Most of us start out hosting our websites on shared servers, so we don’t come across the word ‘management’ at all.When your business grows,you obviously need a better hosting plan that time you decide to make a move from your already using shared hosting account to VPS or any Dedicated Server.Then after that you need to decide on what configuration you need these server.Later on you need to decide whether you want a managed or unmanaged server or whether you prefer cloud servers.
Managed Server
If you upgrade on this plan you receive support for every problem or task, emergency or routine. There’s a limit, obviously, in that you may not get support for a coding problem on your blog. But the operating system, control panel, server setup and any pre-installed applications are all managed – supported, in other words. Often, managed hosting comes with automated backup and monitoring.With a managed server, all of the headaches that come with the freedom of a managed server are left to your hosting provider. There are differing degrees of server management, depending on how much you need and are willing to pay.
Unmanaged Server
This is the least expensive option, which you can usually find in dedicated server and virtual private server packages .Unmanaged hosting is cheaper because there’s no management – i.e. no routine support. The host will replace failed components, reboot servers, maintain the network and keep the lights on, but it won’t support any software or install anything for you. It’s effectively your computer to maintain and control. You install security patches, you fix weird error messages and you’re responsible for installing everything but the OS. Many hosts won’t even provide a control panel or web server software: it’s up to you to do that.
When your server is unmanaged, even if it is owned and hosted by a web hosting company, it will be totally be under your control. You decide when updates happen, how the server is managed, who has access, and what software you install.
Cloud Server
The cloud is like the packaged kit that comes all ready to go. Instead of building your server from scratch, the operating system and possibly even the applications are all installed and configured to your needs. You pay not only for the server management but for the platform and/or software itself. This model is often called Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).
Which to Choose?
Your choice ultimately depends on your needs. If you are comfortable with managing an entire server, the unmanaged option will give you more flexibility at a lower price. If you need help, a managed server is the way to go. And if you need everything prepared and ready to go for you in a totally hands-off relationship, the cloud may be right for you.