Best Managed Server Providers in UK

Why Choose a Managed Server?

Operating your own server on the internet not only offers various possibilities but also comes with full responsibility. Servers are often targeted by hackers who infiltrate the system to take control of the server. These compromised machines are then used for criminal activities such as illegal distribution of copyrighted data or launching attacks on other computers. In such cases, the hosting customer can be held accountable as the server operator. Only through regular system and application updates, as well as continuous security optimization, can the server owner effectively protect themselves from unauthorized intruders. With Managed Servers, as seen in our provider comparison, the risk of becoming a victim of attackers is extremely low for customers. Unlike Dedicated Servers or Virtual Private Servers, hosting providers of these services not only provide the hardware but also deploy qualified personnel to administer and maintain the system. This includes ensuring the ongoing operational and data security of the server. Customers without administration skills should definitely opt for this service. Additionally, technical support for Managed Server offerings is usually available for customer inquiries at any time, around the clock. Apart from the security advantage, another significant benefit of Managed Servers is the saved time that would otherwise be spent on maintenance and system updates.

Advantages of a Managed Server

The main advantage of a Managed Server from our comparison is that the hosting provider, where the server is rented, takes care of the entire maintenance and administration, similar to a web hosting package. The provider also handles the setup of the server, meaning that you do not need to have knowledge in server service installations and configurations. In return, Managed Servers are slightly more expensive compared to a basic Dedicated Server. However, the benefits outweigh this aspect with expert advice, highly performant systems usually built on branded hardware with powerful Intel processors, and minimal time investment required for server administration.

Advantages of a Managed Server at a Glance:

• No administration skills required
• The hosting provider offers qualified staff who completely manage the server.
• No administrative effort for the customer
• The server provider maintains and manages the server, including updates for used services and software.
• Customization options
• The customer has direct access to the server to make changes, which can be done via SSH or directly through Root.
• Monitoring services
• The server is under constant observation, and immediate action can be taken in case of service outages or hardware failures.
• Backup services
• The data on the server is regularly automatically backed up to external systems to be restored in case of emergencies.
• Traffic services
• The outgoing and incoming traffic to the server is monitored and can be used for statistical analysis.

Who is a Managed Server suitable for?

Managed Servers are primarily designed for customers running demanding web projects such as extensive online shops or websites from the business hosting sector, who require the exclusive performance of their own server. If these customers lack administration skills or prefer to outsource server management to save time that can be more effectively invested in their projects, then a Managed Server, as presented in the provider comparison, is the best choice. In recent years, cheaper Managed VPS Hosting solutions have become an alternative to dedicated servers, which are increasingly being offered but do not provide the same level of performance.

What to consider when choosing a Managed Server provider?

If you are interested in a Managed Server, you should pay attention to various criteria when comparing providers. Especially the included data volume is an important point to consider. In case of increased usage of the online services, exceeding a certain inclusive data volume can quickly lead to high costs for additionally billed traffic. It is also important to be clear about the required performance. Managed Servers are offered in different performance classes. The range varies from simple and energy-efficient Single Core CPUs such as an Intel Atom processor, to high-performance multicore processors like the Intel Xeon CPU. In addition, the available RAM and hard drives play an important role in configuring the system. Good server systems should also offer the possibility of easy upgrades if needed. Another focus should be on the data center where the Managed Server is housed. This should meet the general requirements of applicable security regulations and be connected to multiple internet providers via redundant lines. It should also be able to ensure power supply even in case of power outages and effectively cool the devices to prevent failures due to overheating. A 24/7 support should be standard with Managed Server offerings. Lastly, depending on the intended use, additional services such as the available administrative options for the customer or special services like SSL certificates, additional IP addresses, or the ability to create Reseller Accounts should be considered. On the contractual side, criteria such as setup fees, contract duration, and notice periods play an important role, which can be researched in advance.

Here we have compiled all the criteria for you at a glance:

• Data Volume
• How much traffic consumption is included?
• Hardware
• Is the system powerful enough?
• Scalability
• Can the server be easily upgraded when needed?
• Data Center
• Does the data center meet all common standards?
• Connectivity
• Is redundant and sufficiently fast connectivity guaranteed?
• Support
• To what extent and when is support available?
• Management
• What level of access will I have to the server?
• Additional Services
• Are all the services I need offered?
• Contract
• How long is the contract term and what fees are involved?

Conclusion

If you are looking for a high-performance solution for hosting your web projects and want to entrust the administration and management of the system to qualified hands, then the Managed Server offers from our provider comparison are the perfect option for you. In addition to exclusive hardware resources, you will receive qualified server personnel all in one place, allowing you to focus entirely on operating your projects. Below, we have listed special offers from Managed Server providers in our comparison for you.
On the other hand, Managed Servers are slightly more expensive compared to the simpler options of an unmanaged Dedicated Server. However, the benefits outweigh this with expert advice, very powerful systems usually based on Intel, and little to no time investment required for server administration.

In addition, a potential Managed Server customer should pay attention to the different free traffic volumes in the web hosting comparison. Depending on the software usage and Dedicated Servers, this can lead to higher data volumes that may incur additional charges. The data center where the Managed Server is housed should also have good connectivity (Gigabit lines) and provide 24/7 support.

It is advisable to inquire about the prices for this service separately in the comparison. Considerations should be made regarding SSL certificates, Root Server extensions, or even reseller capabilities. In recent years, a cheaper alternative to Managed Dedicated Servers has emerged in the form of Managed VPS Hosting.