Dedicated Servers vs Generic Desktop

CuriousGal · #1 (**permalink**) 31-10-2006, 08:10 AM

Why Dedicated Servers? Why not our Generic Desktop ??
Does any one have some solid and valid reasons for when and why are the dedicated servers to be used and when should we think about going for a Generic Desktop??

Well, from my point of view I think if we do not need a very heavy processing power and not too much of data transfer then our generic desktop can serve same as a server machine. But for this, we need server based operating system like windows 2003, NT, 2000 server etc, because they have additional tools to manage users and also run web server on multiple hosts.

However, our ISP (Internet Service Provider) does not allow us to upload data faster. They do block our upload speed and give us only good download speed. This makes our desktop machine useless compared to a dedicated server. I believe server has no download/upload limits, yeah? Or do they have any limitations?

Please feel free to correct me if my understanding is wrong.

monaghan · #2 (**permalink**) 31-10-2006, 12:08 PM

A dedicated server will be sat on a network with a fast Internet connection which has been engineered for serving data. They will generally have multiple redundant connections ensuring high availability. There will usually be redundant power supplies catering for a very high uptime (often with a guarantee).

A consumer ISP will have their network engineered for the majority of customers who need mostly download.

You could install a leased line to your house to get better upload speeds, however the cost of doing this as a one off would be much greater than renting a dedicated server or buying your own and co-locating it.

CuriousGal · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 11:23 AM

Ah! Well explained. Thanks Monaghan. That was simple and elegant!
Not taking the cost into considerations, I feel there are other disadvantages also ... say for instance, if the data transfer allowance is exceeded the limit then we will be assessed a financial penality! Is it not? Moreover, in case of these dedicated servers, only the data that we put in the server is ours and the server is the propery of the service provider. So, if at a certain period of time if at all we feel unhappy with their service we can not just simply pick up your server and walk away if you're unhappy with the service. Can we?

monaghan · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 06:42 PM

If you want to own the server and take on full responsibility for the hardware, then you can buy your own server and co-locate it in a datacenter. You can then pick it up and move it at will (subject to contracts).

Any way you have a server you will be subject to data transfer allowance