So you got your first dedicated server. Great news! You’re already harnessing the power of full hardware control. You’re probably using it for a very specific task like hosting a massive e-commerce site or an application. However, there’s something you might not know, a dedicated server can do far more than just hosting websites. It can be used for many different purposes. Here we will give you 18 ideas to fully utilize your computer. The possibilities are surprising and powerful!
Web hosting of high-traffic websites
Do you have an eCommerce store, a large blog, or a big business that relies on high uptime and speed? Many website owners upgrade to a dedicated server when their traffic grows or they need to provide better security. It is a superior option in comparison to shared hosting, where your site shares CPU, RAM, storage and bandwidth with others. Also, it often offers more space for hosting media files. A dedicated server gives you full access to all resources. All these reasons make it ideal for websites that receive a lot of visitors daily. Your site will load faster, handle spikes in traffic more efficiently, and provide a stable experience for users.
Host your app or game
Yes, you can upload it to some of the popular app stores, but if you want to sell your software directly you will need a host. A dedicated server is great because you use its full potential and Internet bandwidth. Your software can run on the dedicated server, too. That way, your clients will have just a client app and all the calculations will be done on the server.
Run custom applications
You will find this option very useful! Some applications require specific environments or system configurations to work correctly. Having a dedicated server gives you full control to install any operating system, database, programming language, or third-party software. This flexibility is essential for businesses running in-house tools, SaaS platforms (learn the difference between SaaS, PaaS and IaaS), or apps with unique requirements that wouldn’t be allowed or possible on shared or managed hosting platforms.
Operate game servers
Are you into gaming? If yes, you know that gamers frequently rely on dedicated servers for multiplayer games to ensure minimal lag and high performance. It is essential for ensuring smooth gaming sessions. You can run servers for games like GTA V, Minecraft, Valheim, ARK: Survival Evolved, or Counter-Strike. A dedicated server will allow you to set custom game rules, host mods, manage player data, and more, with reduced latency and better stability, which is critical for smooth, competitive gameplay.
Use it for ERP or CRM
An ERP (Enterprise resource planning) or a CRM (customer management system) can be a great tool for complete control of your company. The first focuses on the organization as a whole. It deals with planning, organizing resources, sales, data analysis, and more.
CRM is very useful too. It is a great marketing tool to better understand your clients. Use it to analyze data, create better marketing campaigns, see the customers’ lifetime value, and better understand customers’ behavior.
Run security tools or firewalls
Security is a big priority! You can install advanced security solutions on your server, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), firewalls, and vulnerability scanners. Besides, there are different tools to monitor traffic, block malicious activity, and secure your applications. The level of control you can reach with an armored dedicated server is ideal for businesses that handle sensitive data and need to comply with strict security standards like GDPR or HIPAA.
VPN server hosting
You can set up a virtual private network (VPN) to ensure the security of communication and privacy protection in your organization. It will encrypt your data and Internet traffic, and mask your IP address. It is especially useful if you want secure remote access for your team, bypass geo-blocks, or avoid public VPN services that might log your activity. You can limit the access and lower the number of data breaches.
Learn how to create a VPN with OpenVPN.
Company email
You can create a mail server (set up and manage) to deal with all the emails of your company. Why should you do it? Better privacy. You can be sure that nobody is checking your emails. It also gives you better control over all the parameters: graphical user interface (GUI), email domains, attachment size, encryption, spam filtering, storage limits, delivery settings, etc. It’s especially useful for businesses needing branded email accounts (like yourname@yourcompany.com) and a great opportunity to avoid third-party services like Gmail or Microsoft 365 for customization reasons and to protect data privacy.
Learn how to:
VoIP server
You can use it to host your VoIP app. That way you can ensure the privacy of the calls, too. You can also control the quality of the calls, depending on your needs. By using your VoIP service, you can get better price, especially, if there are many users in your network.
Data synchronization and backup
In a big organization, there is a lot of data generated. You need a “brain”, a server that can handle and organize it. That way everybody can work on their device but update the results in one place. It is very useful for workflows that involve many contributors and allow people to work from distance. You can also use it to backup data, fast and easily. You can set up an automated process that does it on a regular basis without any additional effort from your site.
Dedicated servers can be configured as backup solutions for websites, databases, and internal systems. You can automate backups using scripts or tools like rsync, Bacula, or Duplicati. This gives you peace of mind knowing your data is stored safely offsite, and you can restore it quickly in case of data loss, ransomware, or hardware failure.
Check out the 3-2-1 backup solution.
Media server
A media server can be very useful for an advertising agency. You can host all the media there and organize it the way you want. Also, you can limit the access. You can be sure that the media that you have there is shown just to these employees, clients, etc. that you decide.
Dedicated servers are powerful enough to stream video and audio content in real-time. By setting up the adequate software, you can host your own movies, TV shows, live broadcasts, or radio stations. This gives content creators and businesses the ability to serve users worldwide with minimal buffering and full control over access permissions, file storage, and media quality.
Host private cloud storage
You can turn your dedicated server into a private, secure file storage solution using suitable tools (software). Doing this will allow you to upload, sync, and access files from anywhere with the big advantage of maintaining full control of your data. It will work in a similar way to Google Drive or Dropbox. It’s a great option for individuals or businesses concerned with privacy and wanting to avoid third-party cloud providers.
Create virtual machines (VMs)
Why not? You can split your dedicated server into multiple virtual machines, each acting like an independent server with its own operating system (OS). It is a great idea for developers or businesses that need to run different services or environments on one machine. For instance, running Windows for one app and Linux for another. Pick the adequate software to create the VMs and save costs while offering high flexibility and testing power.
Check out “Windows vs Linux for your servers?” if you are wondering which one to choose.
Host a SaaS platform
Another great idea in case you are developing a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product, like a project management tool or online CRM. A dedicated server ensures your service stays online, responsive, and secure. With full control of the environment, you can customize it to meet specific performance and compliance requirements, integrate APIs, and scale as your user base grows, without the limitations of shared or managed hosting. Possibilities are big for you!
Develop and test in a controlled environment
Are you a developer? That new dedicated server you own is perfect for building a staging or sandbox environment to test new code, apps, or systems without affecting your live services. Such a controlled environment is essential for developing and other businesses that need to catch bugs early, run compatibility tests, or simulate real-world usage before deployment. Since you have full control of the resources, you can freely configure the environment to mimic your production systems exactly.
Resell hosting or services
Are you an entrepreneur or an agency? Then, a dedicated server is your chance to offer services to others. You can sell web hosting accounts, set up client websites, offer managed email or storage, or even lease game servers. With full control over the server, you can manage user access, install necessary tools, and run your own hosting business or IT services operation. It is worth a try!
Run Big data or AI workloads
If you work with large datasets or need to train machine learning models, a dedicated server provides the raw CPU, GPU, and RAM power such massive tasks demand. You can install the data science tools you need and get ready to process terabytes of data or run complex algorithms in a controlled, scalable, and cost-effective environment.
Database hosting
Databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB require fast read/write speeds and memory to serve data efficiently. With a dedicated server, you can host multiple large-scale databases without worrying about slowdowns caused by other users. This setup is ideal for web apps, analytics tools, or any software that processes lots of user data or real-time transactions.
Learn how to create a database server in 10 simple steps.
Conclusion
A dedicated server is far more than a one-trick pony. It’s a powerhouse waiting to be fully unlocked. Whether you’re looking to streamline your business operations, boost data security, or build tools that enhance your customer experience, the flexibility it offers is unmatched. With just a little technical know-how, your server can become the backbone of your entire digital infrastructure. So, why stick to just hosting websites? Explore these and more options, get creative, and let your dedicated server work harder and smarter for you!
Neterra.cloud hopes that you get new ideas about how you can fully utilize your dedicated server. You can check our plans here.