Conventional servers have been around for a long time and despite the arrival of cloud computing, remain in the picture. There’s no denying that the cloud concept is rapidly gaining acceptance and more people are embracing it. Only time will tell us if traditional computing will be replaced by the cloud technology or will both prevail?

Sharing

On the subject of shared hosting, the cloud and conventional server are more or less the same. Small startups commonly rely on shared hosting which can be done on a physical server or via cloud sharing. Both the traditional server vendor and cloud service providers could be hosting a thousand other websites alongside yours. This means you share storage and bandwidth with several other users.

An independent physical server is naturally more expensive and comparable to a dedicated cloud server. Even though a personal cloud server is free of maintenance costs, it is awfully expensive compared to a shared cloud. It is certainly a great option for widespread businesses that have a massive database or tremendous amounts of website traffic.  

Infrastructure

Cloud computing embodies innovation and modernism, whereas traditional IT setups are established and tangible. The cloud has a lot to offer and is here to stay, but old-school servers too have certain advantages. A physical server is basically situated within the premises of an organization or another rented facility; it needs space, utilities and staff to look after it. Those things aside, it could malfunction at any time and the cost for it’s repair/replacement is your responsibility. Moreover, if you’re sharing a physical server, it might take several days to get it fixed; your business is likely to suffer.

A cloud server (shared or dedicated) grants ultimate freedom because it is virtual and not your headache. You don’t need to rent a space, pay for functionality & maintenance or hire administration. The cloud service provider is in charge of everything, even if the system ever breaks down (which doesn’t really happen). Precisely, you’re saving so many expenses and getting rid of several liabilities.

Security & Backup

The major concerns connected to the cloud platform are regarding security. Unlike a regular server, the location of cloud services is invisible, so one tends to become skeptical about the unknown. Scandals concerning privacy breach have occurred with both traditional and cloud servers. Even if your server is hosted on site, an unfaithful employee could cause your demise and a highly skilled hacker could still break into it. If you’re worried about who is able to access your info on the cloud, you can make that clear by asking your service provider in advance.

Cloud services provided by certified organizations, such as AWS are built to be incredibly safe and stable. They are bound by privacy policies and take your security rather seriously. In case some problem emerges, you can expect a good compensation in return.

Traditional servers are are much less reliable on backup as compared to Cloud services. If a physical server unexpectedly stops working, there is a huge risk of losing data. A professional might be able to retrieve it from your hard disk, but without actual guarantee. What you keep on the cloud can always be restored, under all conditions.

Scaling and Upgrading

The capacity of the storage facility + services of a conventional server have to be estimated and installed at the beginning. Hence, the cost is lump sum and fixed, which has to be paid upfront. In case you need to make changes or upgrade in any way, you’ll have to hire someone and again pay them a big amount to get it done.

On the other hand, the cloud ecosystem works totally different. You are subject to variable costs because they imply a ‘pay as you go’ formula for every service that you subscribe to. Therefore it doesn’t matter if you upscale or downscale your capacity at any moment in time. You’ll only pay for as much storage, bandwidth etc. that you’re utilizing. Also, scaling is automated on a cloud server, so no need of hiring someone for the job. You can also subscribe or unsubscribe from a variety of services that charge you a nominal monthly fee instead of hefty advance payments.

Control

With a cloud server, mainly all back-end functions are in the hands of your service provider. Although this takes away most of your burden, you also give up much of your authority. You have to adjust your application according to the cloud’s specifications and choose within the tools they provide. The cloud can only make changes to your system conforming to a set of standards. Therefore, customization and control over your own business becomes limited.

Traditional servers give you the opportunity to run and personalize applications whenever and as you wish. Having one set up within your premises gets you easy 24/7 access and the power to do things your own way. Also, no third party can interfere because they have no right to do so as in cloud based systems.

Conclusion

In spite of all the benefits and comforts that a cloud server has to offer, it may not be suitable for everyone. Before you shift and make home, there are certain aspects of your business that need to be observed and understood. For example, does the scale of your app have potential to grow? Does the traffic on your website drastically fluctuate? There are several other questions that need to be answered to create a feasibility report.

Depending on the size, functions and requirements of your company, a conventional server could be better and cheaper. If you’re seriously considering a move to the cloud, you should consult experts in the field. Xoho Tech offers AWS specialists who can guide you about cloud computing and help you throughout the migration process.