Java Web Hosting - FAQ

What's the difference between shared and private Java web hosting?

In a private hosting environment each customer is given their own Java server (in our case Apache-Tomcat 6) with which to run their Servlets, Java Server Pages (.jsp) and other Java applications. In a shared hosting environment, all customers share one Java server.

The main benefit is in memory allocation. In a shared environment all customers are using the same memory space. If one customer has a memory intensive application, it reduces performance for all customers. If one customer has a memory leak, all customers' code fails on that one customer's out of memory exception.

With private Java hosting, each Tomcat server runs in its own memory space. You have control over what happens in that space including stopping and starting the server which, if available at all, usually requires a work ticket to tech support in a shared environment.

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What's the difference between the various amounts of RAM offered?

The default setting for Tomcat is 64MB of RAM. It's the default because it is more than enough memory for almost every application. If you code properly and don't waste memory (i.e. put an entire table into a result set instead of asking for the lines that you need), you will not need more than 64MB.

Your site may require a larger heap if it is very data intensive such as if it simultaneously loads multiple result sets of thousands of rows. If your site gets a very high amount of traffic (50K+ page views per day) to dynamic (JSP or Servlet) content you may also need a larger JVM.

When in doubt, we recommend choosing the smaller JVM - it's a two minute fix to increase your memory if need be.

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I see Virtual Private Servers with 64MB of memory for prices similar to yours. What gives?

Those are hosting companies with an interesting sense of humor. When we offer 64MB of RAM, it's the amount reserved for your Tomcat. All of the other uses on the server (starting with the kernel itself and including everything else running) do not count towards the reserved RAM - they're powered by 2GB of RAM outside of that reserved for the Tomcats.

VPS is a container on a server in which a virtual computer is created. Each user gets their own container / computer. When a VPS host offers 64MB, they are providing 64MB total. Everything that is put onto the virtual server - including the OS - runs in that 64MB. It's as if they sell you a car, you go to turn it on, it doesn't start and the salesman is standing by the car saying "Oh, did you want an engine with that?".

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How do I transfer my domain from another server?

It's a simple four step process.

1. Sign up for Java Web Hosting. At this point, your current server will still be serving your content to the public.
2. Copy and paste two lines from the quick start e-mail that you will receive from us into your computer's hosts file. Your computer will now connect to your new server rather than to your old server.
3. Upload your site to the new server.
4. Contact your domain name registrar to change your "A" record so that it points to the new server. Allow 24 to 48 hours for the new record to propagate throughout the Internet and then cancel your old server.

All of it. We see to it that server is secure and that all applications are current. We do an off-site server backup each night. We provide complete tech support to the extent that we will help you deploy your applications if you run into difficulty. We provide a 100% managed environment - you need only write and load your code.

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Will you provide applications other than those listed?

Yes - just ask. So long as the program is open source and is not designed for bad purposes (cracking, spamming, etc.), we will install it for you.

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How long will it take to setup my Tomcat server?

The process is completely automated. It generally takes between 5 and 15 seconds from the time that you press the button on the purchase form.

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Do you offer a money back guarantee?

Yes. If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied, cancel within the first seven days for a full refund.

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How long do I have to sign up for?

Our plans are all quoted month to month. We don't ask that you sign up for multiple years to get our best prices.

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How do I access my Tomcat server?

Access is provided via control panels and FTPES (FTP over explicit TLS/SSL). The control panels are browser based and we provide and support a GNU FTPES client.

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What if I need tech support?

We offer live tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our support personnel are all experienced Tomcat users and Java programmers.

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What are the server specifications?

Our servers run Fedora 8 SELinux on an Intel Dual Core system with 2GB of memory and SATA hard drives. Your Tomcat 6 server is behind a virtual host on Apache 2.2 and includes a private MySQL database and access to all web processors (perl, PHP, Apache ASP, etc.).

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Sounds great, how do I sign up?

Click to sign up for Java Web Hosting.

If your question wasn't answered, please call us at (800) 450-2750 (US and Canada toll free) or (215) 654-8150 or e-mail Sales@StrategicServicesGroup.com.