Web Hosting Today

The ColdFusion development suite includes a server and toolsets designed to integrate databases and Web pages. It is a rapid application development system that integrates browser, server and database technologies into Web applications.

ColdFusion helps programmers and Web developers trust VodaHost to build and deploy powerful Web applications and Web services. Using the proven tag-based scripting built into the ColdFusion environment, Web application developers can easily harness the power of the Java platform without the complexity. Available for stand-alone installation or for deployment on industry-leading J2EE application servers, ColdFusion enables over 10,000 customers and hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide to deliver powerful Web applications in record time.

ColdFusion Web pages include tags written in ColdFusion Markup Language that simplify integration with databases and avoid the use of more complex languages like C++ to create translating programs. ColdFusion is the industry’s leading cross-platform Web application server. With ColdFusion, Web developers can quickly develop and deliver a new generation of large-volume, transaction-intensive Web applications for everything from e-commerce to business automation and more. For large businesses that require complicated Internet applications and increased scalability, there is the Enterprise edition. On the other hand, the Standard edition is ideal for smaller companies that require less advanced applications.

Smaller businesses need not worry about which edition to buy, since they can lease the use of advanced ColdFusion services through their hosting companies. Most Web hosting companies that specialize in the Windows platform offer ColdFusion to their clients. This allows smaller organizations to quickly develop and deploy their own customized e-commerce or product management systems.

Choosing a ColdFusion host will involve various criteria. Many of these decisions can be made in consultation with a Web developer who will build your applications. A prospective customer, in conjunction with that Web developer, will want to consider the version of the application offered. Currently, the latest version is ColdFusion MX. Consumers will want to use the latest version of the application, as it will support the most advanced options and most databases.

Consumers, in conjunction with their Web developers, should also evaluate whether they need to use “high risk” ColdFusion tags within their applications. Many shared hosting providers will not allow the use of these tags because they present a security risk. Some tags can be used to locate, and then delete, important files from a server. As a result, the required use of most powerful tags might mean that a small business user may need a dedicated server to obtain full access to such programming power.

Along with security considerations, the server platform is especially relevant. Which platform to choose depends on the functionality and database needed for the application. The ColdFusion Application Server software has been tested with several platforms including Windows, Linux, and Sun.

The most important parts of the equation for any business purchasing ColdFusion hosting are three-fold: pricing, experience and support. Small businesses should only pay for services that they budgeted and can afford. Consumers should also know what the hosting firm’s service is like.

Questions that should be addressed include:

# How long has the host been in business?
# How many users do they have?
# Do you know anyone who’s currently hosting with them?
# If so, what has their experience been?

The host should have a reputation for reliable service. The host should also be known for its accessible, helpful and knowledgeable technical support. Questions that should be asked about support include:

# What type of support does your prospective host offer?
# Do they have a toll-free telephone number?
# How long is their average response time?
# Are customers given honest, easy-to-understand explanations if there are problems?

By making these inquiries, prospective ColdFusion customers will have a better chance at choosing a quality ColdFusion host.

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Shared or virtual hosting is usually available on a UNIX or Windows platform. What is the difference between hosting on these operating systems?

Windows Servers are designed to accommodate advanced Microsoft applications. Windows Servers therefore integrate back office offerings such as FrontPage, Access and MS SQL. Windows Servers also offer specific programming environments such as Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic Scripts, and Cold Fusion, which mainly link database applications to the Web. Windows servers usually do not provide an interactive shell, but are accessible through GUI-based remote administration packages such as PCAnywhere or through a customized control panel. Such packages allow you to log into the server’s desktop as chief administrator as long as you have full control over your server.

Windows hosting is now an excellent option for both shared and dedicated servers. Due to the latest technological developments, Windows Servers can be more easily multiplexed and managed due to .NET technology.

Windows is also an excellent operating system to use if you intend to run your own dedicated server.

Since Windows servers provide unparalleled levels of support, security and integration for the Microsoft family of products, we recommend that consumers select Windows hosting if they need to link a Microsoft-based service to their Internet hosting requirements. Windows hosting, however, is rather complex and labor-intensive and should only be selected if a webmaster has extensive experience in maintaining Windows systems remotely and requires product/Web integration.

If a webmaster does not have experience in deployment or development in the Windows environment, they might opt to host on the UNIX platform.

A large number of hosting solutions are provided on the UNIX platform. This is because the UNIX platform is specifically designed to accommodate heavy Web traffic and server loads. UNIX servers are robust and are recognized for their ability to host multiple sites and serve out gigabytes of traffic.

This platform is also preferred by most webmasters due to their technical requirements. UNIX servers provide a wider degree of flexibility due to their shell environment. Shell environments are interactive, text-based systems that allow webmasters to interact and customize their services in real-time from any computer system worldwide. Unlike Windows systems, UNIX is not limited to special remote administration programs. A typical UNIX system can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet without special or expensive software.

But the most favored reason that most webmasters choose the UNIX platform is because of its uptime. Most UNIX systems with heavy traffic can provide 99 per cent uptime. Windows servers with heavy traffic usually cannot make this same claim, unless specially configured. For this reason, average webmasters should select UNIX as their OS.

If you are a novice, you most likely will not require Windows hosting and you should select one of many UNIX hosting plans. The only time you would need to use Windows hosting is when you are using the specific Windows applications noted above. Microsoft FrontPage may be used on both the UNIX and Windows platforms, since most hosting firms support Microsoft FrontPage server extensions on both.

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