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Deciding on the right type of web hosting service or renting server space while setting up your website, is a challenge. A dedicated server is always a prime option over others like shared and virtual servers. Another issue is choosing the right storage option for your server. Storage has always been a challenge since the dawn of computer technology.
The two main types of storage include HDD (hard disk drives) and SSD (solid-state drives). You must understand the basic difference between the two options, as they have their pros and cons. This article helps you to decide what type of storage is appropriate for you.
Role Of Storage In Hosting
We belong to a digital world that is driven by information and everyone wants to store that information on a website. To run that website smoothly you need a web server and adequate storage space to store your content. The web server you choose provides you the amount of digital space depending on your requirement.
With time, the volume of your content and your website visitors grows, therefore, it is apparent that you require more storage space to serve those purposes. The kind and cost of storage varies in multiple types of hosting like shared hosting and dedicated web hosting so you have to make an informed decision.
Related: Free UpDisk Space On Your Website Hosting (5 Highly Efficient Tips)
What Is HDD Hosting?
From the early days of computing, HDDs were the most commonly used storage for devices. They have been used extensively since the 1950s in personal computers, laptops, and servers to store a large chunk of data at a low cost. The technology behind HDD is simple. It has a metal disk or platter with a thin magnetic coating that stores your data. A reading arm or head inside moves over the platter, writing in binary codes – 0 and 1. To read or access that data, the HDD head goes to the same spot and performs the desired task.
The faster the disk rotates, the faster it can access your data. So, the RPM (Revolutions per minute) is a deciding factor here; for example, if you take two HDDs with 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM respectively, the latter is capable to perform better. In some cases, the speed of HDD depends on the sub-types; like parallel ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) and serial ATA. In the past, most web hosting providers used hard disk drives or HDDs as principal storage units. The situation started to change around 2009.
Advantages Of HDD
Affordable: HDD drives are the standard ones that are more affordable.
Larger storage: The storage base capacity is higher in the case of HDDs; for example, 500 GB is the standard size of HDD, much higher than starting capacity of Solid State Drive.
Disadvantages Of HDD
Less speed: The speed of HDD depends on its RPM, how fast the head of that device rotates. So, this mechanical nature reduces the speed.
Less efficiency: HDDs are noisier, consume more energy, and are prone to damage. Accordingly, they offer less efficiency in the long run.
Related: Managed Vs. Unmanaged Dedicated Server
What Is SSD Hosting?
The Solid State Drive were officially introduced in mainstream computers in 2009. Like HDDs, SSDs also provide storage for data and files for future use. The difference lies in technology. SSDs use a special type of memory, called ‘flash memory. The RAM uses almost the same technology; but the RAM erases the data after the system is shut down, on the contrary, the data is stored in SSD, even after shutting down the system.
The SSDs are called ‘solid state’ as they don’t have any moving parts like HDDs.
In the case of web hosting and servers, Solid State Drive are prominently used for data storage capacity and speed during processing the information. Also, those websites where users demand a lot of information in a short time demand Solid State Drive hosting from their hosting providers.
Advantages Of SSD
Better performance: In Solid State Drive data is directly read from the storage area, as a result, they provide better performance.
Reliability: Solid State Drive are free of distortions, or breakage because of the absence of magnetic coating or head. So they are more reliable, and efficient.
Faster speed: Flash memory is used to store data in Solid State Drive; hence, they perform tasks like read/write, response, and file transfer very fast.
Data safety: Solid State Drive have very low wear and tear in the long term. This is why the chances of losing your data on Solid State Drive servers are very less.
Disadvantages Of SSD
More expensive: SSDs – a comparatively newer technology; therefore, selecting this storage in the server will cost you more.
Storage price: This relates to its previous disadvantage. As SSDs are expensive, their charge per GB is much higher.
Difference Between Dedicated Server HDD & SSD
Speed and performance: The speed of the server to store, access, and present information to the visitors is the most crucial part. HDD transfers the data after its driving head rotates around the disc. Solid State Drive have no moving parts; as a result, it takes less time to give you the desired result. So, its the obvious winner here.
Security and reliability: HDD with moving parts has a minor chance of data failure leading to data loss in times of higher web traffic and the case of dynamic websites. This failure has a lesser chance in the case of SSD, as it does not use any moving parts. So, SSDs offer better data security in web servers.
Versatility: SSDs are considered more versatile than HDDs for various reasons. SSDs are available with different types of memory cells, and chips. HDDs are dependent on DDR3 memory chips and SSDs depend on storage or cache. But, the storage of HDD can be extended; this is not possible with SSDs. As a whole, SSDs are best for the high-performance server to attain more versatility; however, servers with HDDs are best with a large chunk of data.
Power consumption: Power consumption is an important factor while comparing HDD and Solid State Drive in a dedicated server. Compared to traditional HDDs, SSDs consume less power to perform in absence of any moving part. This factor doesn’t matter much in the case of a single system but matters a lot in the case of thousands of servers.
Cost: Still HDDs are considered as a mainstream option for storage in dedicated servers, so they are cheaper and more affordable than Solid State Drive . It will cost you more if you click the Solid State Drive option for your dedicated server.
HDD Or SSD Dedicated Server? Which One Should You Opt For?
The choice between an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive) for a dedicated server depends on various factors, including performance requirements, budget considerations, and the nature of the workload. Here are some key points to consider for both types of drives:
- Performance:
- SSD: Solid State Drives generally offer significantly faster read and write speeds compared to HDDs. They are ideal for applications and workloads that require high-speed data access, such as databases, content delivery, and virtualization.
- HDD: Hard Disk Drives are slower in terms of data access speed compared to Solid State Drive. They are better suited for applications where speed is not a critical factor, such as data archiving, backups, or scenarios with predominantly sequential data access.
- Durability and Reliability:
- SSD: SSDs have no moving parts, which makes them more durable and less prone to mechanical failures. They are generally more reliable in environments where physical shocks or vibrations are a concern.
- HDD: Hard Disk Drives have spinning disks and moving read/write heads, making them more susceptible to mechanical failures, especially in harsh or high-vibration environments.
- Capacity:
- HDD: HDDs are typically available in larger storage capacities at a lower cost per gigabyte compared to SSDs. If you require a large amount of storage space without breaking the bank, HDDs may be a more cost-effective solution.
- SSD: While SSDs have become more affordable over time, they still tend to be more expensive on a per-gigabyte basis, especially for larger capacities.
- Energy Efficiency:
- SSD: SSDs generally consume less power than HDDs since they have no moving parts. This can result in lower energy costs over time.
- HDD: Hard Disk Drives consume more power due to the need for the motor to spin the disks and move the read/write heads.
- Budget:
- SSD: SSDs are usually more expensive than HDDs, so budget considerations may play a significant role in your decision. If your budget allows and the performance benefits are crucial, SSDs may be the preferred choice.
- HDD: HDDs are more budget-friendly, making them a cost-effective solution for large-scale storage needs.