Cheap dedicated server : myths and facts

As in other industries, the dedicated server world is full of myths and inaccurate information. Sadly, if you choose a cheap dedicated server based on this kind of wrong information there are chances that you will making a bad decision.

Here are some of these myths explained for you.

Myth #1 – Virtual private servers are just as good as dedicated servers

Wrong! Virtual private servers, or VPS, may seem to be a good solution for some online businesses, and it’s certainly a better choice than shared servers; but no way they are the same as dedicated servers. By definition, a VPS shares its physical resources with other VPS hosted on the same machine. So, even when you see only one server, you are actually using just a part of the installed memory and a fraction of the total processor power. Even when it’s a cheap one, a dedicated server is a whole computer, a complete machine at your service. You may use the resources you need, but you can be completely sure that the only applications using the resources you paid for are those you decided to run on your dedicated server.

Myth #2 – You have to be a computer expert to use a dedicated server

Not at all. Although it is true that if you have some technical knowledge or if your staff can handle server configurations you will be able to lower server costs, the fact is that even discount dedicated servers have optional support by your hosting provider. So, even if you are a complete server illiterate, you will find people to take good care of your dedicated server, and you will be able to use its power while delegating all the administration and management tasks to others.

Myth #3 – Discount dedicated server plans with no setup fees are always the best choice

No way! When a hosting company decides to enter the cheap dedicated servers market it puts a lot of money into this. Therefore, in order to regain some of the money invested and still keep the dedicated servers plans cheap and competitive, most of them must charge a set up fee of some kind, at least until their number of customers grows large enough. Unless this is the case, there is a chance that the company that doesn’t charge a set up fee is providing a poor service to compensate for this, or using really old hardware to cut down their costs.

Myth #4 – If you are serious about having a presence on internet, you need a dedicated server

Wrong! Dedicated servers present a wide variety of advantages versus shared hosting and VPS, but in some cases a simple shared server is more than enough. Dedicated servers are mostly needed for online business that require intensive processing power, use custom-made or non-standard components, or need exclusive access to the maximum available bandwidth. Large database-based websites, hosting reselling businesses and websites that store confidential information are examples of this. If you just have a text-based website with no database that doesn’t need a huge bandwidth (i.e. a personal website, a forum site on your hobby or an article site with ads) and someone suggests you to rent a dedicated server for that, he or she is misleading you.

These are some of the myths that are going around the net. Keep an eye on them, so you can distinguish between what’s true and what’s false about cheap dedicated servers.

Come back regularly to see more dedicated server myths busted. See you later!

Stefan Holm
Dedicated Server Advisor Team