Choosing the right infrastructure is crucial for businesses as it directly impacts the performance and user experience of a company’s platforms and applications. High-performance servers sit at the heart of IT infrastructure today and businesses will either choose to go down the route of dedicated servers or cloud servers. The type of business, the industry that it operates in, and the company’s specific needs determine which approach is most suited. And there are specific situations where dedicated servers are the better option. The best dedicated servers offer sustainable growth, peak performance, and flexibility.
This blog post will explore when a high-performance dedicated server may be the best option and how to select the best dedicated servers and infrastructure providers.
When should you choose a high-performance dedicated server?
- To achieve faster application speeds:
Dedicated servers provide excellent performance for demanding workloads. They are dedicated to a single tenant, ensuring that resources are not divided among multiple customers. This results in faster loading speeds and reduced lag.
- To grow more sustainably:
Dedicated servers can be scaled according to your business needs. As your infrastructure requirements expand, you can deploy more high-performance servers without the high costs associated with cloud auto-scaling. Combining bare metal and cloud offers the best of both worlds – the strength of bare metal servers, the flexibility of the cloud, and predictable billing.
- To tighten security:
Storing your information on dedicated servers is generally safer because resources are leased to single tenants. In contrast, resources are shared among multiple users on shared servers, increasing the risk of security breaches. However, it’s important to note that the security of your infrastructure is also dependent on user diligence and responsibility.
- To access more customization options:
Renting dedicated servers from a hosting provider allows you to customize your server specifications. While the vendor determines the server model and CPU, you can customize aspects such as RAM, disk storage, software, network connectivity, and the operating system to meet your specific requirements.
Now that we’ve explored when a high-performance dedicated server may be necessary let’s delve into how to choose the best one.
Key factors in choosing the best dedicated servers
Finding the dedicated server most suited to your needs involves a careful balance between component criteria and vendor criteria. You must consider factors such as processing power, storage, network performance, and the operating system. However, assessing the infrastructure provider deploying these components is equally crucial. Not all vendors are created equal, so choosing a reliable hosting partner is critical to maximizing the capabilities of your dedicated server.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve narrowed down the five most important factors to consider when selecting a dedicated server and hosting provider.
- CPU:
The central processing unit (CPU) is typically the primary consideration when choosing a dedicated server. Intel currently dominates the market, with a 71% market share, while AMD holds a 20% share. Both use x86 architecture so whether you choose one or the other, it won’t make a huge difference. So, we recommend selecting which hosting provider you want to work with first and then use the CPU model that provider uses as this tends to be more affordable and ensures you benefit from their expertise.
- RAM and storage:
When selecting a dedicated server, it’s essential to consider both the random-access memory (RAM) and storage options. RAM acts as the server’s short-term memory, impacting its performance. The more RAM available, the faster your dedicated server will be. Long-term storage involves hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). The CPU determines both RAM and storage, and your infrastructure provider will offer a base amount that can be adjusted within the physical limitations of the CPU and server.
- Network:
Network performance is crucial for a dedicated server. Bandwidth (data transmitted in any given period) and latency (time for data to travel across a network) play critical roles in server performance. A high-performance server benefits from high bandwidth and low latency, allowing it to handle large data transfers without issues. Standard network configurations for dedicated servers are 1Gbps for single-socket servers and 10Gbps for anything above that.
- Operating system:
Ensure that your potential hosting provider supports your required operating system, as they don’t tend to support all of them. Most high-performance servers are compatible with Windows or Linux. It’s also vital to consider the age of the operating system. Newer generations may need newer hardware to function more effectively and vice versa. Work closely with your hosting provider to find an optimized solution that suits your specific needs. You may discover that an older version of hardware meets your needs better than newer hardware.
- Establish a productive relationship with your hosting provider:
It might be tempting to compare vendors solely based on component specifications, but it’s essential to consider the potential variation in quality and performance across providers.
While a CPU from AMD or Intel may offer a standardized level of performance, it’s essential to remember that if it’s not designed for a specific data center environment, it won’t work to its total capacity. Additionally, budget suppliers may compromise the quality of storage drives, networking, and connection capacities, leading to service disruptions and packet loss.
Which is why it’s crucial to work with an infrastructure provider that is willing to build a strong, collaborative relationship with you and your business.
In conclusion, choosing between cloud and dedicated servers is a crucial decision that directly impacts your business’s performance and scalability. While cloud servers offer flexibility, dedicated servers provide unparalleled performance, scalability, and security. As you navigate this decision, remember the importance of a reliable hosting partner in maximizing the potential of your dedicated server.
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