What Software will come Pre-Installed on My Dedicated Server?

If you’re looking into getting a dedicated server for your business or personal use, you may have heard that one of the main benefits of this type of web hosting is that you can install any kind of software you want on it. Aside from some minor specifications from your web host, that should be true. But, what about the software the dedicated server comes with? Is there any pre-installed at all?

Yes, when you rent a dedicated server it will come with some software already installed on it; so you won’t be given a simple blank server. The main type of software that will already be installed will be Windows or Linux (Unix,) which are operating systems. The type you choose will largely depend on cost and your own personal preference; but when renting, your dedicated server will already have these installed on them.

The operating system your server has is important, not just because that’s the system that will run all the other components; but because it will also affect the other type of software you install on the server.

If you choose a Linux operating system you’ll receive software such as Red Hat Linux, or a similar version. This will include things such as Apache, which is the web server software; Sendmail, which will allow you to transfer electronic mail; Bind, which is database management software; and Perl, which is a programming language. You’ll need root access, which gives you direct access to the web server, and you’ll get this through SSH and FTP access.

A Windows operating system will have software that is similar or rather, that allows you to do the same things you’d be able to do on a Linux server. Of course, because this software is made to be compatible with a Windows server, the software is also tailored as such and will only function on a Windows server.

The operating system on a Windows server will be Windows 2003 Web Edition, Windows 2008, or something similar. The web server software will most likely be Microsoft IIS 6, or if you’re using Windows 8, IIS 7. The Remote Desktop software will give you access to the server remotely; and the control panel often given with Windows web servers is typically Parallels Plesk Panel.

All of the different types of software for the different types of web servers may seem overwhelming at first, but they’re all pretty basic types of software that you’ll receive once you sign up for a dedicated server. It’s important that you have a basic understanding of what they are and what they do, or that you speak to your web host about it before signing up with them. Only then will you know what software you have yet to purchase and install onto your web server, and what’s already there to be used.