Posts Tagged ‘microsoft sql server hosting’

A Guide to SQL Server Hosting

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

SQL Server is an industry standard database solution for running business and enterprise class web applications. A SQL Server hosting server also known as a ‘dedicated database server’ is a server devoted solely to running a version of Microsoft SQL Server and processing incoming database transactions. There are several equivalents to SQL Server available which include Oracle, PostgreSQL and MySQL. The latter two often being chosen as database management solutions when running on a Linux based server platform. All options make the use of SQL (Standard Query Language) their core language. But include their own distinctive extensions to make up a complete SQL Language.

SQL Server working as a ‘database server’

SQL Server as a database server is considered an industry leader within web hosting environments. Although Oracle still has an edge over SQL Server in large database environments, usage of SQL Server is growing in the client/server environment. One feature that makes SQL Server popular as a choice of database is its ability at managing a large number of simultaneous connections from users over a LAN or connected through the internet.

Ensuring high uptime for SQL Server

In order to ensure your SQL Server database enjoys a high degree of uptime you should consider employing some of the following features where possible: Failover clustering, remote mirroring, log shipping, database mirroring and peer-to-peer replication. ‘Failover Clustering‘ is considered the best method for preventing site downtime and providing a high level of uptime for your SQL Server database. However, it cannot protect against disk failure and therefore solutions such as placing your database on SAN (Storage Area Network) storage can be adopted to compensate for this drawback. In addition, database mirroring can also prove an excellent feature to implement if you want to ensure data remains accessible even in the event of one of the server disks failing.

Selecting a SQL Server hosting company

Although much of the above will apply to those that opt for a dedicated server solution, there are many good SQL Server hosting firms to be found in the web hosting market that offer low priced shared SQL Server hosting. This is often the choice for those getting started with SQL Server. Or who require a SQL Server database as the backend of a small web site. Anyone considering a SQL Server hosting provider should start by researching companies on the internet. Check for database size that can be provided, cost plus if the host allows remote connections to SQL Server as this feature is often a key one those developing with Microsoft technologies. It goes without saying that it is as always advisable to research customer reviews of any suitable hosting companies you find. Particularly with the level of choice that is now present. As with any service, this is always a good indication of how good a SQL Server hosting company is, in terms of price, features and support. It is also worth considering a SQL Server hosting company that can provide a high degree of uptime and who can also back their claims. Uptime is always an important factor. However likely to be even more so when running a SQL Server database as your site is likely to be more business focused and database dependant. Some time spent on research will pay dividends later on and will help ensure you site runs smoothly and that you retain happy and satisfied customers.

Related Posts:

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Dedicated Hosting, Dedicated Server Hosting, Web Hosting | No Comments »

Microsoft SQL Server Hosting

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Microsoft SQL Server is Microsoft’s enterprise class database system and is designed for large businesses that are running database intensive applications and require a reliable and secure database hosting environment. Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most scalable database servers available meaning that it will be able to cope with a large number of queries at once, making it the ideal backend for some of the internet’s largest websites. Although there is a free version of Microsoft SQL Server available, the Express edition, in order to make the most of what Microsoft SQL Server has to offer over other traditional database servers you will need to pay for a higher-level edition of the application that doesn’t include any limitations.

What are the advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is a highly reliable database application that can be deployed in a number of different circumstances but is usually the preference of larger businesses. Some of the advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server include:

  • Classic ASP and ASP.NET support – Microsoft SQL Server databases will work with and can be integrated with classic ASP and ASP.NET scripts very easily since both applications have been developed by Microsoft – this means that if you want to develop a highly scalable web application using Microsoft technologies then an MSSQL/ASP.NET combination will be able to provide you with the tools and platform that you require to develop such a web application
  • Scalability – Microsoft SQL Server is also a highly scalable database application meaning that it can be used in environments where constant contact with the database server is going to be required – this means that you should use a Microsoft SQL Server database as the backend of any busy web applications you may be planning, but it is also for this reason that Microsoft SQL Server is used internally by many large businesses – in order for the database server to be as scalable as possible you should consider having Microsoft SQL Server installed on a high specification Windows dedicated server
  • Secure – using an SQL based database server such as Microsoft SQL Server will allow you to ensure that the contents of your database is secure and that the chances of a hacker gaining entry are minimal – high end database applications such as Microsoft SQL Server use several different layers of security and user authentication to ensure that it is impossible for hackers to gain entry, and on top of that the database itself is going to be password protected meaning that for hackers to stand any chance of viewing the contents of the database they will need to know the password.

The advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server show that it is a system highly recommended for Windows web developers who wish to build dynamic classic ASP and ASP.NET based web applications.

What are the disadvantages of using Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is designed for use by larger businesses that have a distinct need for a reliable database system, but you may still face disadvantages when using Microsoft SQL Server. Such disadvantages could include:

  • Price – in order for Microsoft SQL Server to be effective you will need to purchase one of the premium editions of the software so that you won’t have any limitations when using the database server – any version of Microsoft SQL Server above the free ‘Express’ edition will cost you quite a bit of money and this is why Microsoft SQL Server is generally marketed at businesses rather than individuals
  • Complexity and management – Microsoft SQL Server can be quite a complex system to manage meaning that if you are going to be deploying it centrally within your business, you should consider hiring experienced systems administrators who will do a professional job of managing your Microsoft SQL Server databases – if you leave the management to an inexperienced individual then you run the risk of compromising the security of your Microsoft SQL Server databases as well as the reliability of the hosting server.

In conclusion, Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful database application that can provide businesses with many advantages when develop web applications for use in busy environments. Microsoft SQL Server can also be used as the database backend for desktop applications when used in a business hosting environment.

Related Posts:

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Dedicated Hosting, Dedicated Server Hosting, Web Hosting, Windows Hosting | 1 Comment »

Windows Hosting

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

There are two operating systems/platforms used by a large number of web hosting providers, these being Windows and Linux. Whilst Linux is the cheaper alternative because it is open source, Windows can provide businesses which a highly reliable and scalable web hosting environment when setup correctly. Windows is a commercial operating system, which means that Windows web hosting services are going to cost more than Linux web hosting services, regardless of the form of web hosting you choose to go with. Windows web hosting services are generally there for those who have a specific need for Windows web hosting, such as if you are going to be hosting a website that has been developed using classic ASP or ASP.NET.

What can Windows hosting offer me that Linux hosting can’t?

Although Windows and Linux are able to offer the same feature set to an extent, there are many differences between the two hosting platforms and what they are able to offer higher level users. A Windows hosting service will be able to offer you the following over a Linux hosting service:

  • Support for classic ASP and ASP.NET – classic ASP and ASP.NET are both popular scripting frameworks that have been developed by Microsoft, although ASP.NET is the only one of the two which is still in active development – both are hugely popular but since they have been developed by Microsoft, scripts and web pages developed using either will only function correctly on Windows hosting services
  • Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server – these are the two main database applications that can be used in a Windows web hosting environment, and since Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server have both been developed by Microsoft they are commercial products which means that databases created using either won’t function correctly on Linux hosting packages
  • Microsoft specific applications and services – there are specific applications developed by Microsoft, which will only work on Windows servers but are used by a large number of web hosting providers – such applications include Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Sharepoint.

You should only consider Windows hosting over Linux hosting if you have specific requirements that somehow fall into one of the categories noted above.

What are the disadvantages to using Windows hosting?

You will find with any web hosting services that there are going to be disadvantages somewhere in the pipeline, and the main disadvantages that you may find with using Windows hosting may include:

  • Pricing – the cost of Windows hosting services can be off-putting to some users, but it is important to consider the advantages that you will receive from using a Windows hosting service – especially if your requirements dictate the need for a Windows web hosting package
  • Reliability and uptime – the reliability and uptime of Windows web hosting services can also be a disadvantage in some cases since the way in which the Windows operating system works does prevent some web hosting providers from being able to offer a reliable service to their Windows hosting customers
  • Platform limitations – sometimes there are limitations to using the Windows platform which means that Windows hosting services aren’t suitable for everyone, but for the most part you should be fully aware of what you require from your chosen web hosting package.

You should make sure that a Windows hosting package is the right form of web hosting for you prior to purchase any web hosting service since you want to be sure that you are buying something which you will be able to make full use of.

In conclusion, Windows hosting services are best suited to businesses who have a specific need for a Windows web hosting package – individuals may not find Windows hosting services so useful unless they are web developers who require a Windows hosting environment for testing. Although you may be put off from using Windows hosting due to the disadvantages, in reality you will find that you won’t really have any choice but to use a Windows hosting package if you are considering one; however, in some situations you may be able to find a more beneficial solution which will allow you to use a Linux hosting package over a Windows hosting package.

Related Posts:

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Windows Hosting | No Comments »