Windows Server Hosting Service

Windows server hosting services are there to meet the requirements of Windows web developers who create all of their websites using classic ASP and ASP.NET as websites developed using either scripting framework will only function correctly in Windows web hosting environments. Windows VPS servers and Windows dedicated servers are going to set you back more than their Linux equivalents due to the fact that web hosting providers have to factor the cost of the Windows operating system into their web hosting package prices. Windows is a popular operating system and is used by web hosting providers that wish to meet the needs of those who require Windows web hosting services because of how their websites have been developed, but Windows servers can also be used for the hosting of enterprise-class Microsoft applications; a good example of this would be Microsoft Exchange Server as many businesses prefer to use this application as part of their internal infrastructure as it allows employees to collaborate and communication with each other easily.

Windows VPS servers and Windows dedicated servers may be easier to manage for some since you are usually provided with direct access to the server that you have purchased via Remote Desktop; this will allow you to manage every aspect of your Windows server from the Windows GUI. Security for Windows servers is provided through the Windows Firewall component which now comes as standard with all the latest versions of the Windows operating system; by usin the Windows firewall you will be able to configure your Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server to close certain ports that aren’t being used by any particular application – if you use third-party firewall software then you may be able to make use of more advance capabilities such as IP blocking and packet filtering since these will help you to protect your server to a higher extent. Windows server hosting services can also provide those who require database hosting with a highly reliable platform as Microsoft SQL Server databases and Microsoft Access databases will only function correctly on Windows web hosting servers as both are technologies that have been developed by Microsoft; MySQL Server will also function correctly on Windows web hosting servers if the correct version is used and this can be beneficial to businesses that are looking to save money. It is important to consider that Windows server hosting is only worth the investment if you are going to be able to make the most of your web hosting service as otherwise a cheaper Linux web hosting package may be more than suitable for your requirements.

What are the benefits of using a Windows server hosting service?

There can be many benefits to using a Windows server hosting service if you feel that Windows is the only web hosting platform that is capable of meeting your web hosting requirements effectively. The main advantage of using Windows server hosting is the support for classic ASP and ASP.NET that is provided by the Windows operating system as this is one feature that many Windows web developers will value in any web hosting service that they choose to purchase; these are the two main scripting frameworks that are used to develop websites that are going to be hosted on a Windows web hosting server, primarily because they can offer developers the tools that they require to develop web applications that can interact with the Windows operating system and other Microsoft applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Access. Windows server hosting services can also provide web developers with support for Microsoft SQL Server databases and Microsoft Access databases, both of which are commonly used to power the backends of dynamic websites that are hosted in Windows web hosting environments; as both database systems have been developed by Microsoft, databases that have been created using either will only function correctly on a Windows server meaning that you are going to have to pay more for using Microsoft technologies. A Windows server hosting service will also be able to offer you a dedicated hosting environment that you will be able to make use of as you wish since any reputable web hosting provider will offer you direct Remote Desktop access to your Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server 24×7; a dedicated web hosting environment will provide you with the web hosting solution that you require if you wish to install any applications of your choice as this will mean that you can use the applications and components that you require to enable your web applications to function correctly. In summary, the main benefits of using Windows server hosting include:

  • Support for classic ASP and ASP.NET – classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages and scripts are only supported by Windows web hosting services due to the fact that they are Microsoft technologies – if you are a Windows web developer then this means that you will need to consider a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server for your requirements if you wish to be able to make the most of what the Windows operating system has to offer you as you will be able to set the relevant permissions for your own scripts but will also have full access to your Windows servers – it is important to note that any Linux web hosting services offering support for classic ASP or ASP.NET won’t be able to meet your requirements as the support offered will either be limited or non-existent
  • Microsoft database systems – a Windows server hosting service will also be able to provide you with support for Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Access databases which will benefit you if you use either database application in any medium – Microsoft SQL Server is usually the choice of larger businesses that require a reliable and secure database server that will be capable of coping with increased loads that are going to rise over time – Microsoft Access is usually restricted to low level web developers who wish to use an easy to use and understand system that comes in the form of a desktop application that can only be used on the Windows operating system as well meaning that if you are going to be using either database application, you will need to have the Windows operating system installed on your desktop machine as well as on the web hosting server that you’re using
  • Dedicated web hosting environment - a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server will be able to provide you with your own dedicated Windows web hosting environment that you will be able to manage as per your wishes – this will allow you to install any Windows applications of your choice that you see as being of benefit to you or any web applications that you may wish to deploy – a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server is easy to manage as your web hosting provider will offer you direct Remote Desktop access to your Windows server which means that you will be able to use the Windows GUI to manage your server, an interface that is familiar to most server administrators.

The benefits of using Windows server hosting show that the use of a Windows VPS server or a Windows dedicated server will be a worthwhile investment for businesses that are looking to make the most of the Windows operating system in a server environment as you will be provided with your own isolated dedicated hosting environment.

What are the disadvantages of using Windows server hosting?

There can also be disadvantages to using a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server that you should be aware of when considering Windows web hosting as the result may be that you may find that another form of web hosting is better suited to your requirements. The cost of Windows server hosting can be very off-putting for most and a Windows server is always going to cost more than a Linux server of the same specification as web hosting providers have to factor the cost of the operating system into the prices of their own web hosting services; if you choose to use Windows web hosting services then you should be prepared to pay the premium that comes with using commercial products as you are going to benefit greatly from the support that is offered by the manufacturer/producer of the software. The reliability offered by Windows server hosting services can also be questioned due to how the Windows operating system deals with particular tasks that are thrown at it, and for the most part if you require reliable server hosting services then you may wish to consider a Linux server for your requirements; when you install an application on a Windows server you are generally required to restart the server to implement any changes, and everytime you restart your server it goes down thus reducing the overall level of uptime that you will attain. You need to have the correct server management skills if you wish to be able to make the most of the Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server that you have purchased since you have probably spent a large amount of money on your new web hosting service; although you will be provided with access to the Windows GUI, it is still important for you to be aware of what individual features do so that you can make the most of your Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server. In summary, you will find that the main disadvantages of using a Windows server hosting service could include:

  • Price - Windows web hosting services are more expensive than Linux web hosting services as web hosting providers have to factor the cost of the Windows license into their own prices – this means that a Windows server of a certain specification is always going to cost more than a Linux server of a similar specification meaning that for cost effective web hosting, Linux may be a better choice for you – however, as a business you will find that if Windows server hosting is the right form of web hosting for you then justifying the cost of the Windows server that you are using should be easy and if you aren’t able to justify the cost or are unable to make the most of your Windows server then you may have chosen the wrong web hosting service for your requirements
  • Reliability – the uptime of Windows servers isn’t always what people expect it to be and indeed Linux based servers tend to be more reliable than Windows web hosting servers due to how the Windows operating system performs in certain circumstances – a good example of this would be that when you install a new application on a Windows server, the operating system generally requires that you restart your server in order for any changes made by the application to take effect, and every time you restart your server it is going to be down for a few minutes at a time and these downtime spells can all add up
  • Management – the management of a Windows server hosting service is going to be easier than it is for a Linux server hosting service as you are provided with direct access to your server via Remote Desktop, although caution still needs to be taken – it is still important for you to be aware of the various features of the Windows operating system so that you know what each feature does so that you are able to manage your Windows server properly – if you feel that managing your Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server is going to be a bit beyond you then you may wish to consider managed Windows server hosting services for your requirements.

The disadvantages of using Windows server hosting services are unlikely to affect you if you are sure that a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server is going to be the right form of web hosting for your requirements, but it is still important to take care with the management of your server to make sure that you are making the most of it.

In conclusion, Windows server hosting services provide Windows web developers with the dedicated hosting environment that they require if they wish to make the most of the Windows web applications that they have developed. Although Windows server hosting is expensive, a Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server will be able to offer you many more features than any Windows shared hosting service ever will be able to.