A shared web hosting service or virtual hosting service or derive host refers to a web hosting service where many websites reside on one web server connected
to the Internet. Each site "sits on its own partition, or section/place on the server to keep it separate from other sites. This is generally the most
economical option for hosting, as many people share the overall cost of server maintenance.
The hosting service must include system administration since it is shared by many users; this is a benefit for users who do not want to deal with it, but a
hindrance to power users who want more control. In general shared hosting will be inappropriate for users who require extensive software development outside
what the hosting provider supports. Almost all applications intended to be on a standard web server work fine with a shared web hosting service. But on the
other hand, shared hosting is cheaper than other types of hosting such as dedicated server hosting. Shared hosting usually has usage limits and most hosting
providers have extensive reliability features in place.
Shared hosting typically uses a web-based control panel system, such as cPanel, Ensim, DirectAdmin, Plesk, InterWorx,
H-Sphere or one of many other control panel products. Most of the large hosting companies use their own custom developed control panel. Control panels and
web interfaces can cause controversy however, since web hosting companies sometimes sell the right to use their control panel system to others.
In shared hosting, the provider is generally responsible for managing servers, installing server software, security updates, technical support, and other
aspects of the service. Most servers are based on the Linux operating system and LAMP (software bundle), which is driven by the low cost of open source
software. But some providers offer Microsoft Windows-based or FreeBSD-based solutions. For example, the Plesk and Ensim control panels are both available
for two operating systems, Linux and Windows. Versions for either OS have very similar interfaces and functionality, with the exception of OS-specific
differences (for example: ASP.NET, SQL Server and Access support under Windows: MySQL under Linux).
Shared web hosting can be accomplished in two ways: name-based and IP-based, although some control panels allow a mix of name-based and IP-based on the one
server.
Name-based
In name-based virtual hosting, also called shared IP hosting, the virtual hosts serve multiple hostnames on a single machine with a single IP address.
When a web browser requests a resource from a web server using HTTP/1.1 it includes the requested hostname as part of the request. The server uses this
information to determine which web site to show the user.
IP-based
In IP-based virtual hosting, also called dedicated IP hosting, each virtual host has a different IP address. The web server is configured with multiple
physical network interfaces, or virtual network interfaces on the same physical interface. The web server software uses the IP address the client connects
to in order to determine which web site to show the user. The primary reason for a site to use a dedicated IP is to be able to use its own SSL certificate
rather than a shared certificate.
Most popular shared web hosts in the united states.
IXWEBHOSTING, Click here to visit ixwebhosting.com
BLUEHOST, Click here to visit bluehost.com
1AND1, Click here to visit 1and1.com
JUSTHOST, Click here to visit justhost.com
LUNARPAGES, click here to visit lunarpages.com
GODADDY, Click here to visit godaddy.com
