Managed vs Unmanaged Dedicated Servers?

I am going to move to a small dedicated server instead of using a VPS as current one. The issue is I am getting confused between choosing managed or unmanaged dedicated server, what is main difference between them? I am using unmanaged VPS so I should continue using unmanaged dedicated server? or managed dedicated server is better?

Managed will be a better option. Your server monitoring ,updates of Kernel, php or other things are handled by web hosting provider. Any overload or server issue is informed by the Hosting provider in Managed solution . In unmanaged you will have to take care of almost everything which wont be possible when its 24x7x365 service. I would suggest you to go with managed Server option.

That is a personal preference and depends on your server management abilities.

Are you comfortable managing the server yourself, keeping it updated, and finding/fixing problems as they arise? If so, go unmanaged.

If not, get a managed server.

A managed service would take a lot of weight off your shoulders. Better is subjective. Sorry, I know saying that isn't really helpful but if you have the time and know your way around a server then a unmanaged service will save you money. If you don't have much spare time or aren't totally confident with your server knowledge a managed service may be more preferable and will give you more time to focus on other aspects.

Another point I would like to mention is that when looking at providers I would talk to them and find what their managed service covers. We have noticed that there isn't a standard for what server management covers. What we may consider an unmanaged service other providers may call a ‘managed service'.

Typically a managed service would include:
Migration Assistance
Malware removal & scanning
App Installs & Updates
Patching & Hotfixes
Backups
DDoS protection & mitigation
Firewall protection
SSH access
Spam filtering
24/7 technical support

Managed dedi server is preferred. let the work be done by the providers...But if you can manage it your self, then u can stick to that.

There are many different layers of management. The hosting company should list what is covered in their managed offering and from there you can compare.

RDO Servers said:

That is a personal preference and depends on your server management abilities.

Are you comfortable managing the server yourself, keeping it updated, and finding/fixing problems as they arise? If so, go unmanaged.

If not, get a managed server.

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I am not sure I can manage a dedicated server completely like a web host provider but I can make a website online running from an unmanaged hosting.
Is that enough?

Datacentreplus said:

A managed service would take a lot of weight off your shoulders. Better is subjective. Sorry, I know saying that isn't really helpful but if you have the time and know your way around a server then a unmanaged service will save you money. If you don't have much spare time or aren't totally confident with your server knowledge a managed service may be more preferable and will give you more time to focus on other aspects.

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Yeh it saved pretty much for unmanaged dedicated server
They included fees for managing services into their offers.

Datacentreplus said:

Another point I would like to mention is that when looking at providers I would talk to them and find what their managed service covers. We have noticed that there isn't a standard for what server management covers. What we may consider an unmanaged service other providers may call a ‘managed service'.

Typically a managed service would include:
Migration Assistance
Malware removal & scanning
App Installs & Updates
Patching & Hotfixes
Backups
DDoS protection & mitigation
Firewall protection
SSH access
Spam filtering
24/7 technical support

Click to expand...

What are Patching & Hotfixes and Spam filtering?
Why I don't see features in managed services?

madRoosterTony said:

There are many different layers of management. The hosting company should list what is covered in their managed offering and from there you can compare.

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I don't see any providers list what they will manage. It is on the problem how they support, fast or slow.

David Beroff said:

I am going to move to a small dedicated server instead of using a VPS as current one. The issue is I am getting confused between choosing managed or unmanaged dedicated server, what is main difference between them? I am using unmanaged VPS so I should continue using unmanaged dedicated server? or managed dedicated server is better?

Click to expand...

If you have some experience with unmanaged VPS, then you will be able to manage your dedi box by yourself as well. There is no a difference.

David Beroff said:

What are Patching & Hotfixes and Spam filtering?
Why I don't see features in managed services?

Click to expand...

That's when your host ensures your server software is up to date by installing the latest version, fixing any known issues, and plugging and exploits or gaps that are known or bought to their attention.

Not sure what providers you're looking at that don't list these things, but worth getting in touch with some to find out exactly what they offer and don't. As I mentioned before, there is no standard of management, and with some providers theres many levels.

Hotfixes, patching your server and helping with spam to your server is just things that we include, so I can't say for anyone else.

David Beroff said:

I am not sure I can manage a dedicated server completely like a web host provider but I can make a website online running from an unmanaged hosting.
Is that enough?

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From what I get from what you said, are you basically looking to get a Dedicated Server so you can sell web hosting yourself? If so, are you sure you need a managed service? Unless you prefer the peace of mind of not having to manage yourself. You can provide hosting to your customers by using WHMCS & WHM...

Datacentreplus said:

From what I get from what you said, are you basically looking to get a Dedicated Server so you can sell web hosting yourself?

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I am a web developer and marketers, I am building many small niche sites.
Dedicated servers can give me good speed and better features than a VPS that benefit to SEO or website performance.

Datacentreplus said:

If so, are you sure you need a managed service? Unless you prefer the peace of mind of not having to manage yourself. You can provide hosting to your customers by using WHMCS & WHM...

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Yeh I have my customers but I didn't allow them to host on my hosting, same host with my websites because it has many risks or security.
I don't want to consume time to manage web hosting for customers, that required hosting techniques and i can not focus on which I am doing for my websites.

madRoosterTony said:

Full Management - This can be misleading as often only covers a list of supported software, but provides you with complete management of the whole server for that software. i.e. in the above example there would be no fee. But if you wanted to install say MongoDB on cPanel server, since this is not supported by cPanel there might be a fee associated with this function as it might take some work around to get fully working.
.

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Honestly I used full managed hosting services but their support is very slow that changed my mind to go with manage services which allow me to manage everything without waiting for the support. Of course it is more difficult to manage a web hosting by yourself but at least it will not depend on the support of a web hosting good or not.

If you think you can manage a dedicated server on your own for the most part, I would go with unmanaged and just get a cheap out sourced support management company for the tasks you don't feel comfortable doing. One that comes to mind is PSM (platinum server management). Or, you might find its more in your interest to get a cheap managed dedicated server and just let the provider handle all the tasks for you so you can focus on developing your sites.

If you are good in server administration and can managed server at your own then you can go for unmanaged, But if you are still not confident then you should not take risk and should go for managed dedicated server then in any issue your provider support team will take care of the occuring issue and will fix them on your behalf. With managed dedicated server it will your providers responsibility to keep your server running smoothly 24x7x365.

David Beroff said:

I am going to move to a small dedicated server instead of using a VPS as current one. The issue is I am getting confused between choosing managed or unmanaged dedicated server, what is main difference between them? I am using unmanaged VPS so I should continue using unmanaged dedicated server? or managed dedicated server is better?

Click to expand...

Administratively speaking, there is no difference between a VPS and a dedicated server (for the end user). Sticking with unmanaged will save you a lot of money. If you will be hosting web sites for customers and don't want spend your time with support, that can be outsourced (but it won't take a whole of a lot of time unless you have a whole bunch of sites).

Managed dedicated server is good option, then you will get support for any server administration task in the server including server hardening/securing and troubleshoot issues with CMS, hosting panel and any services.

If you have purchased a unmanaged dedicated server. you will get support only for network or hardware issues.

Racks&Cloud Hosting Solutions.