Notes
Outline
Web Hosting
What, How and Where?
Iqbal Gandham, Chief Technology Officer
Net4India
SP World 2001 • Mumbai • January 2001
What is Web-hosting?
Web hosting is about putting up your “dream house” on a reliable foundation
Hosting servers linked to Internet make your web pages available to visitors seeking your web-address/ URL
Types of Hosting
Shared Hosting
Dedicated Hosting
Server Co-location
Shared web-hosting
For small- to medium-sized web sites
Site is located on one of the Web host's servers
“Sharing" server-space with other web sites
Equivalent of leasing office space
Dedicated web-hosting
For complex corporate or e-commerce site
For sites requiring extra security/ space - a web server dedicated to your business
Host is still responsible for site security, maintenance, and technical support
Server co-location
Client’s own server, configured to need and placed in web host's facility.
Control over hardware and software
Advantage of climate-controlled environment, firewall security, and high-speed Internet connections of hosting provider
How to become a hosting provider?
Build an IDC
Resell hosting facility
Building IDC requires …
Infrastructure
Services
Competencies
IDC infrastructure means …
Availability
No single Point of Failure
Scalability
Modular architecture
Performance
Load balancing, capacity handling
Security
Authorized access
Heterogeneity
Mix of OS and Hardware
Complexity/ Intricacy
‘Difficult to replicate’ network design
Sophistication and Security
Custom designed with raised floors
Temperature control systems
Seismically braced racks
Smoke detection and fire suppression
Video camera surveillance
Security breach alarms
IDC services …
IDC Competencies
Skilled technical staff for:
24x7 deep monitoring on key systems parameter
24x7 Help Desk for first and second level support
Building an IDC is a …
Multi million dollar option
Setting up @ USD 300 K
Storage costs @ USD 1 mn
Operating @USD 1.3 mn*
Time-consuming affair
Time-to-market is 6-12 months
Do not build your own IDC
“Focus on core, not context functions”
Geoff Moore
It costs over million dollars and long time
Take the ‘reseller route’
Resell hosting facility
Several ISPs have reseller programs
Cost-effective solutions
Alternative routes
Book server space and host third party websites
Directly sell server space to third party
Co-locate a server and host third party websites
What to look for in a good host
Applications/ Features
Infrastructure
Applications/ Features
CGI Access
Control panel access
Site Admin Features
Mail Manager
Debugger
Hit Counter
Guest books
Stats- Disk Usage
Password Changing
Anonymous FTP
Domain Registration
Email
Website Design
Platforms
Windows NT
Linux/ Free BSD
E- Commerce
Shopping cart
SSL
Online Payment
Merchant Account Setup
Community Features
Chat/ Bulletin Board
Infrastructure
Disk Space usage
Redundancy
Bandwidth requirements
Security
Monitoring
Where to go for hosting?
Hosting in India helps …
World class facilities
High accessibility – especially when co-locating
Avoiding congestion on international bandwidth – India centric websites
Faster response/ turnaround time
Cost effective solution
Overseas clients are looking at India-based hosting options
Indian Market for Hosting
Current market
Guess how many sites are hosted in India?
Future market size
The market is growing at near 300% p.a
By FY 2002, the number is expected to touch 62,000 units
Summary
Hosting business is rapidly growing in India
But, do not build your own IDCs
Take the Reseller route
Partner with Indian hosting companies
Question & Answers