A server is typically a series of computers, which link other computers or electronic devices together. Servers are the basic force which supports a web hosting. There are basically two fundamental flavours of web hosting servers; managed servers and unmanaged servers.

An Unmanaged server is basically not managed by the hosting company, but managed by you, the customers. In an unmanaged setup, the client i.e. the customers are primarily responsible for the general upkeep of the server and the website’s back-end. Besides the physical maintenance to the server in this system, the client has to do a lot of other things as well. The client is responsible for things like patching the system, fixing bugs in the software, installing and configuring web applications and services, updating software and providing virtual security. There are a few benefits from using the unmanaged server. Here are a few of the benefits –

Benefits

• You can have complete control on the server
• If you know the ways to administer a server, a self managed or an unmanaged server will be cost effective and will actually cost you lesser than a managed server.

A Managed server is typically hosted and managed by a web hosting company for you. Under managed server, as a customer, you would be able to set up the basics, like domains and mailboxes, but the web host company remains responsible for all necessary configurations and maintenance of the server. These servers would be beneficial as the hosting company takes care of all the security related issues. As a customer you don’t have to worry about the issues relating to the security and other malware protection issues. The advantages of such servers are –

Benefits

• Security updates are completed by provider, so you have no headaches.
• Any issues relating to server are addressed by the service provider