by: Mike Jewson
Looking for an efficient hosting service to communicate with clients and sending files over the Internet? There are two options – either you can arrange your own hosting service or can register for a professional FTP (File Transfer Protocol) hosting service. If you select ‘do it yourself’’ process you have to configure your own server with the help of necessary hosting software and hardware.
To set up your own hosting service for the business process you need to install a hosting server, hardware and software to support digital communication. In the ‘do it yourself’ process you have to install a server and make it accessible via Internet. This type of server is known as ‘Live Server’ and differs from other internal servers.
Other entities of your business process can communicate with each other through this live server, which will act like an FTP Server. You have to develop the hosting service inside your company that will work like a professional FTP hosting service. Therefore it is essential to create separate FTP accounts for the clients. Here you have to configure the ‘live server’ in such a way that your network administrator can easily manage the folders and files.
Server
It is recommended to buy a server appliance that supports hosting solution managed through a web browser interface. Apart from general features of the server, there are several other features:
Processor Type
Hard Drive
RAM
Remote Management
Data Transfer Rate
Data Security
Operating System
Technical Support
Apart from these you have to select an operating system for the hosting server. In general people use Windows or Linux as an operating system. Hard drive space of the hosting server matters, if you have sufficient space in the hard drive of your hosting server you can efficiently store large files, which you want to share with your clients.
FTP Software
How can you transfer files without FTP software? It is recommended to buy FTP server that is compatible with the operating system of your server. If the operating system of your hosting server is ‘Windows’ then you have to install FTP software compatible with Windows operating system. However, some hosting servers come with in-built FTP support.
You have to install the software on the server to configure your own hosting server and user accounts. Select FTP software, commonly known as FTP Client Software, based on following criteria:
Efficient file transfer protocol with features like – ‘Server – to – Server’ and/or ‘Local computer to another local computer’.
User friendly site and file management
Automated file transfer with File Transfer scheduler
Secured connection with the facility of password protection
Firewall support
User friendly interface
Price of FTP software varies based on their features. For example, the price of FTP Performer 5 or 4 Power and FTP Broker are $397.00 and $425.00, respectively. However, you can manage FTP software at low cost. Serv – U, which is considered, as a popular FTP Server for Windows the pricing starts at $300.00 for a limited version!
Internet Connection
Finally you have to take the Internet connection from an authorized ‘Internet Service Provider’ (ISP). By taking Internet connection you can make your server ‘Live’, i.e., accessible by all. It is recommended to go for the option ‘dedicated line’ of an Internet Service Provider. Dedicated line will make your hosting server accessible round the clock. To ensure fast connection over the Internet, register for Internet connection that provides high bandwidth. The minimum requirement is 512Kbps.
Worried with the cost and complex process of configuring a hosting server for your business? FTP hosting service provides all the features of transferring large files over the Internet at reasonable cost.
FTP Hosting Service
FTP service provider will allocate server space on their server, where you can store the files to share information with your client. There are two components in FTP hosting service – FTP Server and FTP Client. FTP Client is a remote computer that connects with FTP Server through Internet. Each FTP hosting service provider comes with multiple hosting plans. You have to select a right plan that provides effective support to your business. Communications are done through private FTP accounts, which are allocated for a specified FTP server. Transferring files over the Internet, from one FTP account to another, is managed by FTP software. It is recommended to select an FTP hosting service that provides FTP software. However, you can also buy FTP software separately.
It is observed that the monthly or yearly cost of FTP hosting service is less than setting up a complete hosting server. The cost of configuring a live server depends on hardware and software, which you are buying to make the server active. On the other hand, you will find wide array of FTP hosting service at affordable cost. The selection of a hosting service depends upon the required components of hosting service. Therefore, make thorough research on the price and select FTP hosting service for your business process.
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