The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Hosting

Have Concerns About Cloud Hosting? Take a Look at the Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

When it comes to hosting a website there are many different types of host servers to choose from. One of the newest and most popular methods is cloud hosting. Many people with both large and small websites are now choosing cloud servers over other forms of hosting because of the appealing benefits it can offer. Before jumping into a cloud hosting package, it is important to look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of system. Written by Stephanie Mee.

What is Cloud Hosting?

Cloud hosting involves using a network of servers that share their resources with many users. Each server delivers bandwidth, hard drive space, CPU, and RAM to the websites in the cloud. If one server fails or cannot deliver an adequate power supply, another server kicks in to pick up the slack. In this way, the cloud servers can adapt and adjust to changes in the demand for resources very quickly and efficiently.

 The Advantages of Cloud Hosting

One of the main advantages of cloud hosting is the flexibility it offers. Users get the power they need when they need it. Imagine that your website sees a huge spike in traffic in a very short time. With a dedicated server, you are limited to your dedicated storage space. If you see a dramatic increase in traffic, you could be looking at slow upload times and decreased functionality. Not so with cloud hosting. The cloud servers can accommodate the extra pressure on your site by contributing the resources you need to keep your site running smoothly.

The number of servers in the cloud also makes cloud hosting very reliable. With dedicated hosting and traditional VPS hosting, you are dependent on a single server. If the server fails, your site could go down and you may have to reboot the entire system or rely on a backup. With cloud hosting, there are many servers to fall back on. If one goes down, the others are still available to give you the resources you need. In addition, the servers can be redistributed very quickly so that you do not suffer downtime.

Cloud servers also negate the need to install hardware or software. You simply connect to the cloud to get access to everything you need. With other hosting systems, you may need to buy expensive programs and software licenses to upgrade your system. You may also need to build costly infrastructure to handle the new hardware and software. Cloud hosting can save you time, money, and hard drive space by providing you with the hardware and software through the cloud.

Finally, cloud hosting can be very cost effective. In the cloud, you only pay for what you use. If you only need a little bit of bandwidth or storage space, your bill will reflect this. Likewise, if you need to upgrade to handle increased pressure on your site, you simply pay for the extra resources that you use within your billing period. Furthermore, you do not have to pay for the maintenance of the hardware or software. Your provider will take care of the system maintenance and machines.

 The Disadvantages of Cloud Hosting

 Although cloud hosting is becoming one of the most popular methods of web hosting, there are some disadvantages to this system. The number one concern that users have with cloud hosting is security. When you store your data in the cloud, you are depending on a third party to safeguard that data. This means that your information could be vulnerable to hackers and unauthorized users. However, many cloud hosting providers take great measures to ensure that your data is safe with high-security encryption and password protection.

 Another disadvantage of cloud hosting is that the more resources you use, the higher your bill will be. Although many people like that you only pay for what you need, some people find it difficult to budget for their site if the hosting bill is not consistent for each billing period. That being said, many hosting companies are working hard to offer competitive fees for their cloud hosting services as well as transparent methods to let you know when you are going over certain levels of usage.

 Many people believe that the advantages of cloud hosting outweigh the disadvantages. Cloud hosting is a good option if you are looking for a reliable system that can quickly and efficiently provide you with the resources that you need when you need them. The servers can adapt to your demands in real time, making it a good choice for those who have unpredictable traffic and bandwidth requirements. Although each bill may be different depending on usage, many people like the fact that you pay for what you get and nothing more. It is for these reasons that many people are now making the switch to cloud hosting.

If you are interested to learn more about finding IT solutions “in the cloud,” we highly recommend this book from Dell as a must-have guide. Chapters include:

• • Defining Cloud Computing and Software as a Service
  • Benefits, concerns, privacy regarding using resources in the cloud
  • Cloud computing security
  • Migrating to and integrating Cloud IT Solutions
  • and more…