Dedicated servers

Three signs: sustained load above two thirds, a database stalled on disk, or a requirement for physical separation from other customers. Without any of them, a dedicated server means paying for capacity nobody uses.

The server belongs to the hosting provider, and replacing faulty components is part of the rental. We raise the fault, chase it and, once the part is swapped, verify the RAID and the data. You never buy spares or send anyone to the site.

Owned hardware can pay off over four or five years with steady load, but it needs a suitable room, power, cooling and someone to change parts. Apply does not supply hardware, which is exactly why we recommend renting in a professional EU data centre where the physical side is covered.