Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Managed Hosting and Services : What exactly is manged hosting?

[toast38coza]

What exactly is the difference between managed and unmanaged server hosting (and perhaps examples of both)?

What sort of things does a sys admin need to do on a an unmanged server that they wouldnt have to do on a managed server?

If you have a control panel like cpanel or plesk, and you are on an unmanged server, are most/all of your tasks possible to perform from the cpanel?

[reiteration]

unmanaged looks after the hardware and network.

managed looks after the OS and the applications.

[toast38coza]

ok.

so what specific tasks are required by both, and what extra tasks will need to be performed on an unmanaged server?

where do things like security and firewalls fit in?

[reiteration]

Again unmanaged means nothing about the box is looked at. thats left upto you since its you who will be managing it.

Managed includes security and firewall, basically all admin tasks.

[cywkevin]

Originally Posted by reiteration

Managed includes security and firewall, basically all admin tasks.

It only includes what the host defines it as. There is no concrete definition of managed hosting.

[toast38coza]

Again unmanaged means nothing about the box is looked at. thats left upto you since its you who will be managing it.

Managed includes security and firewall, basically all admin tasks.

..ok...basically what i want to know is, what are the admin tasks one would need to perform?
things like upgrading software, starting/stopping processes, configuring software etc i think i could manage.

Things like configuring firewalls and managing security, are things i would rather leave to the professionals...

another thing which would be useful for me, and im sure for others too would be just a list of things which one should be doing on an unmanged (or even managed) server to ensure that it runs smoothly...anyone?

[besty]

IN SIMPLE :

Empty server is said to be unmanaged server
FOR ex: production server is said to be managed server

[net]

Managed Hosting have different kinds of level also aside from doing the basic things. Depending on the company you are looking at, there are fully managed, semi managed, basic managed and so on...

CPanel is not enough. There are plenty things you need to do especially when it comes to security.

[Swelly]

alot of people have different views on this "touchy" subject. I believe that hosting is a service that should be managed whether or not is it specified. To me, its just like getting phone service through bellsouth or something else. Everything is taken care of. The billing, the support, the overall service. You don't have to go outside of your house and and climb the telephone pole to make something happen on your account. Its the same way with hosting solutions. Atleast on a shared platform ALL accounts should be managed. The provider should take care of every aspect for the customer. I mean at the end of the day..the customer is still providing you with the monthly payment. Provide that customer will the service they deserve.

[layer0]

Originally Posted by HostFrog

alot of people have different views on this "touchy" subject. I believe that hosting is a service that should be managed whether or not is it specified. To me, its just like getting phone service through bellsouth or something else. Everything is taken care of. The billing, the support, the overall service. You don't have to go outside of your house and and climb the telephone pole to make something happen on your account. Its the same way with hosting solutions. Atleast on a shared platform ALL accounts should be managed. The provider should take care of every aspect for the customer. I mean at the end of the day..the customer is still providing you with the monthly payment. Provide that customer will the service they deserve.

Just like many of your other posts...that makes absolutely no sense.

Please define what you consider to be 'managed'. Because from your post above it seems as if you are describing what every shared hosting providers off, with no questions asked.

[Swelly]

Originally Posted by reiteration

unmanaged looks after the hardware and network.

managed looks after the OS and the applications.

Simply going off of what was said here. I think that the provider should look after both hardware and network, OS and the applications on a shared platform. Which brings me here

It only includes what the host defines it as. There is no concrete definition of managed hosting.

I don't think I could possibly make that any more clear for you

[Katatonic]

Yes managed is defined by each host as I have found out through research.

Please read their conditions carefully and ask them SPECIFICALLY otherwise you won't find out until it's too late.

A real professional will detail what they do/don't and with the costs included.

Otherwise sh*t will hit the fan if you don't. Trust me.

After getting into this industry I'm finding it easier and easier to pick dodgy hosts from good hosts.

[l1zard]

Managed hosting seems to be a phrase coined by Rackspace - most major hosting players in the market can manage your dedicated server solution. We use ukfast.net and they have never let us down, there 'headache free hosting' mantra reallyt is true.

[NameSniper]

In general with unmanaged you take the box and they are reponsible for teh network and reboots
With managed service you can ask them to tweak any config files/add domains etc

[warp2cris]

yes, a usual unmanaged server is handled entirely by owner. the DC helps only with replace faulty hardware (paid or not but it is on their side still) and reboots.

I do not agree with HostFrog.

for phone company you pay a subscription. call it "phone management payment".
the higher it is the more free minutes you get, lower rates etc, like on server's management services.

maybe you would like to have management included in you server by default, all servers to be managed.