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><channel><title>Web Hosting Geeks&#039; Blog &#187; downtime</title> <atom:link href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/tag/downtime/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog</link> <description>Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses.</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator> <item><title>Surviving Website Downtime</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:23:09 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[defective programs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[faulty hardware]]></category> <category><![CDATA[file corruption]]></category> <category><![CDATA[uptime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[viruses]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website downtime]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1648</guid> <description><![CDATA[Downtime is an annoying occurrence that most website owners experience sooner or later when managing web hosting needs.  Downtime is basically considered as the amount of time that a website is inaccessible to users for various reasons.  While some websites have near perfect uptime rates, others are offline at least a couple of hours each [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Downtime is an annoying occurrence that most website owners experience sooner or later when managing web hosting needs.  Downtime is basically considered as the amount of time that a website is inaccessible to users for various reasons.  While some websites have near perfect uptime rates, others are offline at least a couple of hours each day.  Understanding downtime and how to prevent it from wrecking havoc on the daily operations of web hosting is essential for success.</p><p><strong>Downtime Causes</strong></p><p>Although often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of downtime, there are several common reasons.  The first being planned downtime by the web host for tasks such as server upgrades, hardware, operating systems or software.  Another cause is component failures such as faulty hardware, defective programs, viruses, file corruption, and programming errors.  User errors or malicious intent are other causes which include accidentally erasing files or hackers.  Finally, natural disasters which can’t be prevented such as hurricanes and tornadoes are also common causes of server downtime.</p><p><strong>Affects of Downtime</strong></p><p>Regardless of the cause for sever downtime, the impacts are usually significant.  The most obvious impact of downtime is a loss of profits.  A staggering example is Amazon.com’s approximate two hour downtime in June 2007 that resulted in an estimated $3.48 million profit loss.  Customer satisfaction also takes a hard hit whenever a website experiences downtime.  Along the same lines, a loss of interest from potential investors is often a result of website downtime.  Search engine rankings are also affected negatively by downtime as it’s factored into the top five things considered when rankings are generated.</p><p><strong>Proactive Steps to Prevent Downtime</strong></p><p>While downtime can’t always be predicted, especially in cases of planned downtime or natural disaster, there are proactive ways to prevent website downtime.  Consider the following steps:</p><ul><li>Use a DNS backup service</li><li>Purchase a monitoring system to ping websites on a regular schedule and send notifications of outages.</li><li>Backup data on regular intervals</li><li>Maintain current domain name</li><li>Utilize Google Webmaster tools</li><li>Implement accurate server downtime error codes</li></ul><p><strong>Reporting Downtime</strong></p><p> Remember that time is a valuable commodity, especially when it comes to generating profits via an e-commerce site.  Once your site has been verified as down and the respective website is offline, try to locate the cause of the outage.  Often scripts running cause a strain on the server, thus resulting in being knocked offline.  If you can’t locate the reason for the outage, contact your web host’s technical support.  Hosting providers aren’t always aware of outages, so it’s important to notify them as soon as possible to report the outage.  After reporting the issue, it’s equally as important to send notifications to your customers to let them know you’re aware of the website being offline and explain the situation to the best of your knowledge. Finally, stay in touch with the web host’s customer support and IT team that’s been assigned and responsible for fixing the issue.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>February 17, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/17/when-to-cancel-a-web-hosting-plan/" title="When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan">When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan</a></li><li>May 12, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/12/making-the-most-of-uptime/" title="Making the Most of Uptime ">Making the Most of Uptime </a></li><li>September 29, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/29/guarantees-separating-fact-from-fiction/" title="Guarantees – Separating Fact from Fiction">Guarantees – Separating Fact from Fiction</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>March 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/" title="A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts">A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/top-web-hosting-site/" title="What Makes a Top Web Hosting Site?">What Makes a Top Web Hosting Site?</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/server-uptime-best-web-hosting-company/" title="Web Server Uptime – a Key to the Selection of the Best Web Hosting Company">Web Server Uptime – a Key to the Selection of the Best Web Hosting Company</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/web-hosting-offers/" title="Learn about Web Hosting with its Offers">Learn about Web Hosting with its Offers</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/select-best-web-hosting-company/" title="How to Select the Best Web Hosting Company?">How to Select the Best Web Hosting Company?</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/why-reliable-web-hosting/" title="Why Reliable Web Hosting?">Why Reliable Web Hosting?</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:35:01 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Captcha]]></category> <category><![CDATA[data loss]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ecommerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security lapse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[spam]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1540</guid> <description><![CDATA[Security is perhaps one of the most important aspects of a web hosting plan, especially for webmasters that conduct a significant volume of e-commerce on a daily basis. A single security lapse could lead to widespread data loss, site downtime, slow loading pages, and a reduction in daily traffic levels. However, one security issue that [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Security is perhaps one of the most important aspects of a web hosting plan, especially for webmasters that conduct a significant volume of e-commerce on a daily basis. A single security lapse could lead to widespread data loss, site downtime, slow loading pages, and a reduction in daily traffic levels. However, one security issue that is often overlooked and underestimated is spam, which is defined as any excessive and/or forceful communication with or use of a Web server or online system. Although web hosting providers offer integrated modules that are specifically designed to help webmasters maximize spam prevention, there are certain measures that website owners can take to completely eliminate site spam.</p><p><strong>Why Should Spam Be Prevented?</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Spam is a threat not only to the security but also to the productivity of every online business. Most websites become successful because of their continually updated content, which is of a high quality that visitors gain interest in. However, if your site becomes heavily populated with unmoderated spam comments and low-quality content, it is possible to experience a significant reduction in daily traffic levels and search engine rankings. In fact, it is even possible to be completely de-indexed from some search engines because of a large volume of spam on your site. Spam can also be seen in the form of automated e-mails that are submitted through contact forms on your website. E-mail spam can cause webmasters to waste a lot of time in cleaning up their inbox, reducing productivity and ultimately lowering the value and responsiveness of their customer service.</p><p><strong>What Is a Captcha Script?</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>A captcha script is basically a script that is installed on your website which displays a unique image containing a random combination of characters (including letters, numbers, and sometimes symbols), which visitors must input into a form box to verify that they are not automated robots. Since captcha scripts actually create unique images spontaneously, bots are not able to read or decode them as they would be able to do with regular text. As computer programs are not able to actually view and interpret images, it is extremely unlikely that a bot will be created in the future that can decipher captcha images. Thus, captcha scripts are an effective long-term way to prevent automated spam and ensure that all of your site commenters and anyone sending you an e-mail is actually a human being.</p><p><strong>How to Use Captcha Scripts</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>To use a captcha script you simply need to paste the code snippet into the coding of any form or input field. This will cause the script to randomly generate a captcha image any time the form is loaded on a webpage, making it so no information can be successfully entered into the form without the visitor first solving the associated captcha. Captcha codes can be generated in various programming languages, including PHP, ASP, and NET, making it a flexible and highly compatible spam prevention tool that can be utilized on any web site.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>November 6, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/11/06/use-captcha-to-keep-spammers-at-bay/" title="Use Captcha To Keep Spammers At Bay">Use Captcha To Keep Spammers At Bay</a></li><li>July 29, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/29/is-ssl-essential-for-ecommerce-sites/" title="Is SSL Essential for eCommerce Sites?">Is SSL Essential for eCommerce Sites?</a></li><li>August 24, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/08/24/3-tips-for-preventing-excessive-hosting-spam/" title="3 Tips for Preventing Excessive Hosting Spam ">3 Tips for Preventing Excessive Hosting Spam </a></li><li>February 16, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/16/how-to-prevent-spam-attacks-%e2%80%93-protecting-your-inbox/" title="How to Prevent Spam Attacks – Protecting Your Inbox">How to Prevent Spam Attacks – Protecting Your Inbox</a></li><li>February 3, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/03/assessing-storage-needs-for-your-e-commerce-domain/" title="Assessing Storage Needs for Your E-commerce Domain">Assessing Storage Needs for Your E-commerce Domain</a></li><li>May 13, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/13/intermedianet-unleashes-new-exchange-solutions/" title="Intermedia.NET Unleashes New Exchange Solutions ">Intermedia.NET Unleashes New Exchange Solutions </a></li><li>January 13, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/13/how-to-find-secure-shared-hosting/" title="How to Find Secure Shared Hosting ">How to Find Secure Shared Hosting </a></li><li>January 20, 2012 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/20/data-backup-and-recovery-solutions/" title="Data Backup and Recovery Solutions">Data Backup and Recovery Solutions</a></li><li>January 3, 2012 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/03/linux-windows-comparison/" title="Battle of the Giants: Linux and Windows Compared">Battle of the Giants: Linux and Windows Compared</a></li><li>December 14, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/12/14/avira-antivirus/" title="Avira Antivirus Features">Avira Antivirus Features</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:59:04 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[change web host]]></category> <category><![CDATA[changing web hosts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DNS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[domain registrar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[server data]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1458</guid> <description><![CDATA[There are many articles and guides online they claim to teach you how to change web hosting providers without experiencing site downtime. However, many of these guides do not provide a clear outline of the steps involved in changing web hosts. The following is a step-by-step guide for changing web hosts, while minimizing site downtime, [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are many articles and guides online they claim to teach you how to change web hosting providers without experiencing site downtime. However, many of these guides do not provide a clear outline of the steps involved in changing web hosts. The following is a step-by-step guide for changing web hosts, while minimizing site downtime, preventing data loss, and finding the best quality service for your money.</p><p><strong>Find a Suitable Web Host</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The first step in changing web hosting providers is finding a hosting company that offers a selection of services that can accommodate your needs and requirements as a webmaster. It is especially important to review the terms and conditions governing the hosting plan in relation to transferring domain names from one web host to another, as some hosts charge domain transferring fees. If you are unhappy with your current web host for a particular reason, it is best to inquire with any prospective host to avoid similar problems in the future.</p><p><strong>Create Backups</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>After narrowing your list of prospective web hosts, you&#8217;ll<strong> </strong>need to gain a thorough understanding of the hosting transfer process. During the hosting transfer, the data from one web server is transferred to another, thereby causing the websites to be hosted on the new hosting provider&#8217;s servers. However, it is possible for data loss to occur during the transfer process if server backups are not created beforehand. Fortunately, within the control panel of your web hosting account you should be able to complete server backups on a scheduled basis, which can quickly and easily be restored within the control panel of your new hosting account.</p><p><strong>Transferring Server Data</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>After you&#8217;ve found a suitable web host and created backups of your websites, there are two ways to transfer the server data to your new hosting account – you can utilize FTP (file transfer protocol) client&#8217;s to securely transfer the files from one server to another directly, or you can restore the server backup file that you exported from your previous hosting plan. Both methods are equally effective and ultimately accomplish the same goal, however the FTP method may need to be used if the backup module of the control panel offered within the new hosting account is not compatible with your created backup.</p><p><strong>Adjusting Domain Registrar Account Settings</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>After you&#8217;ve restored or transferred the data to your new web server, the final step is to adjust the domain settings for each of your websites within the registrar account. To do this you&#8217;ll simply need to point the domains to the DNS (domain name system) servers of your new hosting provider, which will be given to you within the control panel of your new hosting plan when you attempt to associate a domain with the account. If your new hosting account includes two IP addresses and allows you to install DNS software on the server root, you may even be able to create your own custom name servers to be used for your websites.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>January 20, 2012 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/20/data-backup-and-recovery-solutions/" title="Data Backup and Recovery Solutions">Data Backup and Recovery Solutions</a></li><li>January 4, 2012 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/04/top-domain-registration/" title="Top Domain Registration Services">Top Domain Registration Services</a></li><li>July 18, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/18/editing-dns-information-in-cpanel/" title="Editing DNS Information in cPanel">Editing DNS Information in cPanel</a></li><li>June 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/" title="Surviving Website Downtime">Surviving Website Downtime</a></li><li>April 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/" title="Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers">Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers</a></li><li>April 22, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/22/becoming-a-domain-speculator-with-no-experience/" title="Becoming a Domain Speculator with No Experience">Becoming a Domain Speculator with No Experience</a></li><li>April 15, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/15/understanding-the-difference-between-a-primary-and-secondary-dns-server/" title="Understanding the Difference Between a Primary and Secondary DNS Server">Understanding the Difference Between a Primary and Secondary DNS Server</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>February 17, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/17/when-to-cancel-a-web-hosting-plan/" title="When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan">When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/changing-web-hosting-companies/" title="Changing Web Hosting Companies">Changing Web Hosting Companies</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/17/when-to-cancel-a-web-hosting-plan/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/17/when-to-cancel-a-web-hosting-plan/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:28:33 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cancel hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cancel web hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[choosing hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[customer service]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[uptime]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1428</guid> <description><![CDATA[Choosing the right hosting plan is difficult enough when you don&#8217;t have to factor in an endless sea of choices and the possibility of receiving terrible service from the hosting provider you choose. Unfortunately, shady business is all too common in the web hosting industry, so it is therefore important to make sure you choose [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Choosing the right hosting plan is difficult enough when you don&#8217;t have to factor in an endless sea of choices and the possibility of receiving terrible service from the hosting provider you choose. Unfortunately, shady business is all too common in the web hosting industry, so it is therefore important to make sure you choose the right company from the beginning. Even so, it is not uncommon for someone to be stuck with a hosting plan that they despise, being afflicted with site downtime and poor performance.</p><p>Most people would like to believe that the unreliable service will end soon, and that they&#8217;ll be able to enjoy a web hosting plan that will meet all of their requirements. Nonetheless, if you&#8217;re having a bad experience with your hosting provider it may be time to make a change, and/or request a refund. The following information details when it is best to switch hosting providers.</p><p><strong>Persistent Downtime</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Persistent site downtime is absolutely unacceptable in the hosting industry, especially if you currently own an online business that depends on the reliability of your hosting provider. If your hosting provider offers an uptime guarantee, and most do today, be sure to take them up on this guarantee, and at the very least ask for a discount on your current bill because of the inconvenience. If the company refuses to provide some sort of compensation for the persistent downtime then it is time to find a new hosting provider. Any down time that lasts longer than a few hours should warrant a web hosting provider change as well.</p><p><strong>Bad Customer Service</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>If you&#8217;ve been on the phone with customer service several times, only to be treated poorly each time, then it may be time to consider a new hosting provider. Good customer service is an integral aspect of every good web hosting provider, and many times being a webmaster requires immediate assistance from trained professionals, not half an hour delays and unfriendly people that do not know what they&#8217;re talking about. If you&#8217;ve had problems with your hosting provider&#8217;s customer support, you may need to start thinking about different options, before you encounter a serious issue that needs immediate support. Customer service should be friendly, fast and knowledgeable about every aspect of web hosting.</p><p><strong>Unfair Terms and Fees</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>If you&#8217;ve been noticing unusually high, unfair or unexpected fees on your monthly bills, you may want to contact the hosting provider to let them know how you feel. If you&#8217;re told there is nothing they can do, or if you continue to receive inflated bills each month, it may be in the best interest of your online business to cancel your hosting plan with the current provider. Likewise, you should examine the terms and conditions of any hosting plan before you make the decision to purchase the plan, especially if you&#8217;re required to pay a year in advance, as is the case with many shared hosting plans, which are often unreliable.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>June 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/" title="Surviving Website Downtime">Surviving Website Downtime</a></li><li>May 12, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/12/making-the-most-of-uptime/" title="Making the Most of Uptime ">Making the Most of Uptime </a></li><li>September 29, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/29/guarantees-separating-fact-from-fiction/" title="Guarantees – Separating Fact from Fiction">Guarantees – Separating Fact from Fiction</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>April 5, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/05/three-hidden-fees-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-web-hosting-plan/" title="Three Hidden Fees to Look for When Choosing a Web Hosting Plan">Three Hidden Fees to Look for When Choosing a Web Hosting Plan</a></li><li>March 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/" title="A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts">A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts</a></li><li>February 8, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/08/critical-factors-choosing-web-host/" title="Critical Factors for Choosing a Web Host">Critical Factors for Choosing a Web Host</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/top-web-hosting-site/" title="What Makes a Top Web Hosting Site?">What Makes a Top Web Hosting Site?</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/server-uptime-best-web-hosting-company/" title="Web Server Uptime – a Key to the Selection of the Best Web Hosting Company">Web Server Uptime – a Key to the Selection of the Best Web Hosting Company</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/web-hosting-offers/" title="Learn about Web Hosting with its Offers">Learn about Web Hosting with its Offers</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/17/when-to-cancel-a-web-hosting-plan/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Maintaining Redundancy at a Colocation Facility</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/15/maintaining-redundancy-at-a-colocation-facility/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/15/maintaining-redundancy-at-a-colocation-facility/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:46:33 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[colocation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[colocation facility]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[networking equipment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[redundancy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[redundant servers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UPSs]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1293</guid> <description><![CDATA[Colocation facilities are buildings that house the networking equipment of a business that can choose to have the facility manage the servers or they can monitor it themselves. Unfortunately if the facilities are inadequate, the result is damaged equipment and downtime which leads to lost business. The best features of a colocation facility are redundancy [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Colocation facilities are buildings that house the networking equipment of a business that can choose to have the facility manage the servers or they can monitor it themselves. Unfortunately if the facilities are inadequate, the result is damaged equipment and downtime which leads to lost business. The best features of a colocation facility are redundancy and capacity.</p><p><strong>An Overview of Redundancy</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Redundancy is the ability of a system to distribute the load from a failed system across the remaining pieces of equipment without any performance issues or overload. One major issue with colocation facilities is there is no industry standard, regulations or rankings. As a result, it is often difficult to detect the quality of the redundancy systems.</p><p><strong>Redundancy Calculation</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Redundancy can be calculated with the formula n+1 which indicates that a system is meeting its optimal capacity plus one unit. For instance, if two UPSs are in the overall power system, each should be running at 50 percent to balance the load. If one fails, the other system can maintain the load. If there are three UPSs then each manages 33 percent of the load and if one fails, they each handle half of the third.</p><p>In an ideal situation at a colocation facility, systems will be paralyzing redundant with many units running at the n+1 setting with each unit being able to manage the remaining load if all other systems fail.</p><p><strong>Powering Redundant Servers</strong></p><p>The most important aspect of redundant servers is power. Without it, the equipment will not work thus creating downtime. Power outages can stop the cooling systems (potentially resulting in equipment damage), fire suppressant systems and Internet connections which can be disastrous for the customer.</p><p><strong>How to Maintain Redundancy </strong></p><p>To maintain redundancy at the server level it is important to keep the colocation facility powered with generators in case of an outage, ensure the generators can handle a large power load and inspect circuit breakers and switches regularly. Switches tend to be the most common point of failure.</p><p>The basic premise is that colocation facilities should have backups of everything; backup and redundant servers, backup generators, backup of the backup generators, backup cooling and backup Internet connections. Although it may seem excessive, the clients that rely on these facilities to operate their business expect the best and close to 100 percent uptime. Maintain redundancy at a colocation facility takes a great deal of work to be secure.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>April 1, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/01/three-reasons-why-colocation-hosting-is-more-expensive/" title="Three Reasons Why Colocation Hosting Is More Expensive">Three Reasons Why Colocation Hosting Is More Expensive</a></li><li>August 6, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/08/06/telehouse-america-expands-to-china/" title="Telehouse America Expands to China">Telehouse America Expands to China</a></li><li>September 8, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/08/colocation-hostinghard-fit/" title="Colocation Hosting – A Hard Fit">Colocation Hosting – A Hard Fit</a></li><li>July 21, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/21/data-foundry-opens-data-center-in-austin/" title="Data Foundry Opens Data Center in Austin">Data Foundry Opens Data Center in Austin</a></li><li>July 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/06/the-launch-of-he-savvis-markets-infrastructure/" title="The Launch of he Savvis Markets Infrastructure">The Launch of he Savvis Markets Infrastructure</a></li><li>June 30, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/30/telconet-scheduled-to-build-two-new-data-centers/" title="Telconet Scheduled to Build Two New Data Centers">Telconet Scheduled to Build Two New Data Centers</a></li><li>June 14, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/14/ascent-to-partner-with-comcast/" title="Ascent to Partner with Comcast">Ascent to Partner with Comcast</a></li><li>June 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/" title="Surviving Website Downtime">Surviving Website Downtime</a></li><li>June 1, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/01/latisys-expands-credit-facility-to-125-million/" title="Latisys Expands Credit Facility to $125 Million">Latisys Expands Credit Facility to $125 Million</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/15/maintaining-redundancy-at-a-colocation-facility/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:41:34 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[block IP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[data encryption]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DDoS attack]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ecommerce site]]></category> <category><![CDATA[firewall]]></category> <category><![CDATA[firewall administration]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security loopholes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security protocols]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SSL encryption]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website security]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=708</guid> <description><![CDATA[Running an online business is not an easy task, and it can be very difficult to stay on top of all of the responsibilities that come with it. Customer satisfaction and safety is of the utmost importance when running an ecommerce site, and the only way to ensure the security of your website is by [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Running an online business is not an easy task, and it can be very difficult to stay on top of all of the responsibilities that come with it. Customer satisfaction and safety is of the utmost importance when running an ecommerce site, and the only way to ensure the security of your website is by following strict security protocols on a regular basis. Hackers are constantly searching for security loopholes and lapses that they can exploit to gain access to sensitive information such as credit card numbers. Sometimes, even when they are not successful at retrieving this information, they can still cause your site to crash by consuming server resources.  When you site goes down, even for a few minutes, you could possibly lose several customers and thousands of dollars. To prevent yourself form losing business due to poor security measures, the following precautions should be exercised.</p><p><strong>Serious Firewalls</strong></p><p>Even though most web hosting providers employ firewalls by default, a lot of these firewalls are not properly configured and the restrictions can easily be circumvented by a knowledgeable hacker. If you want to ensure the security of your website(s), then you should inquire about he strength of the firewalls and it is important to have the capability to adjust firewalls to your specifications. If your web hosting company does not allow you to make changes to your site&#8217;s firewall, then you need to consider another service.</p><p>A good example of the need for firewall administration abilities, would be when a hacker is sending malicious traffic to your site form a certain IP. In this instance, it would be crucial to block this IP, and as a domain owner with a hosting account, you should have the right to do so.  The safest web hosting services offer IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems). Any breaches to your firewall can cause downtime and loss of business, therefore it is crucial to have the serious firewalls protecting your website a all times.</p><p><strong>Protection from Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS)</strong></p><p>Although a DDoS attack is a very basic and commonly used attack, it is also extremely difficult to prevent and treat. This simple yet effective attack can cause downtime in many websites by affecting the server functionality. This means that even users who are unrelated to the attack will suffer.  Therefore it is important to inquire about an Anti-DDoS feature before purchasing a web hosting plan.</p><p><strong>Proper Data Encryption</strong></p><p>If you plan on selling your services or products online, then data encryption is essential. All web hosting plans should include SSL encryption. SSL encryption will transform sensitive date from plain text into special code that make interception by a hacker very difficult. While most web hosting companies offer this feature by difficult. You may want find one that will give you the option to purchase a private certificate for added security benefits.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/" title="Healthy Website Security Practices ">Healthy Website Security Practices </a></li><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>December 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/20/the-eternal-battle-beware-of-the-attackers/" title="The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!">The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!</a></li><li>June 16, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/" title="Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks ">Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks </a></li><li>January 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/" title="Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction">Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction</a></li><li>December 15, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/15/the-top-3-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues">The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues</a></li><li>October 16, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/10/16/major-threats-to-business-website-security/" title="Major Threats to Business Website Security ">Major Threats to Business Website Security </a></li><li>August 19, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/19/three-simple-tips-for-protecting-your-site/" title="Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site">Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site</a></li><li>January 23, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/23/the-dangers-of-insecure-web-applications/" title="The Dangers of Insecure Web Applications ">The Dangers of Insecure Web Applications </a></li><li>November 28, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/11/28/bit-defender-security/" title="Bit-Defender Internet Security Review">Bit-Defender Internet Security Review</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>How to Avoid an E-commerce Disaster</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/17/how-to-avoid-an-e-commerce-disaster/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/17/how-to-avoid-an-e-commerce-disaster/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:14:41 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[E-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[abandoned shopping cart]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce site]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce solution]]></category> <category><![CDATA[payment processing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[unreliable web hosting]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=477</guid> <description><![CDATA[Numerous elements go into achieving success with an e-commerce site.  This is one area in which all your vital components need to be working in harmony to create consumer interest, trust and happy customers.  Succeeding with e-commerce calls for all your business processes to be optimized and streamlined, ensuring that everything flows smoothly when consumers [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p
align="left">Numerous elements go into achieving success with an e-commerce site.  This is one area in which all your vital components need to be working in harmony to create consumer interest, trust and happy customers.  Succeeding with e-commerce calls for all your business processes to be optimized and streamlined, ensuring that everything flows smoothly when consumers visit, navigate and make purchases from your site.  In order to make this happen, many hazards must be avoided to keep you from succumbing to an e-commerce disaster.  ‘</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>What Leads to a Disaster? </strong></p><p
align="left"><strong> </strong></p><p
align="left">There are a number of instances and obstacles that can lead you straight into a disaster.  For example, you could sign up with an unreliable web hosting provider, select the wrong e-commerce solution, or choose a payment processing method that hinders or completely derails your online transactions.  This is the type of website that runs slow or offers horrible navigation, making its usability inconvenient and very undesirable.  It is an environment where consumers are not sure about making purchases or feel as if their most essential needs are not being satisfied.  While abandoned order pages and shopping carts are tell-tale signs of a disaster, turbulence may commence from the very moment a potential customer lands on your website.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">If you want to avoid a disastrous situation with your e-commerce site, you need to make yourself aware of the following inadequacies:</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Bad Web Hosting</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">It is important to know that an e-commerce site is only as efficient as the underlying platform.  When choosing a bad or inadequate hosting solution, you stand the chance of suffering from limited bandwidth, slow loading pages and worst of all, excessive downtime.</p><p
align="left">All of these instances can result in a loss of customers and ultimately, loss of sales.  An ideal e-commerce platform is one that leverages reliable, high-performance server hardware, redundant high-speed internet connections and the best security practices.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Ineffective Content</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Having a website that clearly communicates to your audience is one of the essential keys to succeeding with an e-commerce venture.  You must be able to relay the unique value of your offerings beyond price in a manner that makes visitors want to stick around and make a purchase.  While you don’t want to come on too strong, using cleverly aggressive, action-orientated content can serve as the powerful persuasion you need to convert your visitors into long-term customers.  Play around with a few approaches to find out which processes work best for your business.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Poor Navigation and Usability</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Almost every website owner is under the assumption that their sales flow and navigation is intuitive, transparent and user-friendly.  We are here to tell that this is not always the case.  In fact, even the most well designed websites need a little fine-tuning every now and then.  Does your site provide too much information or is it lacking in the content department?  Are there any elements that will distract your visitors from what they need to be focused on?  The answers to these questions and several more can tell you a lot about the navigation and usability aspects of your website.  If outstanding flaws are identified, diagnosis these issues and then optimize your site accordingly.</p><p
align="left"><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>November 18, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/11/18/how-complete-is-your-e-commerce-solution/" title="How Complete is Your E-commerce Solution?">How Complete is Your E-commerce Solution?</a></li><li>September 21, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/09/21/obtaining-a-reliable-and-secure-e-commerce-solution/" title="Obtaining a Reliable and Secure E-commerce Solution ">Obtaining a Reliable and Secure E-commerce Solution </a></li><li>October 14, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/10/14/kindle-fire-catch-all-reflection-of-current-web-trends/" title="How the Kindle Fire is a Catch-all Reflection of Current Web Trends">How the Kindle Fire is a Catch-all Reflection of Current Web Trends</a></li><li>September 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/25/linux-e-commerce-best-hosts/" title="Linux and E-Commerce: The Top 5 Best Hosts for Two Long-term Trends">Linux and E-Commerce: The Top 5 Best Hosts for Two Long-term Trends</a></li><li>September 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/16/flash-sales-serious-new-trend-or-flash/" title="Flash Sales – Serious New Trend or Flash in the Pan?">Flash Sales – Serious New Trend or Flash in the Pan?</a></li><li>September 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/06/e-commerce-and-social-media/" title="E-commerce and Social Media: No Longer Oil and Water">E-commerce and Social Media: No Longer Oil and Water</a></li><li>June 24, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/24/preventing-e-commerce-shopping-cart-abandonment/" title="Preventing e-Commerce Shopping Cart Abandonment">Preventing e-Commerce Shopping Cart Abandonment</a></li><li>June 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/" title="Surviving Website Downtime">Surviving Website Downtime</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>March 17, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/17/how-to-start-a-web-hosting-business-from-scratch/" title="How to Start a Web Hosting Business from Scratch">How to Start a Web Hosting Business from Scratch</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/17/how-to-avoid-an-e-commerce-disaster/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>4 Critical Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Cheap Host</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/07/08/4-critical-factors-to-consider-before-choosing-a-cheap-host/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/07/08/4-critical-factors-to-consider-before-choosing-a-cheap-host/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:52:07 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bandwidth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cheap hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cheap web hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[techinical support]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=410</guid> <description><![CDATA[Even though cheap hosting has become more prevalent in recent times, there are many factors you need to consider before signing up for service.  Because you never know what is behind that unbelievably low price, here are four critical factors you should keep in mind: Downtime A web host could provide you with all the [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p
align="left">Even though cheap hosting has become more prevalent in recent times, there are many factors you need to consider before signing up for service.  Because you never know what is behind that unbelievably low price, here are four critical factors you should keep in mind:</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Downtime </strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">A web host could provide you with all the tools needed to create a professional, feature-rich website that garners the attention of your audience.  However, if your site is constantly unavailable, its beauty will not mean a thing to the users who cannot access it.  Realizing that excessive downtime is one of the easiest ways to kills your online popularity, it is critical to find a cheap host that is more committed to reliability than a low price.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Limited Bandwidth </strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Before entering any type of hosting arrangement, it is vital that you consider the monthly bandwidth allocated to your account.  It is a known fact that bandwidth is a key component needed to support website traffic and plays a huge role in its success.  If your site has a large number of visitors, it will obviously require more bandwidth.  The challenging part of it all is that you may experience traffic spikes when least expected and be left with a sudden shortage of resources.  This is definitely a situation you don&#8217;t want to find yourself in as it could once again lead to dreaded periods of downtime.  If traffic is of any importance, make sure your cheap hosting plan comes included with enough bandwidth to support your current and future traffic requirements.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Technical Expertise</strong></p><p
align="left"><strong> </strong></p><p
align="left">The technical expertise of the hosting provider is one area that doesn&#8217;t get enough attention.  This doesn&#8217;t necessarily refer to the company&#8217;s infrastructure or hardware, but the people behind all the technology.  Web hosting providers must be technically inclined for the simple fact that many of their customers are not.  This expertise will be needed to provide you with support and encounter all the technical issues that might arise.  You may not know a thing about servers but there is no excuse for your web host, cheap service or not.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Level of Support</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">One of the biggest drawbacks of cheap hosting services has been the lack of support.  It seems as if some companies are cutting cost in various areas to provide affordable service and the critical department of support is often the one to suffer.  Support is very important and should come at no additional cost.  Even if you are only paying a couple of dollars per month, ensure that your plan comes with world-class support that makes you feel like a million dollar customer.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">At the end of the day, it is not impossible to find a company that provides a cheap service yet works hard to keep up the reliability.  However, it may take you a little extra time so exercise a bit of patience and make your selection wisely.  After doing your research, it should be much easier to find a premium service that comes at a bargain price.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>January 19, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/19/beware-of-cheap-web-hosting-practices/" title="Beware of Cheap Web Hosting Practices ">Beware of Cheap Web Hosting Practices </a></li><li>January 9, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/09/the-beauty-of-cheap-web-hosting/" title="The Beauty of Cheap Web Hosting ">The Beauty of Cheap Web Hosting </a></li><li>September 8, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/08/how-to-get-cheap-web-hosting/" title="How to Get Cheap Web Hosting that Doesn&#8217;t Remind you It&#8217;s Cheap">How to Get Cheap Web Hosting that Doesn&#8217;t Remind you It&#8217;s Cheap</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/web-hosting-cheap-today/" title="Why is Web Hosting Cheap Today?">Why is Web Hosting Cheap Today?</a></li><li>January 6, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/06/what%e2%80%99s-the-deal-with-cheap-web-hosting/" title="How Does Cheap Web Hosting Stack Up?  A Closer Look at Your Options">How Does Cheap Web Hosting Stack Up?  A Closer Look at Your Options</a></li><li>October 2, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/10/02/ram-bandwidth-disk-space-needed/" title="How Much RAM / Bandwidth / Disk Space Do I Really Need?">How Much RAM / Bandwidth / Disk Space Do I Really Need?</a></li><li>September 21, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/21/cheap-quality-web-hosts/" title="A Look at Dirt Cheap, Quality, Web Hosts">A Look at Dirt Cheap, Quality, Web Hosts</a></li><li>September 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/13/look-at-top-3-cheap-web-hosting-providers/" title="A Look at the Top 3 Cheap Web Hosting Providers">A Look at the Top 3 Cheap Web Hosting Providers</a></li><li>September 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/07/pros-cons-oshared-hosting/" title="Pros and Cons of Shared Hosting">Pros and Cons of Shared Hosting</a></li><li>September 1, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/01/budget-webhosting-worth-the-buck/" title="Budget Web Hosting: Is It Worth the Buck?">Budget Web Hosting: Is It Worth the Buck?</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/07/08/4-critical-factors-to-consider-before-choosing-a-cheap-host/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Intermedia.NET Unleashes New Exchange Solutions</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/13/intermedianet-unleashes-new-exchange-solutions/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/13/intermedianet-unleashes-new-exchange-solutions/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 16:13:05 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ContentSync]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exchange Servers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exchanging hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Intermedia.NET]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Microsoft Exchange]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SpamStopper]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=329</guid> <description><![CDATA[Intermedia.NET has just launched a suite of new solutions designed to enable Microsoft Exchange deployments that provide higher availability and tighter security for its customers.  Although Exchanging hosting has become increasingly popular in recent times, many businesses still choose to maintain their server operations in-house.  Those who lack internal resources are vulnerable to numerous instances [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p
align="left">Intermedia.NET has just launched a suite of new solutions designed to enable Microsoft Exchange deployments that provide higher availability and tighter security for its customers.  Although Exchanging hosting has become increasingly popular in recent times, many businesses still choose to maintain their server operations in-house.  Those who lack internal resources are vulnerable to numerous instances that pose a direct threat to critical business functions.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Intermedia CEO Serguei Sofinski explained that the company&#8217;s new offerings will help customers address two of the biggest problems faced by small to medium sized businesses today: excessive downtime and security issues.  Sofinski says the new solutions will allow its customers to effectively harvest the true value from their assets without the risk of loss productivity.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Here is a rundown on Intermedia&#8217;s new solutions:</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Business Continuity</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">The Intermedia Business Continuity solution has been tailored to provide high availability by permitting customers with on-premise Exchange servers to use its servers to access their messages when the in-house servers go down.  Unlike standard dial-tone solutions, this offering is Exchange-based and allows complete access to user mailboxes.  This means that customers can enjoy 14 days of message history, contacts, calender appointments and more even if their server should fail.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>ContentSync</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">A proprietary application developed by Intermedia, ContentSync is a software tool that synchronizes its Business Continuity Exchange servers with on-premise Exchange servers, providing customers with real-time access to their data in the event of a failure.  This solution doesn&#8217;t call for any software or hardware installations, configuration or management, making it possible for business customers to have the high availability that would normally be cost prohibitive at a more affordable price.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>SpamStopper</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">SpamStopper is the second part of Intermedia&#8217;s Exchange solution.  This hosted service puts an emphasis on security with spam filtering, anti-virus and anti-phishing tools for small businesses with their own on-premise Exchange server.  Intermedia says that SpamStopper is able detect potentially harmful mail with an accuracy rating of greater than 99%.  The solution is also integrated with a feature called Zero-Hour Virus Outbreak Detection to protect networks from newly released strains of malware.  Thanks to SpamStopper, Intermedia customers can stay one step ahead of the unscrupulous coders writing infectious virus, worm and Trojan programs.</p><p
align="left"><strong>Price and Availability</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Both of Intermedia&#8217;s new solutions have been made immediately available and can be easily incorporated into customers&#8217; existing on-premise Exchange servers.  Business Continuity starts from $5 a month per user while the SpamStopper solution is available for $50.  The latter is a one-time fee for the first 50 users and an extra 50 cents a month for each additional user.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>About Intermedia.NET</strong></p><p
align="left"><p>Intermedia.NET is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner that has been specializing in the hosting business for more than 10 years.  Its solutions are geared towards small to medium sized businesses looking for enterprise-class technology attached with low monthly fees, no up-front investment and industry-leading technical support.  Aside from Microsoft Exchange hosting, Intermedia provides a variety of traditional web hosting services designed for small and mid-sized companies.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>January 20, 2012 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/20/data-backup-and-recovery-solutions/" title="Data Backup and Recovery Solutions">Data Backup and Recovery Solutions</a></li><li>January 3, 2012 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/03/linux-windows-comparison/" title="Battle of the Giants: Linux and Windows Compared">Battle of the Giants: Linux and Windows Compared</a></li><li>December 14, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/12/14/avira-antivirus/" title="Avira Antivirus Features">Avira Antivirus Features</a></li><li>November 28, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/11/28/bit-defender-security/" title="Bit-Defender Internet Security Review">Bit-Defender Internet Security Review</a></li><li>November 19, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/11/19/anonymity-privacy-cloud-experiment/" title="A Dark Cloud: Anonymity and Privacy Fall Further Before a Cloud Computing Experiment">A Dark Cloud: Anonymity and Privacy Fall Further Before a Cloud Computing Experiment</a></li><li>November 17, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/11/17/clickjacking/" title="Clickjacking: What is it and How You Can Protect Yourself?">Clickjacking: What is it and How You Can Protect Yourself?</a></li><li>November 11, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/11/11/darpa/" title="DARPA: The Internet’s Midwife">DARPA: The Internet’s Midwife</a></li><li>October 5, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/10/05/security-aspects-server-logs/" title="Security Aspects to Watch for in Your Server Logs">Security Aspects to Watch for in Your Server Logs</a></li><li>September 23, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/23/learn-keep-your-site-safe/" title="Keep Your Site Safe &#8211; Learn What Not to Do">Keep Your Site Safe &#8211; Learn What Not to Do</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/13/intermedianet-unleashes-new-exchange-solutions/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Making the Most of Uptime</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/12/making-the-most-of-uptime/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/12/making-the-most-of-uptime/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 20:37:22 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[reliabe website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SLA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[uptime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[uptime guarantee]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=327</guid> <description><![CDATA[You may have noticed that most web hosting providers boast either a 99 or 99.9% uptime guarantee, a percentage that refers to how often the service will be up and running.  As a customer, these numbers look very impressive as they are not that short of perfection.  However, after learning more about these calculations, you [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p
align="left">You may have noticed that most web hosting providers boast either a 99 or 99.9% uptime guarantee, a percentage that refers to how often the service will be up and running.  As a customer, these numbers look very impressive as they are not that short of perfection.  However, after learning more about these calculations, you may think twice when encountering a seemingly respectable uptime guarantee.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>What is Covered in the Guarantee?</strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">In most cases, the uptime a web host refers to only covers the servers and not the network.  When it comes to network issues and general maintenance, downtime is something that can heavily outweigh the advertised uptime guarantee.  This is why some customers running mission-critical operations look for SLAs (service level agreements) that compensate you in one way or another if downtime exceeds the agreement.  Unfortunately, several of the leading hosting providers usually do not make such an offer available.  The situation becomes even more complex when considering the potential downtime you could experience during the course of a year.  When doing so, the near perfect 99% doesn&#8217;t look so attractive.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">Let&#8217;s work with a few examples.  A 98% uptime means that over a 12-month period, your website could be down for 175 hours and 19 minutes, which translates to about a week.  99% isn&#8217;t much better as your site could be unavailable for approximately 87 hours and 39 minutes over a one year period.  This is still a lot of time for someone running a busy website.  Most providers try to uphold the 99.9% uptime guarantee because it translate into the most reliable.  This is far more respectable as it means that you will only endure about 8 hours and 46 minutes of downtime over a 12 month period.  Sadly, downtime usually exceeds this number by far.  Even worst, many customers are in a no-win situation, forced to suffer from unavailability without being compensated for the excessive downtime.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left"><strong>Recognizing a Respectable Uptime </strong></p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">The best way to approach the perplexing issue of uptime is to select a hosting provider with a good reputation in the industry.  Downtime is unavoidable but it is much better when dealing with a company that will not try to manipulate the numbers and do all they can to ensure the highest availability.  Look for a host that provides good support so if something does happen, you can get in touch and find out how and when the service will be restored.</p><p
align="left"><p
align="left">As far as the uptime guarantee goes, it is something you should look into if you are truly concerned about the availability of your site.  Read the fine print, do some investigating and if possible, choose a company that bases their uptime percentage over a monthly period.  If the calculations are made over a year, you could have a difficult time getting accurate credits for any downtime incurred.  Most reputable hosting providers take various measures to ensure reliability but things do happen.  When they do, you want a host that provides a fair playing ground with a guarantee that has your best interests in mind.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>August 31, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/08/31/new-hosting-and-vps-plans-from-host-color/" title="New Hosting and VPS Plans from Host Color">New Hosting and VPS Plans from Host Color</a></li><li>June 6, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/06/surviving-website-downtime/" title="Surviving Website Downtime">Surviving Website Downtime</a></li><li>February 17, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/02/17/when-to-cancel-a-web-hosting-plan/" title="When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan">When to Cancel a Web Hosting Plan</a></li><li>September 29, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/29/guarantees-separating-fact-from-fiction/" title="Guarantees – Separating Fact from Fiction">Guarantees – Separating Fact from Fiction</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>March 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/" title="A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts">A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/top-web-hosting-site/" title="What Makes a Top Web Hosting Site?">What Makes a Top Web Hosting Site?</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/server-uptime-best-web-hosting-company/" title="Web Server Uptime – a Key to the Selection of the Best Web Hosting Company">Web Server Uptime – a Key to the Selection of the Best Web Hosting Company</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/web-hosting-offers/" title="Learn about Web Hosting with its Offers">Learn about Web Hosting with its Offers</a></li><li>January 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/13/select-best-web-hosting-company/" title="How to Select the Best Web Hosting Company?">How to Select the Best Web Hosting Company?</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/12/making-the-most-of-uptime/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>
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