Storage SERVER HOSTING

Server Type

When it comes to setting up a cloud storage server, you have three options: Hybrid, Cloud, and Dedicated Servers. The server type you select is based on the amount of storage you need as well as the I/O requirements.

Dedicated Servers are the best option for storage servers. They allow full customization of hard drive size, type, and RAID configuration. They are also cheaper per GB when compared to Hybrid and Cloud servers.

Hybrid Servers are best for storage under 1TB with moderate I/O activity. These servers are similar to Virtual Private Servers, but they have fewer tenants per server and feature guaranteed resources.

Cloud Servers are ideal for storage sizes less than 120GB. Data on these servers is spread across many hard drives with RAID storage, so it is incredibly redundant. Cloud Servers can also be upgraded or downgraded at any time, so they are perfect for smaller, rapidly changing projects.

Processor Requirements

The processor you select for a dedicated storage server will impact how efficiently the server is able to handle the day to day disk activities. Choosing the best processor largely depends on what actions you will perform on the data.

If it is simply uploaded and stored, then a single processor Xeon will be sufficient. If many users will be interacting with the stored data or if intensive data compression is required, then a dual processor would provide the overhead to handle heavy tasks.

Hard Drive Type

There are two main types of storage disks: Hard Disk Drive (HDD), and Solid State Drive (SSD) SSD drives provide significantly faster I/O performance compared to HDD. However, SSDs cost slightly more per GB, and are best suited for storage servers that require fast read / write operations. As storage servers are typically used for storing a large volume of data, HDD is the most popular choice of drive type.

Data redundancy is an important aspect of a server for data storage. RAID is a great option for maintaining disk integrity. It duplicates and stripes data across multiple hard drives to ensure that no data is lost in the event of a drive failure. RAID is ideal for any server storing data that needs to remain online.

Network Routes

Virtual storage servers need to be hosted on premium network routes to ensure that data being uploaded and downloaded from the server can be accessed quickly and efficiently. Take a look at the network upstream providers that your storage server provider utilizes. A company that stands by its connections will provide you with IPs and files to test against to see how it performs to your location.

You should also look for a provider that offers Tier 1 connectivity and redundant network routes. A Tier 1 network is a network that can reach every other network on the Internet solely via settlement-free peering. This guarantees problem-free connectivity as the network doesn’t rely on paying peers.

Another important factor is the Service Level Agreement (SLA) that the provider guarantees on network connectivity. A data storage server needs to be accessible at all times, so look for a provider that offers a 100% network uptime guarantee.

Network Speed and Bandwidth

The network speed and bandwidth of a storage server is critical due to the amount of data that may be transferred to the server. It is important to choose a bandwidth plan suitable for the amount of monthly data you need.

1Gbps network ports are one of the best options for storage hosting as it ensures that any client connecting to the server can download data at an exceptionally fast rate. For clients with larger network requirements, some enterprise-grade providers may offer 10Gbps network ports as well.

DDoS Protection

Every NAS server on the internet is vulnerable to a Distributed Denial of Service attack. Server botnets target a server in order to take it offline, often for a ransom. Adding DDoS protection to your storage hosting services provides advanced protection against all known DDoS attack types.

When DDos protection is engaged, traffic is continuously filtered through DDoS protection appliances, resulting in no delay in protection when an attack begins. Industry leading DDoS appliances can detect attacks and mitigate them within 0 to 90 seconds.