If your plans lead to the migration of your IT infrastructure to a professional data center and you find yourself in the “5 reasons to choose M247 services“, then the article below will also interest you. This is because after you have opted for the move to a data center, the question naturally follows: dedicated servers or cloud servers?
Meanwhile, it’s good to know that the colocation market has exploded and is expected to reach $69.7 billion in 2024. Most companies making the move are in the large category, with a share of about 63 %, until the end of this year. Statistics show that successful businesses in most countries and industries rely on an outsourced IT infrastructure to support their business, accelerate growth and remain competitive in the marketplace.
The choice of the type of IT infrastructure is closely correlated with the business solutions and the specific performance, security and scalability requirements of each organization. The most popular outsourcing options are dedicated servers or cloud servers, each offering specific advantages. Understanding the differences between the two is essential to making an informed decision. Here are some guidelines.
What you need to know about dedicated servers
Dedicated servers are physical servers rented exclusively to a single customer. They offer unmatched control, performance and security and are the best choice for applications that are constantly under high load, require maximum availability and short response time. The dedicated servers in the M247 offer can be configured according to the needs of the beneficiaries and guarantee the desired performance parameters. Below are some key information about this solution:
Advantages
High performance. Dedicated servers offer unmatched performance because resources are not shared with other users. This ensures fast load times, smooth operations and optimal performance for critical applications.
For a website, for example, loading speed is one of the key SEO factors that Google uses to determine search engine rankings. Currently, first page results on Google load in 1.19 seconds, while page two results load in 1.29 seconds. The most efficient way for a complex website to achieve these speeds is to rely on a dedicated server.
Enhanced security. With a dedicated server, you have complete control over security measures, including firewall configurations, access controls, and encryption protocols. This level of control reduces the risk of security breaches and data leaks.
Customization options. Dedicated servers can be completely customized to meet the specific needs of a company: hardware configuration (processor, memory, storage) to the operating system, you have maximum flexibility.
Disadvantages
Higher costs. Dedicated servers are usually more expensive compared to IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Since you are renting an entire physical server, the service includes all hardware, software, running, maintenance, costs etc.
Limited scalability. Although dedicated servers offer excellent performance, they may not be as scalable as a cloud service. Increasing performance requires purchasing additional hardware or migrating to a higher performing server, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Underutilization of resources. Since dedicated servers are used by a single user, there may also be periods when not all resources are used, especially if the workload fluctuates. This can lead to wasted resources and inefficiency.
What you need to know about cloud servers
Cloud servers are part of the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) category and are virtualized server environments created by sharing a physical server across multiple isolated virtual machines. Each cloud server operates independently, giving users dedicated virtualized resources and control over their server environment. They may be a better choice for secondary, non-critical, low-load applications. Obviously, there are pluses and minuses to this solution:
Advantages
Profitability. Choosing a cloud server is generally more cost-effective than choosing a dedicated server, making it an attractive option for small and medium-sized businesses with limited budgets. Because resources are shared among multiple users, the total cost is lower.
Scalability. IaaS platforms offer a higher level of scalability that allows resources to be adjusted according to needs, interruptions or downtime.
Isolation and security. Each cloud server operates in its own isolated environment, providing security and privacy. Even if resources are shared between multiple users, virtualization technology ensures that each cloud instance remains independent and secure.
Disadvantages
Shared resources. Choosing IaaS involves sharing resources between multiple users, for some organizations this could be an impediment.
Less control. Compared to dedicated servers, cloud server services offer less control over the hardware and operating system. Although you have administrative access to the virtual server, you have no control over the physical machine.
Supplier dependency. The use of a cloud server induces a greater degree of dependence on the provider’s Data Center operator, at the level of upgrades, processor or RAM change, infrastructure maintenance, etc.
Dedicated servers or cloud servers
The question in the title does not have a single answer. Choosing between dedicated servers or cloud servers depends on your specific business needs, budget and performance requirements. If you need maximum performance, security and control, dedicated servers may be the best option. But if cost-effectiveness, scalability and flexibility are the organization’s priorities, IaaS may be a more suitable choice.
When choosing to host your IT infrastructure in a professional data center, it is essential to partner with a reliable provider that offers both dedicated physical servers and cloud servers. By working with an experienced data center partner like M247, you can be sure that your applications are hosted in a secure, reliable and scalable environment, regardless of the solution you choose.
The dedicated servers from M247 are delivered from a Tier 3 standard data center in various configurations that adapt to any business needs. You can choose classic servers with Intel Xeon Gold 5218 processors with 16 cores or even AI Servers specifically designed for running AI and Machine Learning algorithms. They will offer total control, customization and scaling capabilities according to activity, and specialized technical support 24/7.
On the other hand, M247 Cloud is a hyperconverged, scalable, and shared platform with secure access to services in public, private, or hybrid mode and it allow an easy integration with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure.
For a detailed discussion about dedicated servers or cloud servers and customized commercial offers, contact us at sales@m247.ro
