SherWeb 
Cloud hosting services are becoming increasing popular amongst entrepreneurs and small web-based sites. And as this trend picks up more steam we become increasingly aware of the pros and cons that this option presents. First, a little background:
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Cloud hosting is a type of hosting service that runs on a series of networked servers that transfer your data through each other at the same time. Think of it like a spider web. Each strand connects to the main center to hold the web together. The cluster of strings (networks) all transfer the information to one main spider center. Cloud hosting has only been around for a few years, so it is still fairly new, and while it does offer a faster set-up and works in unison, there are financial elements that need to be considered.
So, let’s get started. Here are the pros and cons of cloud hosting:
Pros
- Rubber band: A cloud hosting service is like a rubber band when it comes to what you need for your computing needs – you can expand and adjust the services and space you need as your business/website grows or decreases. This great when your business rapidly expands and you need to make quick changes to meet the needs of visitors.
- It’s ready now: One of the best things about a cloud server is it’s ready to go as soon as you order it. Sounds great, right? The way cloud servers are created and their nature, you don’t have to worry about the set-up process that is usually required with other hosting packages.
- Savings: If you plan properly a cloud server can save you money because it allows you to remove the cost of having extra staff/people to help you manage your website. Also in most cases, there is no extra cost for software reduces the need for extra staff to manage your IT problems, you usually do not have to purchase (or have) collaboration software or amongst other software programs.
- Small Staff oriented: Due to their nature, cloud servers are great for small staffed business (3 to 5 people) or websites because they adjust to the changes of your needs, are ready to go ASAP and allow you to keep the payroll costs down from not having to hire an IT technician.
Cons
- When it’s down, it’s really, really down: Cloud severs have a bad reputation for spontaneously going offline. Meaning, if you’re a web-based business if the cloud is offline or not working, you are completely helpless. No access. Nothing. This centralization creates some risk.
- File storage: Because cloud hosting is run with a various networks online, your information can only really be accessed where internet is available. So, if you can’t access the internet, you can’t access any of your files.
- Too much or too little: While it’s great to be able to adapt your cloud to what you need, it can also cause you to overestimate or under estimate. If you overestimate or under estimate you could end up with a painful looking bill that you didn’t expect.
It’s always good to assess what you need and want before jumping into hosting package. Make sure to do your research and ask around as your final decision will dictate how your website is managed in the future.
what would it cost me to build my own clould to provide exchange and sharepoint for 100 users…..not buy it from you, or can i buy ir from you….if i had to order it from dell what would i need 3 servers, 10 servers, a large san, etc.
thanks
1. Surely when any ‘server’ goes down, it’s down? I think it is unfair to say cloud hosting environments have a bad reputation for ‘spontaneously going offline’ – the same is true for server hosting! It’s all down to the SLA’s of the particular hosting company.
2. ‘Too much or too little’ …. Cloud hosting is effectively pay as you go, is virtually infinitely scalable, you set the specifications according to how one would normally set up a dedicated server – except if you use less cpu time etc, you don’t pay for it! If you need more computing power, a clicks later it’s done!
I like cloud servers and cloud computers becouse of their mobility and sharing possibility. You always have needed things for your work and you can easily share them with your co workers.
@roddy: Do you already operate on a cloud server? If not I would suggest doing so before building your own. Would you be building it yourself or have someone helping you?
@Jonathan: For sure – when a server is down it’s down. But, because clouds are still fairly new (in comparison) their down time could last longer. And yes you’re right about the pay as you go deal. But, the reason I added that as a con was because unless you’re paying close attention to how much space you’re using you might forget to add extra space. Like said, cloud servers are fairly new (in comparison) and first time cloud owners must make sure they are on top of the cloud and not using too much or too little.
@internetiturundus: yes they are def. good for all of us on the go!
Unless choosing the cheaper, shared option of public cloud hosting, a typical private cloud hosting service will usually be managed by the provider, to cope with scalability.
Having said that, if space is available but not yet assigned, the cloud can be designed to scale as needed, as long as the physical resources are available – which in a proper cloud environment they always will be, it’s the nature of the cloud! It is infinitely virtual.
If a first time cloud owner is used to selecting the specifications of their old dedicated hosting, they will be aware of the minimum they need for a cloud based solution to work – the whole process is much easier than it appears here.
The difficult part is educating the user and encouraging them to step out of the proverbial comfort zone of utilising physically limited solutions.
Thanks for covering some of the cons of cloud hosting… Too often we only hear about the benefits, which leads to us rushing into things that many of us don’t need or benefit from.