Selecting a server

Selecting a server is a very important step in creating a successful site. It can be the difference between a slow site that people quickly abandon and a site with snappy performance that people enjoy using. This section provides an overview of the selection process and includes a discussion of different types of hosting services.

Performance considerations

There is no standard server or hosting package that works for every Elgg site. Performance benchmarking data captured during operation of a production site is the best information for selecting a server. Unfortunately, that type of data is not available when launching a new site. The next best approach is to estimate what you think you need and plan to upgrade if your site requires more resources. This section provides background information to help you understand your options.

Competing for resources

There are five limited resources that every web application needs: network bandwidth, processing power, memory, file I/O...