What is Managed Infrastructure Hosting

Technology Era:

In the hub of the technology era, organisations have become increasingly reliant on IT and data to drive growth, to be as efficient as possible, and keep operations running smoothly. Managed hosting has emerged as a powerful solution for companies seeking to do just that. By outsourcing the management of their infrastructure to experts, businesses can focus on their core activities while ensuring their critical systems are secure and operate seamlessly

In this article, we look at what managed hosting is, along with some of the benefits and advantages, and how it can help businesses achieve their goals effectively.

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What is Managed Hosting?

Managed hosting is a comprehensive service offered by hosting providers to simplify the process of server management. The managed hosting provider will take care of all aspects of server management, including hardware setup, software installation, updates, security monitoring, backups, and technical support. Unlike traditional hosting solutions where the client is responsible for managing all of that, managed hosting offloads these responsibilities to the service provider. This allows businesses to leverage the expertise of professionals while avoiding the complexities associated with server management.

Here’s a breakdown of what managed hosting typically includes:

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Architecture Design – working closely with their clients, managed hosting providers assess organisational IT requirements, and business objectives to design a tailored infrastructure architecture. This involves determining the optimal configuration of servers, storage arrays, network switches, and other components to meet performance, scalability, and security needs.

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Hardware setup, Software Installation and Updates – once the architecture is designed and signed off, the provider will then procure all the hardware and software required and take care of setting it all up. They handle the installation and maintenance of essential software components such as operating systems, virtualization platforms, database systems (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), middleware, and other required applications. They ensure that these components are kept up to date with the latest patches, security fixes, and updates to mitigate vulnerabilities and enhance system stability.

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Security Monitoring – security of your infrastructure is a priority, your provider should implement robust security measures. This includes deploying firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), security information and event management (SIEM) solutions, and malware scanning tools. Continuous monitoring of system logs and network traffic allows for the early detection of potential security threats or suspicious activities. In the event of a security incident, the provider responds promptly to mitigate risks and safeguard your data.

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Backups – Regular backups are essential for protecting against data loss and ensuring business continuity. Managed infrastructure hosting services include automated backup solutions that securely store copies of your data at regular intervals. These backups are stored in geographically diverse locations to mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events. Some providers will offer a more comprehensive cyber resilient backup solution, but that is down to individual providers.

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Technical Support – support is provided by experienced professionals who are well-versed in managing complex infrastructure environments. Whether you encounter issues with system configurations, performance optimisation, network connectivity, or any other infrastructure-related matters, the support team is readily available to assist you. Their expertise ensures timely resolution of issues and enables you to maintain optimal system performance and uptime.

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Extension of your IT Team – a good, manged hosting provider will become a seamless extension of you existing IT team, adept a forging long lasting, productive relationships. This collaborative approach means they integrate seamlessly into your workflow, understanding your unique needs, challenges, and goals. They will provide that additional expertise, support and insights when needed to drive innovation and efficiency in your organisation’s IT operations.

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Conclusion

By outsourcing infrastructure management to a managed hosting provider, businesses can focus on their core activities without the burden of overseeing complex infrastructure tasks. This model allows organisations to benefit from the expertise of professionals, improve operational efficiency, enhance security, and ensure reliable performance for their infrastructure needs. It’s crucial to evaluate the offerings and reputation of different managed hosting providers to choose the one that aligns best with your specific infrastructure requirements and budget constraints.

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