Dedicated server is a computer located in data centre that is used for a single web hosting account. Unlike shared hosting or VPS hosting the user has 100% access to the server’s resources. This is ideal for anyone running high-traffic website, data base driven websites or someone who wishes to host multiple websites under one account.

In addition to bandwidth comparisons customers should compare the specification of dedicated server and software options. Processor, Memory (RAM) and hard disk specifications are the most important considerations. A server with high end processor and RAM can handle more requests. Disk space is the storage available for your website, the more the better. Some providers offer RAID 1 configurations of hard drives. Here a second hard drive mirrors the first in case of component failure.

Issues to consider:

What does you website need now?

What resources does it need to grow?

Do my websites need back up?

Questions for your web host:

How is bandwidth allocated?
(Beware, just because a host says you can have unlimited transfer, does not necessarily guarantee that they make it available.)

What are your standard sever specifications?

Will you customise a sever for my needs?

What extras or upgrades can you offer above other hosts?

Where is the server hosted?

What operating systems are offered and at what cost?

What control panel is offered and at what cost?

What kind of service level agreement is offered?

What level of support is offered?

What payment plans are valuable?


Further reading:
WHIR provides a number of useful guides

http://www.thewhir.com/find/web-host...ver-guides.cfm

TopHosts has a number of useful guides and links to UK dedicated server providers.

http://uk.tophosts.com/showcases/dedicated/

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This guide is very brief and I'll be adding to it shortly. Please post any questions you may have.