Archive for Web Hosting

WordPress Content Management System

January 25, 2012 sanad No comments

WordPress CMS

WordPress is very simple to install, but before you do so, you should check whether PHP and MySQL are in place on your host server, and that a file transfer protocol (FTP)  is available.  WordPress needs PHP and MySQL databases in order to work, and you’ll need FTP in order to upload files.  Once you’ve got that little bit of housekeeping out of the way, you can download WordPress as a zip file onto your computer.

The next step is to create a database on the web server.  Don’t forget to set yourself up as user for this database, so that you can actually get into it and use it.  Once you have created your database, rename the file wp-config-sample.php to wp.config.php and open it up.  You’ll need to edit this file in accordance with the web server database, before saving it and uploading it to the web server at the root location.

That’s the hard work out of the way!  Now you can enjoy configuring the program according to your requirements.  There are any number of plugins and themes that you can use, from polls to stats counters to comment functions, that will make your website unique, beautiful to look at and truly engaging for your visitors.  WordPress has one of the largest collection of extensions of any content management system, so if you want something, you’re more or less guaranteed that you’ll be able to find it.

Advantages of WordPress

One of the great advantages of WordPress is the extent of its back-up and support facilities.  There is a huge knowledge base, that will walk you through everything from installation to upgrades.  It’s also blessed with an active community of users who post to the forum, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, somebody will be only too willing to help.

Another great feature is the WordPress showcase.  Once you’ve installed the program and got your WordPress site up and running, you can showcase the site on the main WordPress site.  Not only is this a way of getting the word out about your creation, it allows you to get useful feedback from your fellow site owners, who will review and rate the site and make suggestions.  You can do the same for other people’s sites, of course.

WordPress, then, is easy to install and easy to use, and it comes backed up with enough clear advice and technical support that even complete beginners can get wonderful, professional looking websites up and running within minutes.  Above all, it’s fun!  So if you’re looking for a content management system, WordPress is one that you should definitely consider.

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Joomla And Social Media

January 25, 2012 sanad No comments

Joomla and Social Media

Social media – from blogs to social bookmarking – has quickly become an indispensable part of the online business landscape.  Social media allows businesses to communicate with their customers like never before.  It enables them to pull in new customers and keep existing customers happy by responding to feedback.  Businesses who don’t have this aspect to their website look increasingly old-fashioned and out-of-touch.
Joomla caters to this business need with an array of extensions and modules.  For example, Jbolo is a module that allows you to integrate Facebook and Gmail into your site, quickly and easily.  If you’d like to embed videos but don’t want to go the YouTube route, hwdVideoShare would be the application to go for.

Or how about a straightforward Sociable Plugin?  This is a quick and easy way to insert social bookmarking links at the bottom of your web pages, allowing your visitors to instantly share your page with others in their online network.  It covers most of the major social media sites, such as Digg, StumbleUpon and Delicious, and quite a few of the less well known sites, too.
To find a complete list of social media modules, go to the Extensions area of the Joomla website and search for “social network” or “social media”.  There were nearly forty of them at the last count.
In the end, Joomla is the quick and easy way for a business to join the social media revolution, for little cost and a minimum of effort.  Remember, any business that doesn’t cover social networking is being left behind.  Joomla is a great way to stay in the race.

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Dedicated Servers hosting

December 6, 2011 sanad No comments

In the web hosting business, the dedicated servers, also referred to as dedicated hosting, are the Rolls Royce. A dedicated server is a powerful computer that is used solely as a network server; a single computer in a network reserved for network needs. It refers to the rental and exclusive use of a computer and it provides services for only one account or domain name. It is therefore solely for use by one organization, and is leased and stored in the data centre of the host company. Read Wikipedia’s article about dedicated hosting for more information.

A dedicated server includes an operating system (mostly some variants of Linux or Windows) a web server, related software (such as a SQL server, Control Panel and much more) and connection to the Internet, all housed in the web hosting company’s data centers. Dedicated server hosting is typically required for a web site or a group of related company sites that develop a substantial amount of traffic. The server can usually be configured and operated remotely from the host company while still allowing for client customization. A dedicated server can be assigned to function only as a resource server and cannot be used as a client. It is important to note that the server is owned by the web host and you do not have physical access to it.

Dedicated web hosting is beneficial while developing a complex business or a high-end e-commerce site as you will need more space and security – a web server dedicated to your business. It is purchased by a company when they want more control of their server. They purchase or rent the hardware from the hosting company who then normally support and manage it. Internet connectivity is provided to the server, in many cases over 10 or 100 Mb/s Ethernet. Dedicated servers are most often housed in datacenters, similar to co-location facilities, providing redundant power sources and HVAC systems. The financial benefit with cheap dedicated server hosting is huge: large initial investments are not needed.

Dedicated hosting in two flavors: managed and unmanaged hosting

Commonly, unmanaged hosting plans include hardware, operating system, web server and Internet connection. Managed plans however include the basics and pretty much everything else, the only thing you need to worry about is your web site and content.

A dedicated server could also be a computer that manages printer resources. However, it is important to note that not all servers are dedicated. In some networks, it is possible for a computer to act as a server and perform other functions as well.

Trusting Cheap Dedicated Hosting Plans

If you are looking for a cheap dedicated server, you should be careful when comparing packages. Things to consider are operating system, data backup and monitoring service, hardware options, space, bandwidth and technical support. Ask the hosting providers to give you a few websites for references, read hosting reviews before you sign up and be sure that the price is affordable. We know that the dedicated servers on this site are the one that will give you the most reliability and flexibility for your money.

Do your research because getting that financially friendly, cheap dedicated web hosting plan will be easy. The list above will be able to guide you, otherwise you can conduct an advanced search to specify your hosting requirements.

Don’t overdo it

There is a common belief that you need a dedicated server if you want the flexibility to run different scripts and install custom software. That used to be the truth. Nowadays, virtualization softwares are so good that you can get almost the same flexibility at a fraction of the cost if you decide to make a Virtual Private Server to be the home for your website(s).

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Colocation

September 21, 2011 sanad 2 comments

A colocation centre or colocation center (also spelled collocation, colo, or coloc), also called a carrier hotel, is a type of data centre where colocation services are provided. Colocation allows multiple customers to locate network, server, and storage gear—and connect them to a variety of telecommunications and network service providers—with a minimum of cost and complexity. Most Internet exchange points provide colocation.

Understanding the Internet Infrastructure in A Colocation Facility

One must understand the Internet and how it works to realize the benefits of a colocation facility or Internet data center.  The Internet is built on a network of networks connecting to major points on a worldwide type of grid that enables traffic to properly get to its destination.  Guaranteed Internet reliability in conjunction with the fastest delivery time possible is achieved by garnering the backbone of a technical infrastructure that only exists in a colocation facility.  Colocation facilities are equipped with capabilities that far surpass what a company could do on its own premises.

There are key connecting points that allow the best Internet connectivity. Colocation facilities are geographically positioned specifically for these connecting points assuring the best Internet connection attainable.  With large amounts of bandwidth piped through the colocation facility, a company can access far more bandwidth than it could ever on its own.  Redundant service is also included since a colocation facility has direct partnering with hundreds of other networks, thereby preventing latency.

Technical & Financial Benefits of Colocation

For a company to benefit from a colocation facility’s resources, they must ship or deliver their server(s) to a colocation facility to host their Internet web sites and other Internet services, such as web hosting, VOIP, streaming Internet radio, IPTV, etc.  These computers along with network equipment are coupled with the colocation facility’s large Internet connections, such as 100Mbps, 1,000Mbps or 10,000Mbps.  To ensure technical reliability for your Internet business, a colocation facility offers redundant UPS and prime source type of generator backed electrical power, redundant A/C systems, 24/7 onsite technical support, and 24/7 physical security.  All of these services are included in a state-of-the-art data center.

Impressively, if ever a power shortage occurred within the city, a colocation facility has back-up battery banks (UPS) that are always on-line to keep the power up while power generators immediately take over to prevent any outages within the facility itself.  This is a great advantage to your company to sustain business regardless of outside factors.  By using a highly secured, technically maintained, specially cooled environment around the clock with an advanced staff that serves to satisfy all your technical needs, a colocation facility is a company’s best investment.  The abovementioned combined services would cost up to $20,000/month.  But by using a colocation facility, the price is 1/20 of that – only $1,000/month or less.

Colocation Empowers Internet Business

Technology is an amazing force constantly propelling us into new realities of existence and commerce.  Ideally, technology serves the betterment of society allowing individuals new and better opportunities in the world.  Colocation is one such advancement for entrepreneurs, consumers, and businesses alike.  Though its origination came nearly 20 years ago, like any new technology it requires time to be embraced.  Often, something as technically superior and exceedingly cost effective can seem too good to be true.  Thankfully, there are those rare exceptions capable of revitalizing business where newfound prosperity is not a boardroom projection but an actual truth.  The inevitable financial savings and return due to colocation is a no-brainer.  Simply put, it works.  Fortune 500 companies, as well as millions of other businesses are turning to colocation as a crucial entity to maximize their company’s stability and financial growth.

It is clear that a company will save thousands of dollars by using a colocation provider.  The prime Internet location of the facility paired with sophisticated maintenance/services at an affordable price makes colocation the best choice for any company’s Internet needs.  In business, the bottom line and superior service is what speaks the loudest.  Colocation is a welcomed answer around the world.  We are living in a time where global communication and commerce occur incessantly and the Internet is driving a large percentage of that business.  Colocation provides the means to competitively grow your company, achieving its vision with stability and helping it to achieve the financial success it

Web Hosting

SAS 70 Overview

September 21, 2011 sanad One comment

SAS 70 Overview

Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 70, Service Organizations, is a widely recognized auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). A service auditor’s examination performed in accordance with SAS No. 70 (also commonly referred to as a “SAS 70 Audit”) is widely recognized, because it represents that a service organization has been through an in-depth audit of their control objectives and control activities, which often include controls over information technology and related processes. In today’s global economy, service organizations or service providers must demonstrate that they have adequate controls and safeguards when they host or process data belonging to their customers. In addition, the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 make SAS 70 audit reports even more important to the process of reporting on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

SAS No. 70 is the authoritative guidance that allows service organizations to disclose their control activities and processes to their customers and their customers’ auditors in a uniform reporting format. The issuance of a service auditor’s report prepared in accordance with SAS No. 70 signifies that a service organization has had its control objectives and control activities examined by an independent accounting and auditing firm. The service auditor’s report, which includes the service auditor’s opinion, is issued to the service organization at the conclusion of a SAS 70 examination.

SAS No. 70 provides guidance to enable an independent auditor (“service auditor”) to issue an opinion on a service organization’s description of controls through a Service Auditor’s Report (see below). SAS 70 does not specify a pre-determined set of control objectives or control activities that service organizations must achieve. Service auditors are required to follow the AICPA’s standards for fieldwork, quality control, and reporting. A SAS 70 Audit is not a “checklist” audit.

SAS No. 70 is generally applicable when an independent auditor (“user auditor”) is planning the financial statement audit of an entity (“user organization”) that obtains services from another organization (“service organization”). Service organizations that impact a user organization’s system of internal controls could be application service providers, bank trust departments, claims processing centers, data centers, third party administrators, or other data processing service bureaus.

In an audit of a user organization’s financial statements, the user auditor obtains an understanding of the entity’s internal control sufficient to plan the audit as required in SAS No. 55, Consideration of Internal Control in a Financial Statement Audit. Identifying and evaluating relevant controls is generally an important step in the user auditor’s overall approach. If a service organization provides transaction processing, data hosting, IT infrastructure or other data processing services to the user organization, the user auditor may need to gain an understanding of the controls at the service organization in order to properly plan the audit and evaluate control risk.

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SAS 70 (Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70)

September 21, 2011 sanad 12 comments

SAS 70 (the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70) defines the standards an auditor must employ in order to assess the contracted internal controls of a service organization. Service organizations, such as hosted data centers, insurance claims processors and credit processing companies, provide outsourcing services that affect the operation of the contracting enterprise. The SAS 70 was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as a simplification of a set of criteria for auditing standards originally defined in 1988.

Under SAS 70, auditor reports are classified as either Type I or Type II. In a Type I report, the auditor evaluates the efforts of a service organization at the time of audit to prevent accounting inconsistencies, errors and misrepresentation. The auditor also evaluates the likelihood that those efforts will produce the desired future results. A Type II report includes the same information as that contained in a Type I report; in addition, the auditor attempts to determine the effectiveness of agreed-on controls since their implementation. Type II reports also incorporate data compiled during a specific time period, usually a minimum of six months.

SAS 70 reports are commissioned at the request of either a service organization (the company) or the user organization (customers). It is in the service organization’s best interests to provide consistent service auditor’s reports. Positive independent reports build a customer’s trust and confidence in the service organization and satisfy any concerns. Furthermore, Type II reports identify any operational areas that need improvement. A lack of current reports, on the other hand, may generate multiple audit requests from the user organization and these audits can be costly for the service organization.

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Windows VPS Hosting – Windows Virtual Server

September 12, 2011 sanad No comments

You need to lay down your requirements first as it will help you in selecting the right hosting plan for you. If you have a small business and just want to make a presence online then you can go in for a Shared Hosting plan. This plan is the cheapest and hence also known as Cheap Hosting. In this plan you will be able to find prices for as low as $1 a month on the web. A lot of hosting providers are there who are offering Shared Hosting plans at this price. But here you will not be able to customize your server and have to share it with the others. This sharing of resources though brings down your cost a lot, leaves your server unsecured. But if you have a large number of visitors coming to your website every day then in that case a Shared Hosting solution will not help. You have to think of something better that can handle more website traffic, give you a more customized environment and keep your server secured all the time.

Earlier for these needs only a Dedicated Hosting option was available but it was very expensive. These days an option known as a Virtual Private Server is available which is three times less expensive than a Dedicated Server. A Virtual Server works on the concept of virtualization where a physical server is divided into large number of virtual servers by creating a virtual partition between them. This virtual partition gives each virtual server an identity as well as an operating system of its own. Now this server can become your personal or a private server thereby giving you features of a Dedicated Server at a lesser price.

A VPS is an in between option of Shared Hosting and Dedicated Server Hosting. Here you share a server and still have your personal server. So you get everything at the price of Shared Hosting (or a little more than that). A VPS is therefore also known as a Virtual Dedicated Server or a Cheap Dedicated Server. Virtual Private Server is of two types – one based on windows and the other based on Linux. Out of the two a Windows VPS or a Windows Virtual Server is more common because of its ease of use. This concept of virtualization has reduced costs for many. People now have to spend less for getting the same features that a Dedicated Server offers.

  • A Windows VPS has its own RAM and disk space. You can also increase or decrease it as per your needs. This way you never run out of resources on your Windows Virtual Server.
  • You get your own operating system. This feature allows you to reboot and update your server any time you want.
  • Your Windows VPS can handle your website traffic independently.
  • Your VPS is maintained and updated regularly.
  • The backups of your Windows Virtual Server would be taken by the hosting company every day. So you will never have to bother about your data.
  • Also good web hosting companies manage your Virtual Server for you free of cost. So you will not have to employ an expert to manage your server. This also reduces your cost a lot.
  • You can customize your server and install as many applications and software you want. This way you are in a better control of your server.

The benefits are endless if you look at a Windows VPS or a Windows Virtual Server.   You will also have to make a check on some points before signing up for a plan in Windows VPS. You must check the RAM, CPU, bandwidth and disk space of the server before signing up for one. You have to select the right plan for yourself so that all the needs are met.

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