What Is Liquid Web Bare Metal Server and Why Should You Care?

Looking for web hosting that delivers the perfect mix of power, performance, and flexibility can feel like a never-ending challenge.

If you’re running high-traffic sites, demanding applications, or complicated databases, basic shared hosting or even VPS might not be enough.

That’s where Liquid Web Bare Metal Server steps onto the stage. But what exactly is it, and why should you care?

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Liquid Web Bare Metal Server, breaking down its features, benefits, and the types of businesses that can benefit the most from it.

Whether you’re a seasoned system administrator or a business owner wanting to boost your site’s performance, understanding this hosting solution could be the key to unlocking a new level of performance and control.

So, let’s get started and unravel the mystery of Liquid Web Bare Metal Server.

What is a Bare Metal Server Hosting?

A Bare Metal Server Hosting, sometimes simply referred to as a Bare Metal Server or Dedicated Server, is a type of hosting service where you, as the user, rent an entire physical server from a hosting provider.

This server is not shared with any other users, giving you complete control over its resources, including the hardware, operating system, and software configurations.

Key characteristics and benefits of Bare Metal Server Hosting:

• Dedicated Resources: All of the server’s CPU, RAM, storage, and network bandwidth are dedicated to your use, ensuring optimal performance and avoiding the “noisy neighbour” problem often associated with shared hosting environments.
• Full Control: You have administrative access to the server, allowing you to customize it to your specific requirements. This includes installing any operating system or software you need, as well as configuring the server at the hardware level.
• High Performance: Bare Metal Servers offer excellent performance for resource-intensive applications and workloads, making them suitable for demanding use cases like gaming servers, high-traffic websites, databases, and machine learning.
• Security: By being the sole user of the server, you gain a higher level of security and isolation from other users. This can be particularly important for businesses handling sensitive data.
• Scalability: Many providers offer options to easily scale your Bare Metal Server resources up or down as your needs change.

These are some of the standout features of bare metal servers.

Next, we’ll dive deeper into how they work and explore the benefits they bring to the table.

How Do Bare Metal Servers Work?

Bare metal servers give you direct access to the physical hardware. There’s no extra software layer between you and the server, so you get a faster, more efficient system.

Here’s a quick look at how bare metal servers work.

• Installing the Operating System: You can choose and install your preferred operating system directly onto the bare metal server. There’s no need for virtualization software, which means you get full control and customization. Plus, keeping your OS updated is key for performance and security—it protects your data and guards against potential threats.
• Managing and Allocating Resources: After the OS is set up, you can fully manage how your server’s resources are used. You get to decide how many CPU cores to use, how much RAM you need, and how much storage you want, based on your workload. This flexibility allows you to optimize performance for your applications, ensuring you get the most out of your server’s power.
• Setting Up the Hardware: Hardware provisioning is simply setting up and configuring the physical parts of your server, like the CPU, RAM, storage, and network connections, for your exclusive use. This guarantees that you have full access to the resources you’ve allocated, maximizing your server’s capabilities.

Difference Between Bare Metal Servers and Shared Hosting?

If you’ve run a website before, you’ve probably used shared hosting. It is a budget-friendly option where multiple users share the same server resources.

But here’s the catch—because you’re sharing, performance can take a hit.

During high-traffic times or when other users’ needs spike, your site might slow down. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re dealing with growing traffic or need more power for resource-heavy tasks.

That’s where bare metal servers come in.

A bare metal server is all yours—no sharing. You get a physical server dedicated entirely to you. This means you have full access to all the server’s resources, boosting performance and reliability.

If you’re running demanding applications or just want your site to run at its best, bare metal is a huge step up from shared hosting.

It’s perfect for those who need top performance, full control, and peace of mind.

Difference Between Bare Metal Servers and Cloud Hosting?

When you’re deciding between bare metal servers and cloud hosting, it really comes down to how the resources, security, and control work:

• Resource allocation: With bare metal servers, you get dedicated resources all to yourself, so performance is great. On the other hand, cloud hosting often shares resources in a virtual environment, which can slow things down, especially when usage spikes.
• Security: Bare metal servers give you full isolation, which means better security. In cloud hosting, you’re sharing resources with others, which can make things a bit more vulnerable.
• Control: With a bare metal server, you have full root access, so you can customize everything, from the operating system to hardware settings. Cloud hosting tends to be more hands-off, with the service provider managing most of the setup for you.

Difference Between Bare Metal Servers and Dedicated Servers?

Bare metal and dedicated servers share some similarities—they’re both dedicated to one user and don’t share resources with others. But when it comes to hardware, bare metal servers are more advanced.

The real difference is in how they work.

With bare metal, you get direct access to the hardware, allowing you to fully customize it.

In contrast, dedicated servers run in a virtualized environment, which can limit performance but offer more scalability and resource sharing.

Dedicated servers can also be a bit tricky to manage.

What sets bare metal apart is its use of hypervisor software, which allows it to run freely. This makes it a much more powerful option.

While dedicated servers work fine for some use cases, bare metal servers give you complete control.

Plus, they come with better hardware and the freedom to customize every detail to fit your unique business needs.

Who Should Use Bare Metal Servers?

Bare metal servers offer tons of flexibility. But who should actually use them? Are they for everyone? Let’s break down who can benefit, with real-world examples:

1. Businesses with High Bandwidth Needs

If your online service needs lots of power and memory to handle heavy traffic, like busy websites, gaming servers, or video streaming, bare metal servers are a good fit. They’re built to handle these intense tasks.

Real-World Example: TV Streaming Services

According to the Digital Global Overview Report, major streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have captured over 45% of TV viewing time among working-age internet users. This is a 10% increase since Q3 2019, with users spending over 1.5 hours daily on these platforms.

To meet rising user expectations and compete in the media landscape, content providers need a robust infrastructure for fast and high-quality delivery. Bare metal servers excel here, offering the bandwidth needed to ensure a seamless user experience.

For instance, Liquid Web offers a specialized infrastructure for video streaming that pairs perfectly with their bare metal options.

2. Organizations Handling Sensitive Data

Many websites and apps handle sensitive information like financial data, medical records, or personal details. Bare metal servers offer strong security to protect this data.

Real-World Examples: Fintech, Healthcare, E-commerce

In fintech, for example, bare metal servers offer the strong security needed to safely manage financial documents. Hospitals can protect vital medical records using the advanced security features these servers provide.

E-commerce platforms and social media sites handle tons of confidential data, like credit card numbers and social security information.

Choosing a bare metal is a smart move for safeguarding this sensitive data.

Providers like Liquid Web even include built-in defences against common threats like DDoS attacks, making security a key consideration when selecting a server.

3. Gaming Companies

Gaming companies can greatly benefit from bare metal servers. These servers ensure quick processing speeds and low latency, which are vital for modern games, especially AAA titles.

In multiplayer gaming, low latency is critical for a seamless experience. Bare metal servers help reduce delays and enhance gameplay quality. They also keep user data secure, which is crucial in the gaming industry where personal and payment information is often involved.

4. AI and Machine Learning for Developers

As we focus more on AI in 2024, many companies—from big tech firms to solo entrepreneurs—are eager to get involved.

However, these projects often require substantial processing power to manage complex algorithms and large datasets. Bare metal servers offer dedicated hardware resources, such as powerful CPUs and plenty of RAM, vital for running demanding AI and machine learning workloads.

Moreover, the dedicated nature of these servers boosts data security and privacy. With sensitive data at stake—like customer information or proprietary datasets—developers can keep their workloads isolated, ensuring tight control over security measures and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Here’s a table summary showing how different industries use bare metal servers:

Sector/Industry	Use Cases	Real-Life Example
Technology	High-performance apps, AI, big data	Hosting a busy website, creating an AI tool
Finance	Secure, fast banking systems	Processing financial transactions safely
Healthcare	Electronic health records, research	Hosting sensitive medical data
Gaming and Media	Online gaming, streaming	Minecraft servers, Netflix
E-commerce	Online platforms, secure transactions	Amazon, Alibaba
Research and Data Science	Complex simulations, data analysis	Scientific research, machine learning

Remember, you can use bare metal servers in a bunch of different ways depending on what your business needs. There might also be other industries that find bare metal servers beneficial that we haven’t covered.

Next step?

Now that you know who uses bare metal servers, you might be wondering if they’re right for you. Let’s talk about what to consider before buying one.

Key Factors to Think About When Buying a Bare Metal Server

If you’re thinking about getting a bare metal server for your business or project, there are some important factors to keep in mind to ensure you make the best choice.

Let’s dive into what to consider:

• Cost: Bare metal servers aren’t cheap, so budgeting is key. Figure out how much you can spend and compare different providers to find the best value. Don’t forget to factor in ongoing costs like maintenance and future upgrades – plan ahead to avoid any surprises.
• Resources and Performance: What do you need your server to do? Different tasks require different levels of power. Look closely at the specs – CPU, RAM, storage, networking – and make sure it can handle your workload. Don’t overspend on power you don’t need, but make sure it’s got enough oomph to keep things running freely.
• Support and Maintenance: Pay attention to the support and maintenance services offered by the provider. Good support means any issues or technical difficulties can be quickly addressed, minimizing downtime and disruptions. Choosing a provider that offers robust support and maintenance can give you peace of mind and reduce the risks associated with managing your server.

With these factors in mind, let’s take a look at how Liquid Web’s bare metal server can offer valuable benefits to businesses across various sectors with its dependable services.

How Does a Liquid Web Bare Metal Server Fit Your Needs?

Liquid Web gets it – finding a server that’s affordable, fast, secure, and reliable is a balancing act.

That’s why they offer a bunch of cloud services, including their awesome bare metal servers. They’re all about giving you great value, top performance, and fantastic support, so your business can run without a hitch.

Here’s a closer look at what Liquid Web Bare Metal has to offer:

• They’re serious about uptime: Liquid Web guarantees 99.99% uptime—and they’ll even back it up financially. Their whole platform is designed to keep your business running like clockwork, with dedicated support and infrastructure built for maximum availability. No more worrying about your critical apps and services going down.
• Massive power, global reach: With 18 data centers around the world, Liquid Web gives you access to a huge global network. This means your apps and services will reach your users lightning-fast, no matter where they are. It’s ideal if you want to provide a seamless experience to everyone, everywhere.
• Fort Knox-level security: Liquid Web protects your servers from DDoS attacks, and their security measures keep your infrastructure safe from bad guys. Plus, they offer CDN integration to make your content delivery even faster, anywhere in the world.
• They’re supportive: Liquid Web’s expert support team is available 24/7. Whether you’re troubleshooting or just have a quick question, they’re ready to help, day or night. They’re committed to being there for you whenever you need them.

Liquid Web Bare Metal Pricing Plans

Liquid Web offers several Bare Metal Server options, and the costs can vary depending on the specific configuration and features you choose. However, here’s a general overview:  

• Bare Metal Servers: Starting at $75 per month. This is the base price for their bare metal offerings, and the cost can increase based on the chosen processor, RAM, storage, and other customizations.
• Managed Metal Servers: Starting at $199 per month. These servers come with full management services, which can be helpful if you don’t have in-house IT expertise.  
• Custom Metal Servers: Starting at $75 per month. These servers offer the most flexibility in terms of customization, but they may require a higher level of technical knowledge to configure and manage.

If you’re curious about more features, benefits, or pricing for Liquid Web Bare Metal servers, check out their website for more details.

When you visit Liquid Web, you’ll notice two options for Bare Metal hosting: Bare Metal Servers and Bare Metal Cloud. But what’s the difference?

Bare Metal Cloud is a type of bare metal hosting that combines the power of physical hardware with the flexibility of virtualization. It’s designed to give you the best of both worlds – the performance of dedicated hardware with the scalability and convenience of the cloud.

The main difference lies in how the resources are managed.

With Bare Metal Cloud, a small part of your resources goes towards running a virtual environment, while with a physical Bare Metal Server, all the resources are yours, with no sharing or virtualization.

Another big difference is scalability. If you’re using a physical bare metal server, you might need to upgrade hardware or get help from your provider to scale.

On the other hand, Bare Metal Cloud lets you scale up or down easily, right from a user-friendly dashboard.

Some providers, like Liquid Web, even offer API automation, so scaling can be very easy.

Conclusion on Liquid Web Bare Metal Server

And that’s it.

A bare metal server is a fantastic option for anyone needing high performance, strong security, and full control over their hosting. Whether it’s for media streaming, gaming, AI, or online services, bare metal servers offer powerful solutions for different industries.

When choosing one, it’s important to think about costs, the resources you’ll need, and the level of support you can rely on.

Liquid Web strikes a great balance between affordability, security, and performance. Their bare metal servers are built for cost-efficiency, speed, and dependable support. Plus, their global platform offers protection against DDoS attacks and guarantees a reliable environment with 24/7 uptime and support.

If you’re curious about trying Liquid Web’s bare metal servers for your business or next big project, or just want to learn more, check out their website for all the details.

You can also download this complete guide to Bare metal hosting infrastructure by Liquid Web.

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