Cloud computing has become popular in recent days. This is due to the many great features of this server compared with other options. Whether you run a small business, big business or you just want a safe place to store your data, the cloud is the best option. Aside from the safety of cloud storage, a cloud server is fast and reliable. You can access your files remotely, and it supports all popular computer platforms and operating systems. It is also cost-efficient as it allows you to pay for only what you use. Moreso, there are lots of open-source software that you can use to create your own cloud storage. This software can allow you to use some resources free of charge. You will also have more control over your cloud space. However, if you need a lot of resources, a cloud server may turn out to be more expensive than other web hosting options.
In this article, we will look at different features of a cloud server, types of cloud server subscription plans, the cost of installing and using a cloud server, and how to build your own cloud server in simple steps and at a low cost.
All Cloud Server Features
Uses Several Virtual Server: Cloud server makes several virtual servers from a single physical server. This makes the resources available from this hosting service unlimited.
- Little or No Downtime
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a server is downtime. In this regard, the cloud server is excellent, there is little downtime. You might even be lucky never to experience one with a cloud server.
- Easy Maintenance
- Incredible High Loading Speed
- Unlimited Resources
- Easy Scalability
- Safety and Security
- Remote Access
- Cost Efficient
- You Pay for What You Use
- Proper Monitoring of Activities
With all these features, how much does a cloud server cost? We will discuss that next.
Cloud Server Cost
It is difficult to state a particular cost cloud server as it varies from a user to another based on many factors. The first fact to consider is that the total cost of a server should go beyond just the monthly subscription; it must also include the cost of setting up your server as well as the cost of maintaining it. If you run a big company, you must also consider the cost of staffing and training of staff as cloud computing require expertise.
While it is possible to get a cloud server for free, paid subscriptions usually start from $5 per month.
Unlike other servers, cloud servers are billed based on what you use. Hence, there is no fixed price for server usage. Also, cloud servers are not necessarily billed pay month; you can choose to pay per hour. However, when compared with other servers that give you the same resources, a cloud server is generally more expensive. For instance, if you use 4 GB of RAM, 80 GB of storage, 4 TB bandwidth on 2 CPU cores for a month on a cloud server and the same on other servers, you will pay more for the cloud server than you will pay on other servers. But while you can be charged for all those resources without using them on dedicated, VPN, or shared server as long as you have subscribed for it, in a cloud server, you will only pay, if you use the resources.
So, in most cases, it is cheaper to host your server on the cloud than on a dedicated server. Also, while you can get a cloud server plan that is as low as $5 a month, the minimum subscription for a dedicated server is $50 a month.
On average, a 25 GB storage space with a memory of 1 GB and one CPU core usually costs $5 a month for cloud hosting, and 128 GB memory and 24 CPU cores with up to 3 TB storage may cost morethan$600.
Performance Cloud Plans and Pricing
As discussed above, the cost of cloud hosting depends a lot on many factors. Among these factors is your hosting company. Hence, it is difficult to state a general cost for the service as this will vary from one service provider to another. The pricing also depends on whether you are hosting your server on Linux operating system, Windows operating system, or any other operating system. Aside from these, service providers also offer managed servers. If you chose to subscribe to a managed cloud hosting, you will have to pay more for the management of your server. Another cost that may add to your pricing is the cost of the hardware, while the service provider may let you be responsible for the hardware and pay for installation as a once-off payment, some providers spread this cost on your subscription over a long period. This will make it convenient for you to pay. However, the pricing stated below gives a general idea of the average cost of cloud hosting per month.
|
CPU Core |
RAM |
Storage |
Backup |
Cost ($) |
|
2 |
4 GB |
128 GB |
512 GB |
131 |
|
2 |
8 GB |
256 GB |
512 GB |
192 |
|
3 |
12 |
512GB |
1 TB |
319 |
|
4 |
16 |
512 GB |
1 TB |
443 |
|
8 |
32 GB |
1 TB |
2 TB |
752 |
|
16 |
64 GB |
2 TB |
4 TB |
1,473 |
Note that this cost depends on your actual usage of resources and also note that some service providers usually charge per hour rather than per month as resources you use will likely vary from time to time. Hence an hour indicates a better representation of resources allocation rather than monthly use.
Build Your Own Cloud Infrastructure in No Time
You can reduce the cost of your cloud computing by building your cloud infrastructure yourself. It requires a little know-how, but you can easily learn it and save a lot. There are many resources online that will assist you. To build your cloud storage facility, you will need the following components:
- Motherboard
- CPU
- RAM
- Chassis
- Case fan
- Dampeners
- Power Supply
- Switch
You can search for and download the wiring diagram and the setup process online. To reduce cost, you can use consumer-grade hardware as hardware is the most expensive component that you will need. Hardware cost might amount to as much as 80 percent of the total cost. Although in some cases, it might not be more than 50 percent. Apart from hardware you also need to build pods for storing the hardware. If you can’t build it perfectly or you want to save time, you can buy prebuilt pods. After assembling all the components, the next thing will be to create your cloud server.
Create Your Cloud Server
Building a cloud server infrastructure is not the end of your project. You must configure your server so that it will be available on the web and you will be able to access it from any computer connected to the internet. To achieve this, you need software. Open-source software are software that can be downloaded and use free of charge. They are your best options if you wish to safe. There is a lot of open-source software for cloud computing. Popular ones include Nextcloud, OwnCloud, Seafile, and Pydio.
One of the best open-source software for creating a cloud server is OwnCloud. The steps involved are simple and straightforward. From the official website of the software company, you can download OwnCloud software for free. After downloading you will need to create a data directory for your cloud storage and give your webserver access to the directory. Then you will create a database and configure the Apache webserver. Once that is done you only need to configure OwnCloud for personal use.
Configure Your Customized Cloud Server and Synchronize Your Files
Once you have installed OwnCloud and set up your server, the next thing is to configure OwnCloud so that your files can be synchronized. This involves just a few basic steps. They are:
- Open OwnCloud on your desktop
- Click on “Configure.”
- Add your login details and OwnCloud URL
- Click on “Add Folder.”
- Upload files from your computer
And you are done.
We Can Help You
We provide web hosting services. Whether you are a small business owner or a big company, we have different hosting plans that will accommodate your budget. We use the latest technology to ensure our server is safe, fast, and reliable. Our pricing is competitive and we offer a 7-day free trial for all our subscription plans. Our team consists of well-experienced professionals that are also friendly and are always ready to help. We offer services in many countries of the world and are ready to work with you. We have been in the industry for a long, so we know exactly what you want. We will be with you at every step of your web hosting. Therefore, do not hesitate further. You can contact us for consultation and more information about our services. You can also read more about what we offer on our website. Contact us today, and we will be glad to help you.
Conclusion
The cloud offers unlimited storage for data, images, and videos. Therefore, hosting your website in the cloud has many benefits. Among the important features of a cloud server are high uptime, high security, unlimited resources, cost efficiency, fast loading, remote access, and reliability. Also, there is a lot of open-source software that you can use to set up your cloud storage for free. Luckily, there are many ways you can reduce the cost of hardware installation. Paid plan of cloud hosting is also cost-efficient as you will only pay for the resources that you use. That is why some service providers bill cloud hosting per hour. While a dedicated server starts from a minimum of $50 a month, you can subscribe to cloud hosting for as little as $5 a month. However, for the same amount of resources, a cloud server is more expensive than other web servers.
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