Managed hosting is simply internet hosting where the client gets to lease a server to use for organizational purposes. The server leased by the client is not shared by anyone else and is exclusively used by the client only. This type of hosting allows the organization to control the server including choosing the software, operating systems and hardware to accompany the use of the server. These servers are found in data centers, which operate like colocation facilities. They offer environmental comfort, involving providing heating and ventilation systems, with regards to technologies used indoors and provide back up power systems for emergency use.
The managed hosting service extends to offering the client support when it comes to the use of operating systems. Since the client has the control over which operating system is used; the operating system used on the server depends on the client’s choice and the client’s level of familiarity with the operating software. The price and availability of the application software is also factored. Some of the operating softwares used on servers include Windows server and the Linux Red Hat Enterprise.
Open source operating systems are also available at no cost. They include Fedora core, OpenBSD, Debian, FreeBSD among other Linux and BSD systems. The management and support extended to an organization’s operating software depends on the managed hosting plan, which the organization opts for. The support extended to the server’s operating system involves carrying out upgrades on the system. The data’s rate of transfer, or bandwidth as it is popularly known, is usually high through server use.
The client usually gets into an agreement with the hosting service provider with regards to the organization’s monthly bandwidth limit. Different providers have different billing rates, which are usually tied to the bandwidth level used by an organization in a given period of time.
Managed hosting extends to infrastructure administration, which entails ensuring that the server and its components function optimally are required. The server security is also handled by the hosting provider who ensures that firewalls are running and providing protection to the server and all the information passed through it. All the applications and softwares used by the server are also monitored to ensure that they are functioning efficiently. Back up of the server documents is carried out to ensure that data can be recovered in the event that the server malfunctions and data is lost.
The management service also includes carrying out system upgrades when necessary and in line with technological advancement. Different hosting providers provide varied management services and the services could extend to performance tuning, Antivirus updates, detecting intrusions into the server, application monitoring and management, user management, database administration among other services.
Different hosting plans provide varied services that the client receives from the provider. The plans determine the level of management extended to the server and its components from the hosting provider. The managed support is offered is through, fully managed, managed, self managed and unmanaged plans.