1&1 Cloud Server offers scalable computing for smaller companies

One of the problems for smaller businesses when specifying servers is that it's easy to be caught out by a sudden surge in traffic or need for extra capacity.

It can take time to ramp up capacity to cope during which you could be losing business. Hosting company 1&1 Internet has launched its new Cloud Server solution aimed at smaller businesses which offers flexibility and control along with a transparent pricing model.

It uses SSD storage through a Storage Area Network (SAN), to provide greater reliability and better performance than the company's old Dynamic Cloud Server product. The whole thing is controlled from a browser-based interface to a VMware virtual machine, from which you can monitor what's happening, install software and add extra hardware resources as required. There's a virtual DVD drive which makes it easy to install one of a selection of operating systems without the need to upload anything, options include RedHat and Ubuntu Linux as well as Windows Server.

If ever an action will result in an extra charge -- for example if you want to add extra storage or memory -- you get a pop up window making this clear and showing you how much it will cost, so it's easy to keep track of what you're paying for. Adding resources uses simple slider controls so you don't need to be a technical wizard, this also means you can play around with the options and compare the costs before committing yourself.

You can specify applications like SQL Server too and it's possible to have a server up and running in just a few minutes. Firewall settings can be tweaked and you can assign IP addresses and passwords giving you a lot of flexibility. Once you have a server active a graphical control panel lets you keep an eye on the resources it's using. You can add extras like load balancing and private networks as well as being able to mount shared disk volumes of up to 2TB capacity.

"Many small and medium businesses are considering moving to the Cloud but until now there has not been a Cloud service available that met their expectations in terms of security and flexibility while still being easy to manage," says Robert Hoffmann, CEO of 1&1 Internet Ltd. "Now, whether they need one server or several servers, professionals can trust in 1&1 as the leading web host in Europe to support them on their migration to the Cloud, where they will discover a new category of Cloud solution that has been specifically designed to address their needs with the best quality-price ratio on the market".

What makes 1&1 Cloud Server particularly attractive is that it's effectively a pay-as-you-go service. There's no hardware to buy and you don't have to sign up to a long-term contract. It's also easy to manage making it a good option for businesses with limited in-house support.

Basic configurations start from $19.99 (£15.84) per month, you can find out more on the 1&1 website.