Liquid Web Bare Metal Hosting: Is It Right for Your Business?

Are you tired of shared hosting that can’t keep up with your growing business? Feeling frustrated by the limitations and lack of control? You’re not alone. Many companies reach a point where they need the power and flexibility of a dedicated server, without the high costs and complexity. That’s where Liquid Web Bare Metal Hosting comes in.

In this post, I’ll dive deep into how Liquid Web’s bare metal servers provide the perfect middle ground between shared and traditional dedicated hosting. You’ll discover the key features and advantages that could take your business to the next level.

So is Liquid Web Bare Metal Hosting the right fit for your company? Keep reading as I explore the technology, use cases, and considerations to help you make a confident decision. By the end, you’ll have a clear understandingf of whether it’s time to make the switch. Let’s jump in!

What is Liquid Web?

Liquid Web, founded in 1997, has established itself as a leading provider of managed hosting and cloud services. Since 1997, they’ve been pushing the boundaries of hosting technology, focusing on speed, security, and scalability. Liquid Web offers a wide range of hosting options, including Managed WordPress, WooCommerce, Cloud Dedicated, Cloud VPS, and Bare Metal Dedicated Servers. 

In addition to hosting services, Liquid Web provides managed solutions such as server management, security, backups, and performance monitoring. The company has received numerous industry awards and recognition, including the Inc. 5000, National Center for the Middle Market, and Deloitte Technology Fast 500, solidifying its position as a trusted partner for businesses seeking robust and scalable hosting solutions.

What is Bare Metal Hosting?

In the world of web hosting, Bare Metal Hosting is a powerful option that’s often overlooked. But what exactly is it, and how does it compare to other popular hosting types like Shared, VPS, and Cloud hosting? Let’s break it down.

Bare Metal Hosting, also known as Dedicated Server Hosting, provides you with a physical server that’s exclusively dedicated to your website or application. Unlike Shared Hosting, where your site shares resources with other sites on the same server, or VPS and Cloud Hosting, which use virtualization technology to divide a physical server into multiple virtual environments, Bare Metal Hosting gives you full control over an entire physical server and its resources.

Here, I have put a table comparing Bare Metal Hosting, VPS Hosting, and Cloud Hosting:

Feature	Bare Metal Hosting	VPS Hosting	Cloud Hosting
Server	Dedicated physical server	Virtual partition of a physical server	Virtual servers distributed across multiple physical servers
Performance	High, consistent performance	Good performance, but can be affected by other VMs	High performance, but can vary based on network conditions
Scalability	Vertical scaling (upgrading server specs)	Somewhat scalable (adding more VMs)	Highly scalable (adding more virtual servers)
Security	High security, isolated environment	Good security, but some risks from shared physical server	Good security, but some risks from a shared network
Customization	Fully customizable	Somewhat customizable (limited by virtualization)	Customizable, but some limitations
Cost	Higher cost, but predictable	Lower cost than Bare Metal	Flexible cost based on usage

As you can see, Bare Metal Hosting excels in providing high, consistent performance, robust security, and complete customization control. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses with resource-intensive applications, high-traffic websites, or strict compliance requirements.

Key characteristics of Bare Metal Hosting:

1. Dedicated Resources: With bare metal hosting, you have exclusive access to all of the server’s hardware resources. This ensures consistent, high performance for your applications, as there is no resource contention with other users.
2. No Virtualization: Unlike VPS or Cloud Hosting, Bare Metal Hosting does not use virtualization technology. The absence of a hypervisor layer results in improved performance and eliminates the “noisy neighbor” effect, where one tenant’s resource usage impacts others on the same physical server.
3. Full Control: Bare metal hosting doesn’t use virtualization technology like VPS or cloud hosting. This means you don’t have the extra layer of software (called a hypervisor) that can slow things down. With bare metal hosting, you get a dedicated server all to yourself, which can lead to faster and more consistent performance.
4. Enhanced Security: Since Bare Metal servers are single-tenant environments, they offer inherently better security than shared hosting options. You have full control over security measures and can implement strict firewall rules and access controls.
5. Scalability: While Bare Metal Hosting may not be as instantly scalable as Cloud Hosting, you can still scale vertically by upgrading the server’s hardware components (CPU, RAM, storage) to handle increased workloads.

Bare metal hosting is a powerful solution that’s perfect for certain situations, but it’s not the best choice for everyone. Here are some cases where bare metal hosting really shines:

• When you have applications that need a lot of resources and consistent high performance, like big databases or complex software
• For websites that get a ton of traffic or online stores that need to be fast and reliable
• If you have strict security or compliance requirements, like in healthcare or finance
• For things like gaming servers or video streaming services that need a lot of dedicated power

On the flip side, bare metal hosting might not be the right fit if you’re on a tight budget, since it usually costs more than shared or cloud hosting. It also requires more technical know-how to manage the server yourself, so if you’re not comfortable with that, it might not be the best option.

Next, I will explain how Bare Metal Servers work:

How Do Bare Metal Servers Work

Bare metal servers work by providing you with a dedicated physical server. When you choose bare metal hosting, you are essentially renting a physical server from a hosting provider, which gives you complete control over the server’s resources and configuration.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how bare metal servers work:

1. Hardware setup: The hosting provider sets up the physical server with the specified hardware components, such as the processor, memory, storage, and network interfaces.
2. Operating system installation: The operating system of your choice (e.g., Linux, Windows) is installed on the server.
3. Network configuration: The server is connected to the hosting provider’s network infrastructure, which ensures fast and reliable connectivity to the internet.
4. Access and control: You are given full root access to the server, usually through a secure shell (SSH) or remote desktop protocol (RDP). This allows you to configure the server, install software, and manage your applications as needed.
5. Resource allocation: Since you have exclusive access to the server’s resources, you can allocate them as you see fit. This means you can customize the server’s settings to optimize performance for your specific workload.
6. Maintenance and support: The hosting provider is responsible for maintaining the physical server hardware and network infrastructure. However, you are responsible for managing the software, applications, and data stored on the server.

Bare metal servers offer several advantages over other hosting options, such as:

• Predictable performance: Since you are not sharing resources with other users, you can expect consistent and reliable performance from your server.
• Enhanced security: With a dedicated physical server, you have complete control over security settings and can implement strict security measures to protect your data and applications.
• Customization flexibility: You have the freedom to customize your server environment to meet your specific requirements, such as installing custom software or optimizing settings for your workload.

However, bare metal servers also have some limitations:

• Higher cost: Bare metal hosting is generally more expensive than shared or cloud hosting options, as you are paying for dedicated hardware resources.
• Technical expertise required: Managing a bare metal server requires a higher level of technical knowledge compared to managed hosting solutions. You need to be comfortable with server administration, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Overall, bare metal servers provide a powerful and flexible hosting solution for businesses with demanding performance, security, and customization needs.

Next, I will explain about the Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting.

Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting

Liquid Web’s bare metal hosting is a top-tier solution designed for businesses that demand the highest levels of performance, control, and security. Built on enterprise-grade hardware and powered by the company’s world-class infrastructure, these dedicated servers provide a strong foundation for hosting mission-critical applications and websites.

Here are some core features of Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting include:

1. Dedicated Resources: Each Liquid Web Bare Metal server is fully dedicated to a single customer, ensuring maximum performance and eliminating resource contention.
2. No Virtualization: With no hypervisor layer, you get direct access to the server’s hardware, resulting in improved performance and predictability.
3. Full Control: You have complete control over your server environment, with root access and the ability to customize configurations to meet your specific needs.

Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting is backed by a global network of 18 data centers located in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These state-of-the-art facilities feature redundant power, cooling, and network infrastructure to ensure maximum uptime and reliability. The data centers are also equipped with advanced security measures, including biometric access controls, 24/7 monitoring, and physical security personnel.

Liquid Web offers a range of Bare Metal Hosting plans to suit different business requirements and budgets. Server configurations range from entry-level Intel Xeon E-2134 (4 cores @ 3.5 GHz) Processor with 16GB of RAM and RAID-1 2×480 GB SSD storage to Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6526Y 16 Cores (32 Cores Total) Processors with 128GB of RAM and RAID 1 2×960 GB SSD drives. All plans include upgradeable RAM and storage options, and come with a generous bandwidth allocation, with the ability to add more bandwidth as needed.

Performance and Reliability

Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Servers are engineered to deliver exceptional performance and reliability. The company uses only high-quality, enterprise-grade hardware components, such as Intel Xeon processors, DDR4 ECC RAM, and fast SSD storage, to ensure optimal performance for demanding workloads.

Global Network

The servers are connected to Liquid Web’s global network, which features a fully redundant, multi-homed architecture with multiple Tier 1 bandwidth providers. This ensures maximum network reliability and fast, low-latency connectivity to users around the world. Liquid Web guarantees a 100% uptime SLA for its network and power infrastructure, backed by proactive monitoring and rapid incident response.

Real-World Performance and Benchmark Success

In terms of real-world performance, Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Servers consistently demonstrate excellent results. Independent benchmarks and customer case studies showcase the servers’ ability to handle high traffic volumes, process complex database queries, and deliver fast page load times. The combination of dedicated resources, high-quality hardware, and optimized network infrastructure enables Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting to outperform many competing solutions.

Seamless Vertical Scaling for Growing Businesses

For businesses anticipating growth, Liquid Web Bare Metal Hosting offers seamless vertical scaling options. You can easily upgrade your CPU, RAM, and storage without the need for complex migrations or downtime. This scalability makes it an excellent solution for high-traffic eCommerce platforms and enterprise-level applications that need room to grow while maintaining consistent, fast performance.

Ideal Use Cases for Bare Metal Hosting

Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting is particularly well-suited for:

High-traffic websites that require consistent, fast performance to deliver a smooth user experience.
Resource-intensive applications, such as databases, big data processing, or media encoding, that need significant computing power.
E-commerce platforms that demand secure, reliable infrastructure to manage large transaction volumes and sensitive customer information.
Enterprise-level applications that require robust performance and seamless scalability for resource-heavy operations.
Financial services that need a secure, high-performance environment to process sensitive data quickly and efficiently.
Gaming applications that benefit from low-latency connections and high-speed performance for immersive user experiences.
High-performance computing tasks, such as data analytics, scientific simulations, and media processing, that rely on powerful hardware resources.

Security and Compliance

Security is a top priority for Liquid Web, and their Bare Metal Hosting solutions come with a range of built-in security features to protect your data and applications.

These include:

1. DDoS Protection: With Liquid Web Bare Metal Hosting, you get a secure hosting environment with built-in features like DDoS protection that detect and filter out malicious traffic, ensuring your server remains available even in the face of a DDoS attack.
2. Firewalls: Each Bare Metal Server comes with a configurable firewall that allows you to control inbound and outbound traffic, restricting access to only authorized IP addresses and ports.
3. Backups: Liquid Web offers automated server backups as an optional add-on, providing an extra layer of protection against data loss due to hardware failures or human error.

Bare Metal Hosting provides superior security compared to shared hosting. With a dedicated server, you have full control over security configurations and can set up tailored access controls. The physical isolation of the server also removes the risk of security breaches from other users.

For businesses in regulated industries like healthcare or finance, Liquid Web offers HIPAA-compliant hosting solutions, PCI-DSS compliant servers for secure payment processing, and the ability to meet GDPR requirements for businesses serving customers in the European Union.

Customization and Control

One of the key advantages of Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting is the level of customization and control it offers. With root access to your server, you have complete freedom to configure your environment to meet your specific business needs.

This includes the ability to:

• Choose your preferred operating system (e.g., CentOS, Ubuntu, Windows Server) and install custom software or applications
• Configure server settings, such as network configurations, security policies, and performance optimizations
• Integrate third-party tools or services to extend your server’s functionality

It’s worth noting that while Bare Metal Hosting offers extensive customization options, there may be some limitations depending on the specific hardware and network infrastructure. For example, you may not be able to modify certain low-level server settings or install custom firmware. However, for the vast majority of use cases, Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting provides ample flexibility and control to meet your unique requirements.

Support and Customer Service

One of Liquid Web’s standout features is its exceptional customer support, known as “Heroic Support.” The company offers 24/7/365 assistance through multiple channels, including phone, support ticket, email, and live chat. Liquid Web’s support team consists of highly trained technicians who are knowledgeable about all aspects of web hosting and can help troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.

Liquid Web boasts an impressive track record when it comes to response times. The company guarantees a quick response time for phone and live chat. This means you can expect fast and efficient assistance whenever you need it.

In addition to reactive support, Liquid Web also offers a range of proactive support services, such as:

• Migration Assistance: Liquid Web’s team can help you migrate your existing websites or applications to your new Bare Metal Server, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal downtime.
• Managed Services: For businesses that prefer a more hands-off approach, Liquid Web offers managed hosting services. This includes server monitoring, security updates, performance optimizations, and more, allowing you to focus on your core business while Liquid Web takes care of your hosting infrastructure.

Reliable customer support is crucial for business continuity, as any downtime or technical issues can result in lost revenue and customer trust. With Liquid Web’s Heroic Support, you can have peace of mind knowing that expert assistance is always just a phone call or click away.

Pros and Cons of Liquid Web Bare Metal Hosting

As with any hosting solution, Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Dedicated Resources: With Bare Metal Hosting, you have exclusive access to all of your server’s hardware resources, ensuring consistent high performance.
2. Flexibility: Full root access and the ability to customize your server environment give you the flexibility to tailor your hosting setup to your specific needs.
3. Enhanced Security: Bare Metal Hosting offers inherently better security than shared hosting, thanks to physical server isolation and the ability to implement custom security measures.
4. High Performance: Liquid Web’s enterprise-grade hardware, optimized network infrastructure, and expert tuning result in exceptional performance for demanding workloads.

Cons:

1. Higher Cost: Bare Metal Hosting is generally more expensive than shared or cloud hosting options due to the dedicated hardware and resources.
2. Technical Expertise Required: Managing a Bare Metal Server requires a higher level of technical knowledge compared to managed hosting solutions. You’ll need to be comfortable with server administration and configuration.
3. Overkill for Small Sites: For small websites with low traffic and resource requirements, a Bare Metal Server may be overkill and not cost-effective.

In terms of environmental impact, Bare Metal Hosting can be less energy-efficient compared to shared or cloud hosting solutions. With shared hosting, multiple websites share the same physical server, allowing for more efficient utilization of hardware resources.

Similarly, cloud hosting platforms can dynamically allocate resources based on demand, optimizing energy usage. However, Liquid Web mitigates this impact by using energy-efficient hardware and implementing sustainable practices in their data centers.

Pricing

Pricing for Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting starts at $79/month for the entry-level server and scales up based on the chosen configuration. The company also offers custom server builds for businesses with specific hardware requirements.

Here is it’s pricing table

For more pricing details, you can check their pricing page.

Is It Right for Your Business?

Determining whether Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting is the right fit for your business depends on several factors:

1. Business Size: Bare Metal Hosting is well-suited for medium to large businesses with high-traffic websites or resource-intensive applications.
2. Budget: While more expensive than shared hosting, Bare Metal Hosting can be cost-effective for businesses that require dedicated resources and high performance.
3. Technical Expertise: If you have a skilled IT team or are comfortable managing a server environment, Bare Metal Hosting gives you the control and flexibility you need. If not, you may want to consider a managed hosting solution.
4. Hosting Needs: Bare Metal Hosting excels at handling demanding workloads, such as high-traffic websites, databases, and eCommerce applications. If your business requires consistent high performance and dedicated resources, Bare Metal Hosting is a strong choice.

However, if your business has low to moderate traffic, doesn’t require dedicated resources, or lacks the technical expertise to manage a server environment, alternative hosting solutions may be more appropriate. These include shared hosting for small websites, cloud hosting for scalability and flexibility, or managed hosting for a hands-off approach.

Read Also: 7 Best WooCommerce Hosting Providers

Conclusion

Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting is a robust, high-performance solution for businesses that require dedicated resources, full control, and enhanced security. With its enterprise-grade hardware, global data center infrastructure, and exceptional customer support, Liquid Web offers a reliable and customizable hosting platform for demanding workloads.

Key takeaways:

1. Bare Metal Hosting provides exclusive access to dedicated server resources, ensuring consistent high performance.
2. Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Servers are built on top-tier hardware and connected to a global, low-latency network for optimal performance and reliability.
3. With full root access and a choice of control panels, Liquid Web offers extensive customization options to tailor your server environment.
4. Liquid Web’s 24/7/365 Heroic Support ensures rapid assistance and proactive management for your hosting infrastructure.

While Bare Metal Hosting may not be the most cost-effective option for small websites or businesses with limited technical expertise, it is an excellent choice for medium to large enterprises with high traffic, resource-intensive applications, or strict security and compliance requirements.

If you’re considering Liquid Web’s Bare Metal Hosting for your business, we recommend reaching out to their sales team for a consultation. They can assess your specific needs, recommend the best server configuration, and even offer a free trial to test the platform. With Liquid Web’s expertise and support, you can be confident in choosing a hosting solution that will help your business thrive online.

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