What you take on.
WHAT UNMANAGED MEANS
You receive a machine and an address, and everything else is yours.
WHAT THAT INCLUDES
Updates and patching Security configuration Backups Monitoring Diagnosis when it breaks Recovery
WHAT MANAGED ADDS
Some or all of that, performed by the provider.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Exactly what is covered, in writing.
WHY
Managed means different things to different providers.
WHAT TO ASK
Who patches the operating system Who handles backups, and where they go What response time applies What happens at three in the morning Whether application problems are covered
WHY THAT LAST ONE
Most managed arrangements cover the server, not what runs on it.
WHAT A CONTROL PANEL PROVIDES
A great deal of the routine work, without a person.
WHAT IT COSTS
Licence fees, and constraints on what you may change.
WHAT TO ASSESS HONESTLY
Whether you have the time and knowledge to operate a server properly.
WHAT UNMANAGED REALLY COSTS
The hours, and the risk of the hours not being available when needed.
WHAT TO CHOOSE WHEN UNSURE
Managed, until the cost outweighs the benefit.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Run an unmanaged production server with no backups and no monitoring.
