Help and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Dedicated Servers ?
A Dedicated Server is the lease of an entire server and operating system licence
for use, not shared by anyone else and under your complete control. The Servers
are housed in a modern air-conditioned data centre with multiple high speed
internet connections and enterprise quality firewalls. ServerSwift ensures all
servers are constantly online and each include a 99.9% uptime guarantee for the
server and network connection.
Why do I need a Dedicated Server ?
Dedicated servers have a number of advantages over traditional shared hosting
particularly for larger sites looking for a reliable hosting platform and for
developers looking for more freedom in their control of the server environment.
Server Response Times and Site Traffic Management
The server response times on a shared hosting arrangements will be affected
by the other sites hosted on the server. Your own web sites response times will
be affected by service interruptions on other sites also be hosted on the same
server - for instance, if another site suddenly receives an unexpectedly high
level of traffic or poor coding causes a crash of the data base. These
interruptions will be outside your control on a shared server and could have a
substantial impact on your website. However with a dedicated server you are the
only client on that machine meaning other hosted sites can’t affect your
websites performance and you are responsible for managing, and planning for,
traffic levels and other events that may affect server response times.
Flexibility and Software
With shared servers you will have limited access to the operating system.
Scripting languages and software applications will also be limited to those
which are provided by the host. If you want to be able to install run your own
advanced, customised e-commerce or database applications you will probably need
a dedicated server.
Scalability
As your site grows your traffic levels will increase and your applications
become more demanding meaning you will require more server resources to keep
your website running smoothly. If you are using a shared server your upgrade
options will be very limited; your host will usually allow you to increase the
amount of disk space or bandwidth available to your site - but that is all. You
will not be able to upgrade the hard drive, RAM, processors, operating system or
software applications yourself. When you are using a dedicated server you have
direct access to the machine meaning you can do all of these things easily.
Security
Due to the nature of multiple clients on a single server information on a
shared server is usually going to be less secure than information on a dedicated
server and if another web site is hacked it will likely affect your website or
worse cause your website to also be hacked. ServerSwift can also provide a
dedicated server with its own hardware firewall customised to your specific
security requirements; if you are storing highly sensitive information on your
server then this increased security will obviously be a high priority.
Why is ServerSwift different ?
ServerSwift support team is housed in the office adjacent to the data floor
where the servers are kept, for mission critical operations our support
department is open 24 hours 365 days a year.
ServerSwift has many years of past experience with servers in a business
environment and this is why we use only branded hardware with a proven quality
and support history.
Where is ServerSwift ?
ServerSwift is located in Byfleet, Surrey within the Sirius II Data Centre,
owned and operated by 4D Data Centres Ltd the parent company of ServerSwift.
The Data Centre is a modern purpose built facility with 24 hour security and
biometric entry control. Generators and UPS provide clean uninterrupted power
and Air Conditioning and environment monitoring keeps the temperature and
humidity at a constant level.
What support options are there ?
All Servers are provided unmanaged, responsibility is left to the customer to
configure and update the server as required. All Server Hardware is guaranteed
and will be replaced as soon as we are made aware of the problem or our
monitoring process discovers the error. All customers have full access to the
ticket logging system and all tickets will be answered as soon as possible.
Tickets are given a priority level by the support team to ensure any downtime is
minimised for all customers equally.
Telephone support is provided for high priority hardware or network problems
that affect the server and internet connection. A managed support service is
available that can provide monitoring, backup, software updates and patches, for
more information please ask for a detailed quote.
What do I get with my Dedicated Server
?
When you purchase a Dedicated Server from ServerSwift and create an account, you
have full and complete access to configure and control the server as you need.
Our Account Login area allows you to hard reboot the server by controlling the
power to the power supply. Each account includes server and website monitoring
to notify you by email of any problems or downtime. Support is available through
our online ticketing system.
How does the automated setup process
work ?
The automated setup process uses Windows 2008 Deployment Services to deliver
operating system images and setup files to the dedicated server accross the
network. When you order a server the website signals the ServerSwift
installation server to power on and provide an image to the next free server
with the correct hardware configuration. This server then starts up and
downloads your selected operating system image accross an internal high speed
network. Once the server has installed the operating system automated
installation scripts install your selected configuration of software. Once the
full process is complete the server internet connection is enabled and your
password and login details sent to you by email.
What is Verified by Visa / Mastercard
SecureCode or 3D Secure
3D Secure is a new technical standard developed by Visa and MasterCard to
further secure CNP (Cardholder Not Present) transactions over the Internet.
MasterCard brand their system as 'MasterCard SecureCode' and Visa call theirs
'Verified by Visa'. It requires the cardholder to provide a personal password or
pin number when paying for goods online with their credit card just as they
would provide a pin on the high street. This ensures that the shopper is who
they say they are when providing card details to an online shop. Cardholders are
reassured that when they sign up their card is protected from fraudulent use on
the internet.
Why am I being prompted for Verified
by Visa / Mastercard code ?
This is because ServerSwift have incorporated the 3D Secure technology into our
payment system. The page presented is actually from your Visa & MasterCard
issuing bank, NOT ServerSwift. At present you do not have to complete this
information because 3D Secure is optional, however we understand that Visa &
MasterCard intend to make this extra layer of security mandatory in the future.
*MasterCard have since issued a rule which states that all
International & Domestic Maestro cards MUST have a full 3D Secure Authentication
in order for the transaction to be authorised.
How will this affect your checkout
process?
In a 3D Secure transaction, you must register for Verified by Visa (VbV) or
MasterCard SecureCode (MSC) with your issuing bank if you have not already done
so. When you place an order, you will be asked to register your card before
continuing with the transaction. The transaction process is as follows:
1) You will complete your order and add products to their
shopping cart as usual.
2) At the checkout stage, if you select to pay by Visa, Visa Delta and Visa
Debit, Maestro or MasterCard, then you will be redirected to your issuing bank
where you will need to enter your password.
3) The bank will verify the password and the transaction will continue as
normal.
How does 3D Secure protect me?
Correctly entering your security code during a
purchase at a participating online store/retailer, confirms that you are the
authorised cardholder. If an incorrect security code is entered, the purchase
will not be completed. Even if someone knows your credit or debit card number,
the purchase cannot be completed without your security at a participating
store/retailer.