4 Tips When Looking For Hosting To Deploy Your SQL Server

If you need a hosting service to house your SQL server solution, then there are quite a few variables to take into account, as well as some pitfalls to avoid before you forge ahead with choosing a particular provider.

With all that in mind, here are a handful of tips that should make it much simpler to select a reputable host for this particular type of database platform.

Image Source: Pixabay

Consider the monitoring tools available

Running an SQL server can be a complex business, especially when it comes to ensuring that performance is optimal and that any potential problems are identified and fixed sooner rather than later.

This is where picking a hosting service according to the monitoring capabilities it offers is a sensible step, since the closer you can scrutinize the way your database is functioning from moment to moment, the easier it will be to enhance uptime levels and remedy minor and major hiccups alike.

Understanding the way SQL server monitors for problems, and how third-party tools can enhance this even further, will also give you a clearer concept of what a good hosting package should be able to offer in this respect.

Look into the support offered to clients

It is possible to get caught up in comparing hosting packages based solely on the costs involved, but the value of a deal is about more than just the month-to-month fees; it’s about what your money actually gets you.

Support is a particularly significant part of any hosting service, whether you are aiming to deploy an SQL database or any type of setup for that matter. You not only need to determine whether a prospective provider offers enough support to encompass emergencies that happen outside of normal office hours, but also whether they have domestic teams of staff to deliver this, or if they are reliant on overseas operators.

You will of course need to come to your own conclusions about which balance of price and support provision is right for you, but it is definitely an aspect that should not be overlooked.

Establish your storage needs

Successfully deploying an SQL server is all about working out what kind of usage you are expecting to get out of this infrastructure, so in turn, you can calculate the hardware requirements that such a situation will necessitate.

Storage is especially crucial in this context because of course, you not only need to ensure that your package provides you with enough space for all of the data your server will be dealing with today, but also that it offers adequate flexibility to encompass your needs in the future.

Once again the effective use of monitoring tools can help here, because you can study storage use and track how changes are occurring over time, letting you plan ahead and upgrade packages or switch hosting providers before you find that storage limitations have become a bottleneck.

Study server locations

If you are migrating an SQL database to a facility operated by a third-party provider, then obviously the geographic position of its premises relative to your own location will be extremely relevant.

Further to this, you may need to consider your options according to where end-users and customers are based, as connectivity over long distances can lead to sluggish performance even if the rest of the features of a hosting package are up to scratch.

Ultimately it is all about establishing your needs and expectations first, before going ahead and picking a hosting package for your SQL server deployment, in order to avoid disappointment.