File Hosting
From Website Hosting Wiki
Also known as online file storage service or online media center, file hosting services are a type of Internet hosting service that hosts static content, usually large files that are not web page related. File hosting services allow for FTP transfer and web access. It can be used by multiple or single user storage and has also been referred to as virtual storage and remote backup. This type of hosting service can be used for hosting software files, personal files, content cashing when customers run into bandwidth congestion and simple file storage that is charged on a per gigabyte basis.
When file hosting services are used on a per gigabyte basis, users may be required to pay a small fee due to the bandwidth cost. Some companies do offer the service for free, relying on advertising to pay for the service. Very few companies limit the amount of files or room you can take up. Files can be retrieved by using special software users download onto their computer or through web access. Many users have found that their webmail service makes a great additional online drive to store and save their files.
Considered a form of colocation, file hosting services can range from dedicated rooms of server equipment to a single or partial rack. Computer and networked services such as reboots, hardware replacement and software updates may be included in the provider’s service level agreement. So that it is understood, dedicated servers are ones that are rented from the service provider. Colocation servers belong to the customer.
File mirroring was introduced in 2007 and this method of file hosting requires customers to upload their files onto the servers. The files are then distributed to multiple web hosts without using the customer’s bandwidth and spreading the files out so that not all of them will be lost in the event of a disaster.
One click hosting is a type of file hosting that allows the user to upload one or more files from their computer or from remote locations onto the server free of charge. The user is then provided a URL where the file is then located for later retrieval. This is currently the most popular type of file sharing on the Internet today and it has almost completely made P2P file sharing services obsolete. These sites make their money through advertising or premium services for a set fee. Some of those services include increased downloading, removing waiting restrictions, and lengthening the amount of time the uploaded files remain on the site. The sites us a CAPTCHA mechanism to prevent automated downloads from bots and hackers.
