A definition of web hosting

As its name denotes, web hosting is a solution, which involves hosting online content. There are different forms and types of hosting, depending on the goals and on the usage. Yet, they all are related to hosting files, which, once hosted, are made available through the Web. A web host is in fact a hosting server that is connected to the Web and has its own IP address, which permits users to have access to it via the Web. The web server's architecture and its limitations are subject to the sort of web hosting solution it's going to be utilized for.

What are the various forms of web hosting?

Based on the goal, the hosting solution may be:

File Hosting - this type of hosting permits the customers to host their files on a specific web hosting server. With the routine file storage hosting service, the files that are deposited may only be accessed by the individual that's using the service. This web hosting solution typically applies to backups of PCs , docs, personal files and even other hosting servers. This solution may also include given limits when it comes to the data storage and the root privileges. There may also be bandwidth limits, but that depends on the particular web hosting service provider.

Warez Web Hosting - the so-called warez web hosting solution is quite similar to the previous hosting service form. Nonetheless, in contrast with the file storage web hosting service, the warez hosting service is used for distributing proprietary work without the blessing of the license possessor. In short - it appertains to the prohibited distribution of files and docs. There are lots of ways for this to be achieved, but the 2 main methods are - via simple Hypertext Transfer Protocol downloading and via peer-to-peer connections. The first approach entails either a given web portal, or, most commonly, simply a directory on a hosting server that's been made available for everyone to access it and thus download patented files free of cost. The second method involves a P2P connection, making use of the so-called Torrent web servers, via which people share files between each other. There aren't many website hosting providers that allow such type of hosting on their web servers, mostly because of all the judicial problems that it involves. Typically such web portals are hosted on private dedicated servers that are registered by 3rd party enterprises either in the Middle East or in Asia.

E-mail Web Hosting - this service is relevant with both shared web site hosting and dedicated servers, based on the client's wish. If you desire to create your very own personal SMTP server, then you will need either a VPS web hosting server or a dedicated hosting server that offers the access level required to execute such an assignment. For common electronic mail web hosting purposes, though, you can set up a standard shared web space hosting account, to which you can point the MX records of your domain. This is not a service that's very famous, since the site hosting and the electronic mail hosting services are being served by two separate servers, usually owned by different web hosting providers.

Web Page Hosting - the most famous and frequently utilized hosting service today. It's utilized for hosting web site files, whose kind depends on the OS the server is making use of - Linux or Windows. Different kinds of files demand concrete web server Operating Systems, otherwise they won't be shown appropriately on the Web. This sort of web hosting may include web storage space and traffic quota limits, root access and CPU usage restrictions.

Based on the aims and on the functions, the client should select the type of web server that he needs for his project, and, of course, the web space hosting vendor that's going to provide it. There are different types of servers, depending on the configuration and the web site hosting solutions that they provide. These are:

Shared Web Hosting Server - a shared web hosting server supplies a smaller quantity of system resources, which, of course, is manifested in the cost of the service. It can be utilized for hosting small sized and medium sized web portals, which do not demand huge amounts of data storage and web traffic.

Semi-Dedicated Servers Hosting - they perform on the very same principle as the shared web space hosting servers. Nevertheless, there are much fewer clients hosted on the same server. Therefore, each of them will have a greater share of the hosting server's resources like RAM, disk space, web traffic and CPU. Perfect for hosting immense web sites that do not require complete root access.

Virtual Servers - the private virtual servers are excellent for medium size web pages, which do require root access to the hosting server's configuration files. Normally, there are a handful of virtual server web hosting accounts accommodated on the same physical server. In spite of that, each of them is independent from the other ones and has its own Operating System.

Dedicated Servers - a fully dedicated physical machine set up and accessed by you and only you. It ensures a tremendous quantity of system resources. It also offers root access, which renders it an excellent solution for any type of web page that demands a web hosting solution.

The only question that's left is:

Which web hosting provider should I select?

As mentioned, there are just a few web hosting providers offering warez web hosting solutions because of legal troubles. Such providers are being shut down virtually every month. For that reason, if you want to start such a service, you should do it on your very own computer. The shared website hosting solution is the most widely spread type of hosting service. Hence, each web hosting provider offers it. Not all of them, however, provide services such as virtual hosting servers, semi-dedicated web servers and dedicated hosting servers. Most of the smaller hosting suppliers do not have the resources demanded for offering those services. That is the reason why it's always best to select a bigger web host that can supply its clients with all the services that they are looking for. You can easily recognize such hosting companies by the types of services that they are providing and by the manner in which they present them to the clients. For instance, some providers allow you to kick off with a small scale webspace hosting account and then shift to a more powerful one, if you find it mandatory to do so. This is very suitable, because you do not have to relocate web pages between web hosting servers and there is no chance of facing network downtime because of all the complications that may show up. Hosting providers like Smartway Hosting provide all kinds of services and have the needed hosting server resources and staff to assure that their clients will not chance upon any troubles when swapping services, which is what a top hosting vendor is actually all about.