How Much Does a Linux Server Cost?
Are you planning on buying a Linux server and need to know how much it costs? Let’s dive deeper into Linux servers, how they operate, how we could leverage them for use, and the cost to consider before buying. Typically you can expect to pay between $250-$1300/year depending on your needs and the type of operating system you deploy.
What is a Linux Server?
A Linux server is a subset of the Linux operating system intended to accommodate more prominent companies and their software’s more demanding operational and storage requirements. Since Linux servers outperform ordinary Windows servers in terms of stability, security, and flexibility, they are currently among the most well-liked and extensively utilized operating systems.
Linux’s complete open-source structure is a key advantage over closed-source software like Windows OS. This tends to keep setup and maintenance expenses low because many commercial variations of the standard Linux OS (such as Debian, CentOS, Ubuntu, and Red Hat) offer consumers many choices regarding building up, running, and maintaining their servers.
The use of Linux servers is becoming increasingly popular. Its customer-friendly qualities are why web admins love it. These servers are considered the best options for meeting your business needs. These have been adequately engineered to resist any security attack and are also made to complete complex online operations quickly. The key justification is that web admins won’t have to invest any more money.
The majority of today’s server hosting companies support inexpensive Linux servers to boost sales. These servers can range in quality and performance so consider the hosting company you partner with. Yet still, some service providers offer quality budget-friendly servers that are able to handle network needs.
Read more: How to SSH in Linux
Factors to Consider when buying a Linux Server
When buying a Linux server, there are factors you should consider so that you buy one that fits your company’s needs. These include:
- CPU
One of the major challenges for owners of dedicated servers is managing the CPU execution load. You should invest in a CPU that can handle whatever you intend to use your Linux VPS server for, so make sure to research before making your decision. For instance, if you plan to use the server for gaming, you may spend money on a high-quality CPU because gaming will invariably strain your CPU to its maximum capacity. Hence, increase your processing power for quicker reaction.
- RAM
Servers have RAM, just like computers do. A web server with 1 GB of RAM and a single-core CPU may support 2000 daily visitors to your website and providing a reasonably good user experience. To ensure seamless business operations, evaluate your objectives and purchase sufficient RAM. Consider purchasing extra RAM if your site receives more traffic than 2000. To ensure that your visitors don’t have to queue up while your site loads, upgrading the RAM on your server is always a better option.
- Bandwidth
A simple website needs about 100–300 GB of bandwidth, whereas media-intensive websites may need up to 500–1000 GB to support all users.
- Disk Space
Deciding on how much disk space to buy will be dictated by how much data you intend to keep on the server. The type of website you’re hosting significantly impacts the volume of data. Personal blogs use less storage capacity than social networks, which should help you understand this better. Managing personal blogs effectively requires at least 200 GB of disk space. Examine the storage space needs before purchasing Linux.
- Scalability
Spending money on a Linux VPS server that can expand along with your company is important. Your server must be equipped to manage an unexpected spike in website traffic. Before purchasing a Linux VPS, find out from your service provider to see if the server you intend to purchase is scalable. A VPS server that can both meet your immediate demands and grow with them is what you need. Consider expanding your resource needs in the future as you choose a server for your internet business.
- Reliability
It would help if you considered the dependability of servers with their hardware and network aspects. This covers server availability, page load times, website monitoring tools, security protocols, and load-balancing strategies. Even if it costs a bit more to receive extra services like regular backup, monitoring, and a secure environment, don’t sacrifice your server’s dependability.
Factors that Influence the Price of a Linux Server
Linux server costs vary depending on the hosting company. This is because the cost of Linux servers depends on several key criteria. Before selecting the best Linux server for your business, be informed of all the considerations. The cost of the servers is dependent on a variety of factors, including:
- Installation of the server
- Customer support
- Manufacturing of the server
- Functionality
- Program implementation cost
- Software support
Red Hat Linux Server
A Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server can be installed on a physical system, in the cloud, or as a host on the most widely available hypervisors. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server is an easy-to-manage, straightforward operating system with a flexible subscription model and a number of add-on choices.
Windows Server offers different pricing tiers for a single business server, enterprise organization, or data center license. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Developer Suite is a self-supported Linux distribution. It includes all Red Hat Enterprise Linux Add-Ons, Red Hat Software Collections, and the Red Hat Developer Toolset.
There are three primary levels for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server subscriptions. As the name implies, the Self-support tier does not contain any customer support or development tools. As a result, it’s not meant for usage in production environments. The absence of support for virtualization is another argument for why it cannot be used in production.
Customer service for the Standard tier is offered by phone and the web during regular hours of operation for all maintenance problems. However, weekends and public holidays are not included. The Premium tier provides support service for severity 1 and 2 problems and standard customer service for severity 3 and 4, within exclusions for weekends and public holidays. The table below shows the pricing and subscription type for a red hat Linux server.
| Subscription Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Self-Support (1 year) | $349 |
| Standard (1 year) | $799 |
| Premium (1 year) | $1,299 |
The following add-ons are available:
- Smart Management (from $699)
- High Availability ($399)
- Scalable Storage ($799)
- Extended Update Support ($249)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
For business Linux desktop users, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop provides three subscriptions (12-month/year) options.
| Factors | Self-support | Standard | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of Coverage | Maintenance | Maintenance and Support | Maintenance and Support |
| Delivered | Updates via Customer Center | Updates via Customer Center and Patches | Updates via Customer Center and Patches |
| Support Hours | N/A | 12×5 | 24×7 |
| Support Response Time | N/A | 4 hours | 1 hour for Severity 14 hours for all others |
| Support Access Methods | N/A | Web, Email, Chat and Phone | Web, Email, Chat and Phone |
| Support costs | $50 | $120 | $220 |
Ubuntu
Ubuntu also offers a variety of subscription plans, just like SUSE and Red Hat. You can choose one based on your needs.
| Subscription Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Essential | $25 |
| Standard | $150 |
| Advanced | $300 |
Conclusion
It’s important to understand that the price of Linux servers varies depending on the server provider, the subscription plan you choose, and your business needs. If you want to buy a Linux server, we can help you through the process.
At ServerMania, we provide dedicated Linux servers tailored to your company’s needs. We will offer you service estimates, consultations, appealing maintenance packages, and assistance in getting your company running on the OS of your choice. We provide eCommerce, big data, Software-As-A-Service, shared web hosting, and high-performance applications.