Managed vs Unmanaged
Choosing between a managed server and a self-managed server (also known as an unmanaged server) is a matter of striking a balance between cost and control. Managed servers offer the convenience of reduced maintenance, whilst self-managed servers are usually cheaper in the short term but require more technical knowledge. Explore the pros and cons of each option to decide which is right for you.
Understand your needs and your budget
When deciding between managed and self-managed servers, the first step should be to assess your needs. Take into account the level of technical expertise and skills available to you, as well as your budget. If you require specific software to be installed on the server, try to find out in advance what sort of setup will be required.
This will help you determine whether a managed or a self-managed server is best suited to your needs. Managed servers are generally more expensive, but offer a higher level of support and require little maintenance. This can be beneficial for businesses that do not have the technical expertise or resources to manage their own servers. Unmanaged servers are usually cheaper, but require more technical knowledge and may not offer the same level of support.
Security and reliability with managed servers
Managed servers offer enhanced security features and reliability, two of the key advantages over unmanaged servers. All managed server plans always include 24/7 real-time monitoring, offsite backups, monthly patch days (security updates at fixed maintenance intervals, usually once a month) and immediate urgent updates as standard; depending on the SLA you choose, you’ll also receive 24/7/365 support. This ensures that technical issues or problems can be resolved quickly and efficiently. It also helps to reduce downtime and ensures that your website always runs smoothly. Furthermore, managed servers feature advanced security functions such as threat detection and malware protection, which provide additional security and safeguard your data against malicious attacks.
Maintenance tasks for self-managed servers
With a self-managed server, you are responsible for carrying out periodic maintenance tasks such as updating software, applying patches and tidying up the server environment. Whilst this is a time-consuming task, it does ensure that your data remains secure and up to date. If you are not familiar with server maintenance or do not have sufficient technical knowledge, there may be a higher risk of unexpected downtime due to incorrectly configured settings or security vulnerabilities.
Features of a managed server versus a self-managed server
The main difference between managed and self-managed (unmanaged) servers lies in the level of control you have over your server environment. Managed servers offer a wide range of features to assist with the set-up and maintenance of your server. This makes them ideal for organisations that lack the necessary expertise, time or resources to maintain their own server. These features include automated daily backups with off-site storage in a different fire compartment, proactive monitoring and regular patch management as part of monthly maintenance cycles. Unmanaged servers do not offer such features and simply give you access to the bare-metal system, leaving you with full control over how you configure and manage your environment.
In summary
If you do not wish to manage your own server and need help with backups, updates and security, a managed server is the right choice for you. If you need a more affordable option and have enough time and knowledge to look after the server yourself, a self-managed server is the way to go.