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How to Select the Approprite Load Balancing Technology

Load balancing is a hot topic in the web hosting industry as the technology is being increasingly used in server farms and shared hosting environments.  Its purpose is to fine tune computer systems and networks in a manner that better evenly distributes data and processing across available resources to prevent a single device from being overloaded.  Some of the busier websites utilize two or more servers in a load balancing scheme. Therefore, if one is overwhelmed, traffic is forwarded to another with more capacity.

Common Types of Load Balancing

The process of load balancing is one that can be achieved in a variety of ways.  If this is a technology you are interested in, it is best to know what methods are available to you.   After learning a little more about the types of load balancing, you will should be able to better determine which option works best.

Round Robin DNS Load Balancing

One of the earliest adopted techniques, round robin DNS load balancing uses the round robin feature built into the BIND DNS server to facilitate cycles through the IP addresses corresponding to a farm of servers  This is one of the easiest and most inexpensive methods to implement.  The downside to this type of load balancing is that the DNS server doesn’t have any knowledge of the server’s availability.  Therefore, there is a possibility that data could be continuously forwarded to an unavailable server.  There is also a chance that an IP address will be cached by other nameservers and not sent to the server designated for load balancing.

Hardware Load Balancing

With hardware load balancing, TCP/IP packets are routed by a device to numerous servers in a cluster, a method that leverages circuit level gateway to route traffic.  This method is said to create a powerful topology with a high level of availability.  The one big drawback is a cost that is often considerably higher than other methods.

Software-based Load Balancing

The software-based variation is the most commonly used load balancing method.  These type of load balancers are typically integrated as components in proprietary web servers and application server platforms.  This technique is more configurable and offers the ability to implement intelligent routing based on various input parameters.  In many cases, software-based load balancing requires additional hardware be provided to isolate the load balancers.

Narrowing Your Options

The decision of choosing a load balancing configuration based on hardware or software should be made on one’s particular needs.  For instance, if your website only requires load balancing to serve HTML pages or lightweight dynamic, data-driven pages, the round robin method should be sufficient.  On the other hand, if your traffic and data processes are more demanding, you would probably get the best performance out of the more advanced software or hardware methods.  Whatever method you take, keep in mind that the load balancer should be able to deliver intelligent monitoring to evenly distribute the load.  Depending on your situation, different techniques can better direct the loads to the servers that are more capable of handling them than others in the cluster.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Posted on Friday, Jul 03 in About Web Hosting
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Tags: BIND DNS, data distribution, DNS load balancing, load balancing, overload, round robin, server farms, shared hosting

Digitalus CMS Review

Released in August of 2008, the Digitialus content management system is a relatively new player in the open-source CMS market.  Version 1.5 recently hit the scene and sparked developers’ attention with features such as a web-based installer, globalization capabilities and the 960 Grid system page layout management tool.  Some of these features are incredibly easy to use while others call for you to be somewhat of a technical geek.  And even though Digitalus is still in the early stages of development, it has made some notable improvements by adding functionality found in some of the more well known systems.  Here is a rundown on the latest version of the Digitalus CMS.

The 960 Grid

One of the major highlights of the new Digitalus CMS is its integration with a CSS framework known as the 960 Grid System.  This system strives to streamline website development by providing dimensions based on the common width of 960 pixels.  The built-in Grid 960 Helper builds the CSS grid that allows this method to work, ultimately making it easier to create cross-browser friendly template layouts and cater to various users.

The helper is essentially a PHP class in the Zend Framework.  According to Digitalus Media president Forrest Lyman, the Grid 960 Helper is now referred to as a component and a part of the core library.  The component creates an XHTML layout grid and all the appropriate classes to incorporate with the Grid 960 CSS framework.  While this feature is incredibly useful, it is not mandatory as you can also build standard PHP scripts to use for your layouts.

User Management

Another major draw to Digitalus CMS is the user management, which should be quite simple to grasp for most people.  The software allows you to create two types of users: a Site Administrator and Super Administrator.  The former has granular control while the latter has access to everything.  If you check out the Digitalus Wiki, you will see that adding multiple users can be a rather “tedious task.”   The good thing is that the software lets you clone user permissions with a featured called Copy User Permissions.   For the most part, the user and permissions management tools are simplistic but could use a little more in terms of functionality and user-friendliness.

Conclusion

All in all, Digitalus is a nice content management tool that still has some maturing to do.  In an open-source CMS market saturated with products that all seem to do the same thing, the choice usually boils down to what best suits your needs as well the drawbacks you can deal with.  Because Digitalus is a newcomer and therfore is not yet proven like other systems, it may not be the solution for all applications.  If you need a CMS or publishing tool that offers basic capabilities, try taking a look at some blogging platforms such as WordPress or b2Evolution because they are a bit more functional, user-friendly and able to cover a greater range of needs.

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Posted on Thursday, Jul 02 in CMS
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Tags: 960 Grid system, content management system, CSS framework, Digitialus, globalization

Umbraco: The Microsoft .NET-based Open-source CMS

Originally released in 2001, Umbraco is one of the only open-source content management systems built on ASP and Microsoft’s .NET technology stack.  To no surprise, the platform isn’t necessarily made for beginners, yet developers who prefer to utilize .NET web technologies.  For those who are not familiar, this article will provide more detail on the features and capabilities of the Umbraco CMS.

Core Technologies

Umbraco is a content management solution that thrives off Microsoft web technologies, running on the Windows Server platform and SQL Server or VistaDB database system.  Built on the NET 2.0 framework, ASP.NET 2.0 and C#, it supports both NET User Controls and .NET Customer Controls without having to do much at all as they can easily be added using macros.  The CMS also provides you with full access to the Umbraco API, which has more than 15,000 lines of code.

Presentation

Unlike other open-source systems, Umbraco doesn’t have a template engine, yet a single template system, which can be viewed as both an advantage and disadvantage.  The good aspect is that you do not have to learn a brand new programming language in order to create your website.  With Umbraco, you can design your site with a popular tool such as Abode DreamWeaver or FrontPage, cut and paste the HTML code into the template editor and save.  When you render a page using the template system, the content can be automatically displayed in dynamic fashion.

The Umbraco CMS gives you complete control over your website design.  There is no need to scan the web for themes as the design can be anything you desire.

Umbraco Content

In the Umbraco environment, the core foundation of your site is the Document Type.  The Document Type refers to the type of content that can be incorporated into your website.  Prime examples include Articles, News Items, your HomePage and SearchPage.   Determining how Document types work is key to grasping the Umbraco application itself.  While this isn’t the easiest part to decipher, once you get a solid understanding of these concepts, the rest of system will become much easier to comprehend.

Administrative Functions

The Umbraco Back Office is where you can perform a variety of administrative tasks.  The number of tasks others can perform all depends on their roles and permissions.  Some of the management options you have are dealing with scripts, custom templates, media and document types, style sheets and programming languages.  There is also a section made for developers, allowing you to perform actions such as adjusting browser cache settings, manage data types, create macros, Python files and more.

Conclusion

The Umbraco CMS makes an ideal solution for the Microsoft .NET savvy developer.  It has become very popular over the last few years, now averaging approximately 7,000 downloads per month.  Though not an out-of-box, user-friendly content management tool like Joomla or Mambo, Umbraco’s power and straightforwardness makes it a winner.  If you’re looking for a .NET-driven system to create a content-rich, dynamic website, the Umbraco CMS is worth checking out.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 01 in About Web Hosting
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Tags: .NET, ASP, CMS, content management system, Microsoft, open source, template engine, template system, Umbraco

The Pros and Cons of Windows VPS Hosting

Short for virtual private server, VPS represents an increasingly popular type of web hosting that is established by partitioning a single physical server into multiple virtual servers.  Each server has its own private environment and is capable of running independently from its counterparts.  A VPS has its own fully developed operating system and can also be rebooted independent of the other virtual servers on the machine.  A VPS offers much greater performance than a shared server and while it still lacks in comparison to a dedicated server, it does share many of the same qualities.  A virtual private server provides you with a great deal of freedom and has garnered the reputation of being notably more affordable than a single physical server.

Microsoft’s Contribution

VPS hosting in enabled by a certain type of software that has the ability to control the multiple servers.  With the introduction of Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V, hosting providers have access to a more secure and reliable platform to deliver VPS solutions.  Windows VPS hosting received its big start with Windows Virtual Server 2007,  a platform that while serviceable, could not complete with offerings on the market by vendors such as VMWare.  Thanks to Microsoft’s recent innovations, Windows VPS hosting customers are now ensured a dramatically improved performance that can be enhanced through integration with VMWare and other virtualization software packages.

The Advantages of Windows VPS

A Windows VPS platform offers an environment most administrators and developers really appreciate.  The familiar Windows desktop interface makes setting up an account a seamless and easy process.  Because of this, most users can easily adapt to and thrive in this environment.  A Windows VPS server is ideal for individuals and businesses that have a need to run high-traffic websites, complex web applications, or custom services that simply aren’t recommended for a shared server.   With the array of new security features implemented into the Windows Server 2008 operating system, the Windows platform has become one of the most secure VPS hosting solutions available.

The Disadvantages of Windows VPS

There is one major drawback to a Windows VPS and that is the significant amount of resources it demands from the server.  The good thing is that this problem can addressed by running the Windows 2008 Core installation.  This gives you a scaled down version of the platform with select features and services.  If you have a need to run a large number of applications, you might be better suited for a dedicated server as it will give you the best possible performance.

When comparing it to the open-source Linux operating system, another knock on Windows VPS hosting could be the cost factor.  Linux and its core components are released under a license that allows them to be freely distributed and this is often reflected in the cost of service.  Windows on the other hand, comes attached with costly licenses that can send the price soaring.

Minor drawbacks aside, Windows is an excellent choice for running a virtual private server. With the backing of reliable hardware, the superb performance, flexibility and security it offers makes it a VPS solution you definitely want to consider.

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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 30 in Web Hosting Types
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Tags: Hyper-V, Microsoft, physical server partition, Virtual Private Server, VMware, VPS, Windows Server 2008, Windows Virtual Server 2007, Windows VPS

Finding the Service You Need Through Web Hosting Reviews

Finding a company to host your website is not a difficult task.  On the other hand, landing one you can trust is a different story.  This article will introduce you to one of the most effective resources for locating an ideal service - the web hosting review.

Narrow Your Choices

It is rather easy to become lost in the array of web hosting providers and types of hosting on the market.  You have many considerations, including companies that offer budget hosting as well as those that allow you to lease your own server with a dedicated hosting package.  The search gets even more confusing when factoring in features and technical jargon such as disk storage, data transfer and domains.

All of this can be very overwhelming for someone who does not possess the first clue of which type of service is best for their particular needs, and due to the sea of options, these feelings can even be perceived by seasoned webmasters.   A good way to arm yourself with knowledge about the web hosting market is to read many reviews.  Some of the review sites categorize these hosting providers based on their niche, price and the type of service they offer.  When reading over the details, you can gain valuable insight on which service you can afford and what company you can trust.

Avoid the Disasters

The web hosting industry has become immensely popular in recent years and with this popularity came many sharks and shady practices.  Today, it can be rather difficult to pick out the reliable hosting providers from those simply out to make a buck or a run a scam.  By turning to web hosting reviews, you can avoid these shady companies and find yourself one that can actually be relied upon.  Best of all, the chances of you landing a great deal are tremendous.  The review game has become a business in its own right so the individuals running these sites make it a habit to list providers offering the lowest price on the best service.

Learn About the Hosting Market

Web hosting reviews can help you become more familiar with the market and give you a better idea of what to expect.  They tend to highlight key areas that the novice may not be aware of but should know before purchasing a hosting plan.  When reading reviews you generally learn about the features offered, server capacity, the level of security and more.  In the end, this could help you save precious time you would have otherwise spent researching web hosting companies that may or may not live up to your expectations.  What you can take from these review sites is a list of potential hosting providers and a piece of mind by knowing that you don’t have to overloaded with the rigorous investigating process.

Conclusion

Though researching a web host for yourself is never a bad idea, taking the time to read reviews can let you know just what’s out there and give you an idea of what company may be able to pave the road to your success online.  Whether you need a simple personal site or plan to start up a web-based business, some good reviews will put you in the right direction.

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Posted on Monday, Jun 29 in About Web Hosting
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Tags: reliable hosting providers, researching web hosting companies, web hosting features, web hosting market, web hosting provider, web hosting reviews