Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting which uses multiple different servers to balance the load and maximize uptime. Instead of using a single server, your website can tap into a “cluster” that uses resources from a centralized pool. This means that even if one server fails, another kicks in to keep everything running.
Visualise the cloud as a web of different computers which are all interconnected. As more machines are hooked up to the network, more resources are added to the overall cloud.
With cloud hosting, you get a part of the so-called cloud cluster. As opposed to traditional web hosting, where you get a certain amount of space from a single server.
The main benefits of cloud hosting include a major focus on uptime, isolated resources, easy scaling, and a dedicated IP address.
Cloud hosting architecture
The architecture of cloud hosting differs from the setup used in regular web hosting:
- Most shared hosts use a centralized approach where one server holds multiple websites. But if that server goes down, so does every account in it.
- On the other hand, the distributed approach of cloud hosting solves this problem. Since each website is “distributed” across multiple locations, you’ll get no downtime in case a server in the cluster experiences a problem.
Large websites such as search engines and social networks use the distributed approach, as no single server could handle such the load. Big projects like these either build their own cloud hosting architecture or they hire resources from a cloud hosting provider.
What kind of websites use cloud hosting?
The types of websites that use cloud hosting are as varied as those that use regular hosting, but there are cases where it’s particularly popular.
If a website is mission-critical, meaning that the company can’t function without it, then cloud hosting is a good idea. It’s also chosen by many e-commerce stores, lead generation sites, corporate websites and high-traffic projects.
At the same time, cloud hosting makes it easy to scale in case you need more power. This makes it appealing to news agencies and publishing firms who expect traffic surges or huge numbers of clicks on their posts.
Ultimately, it’s a pretty good choice in most situations, which is why it’s able to rival shared hosting and virtual servers.
Does Hostinger offer cloud hosting?
We surely do! Our cloud hosting starts at just $15.90/month and includes a dedicated IP address, 40 GB disk space, 3 GB of RAM and more. All of our accounts are fully scalable and feature extensive security measures to keep your data safe. Annual plans also include:
- CloudFlare integration
- Free domain name registration
- Lifetime SSL certificate
- More goodies!
Our cloud hosting infrastructure uses the latest technology and best practices, and reliability and performance are guaranteed. And with 24/7/365 live chat support, we’re on hand to answer any questions and to solve any problems that you might come across.
How IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS relate to cloud hosting?
IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are all related to cloud hosting because they use cloud infrastructure to deliver their service:
- IaaS is short for “infrastructure as a service” and refers to the new business model for hosting companies. The process involves offering virtual machines and processing power through cloud architecture. Instead of having to hire physical infrastructure, people can purchase only the resources that they need.
- PaaS is short for “platform as a service”. These solutions are usually used to provide a framework for developers to build upon. From a development point of view, PaaS solutions are popular because they decrease time to market and allow for greater flexibility.
- SaaS is short for “software as a service”, which is the term used for when companies use the cloud to deliver a software interface to their users, typically through a web browser or a mobile application. Google Docs is a great example of a SaaS product.
The future of cloud hosting
Cloud computing, in general, is becoming more and more important for our modern society. The technology can bring many industries and business the cutting edge in the online world. Web hosting is just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s also the cornerstone that makes cloud possible.
Don’t be surprised when you see cloud hosting forming the backbone of everything from digital health records to property databases, legal agreements in the upcoming future!
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