WEB APPLICATIONS AND

DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER 4: Web Hosting

Web Server

 The collection of all your web pages is called

Web site.
 To let others view your web pages, you must
publish your Web site.
 To publish your work, you must copy your site
to a Web server.

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Web Server

 Your own Personal Computer can act as a web

server if it is connected to a network.
 The most common method of hosting a site on
a web server is to use an Internet Service
Provider (ISP).

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Internet Service Provider

 An ISP provides Internet Services.

 A common Internet service is Web hosting.
 Web hosting means storing your web site on
a public server.

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Internet Service Provider
 Web hosting normally includes email
services.
 Web hosting often includes domain name
registration.

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 Web Hosting

 A web hosting company is one that rents out

space on their server for a monthly fee.
 To run a web site you need access to a server,
and although you could operate your own
server, it is usually easier and more
convenient to use a third party.
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Types Of Web Hosting

 There are three main categories of web

hosting: -
 Shared or Virtual Hosting
 Dedicated Server Hosting
 Co-located Server Hosting
 Re-seller

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 Shared or Virtual Hosting

 Your site is given a section of a server, which

is shared with other web sites.
 This is the most common type of hosting, and
the most affordable.
 It is often referred to as ‘virtual’ or ‘budget’
hosting.
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Shared or Virtual Hosting
 Shared, or virtual, web hosting is a great
choice for those businesses whose server
must always be available, such as a big
department store chain.
 On this type of server, each website being
hosted is sharing the same virtual space on a
single physical server.

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Shared or Virtual Hosting

 Depending on the physical server’s

capabilities, this type of server can host as
many as a few thousand different websites,
all at the same time.

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Advantages of Virtual Hosting
 Low cost. Cost is shared with others.
 Good for small business and average traffic.
 Multiple software options.
 Own domain name.
 Good support

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Virtual hosting: disadvantages
 Reduced security due to many sites on one
server.
 Restrictions on traffic volume.
 Restricted database support.
 Restricted software support.

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Dedicated Server Hosting

 This is the next stage up.

 You rent an entire server for your site.
 This gives you more control over your web
space.

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Dedicated Server Hosting

 It also tends to be more reliable, holds more

content, and can handle more bandwidth than

shared hosting.

 Predictably, it is also more expensive.

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Dedicated Hosting: Advantages
 Good for large business.
 Good for high traffic.
 Multiple domain names.
 Powerful email solutions.
 Powerful database support.
 Strong (unlimited) software support.

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Dedicated Hosting: Disadvantages
 Expensive.
 Requires higher skills

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Co-located Server Hosting

 The most advanced level of hosting.

 This is where you own the server and the
hosting company simply provides the
maintenance for it.
 You have full and complete control of your
server.
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Co-located Hosting: Advantages

 High bandwidth.
 High up-time.
 High security.
 Unlimited software options.

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Co-located Hosting: Disadvantages

 Expensive.

 Requires higher skills.

 Harder to configure and debug.

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Re-seller Hosting
 This is the hosting provided by a web host
that offers storage to a third party, the
reseller, at a discounted price.
 These resellers then sell this storage to their
own customers.

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Re-seller Hosting

 Usually, this type of hosting is sold by web

consultants, designers, developers, or system
integration companies who sell the hosted
space as a service in addition to whatever
other services that they already provide.

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Re-seller Hosting
 Resellers normally receive a fifty percent
discount off the price of the hosted space
from the original seller.
 The reseller is then allowed to resell the
storage at whatever price structure that they
deem fit.
 A reseller is even allowed to sell this storage
under their own brand name.

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Finding Your Hosting Company

 Your first step should be to establish what

you need from a hosting company.
 Make a list of what you must have, what it
would be useful to have, and lastly what it
would be nice to have. Consider……

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Establish Your Requirements

 How much space you need?

 What bandwidth you’ll require?
 Do you need E-mail aliases?
 Do you need URL redirects?
 Do you need Web mail?
 Do you need Autoresponders?

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Using an ISP

 Renting a server from an Internet Service

Provider (ISP) is a common option.
 Most small companies store their web site on
a server provided by an ISP.

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Advantages of using an ISP

 Connection Speed

 Powerful Hardware

 Security and Stability

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Connection Speed
 Most ISPs have very fast connections to the
Internet.

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Powerful Hardware

 ISPs often have powerful web servers that can

be shared by several companies.

 You can also expect them to have an effective

load balancing, and necessary backup servers.

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Security and Stability

 ISPs are specialists on web hosting.

 Expect their servers to have more than 99%

up time, the latest software patches, and the

best virus protection.

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Things to Consider with an ISP
 24-hour support
 Daily Backup
 Traffic Volume
 Bandwidth or Content Restrictions
 E-mail Capabilities
 Front Page Extensions
 Database Access

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24-hour support

 Make sure your ISP offers 24-hours support.

 Don't put yourself in a situation where you
cannot fix critical problems without having to
wait until the next working day.
 Toll-free phone could be vital if you don't
want to pay for long distance calls.
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Daily Backup
 Make sure your ISP runs a daily backup
routine, otherwise you may lose some
valuable data.

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Traffic Volume

 Study the ISP's traffic volume restrictions.

 Make sure that you don't have to pay a

fortune for unexpected high traffic if your

web site becomes popular.

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Bandwidth or Content Restrictions

 Study the ISP's bandwidth and content

restrictions.

 If you plan to publish pictures or broadcast

video or sound, make sure that you can.

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E-mail Capabilities

 Make sure your ISP supports the e-mail

capabilities you need.

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Front Page Extensions

 If you use FrontPage to develop your web

site, make sure your ISP supports FrontPage

server extensions.

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Database Access

 If you plan to use data from databases on

your web site, make sure your ISP supports

the database access you need.

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Web Hosting Domains

 A domain name is a unique name for your

web site.
 Choosing a hosting solution should include
domain name registration.
 Your domain name should be easy to
remember and easy to type.
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What is a Domain Name?

 A domain name is a unique name for a web

site, like www.jkuat.ac.ke
 Domain names must be registered.
 When domain names are registered, they are
added to a large domain name register.

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Domain Names

 In addition, information about the web site, including

the IP address, is stored on a DNS server.
 DNS stands for Domain Name System.
 A DNS server is responsible for informing all other
computers on the Internet about the domain name and
the web site address.

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Registering a Domain

 Domains can be registered from domain

name registration companies.
 These companies provide interfaces to search
for available domain names, and they offer a
variety of domain name extensions that can
be registered at the same time.

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Choosing a Domain Name

 Choosing a domain name is a major step for

any individual or organization.
 New domain name extensions and creative
thinking still offer thousands of excellent
domain names.

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Choosing a Domain Name

 When choosing a name, it is important to

consider the purpose of a domain name,

which is to provide an easy way to reach your

web site.

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Characteristics of Best Domain Names
 Short
 Meaningful
 Clear
 Exposure

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Short

 People don't like to type.

 A short domain name is easier to type, read,

and remember.

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Meaningful

 A short domain is nothing without meaning.

 For example, 34i4nh.com is not easy to enter
or to remember.
 Select a domain that relates to your site in a
way that people will understand.

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Clear

 Clarity is important when selecting a domain

name.
 Avoid a name that is difficult to spell or
pronounce.

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Exposure
 Names that are short and easy to remember
are an asset.
 In addition to visitors, also consider search
engines.
 Search engines index your site and rank it for
relevance against terms people search for

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Exposure

 In order to maximize your sites exposure,

consider including a relevant search term in
your domain.
 Of course, only consider this if it still
maintains a short, clear and meaningful
domain name.

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ISPs in Kenya
 KDN
 ISP Kenya.
 KenyaWeb.
 Access Kenya Group
 Tespok.
 Ericonet.
 Skyweb.

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Obtain a List of Hosting Companies

 There’s lots of sites out there that will help

you to find possible hosting companies, but
to start you off, here’s a few suggestions.
 www.hostcompare.com
 www.google.com
 www.findwebspace.com

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Narrow Down Your List

 Once you have your list of possible hosting

companies cross off any duplicates that are
immediately obvious.

 Next, get rid of any companies whose web

sites do not look professional or up-to-date.

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Features

 Check out what features the hosting company

provides. Look for: -
 99.9% uptime guarantee
 High level of bandwidth
 24 hour support
 30 day money back guarantee

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Meeting Your Requirements

 Dig out that - must have/should have/be nice

to have - list you drew up earlier. How does
each company compare?

 Cross off any company that does not meet the

criteria in your ‘must have’ section.

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Control Systems

 What happens if your hosting company has a

power cut? Do they have an independent
power supply? What protection do they have
against viruses, fire or power surges? Do
they carry out regular backups?

 If these points are not mentioned on their site,

then ask!

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Response Time

 The next step is to check the response time of

the remaining companies.

 Write them an e-mail, perhaps asking about

their control systems, and cross off any who
do not respond within 24 hours.

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Digging a Bit Deeper

 When you’re down to your last few

companies, ask them for a list of customers
who have web sites similar to yours. E-mail
these customers and ask for their opinions of
their host’s services.

 Read any customer reviews available and

look around for articles on web hosting.

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One Last Point

 Don’t pay for extra’s you don’t need.

 If you plan to expand your service that’s fine

- it’s always easy to upgrade. However
paying for space you don’t use, or goodies
you don’t need, is just a waste of money.

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Summary

 Decide on your requirements

 Draw up a list of possible companies
 Remove unsuitable/inferior companies
 Check the companies can meet your needs
 Research remaining possibilities
 Make your choice!

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The End!

Enjoy Your Weekend!