expensive tools.

Whenever you order a dedicated server from a datacenter, you will receive a welcome email with details of the server including the server name, ip addresses, and root password. This information will allow you to setup and configure WHM so that you can host websites and use your own custom Domain Nameserver instead of a raw IP address.

The first thing you need to do is the setup of Web Hos tManager (WHM). This includes configuring the default Domain name servers, main IP address, and server contact email address.

1) Login to root WHM (http://:2086) 2) In the left margin, click Next to run the setup wizard 3) Agree to the end-user license agreement 4) Edit setup a. Server contact email address: info@yourdomain.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it b. Default Cpanel theme: x c. Default home directory: /home d. Home directory prefix: home e. Main shared virtual host IP: xx.xxx.xxx.xx (should be main IP of server) f. Hostname: server.yourserver.com g. Primary name server: dns1.yourserver.com h. Secondary name servers: dns2.yourserver.com I. Leave everything else unchanged j. Click Save

Next, you need to setup the system quota. To do this follows these instructions: 5) Click Next Step in left margin – system sets up initial quota. No need to wait for initial quota to setup….Click Next Step again 6) DOES NOT enable names ever. Click Next Step again

Now we need to setup the Resolve. This is specific to your datacenter and the information will be provided in the Welcome details for your dedicated server. 7) Resolve setup: a. Click Continue b. Primary Resolve: xx.xx.xx.xx (this is datacenter specific) c. Secondary Resolve: xx.xx.xx.xx (this is datacenter specific) d. Tertiary Resolve: leave blank e. Click Continue f. Click Next Step Not necessary to enter a MySQL root password 9) Click Finish

Initial setup is done, and you should now be able to login to root WHM. Now you can create the accounts needed to setup the name servers that you want to use on this dedicated server. 1) Login to root WHM again 2) “Create a New Account” (this is to be the main account: yourserver.com). Do not give this account a dedicated IP…. It will use the main server’s shared IP address. 3) Under “IP Functions”, click “Show IP address usage”. If only the main server IP is listed, that means you have to add the additional IP address to the server. Click “Add a New IP address”, and enter: xx.xx.xx.xx-xx Leave subnet mask unchanged, and click “Do It” 4) Click Show/Edit Reserved IPs, and check an IP to reserve it, and enter a reason (i.e. dns2.yourserver.com) 5) Under “DNS Functions” click “Edit DNS Zone”, then select yourserver.com and click “Edit”. Use the main IP address for the first 2 lines and the next IP address assigned to the server for the third line. A. Under “Add new entries below this line”, enter: server 14400 IN AN xx.xx.xx.xx (leave far right box blank) dns1 14400 IN AN xx.xx.xx.xx (leave far right box blank) dns2 14400 IN AN xx.xx.xx.xx (leave far right box blank) b. Note: The above entries are DNS entries for the two name servers being created, and the sever name dana.hostyourself.com. Once you’ve enter the three entries, click “Save” 6) If you get an “Error reloading BIND” error, go to “Restart Services” and click “DNS Server (BIND)”, then click YES to restart Bind.

That’s it! Now the server is all setup and ready to host cPanel hosting account with the name servers dns1.yourserver.com and dns2.yourserver.com. Of course you still need to go to your registrar and register these 2 new name servers and wait for normal propagation of 24-48 hours until the new name servers will work.

If this is a server being setup for a dedicated customer, be sure to tell them: 1) IP addresses of name servers so he can register them with his registrar 2) Root login information 3) Login info of main account you created for him 4) Tell him NOT to delete the main account, since doing so will also delete the DNS zones you setup above 5) New DNS zones should be added to the old server to help with DNS propagation.

If you follow these simple instructions once you get your server from the datacenter, then you will be ready to load websites and hit the internet. With cheap outsourced support companies available and world class datacenters providing under $99 servers there is no reason not to tackle the world of dedicated servers and web hosting for you.

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When it comes to hosting a website, many individuals are torn between whether to use collocated servers or dedicated servers. In fact, many individuals do not know the difference between the two. There are several differences to be found between collocated servers and dedicated servers and the different functions of each may make an option more or less attractive to the website developer.

There are many companies that will offer their customers the use of either a dedicated or collocated server and there are several advantages and disadvantages to each type of service. Ultimately, the decision rests with the website developer and their needs for the website.

The main difference between a collocated server and a dedicated server is the ownership of the server. With a dedicated server, the user is provided with exclusive use of a server that is owned by another entity, generally the hosting provider A collocated server is owned by the user and is housed in a rental space along with the servers of many other companies and individuals. In other words, with a dedicated server you rent the server and with a collocated server, you rent the space to house your server. Each option is more cost effective than purchasing and housing the server on your own, but there are major differences in what you can and cannot do with the equipment.

With a dedicated server, the individual has exclusive access to the server and can place any software, content, or applications on the server that they wish. Websites that use dedicated servers also have a higher reliability and can handle a great deal more traffic than sites that are hosted on shared servers. With a dedicated server, any issues that arise with the server are the responsibility of the company that the individual is renting the server from, which could be a good or bad thing. One of the biggest disadvantages to a dedicated server is that the individual only owns the data on the server, not the server itself, so if they are dissatisfied with the service they are being provided, they have little recourse until their contract expires.

One of the biggest advantages of a collocated server is that the individual owns and has full access to the server at any time. The applications can be run from a remote location while the server is housed in a secure facility with an uninterruptible power supply, internet connectivity, and increased security features. Allowing the server to be collocated frees up valuable space in the home or business that would be needed to house the server and allows the individual to split the cost of utilities between all the individuals with servers housed in the area. The biggest disadvantage to collocated servers is that all issues, maintenance, and needed repairs to the server must be handled on your own.

Process Servers Go Green

The days in which a process server sat by his file cabinets and waited by his rotary phone for a call requesting delivery of service of process on an individual or a business should be long gone. Surprisingly enough, there are many independent contractors who still conduct their business in this antiquated and environmentally hostile manner. While there are reputable independent servers who have advanced with the times and who have secured and applied the benefits of modern technology to their work routine, there are far too many who have remained resistant to change. However, these fossils of the service of process industry, who are not adhering to the current policies of the “Go Green” movement, are falling by the wayside.

Servers and law firms alike have come to realize that the pace of the times and additional court room demands have resulted in numerous and varied responsibilities on each case. The law firms can no longer depend on the “old warhorse” to deliver their “need it now” emergency service of process or to carry out a plethora of other activities that require immediate attention. There can be no return to the days of yesteryear in process serving. Those process servers who are utilizing the modern technology are not only better able to serve their clients, but they are practicing good citizenship by helping to preserve the environment.

Full service litigation support firms have propelled the service of process and associated services into the 21st Century through the utilization of technological advances in order to facilitate client service and to help preserve the planet, as well. These process servers adhere to the “Go Green” methodology of conducting their business affairs by adopting ecologically sound and environmentally friendly office protocol. Process servers who have changed their habits of doing business in order to be in synch with the “Go Green” movement are doing their part in preserving the environment for generations to come while, at the same time, promoting their own business cause.

In what ways can process servers “Go Green?” To answer that question, let’s go back to our friend, the service of process fossil for just a minute, shall we? He has been a rather successful process server over the years, as evidenced by files in manila folders piled up in each corner of his office, and papers scattered all over his desk and on furniture throughout the office. In years gone by, this presentation could be an indicator of a successful process server with hundreds of clients whose records were kept, by hand, in files. Additionally, his secretary ensured there was nothing lost (even if it had been misplaced and couldn’t be found) by photocopying everything that came into the office. Papers piled up everywhere, and the cost of copying the files and storing them became prohibitive, so the costs were passed on to you, the client! Do you know how many trees were cut down each year just to satisfy the paper demands of the fossil? If he used 90,000 sheets of paper annually, then two trees were cut down to meet his paper demand!

You think 90,000 sheets of paper is a lot of paper, however I have had some foreclosure filings that had 150 pages. That means just 600 filings that size would equal the two trees. I have also seen many firms that serve 7 to 8000 papers per year. At 8000 papers you would just have to average 12 sheets per filing to reach that same number. Now, imagine 5000 servers throughout the country that have not progressed to electronic storage of documents. That’s 10,000 trees a year that could be saved.

Full service litigation firms today have chosen to “Go Green.” By utilizing an electronic storage system, the process server can enter, file, track and retrieve every piece of information relative to each case. Electronic document storage allows the process server access to all documents relative to a case, and he or she can retrieve this information and furnish reports with a push of a button, without even causing a single tree to be cut down. Online data storage facilitates the clients’ ability to access your documents and to forward them to any party anywhere in the world at any time. Meanwhile, the fossil is still awaiting a dial tone! The use of electronic document storage is inexpensive, and the cost of hard drives continues to tumble. The process servers can then transfer these savings over to their clients, the law firms and pro se litigants who utilize their services.

The second electronic marvel of the decade for conservation is the fax-to-email technology. If an attorney has a subpoena to be served 200 miles away, what is the normal process? The old process would be to call their local server, print the subpoena, have the local server come and pick it up. Then the local server would contact a qualified server where it needed to be served and then go to the post office and mail the subpoena to them. All this, while making a copy for his own records. The server then serves the paper and fills out an affidavit of service and mails it back to the local server who makes a copy and then drives over to the attorney’s office and delivers it. What a waste of time, paper and gas.

The new technology advance firm would email the subpoena to their server or have the server prepare the subpoena (no paper or gas yet). The local server would then email the subpoena to his server, where it would be printed and served. The server would then email the affidavit of service back to the local server, who in turn would forward it to the attorney. All this done with the subpoena and affidavit printed once and only the gas for the actual delivery was expended.

Conservation and ecology consciousness are important factors that business people, such as process servers, never considered even a decade ago. However, with reliance on foreign oil and air quality such hot topics today, it is vital that process servers practice good environmental business protocol in order to make their contribution to society. Trees are an important part of our environment, and they add to our quality of life. Trees have a tremendous impact in reducing noise, smog, and air pollutants, while at the same time producing the gas we all need … oxygen The continuous senseless cutting down of trees has damaged our ecosystem, and it is the responsibility of process servers to play their role in the maintenance of our environment. By using e-mail, online accommodations, proof of service through electronic documentation processes, and paper recycling, each server can spare one or two trees annually.

Another way for process servers to “Go Green” is by using hybrid automobiles for field coverage. These hybrids run on a gasoline-electric blend of fuel which relates to an average savings of twelve miles per gallon, or over 400 gallons of gas annually if the server clocks 50,000 miles per year. That is almost enough gas to replace one normal persons gas usage per year. Cutting our reliance on foreign oil is not only good for the environment; it is also good for the security of our country. This reduction in the use of gasoline also translates into savings for the process server, which is, in turn, reflected in savings for their clients. Hybrids also produce much less pollution from gas emission, and are compatible with the “Go Green” initiative.

There has been a remarkable progress in recent years made by businesses to align themselves with others as advocates of the preservation of the environment through sound economic and ecological business practices, and process servers should make it their practice to “Go Green.” Sometimes these initiatives come with a hefty price tags, however in our industry, undertaking the “Go Green” initiatives actually save us time, personnel and money. So, GO GREEN.

This article is presented by Colin Keogh, the VP of operations for Salus Services, Inc. Salus Services is a premier full litigation support company in Florida servicing attorneys and pro se clients throughout Florida and the US. http://saluslegalservices.com

There are many types of servers; everything from email servers, web servers and proxy servers to wow private server and backup servers. Virtual Servers are a hybrid of a dedicated server; one that is stand-alone and is usually used for one high traffic website, and a shared hosting type where many websites are hosted on one platform. In essence it is a single machine or server that pretends to be many by having the ability to run various operating systems and separate server software and configurations for each of many different sites but sharing the hardware resources such as processor, memory and hard drives.

There are many advantages to using virtual servers vs. shared hosting or dedicated servers. In a shared hosting setup, if the server software becomes corrupt or if one particular host site becomes corrupt it can knock all of the other hosted sites offline ..thus it is not as reliable as if you have a single dedicated server hosting your site. One advantage, however, is that it is the most cost effective of the server setups due to the shared hardware resources.

On the other hand, the scalability of a dedicated server can cause problems if expansion is necessary. In this case the site would need to be offline unless it were ported to a completely different server and while more reliable than a shared hosting setup it is also considerably more expensive.

A virtual private server (VPS) is a mix between a dedicated server and a shared hosting account. The physical server is divided into many virtual servers each running completely independent from one another. If one of the virtual servers goes down, the others on the physical server are not affected.

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Hyper-V virtual dedicated server has many advantages over Shared Hosting. In the case of Hyper-V virtual dedicated server hosting, we find that a server is split into separate virtual entities. Each of these entities acts as a server independent of each other. Each Virtual dedicated server has its own unique environment with disk space, bandwidth, applications, the web server, software and other related tools. Hyper-V virtual dedicated server places the client at a great advantage, the reasons being that if any of the other virtual dedicated servers on the same physical server become corrupted, it has absolutely no affect on your server. The result of this is that your data and website are safe.

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