For those with big enough sites, shared hosting is out of the question. So then comes the question, which is better? Both have a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. So, I'd like to here what you all prefer.

Dedicated is obviously for bigger sites, but Co-Located is good for your average site. When using a dedicated server, you are in charge, whereas with another co server, you are a sub server to a bigger one. I wouldn't share hosting unless I knew my site was going to be an average site. I personally like Dedicated more.

Jason F.

You said you wouldn't share, but isn't this forum using shared hosting?

Also, some of the largest sites in the world, like Nextopia use co-located hosting.

We are using a host from ASO, so yes that would be considered that. I just said I like dedicated hosting better in general. There are differences to whether or not you use it for a forum, or if you use it for a simple multiplayer game. Dedicated is more open, and shared is helped by another main hosting company where others use there services. I didn't exactly get what you said in your first post, so I was a little confused. I understand you now. I like Dedicated for general reasons, but I suppose most forums use shared unless you want to go seperate.

Why don't you explain the differences between the two, so other people can know the differences?

Jason F.

Shared:

You're on a server with other sites. Resources are shared and software pre-determined. You have no control over it. Managed. Only for those who cannot afford better.

Dedicated:
dedicated server is one leased from a hosting company. They are responsible for the hardware, the operating system, web server software, and , within limitations, the software they load on the server. If a hard drive should fail, it is their responsibility to replace it, as with any other hardware that the server is comprised of. Their responsibility with regard to the software, and the server in general, is to make sure it functions when they turn it over to a customer. Many hosts include a control panel, often created by them, which allows many, even all, administrative functions to be performed via web browser. Some familiarity with the operating system and knowledge of server management is called for, though it can be moderate with the aid of a thorough control panel

Co-located:
A colocated server is very different, though it looks similar. The server itself is owned by the customer, who is responsible for all parts of it, from the hardware to the operating system. Rack space and bandwidth are leased from the hosting company, and their responsibility is solely the connection to the Internet and related matters.

Yes dedicated would be only you on a server, while shared would allow more than one person to be on a server. I don't see really much of a different, unless you have a huge community of people, than change to dedicated. I on the other hand went with the strongest hosting package, which was stupid, but I like the best.

Jason F.

Well this thread is about the difference between dedicated and co-located. Shared is clearly the worst option. So the question remains, is co-located better than dedicated?

I say dedicated, but that's me. Shared isn't bad at all. I have used numerous forums on Shared before and they work fine. They run by class. For a forum under 1000 members use shared, for a forum above 1000 use dedicated or a better hosting package.

I know many forum owners that use Shared and they have no problems with them.

Jason F.

(Plus Dedicated is between 200 and 325 a month, so it can rack up)

My recommedation is, start with a low hosting package using a shared hosting service, and see if your forums grow, than if there is a lot of activity and you are going to benefit from it, change.

Perhaps you're confused. Co-located is very differant than shared.

Originally Posted by gprime

Perhaps you're confused. Co-located is very differant than shared.

I'm not comparing shared and co-located. I was simply explaining why Shared is not a bad idea for all forum owners. That's all.

Jason F.

Oh and I said I liked dedicated better, because they take care of everything. Co-Located is a nuisance, and is not needed, unless you own a huge company, with a big building. Many schools that use laptops or wireless internet use there own server or a Co-Located Server. Just want to point that out.

Oh, okay. In that case, see my response to you in the shared hosting thread.

I just did, and replied to it. I'm just trying to clear some things up. At first I was a little confused at what you said, but I made it out alright, and cleared it up with your help.

Jason F.