<h2>What is SQL?</h2>
The term SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language’, a domain-specific language used in data management. The language is used in relational database management systems due to its advantages in handling structured data and ability to incorporate relations among data.
<h2>What is a relational database?</h2>
A relational database organizes data in tables, and has the ability to handle complex relationships between different data points. Data is sorted into columns and rows, with a unique key identifying each row. Rows in the table can be linked to rows in other tables using these keys, allowing the relationships between sets of data to be tracked. Relational databases can use SQL to query and update the database.
Many businesses use SQL-based relational databases to store large records of information, so availability and data backup is vital.
<h2>What is SQL server replication?</h2>
SQL server replication is a method for duplicating and sharing data (and database objects) across multiple databases and servers. A single set of data stored in a SQL database is copied to a secondary server in a process known as master-slave replication. Any updates to the master database are made simultaneously to the additional server, aiming to enhance performance and preserve consistency.
This master-slave replication is a typical setup, but businesses can also employ master-master replication, which enables data to be copied from either server to the other. As SQL reads or writes can be performed from either server, access to data is more manageable and the possibility of data loss is greatly reduced.
<h3>Why use SQL server replication?</h3>
SQL server replication offers high availability by distributing data and objects from one database to another. There are several types of replication which can be used, including snapshot replication, transactional replication, and merge replication. Replication is usually used by mobile applications or server apps that are distributed and might have conflicts in their data. 
SQL server replication is beneficial in a number of instances, for example, in data analysis where reports can be run on slave servers so the master database won’t be slowed down or corrupted. Data replication from single servers that are under large loads also supports scalability, increasing capacity and ensuring the speed of the master database is not affected.
SQL replication can also be replicated across different geographic locations. This provides an ideal solution for international businesses and increases the overall performance of the master database.
<h2>What is SQL server clustering?</h2>
SQL server clustering, also known as database clustering, is a high-availability solution where multiple SQL server instances (or nodes) are connected in a cluster, with access to  a SAN (Storage Area Network) for shared storage.The SQL server data can be accessed from any instance,  so if one node has an issue, you can seamlessly switch to a different node on the cluster.
<h3>Why use SQL server clustering?</h3>
When you are storing and processing critical data on your database, an interruption in access could cause significant issues. While you can take precautions to limit the risk of downtime, any infrastructure is liable to server or hardware faults or failures, which is where disaster recovery planning is essential. As a high availability solution, SQL server clustering ensures uninterrupted access to your data &#8211; in the instance of any issue with a server instance, another instance can take over. 
Clustering is also beneficial for planned downtime of a node, for example if you wanted to run a security patch on one server instance, another node on the cluster can be used to avoid overall disruption of operations. 
SQL server clustering additionally supports load balancing. If one server instance is under a heavy strain, another instance can take over some of the traffic, optimizing the performance of the nodes. 
<h2>Replication vs clustering</h2>

sql-server-replication-vs-clustering-diagram

SQL Server Replication vs Clustering Diagram

Both SQL server replication and clustering support high availability and disaster recovery in distinct ways. As a simplified explanation, replication backs up data across multiple databases and servers, whereas clustering connects multiple server instances with shared memory. Replication allows for data to be backed up and protected, and supports scalability and performance improvements, while clustering improves fault tolerance, allowing for seamless switching between server instances in the event of planned or unplanned downtime. 
For important or high transaction applications we recommend a mixture of SQL server replication and clustering. This will give you complete automatic fail-over of databases as well as load balancing of transactions across multiple databases.
<h2>SQL server hosting with Hyve</h2>
Our flexible solutions allow you to connect SQL servers to hosted websites or to run intensive queries, manipulate data and set access controls. Whether you prefer to use MS SQL, MySQL, MariaDB, or any other SQL database, we can host and manage your infrastructure with top-of-the-line hardware, and 24/7/365 support and monitoring. Find out how <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/technology/sql-hosting/">our SQL hosting</a> could benefit your business. 
Speak to our cloud experts today for an initial consultation on the best <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/technology/sql-hosting/">SQL server hosting solution</a> for you. <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/contact-us/">Fill out our contact form</a> and we will be in touch.

SQL Server Replication & Clustering Explained

While blockchain was officially introduced in 2009 powering the launch of Bitcoin, the term came into the public eye in 2017/2018, as the price of Bitcoin skyrocketed. For many people, blockchain is synonymous with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, but it is an important technology in its own right, with a wide range of applications. 
When integrated with cloud hosting, the benefits of blockchain technology are amplified. We’re taking a look at what it is, how it works, and how a managed cloud hosting solution can support your business to make the most of blockchain. 
<h2>What is blockchain?</h2>
Blockchain is a secure and transparent method of recording and sharing data within a network. Records, known as blocks, are listed in a continuously growing chain, forming a distributed database. The chain cannot be deleted or modified without notifying the network, meaning blockchain technology creates an ‘immutable’ ledger of data. 
This immutable nature brings significant benefits for many industries. Blockchain technology was brought into the public eye through its use in cryptocurrency, where it is used to create a digital ledger of transactions which are secure against hackers. Blockchain is also frequently used across the fintech sector more broadly, streamlining operational processes, payment services, and for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Other common use cases include identity and data verification, recording ownership history and provenance of high-value items for insurance, tracking supply chains, and decentralizing healthcare records. 
Blockchain can be either public, private, or hybrid, combining elements of both private and public. 
A public blockchain has no restrictions to access, with all members having equal rights to contribute to and view the data. The control and decision making relies on a distributed network, rather than a centralized entity. This improves transparency and trust in the data. Examples of public blockchains include cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. 
A private blockchain, also known as a managed blockchain, operates slightly differently to a public blockchain, as there is a single authority in control, determining access. While public blockchain is fully decentralized, private blockchain is considered partially decentralized, as it has access restrictions limiting who can be a participant in the network.  A private blockchain will be most commonly used by businesses where the data needs to be protected, so access to the network cannot be public. 
A hybrid blockchain network takes a middle ground, where private and public systems are run in tandem. Access to specific data can be controlled through the private element, and the rest of the data can be publicly available. 
<h2>How does blockchain work?</h2>
The process can be simplified to four steps.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transaction initiation &#8211; A transaction is initiated by a user in the network, which is digitally signed using the sender’s private key to ensure authenticity. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transaction verification &#8211; A network of computers, known as nodes, receive the broadcast transaction, and validate it using algorithms to ensure it is legitimate and follows protocol rules. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Block formation &#8211; The transaction is bundled with other validated transactions into a block, containing a list of transactions, a timestamp, a reference to the previous block, and a cryptographic ‘hash’ &#8211; a unique identifier. The hash provides a way to monitor for data changes, as if the contents of the block are altered, the hash value changes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Blockchain update &#8211; A consensus mechanism is used to ensure the majority of the network participants agree on the validity of the recorded transactions in the new block. Each blockchain system will have its own rules for consent. Once consensus is achieved, the new block is permanently added into the blockchain. Each block contains the unique hash of the previous block, ensuring data integrity. After the hash has been applied, it is distributed across all nodes in the network for transparency and security.</li>
</ol>
<h2>What are the benefits of integrating blockchain with managed cloud hosting</h2>
Cloud hosting pools computing resources from a network of physical and virtual servers forming an interconnected infrastructure. For full details on how this works, read our insight ‘<a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/insights/what-is-cloud-hosting/">What is cloud hosting?</a>’. There are several different cloud hosting models, which each have their own use cases. The most commonly used models are <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/cloud-hosting/public-cloud/">public cloud</a>, <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/cloud-hosting/managed-vmware-private-cloud-hosting/">private cloud</a>, <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/cloud-hosting/vmware-managed-cloud/">enterprise cloud</a>, and <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/dedicated-servers/">dedicated servers</a>. 
Cloud hosting services are offered by providers such as Hyve, and can be <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/insights/managed-vs-unmanaged-cloud/">managed or unmanaged</a>. Managed cloud, where the provider offers a layer of ongoing management and support on top of your cloud platform, has particular benefits for businesses working with blockchain.
<h3>Scalability</h3>
Blockchain businesses can struggle with scalability &#8211; the ever-growing nature of blockchain means that resources may need to be increased rapidly to process and store data. Cloud hosting solutions are easily scalable by nature &#8211; virtualization means that additional Virtual Machines (VMs) can be created from physical servers, extending their capacity. These new VMs are integrated in the cloud infrastructure, working together with existing resources. In-house management of a growing network can be time and resource intensive, requiring expert employees. A managed service provider (MSP) can support this management, monitoring capacity, creating new VMs, and ensuring fast and reliable communication between all elements of the infrastructure. 
<h3>Cost-efficiency</h3>
Blockchain can be resource intensive, needing high bandwidth for data transfer and validation between nodes, and sufficient storage. If businesses are not careful, the cost of these resources can spiral, leading to higher bills than expected. Cloud hosting can be a cost effective alternative to on-premise infrastructure, as instead of having to pay for costly hardware yourself, you can effectively rent the hardware from your cloud provider. The virtualization possible with cloud allows you to benefit from a wide reaching network, which would be cost-prohibitive with only physical servers. 
Managed cloud provides further cost savings, allowing you to benefit from a team of experts acting as an extension of your business, without the recruitment and salary costs of hiring in-house. The right managed cloud provider will take a consultative approach, working with you to analyse your business needs, and design and deploy a solution which optimizes your resources and makes the most of your budget. Your provider can also monitor your infrastructure, strategically scaling your resources as needed and making sure your costs do not spiral. 
<h3>Global reach and availability</h3>
As blockchain uses a distributed network of nodes, it is ideally paired with cloud hosting, where your infrastructure can also be distributed across multiple locations. When operating with users globally, it is vital to ensure latency is minimized. Working with a global cloud provider gives you access to a network of data centers, meaning wherever your users are you can operate nearby. This optimizes performance across your infrastructure, delivering the best experience for your users. 
Distributing copies of the blockchain across multiple nodes ensures redundancy, meaning there is no central point that can be shut down or impacted by a disaster. The reliability and availability of the blockchain is therefore high.  
<h3>Security</h3>
Cryptography (the practice of encoding information) is central to blockchain. The cryptographic hashing used when creating the blocks encrypts the information contained, and can only be accessed with the user&#8217;s key. The decentralization and principle of consensus in blockchain also ensure its security, as it is incredibly difficult for one attacker or group to infiltrate the network or tamper with the data.   
While blockchain technology is incredibly secure, and it is nearly impossible to hack into the blockchain itself, there can be weaknesses in the surrounding infrastructure. For example, if you are running a private or hybrid blockchain network containing sensitive transactions and data, this information is visible to anyone in the network. A hacker could exploit one user’s vulnerabilities, for example a lack of multi-factor authentication, or weak antivirus protection, and gain access to the network, and the data it contains. 
With a managed cloud solution, your infrastructure can be protected with a full <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/security/">security stack</a> across the whole network. Implementing a comprehensive security solution, which can include encryption, firewalls, VPNs, access management protocols, and more, protects your blockchain infrastructure. A managed provider can also provide advanced monitoring services, which will predict and detect any potential threats, allowing you to defend your infrastructure. 
<h2>Why choose Hyve for your blockchain hosting needs?</h2>
Whether your company solely focuses on blockchain, or you are incorporating the technology into your processes, our managed cloud hosting is the ideal choice for companies seeking a tailored and scalable solution. 
With a global footprint of secure data centers, we can deploy infrastructure worldwide, making sure you are always near your users. Our cloud experts design bespoke platforms to meet your requirements, with 24/7/365 support and management allowing us to become an extension of your business. You can find full details of our solutions for blockchain on our <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/blockchain-hosting/">blockchain hosting page</a>, or alternatively, for an initial consultation, <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/contact-us/">fill out our contact form</a> and one of our experts will be in touch.

Blockchain and Managed Cloud Hosting | A Perfect Match

Dedicated Server Guide

Migrate to a solution in our Frankfurt data center for free, with no setup costs for your platform. Enjoy seamless migration handled by our expert team of engineers.

Free migration for new customers

'Best of breed' hosting architecture

'Extra mile' support

Our core business values

Excellent 'value for money'

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Currently, we don't have any job openings available, but please check back in the future for new opportunities.

Certifications & accreditations

Data Center Colocation

Our {header}

Find your global data center

Discuss your hosting requirements with us today

Speak to an expert

Talk about your license

Full name

Please share information about your requirements

Thank you {name} for getting in touch!

Speak to a cloud specialist

Data Centre Colocation

Experience truly global reach

Our technology partners

What our customers say about us

Learn more

Have you been affected by Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware?

hyve-headers-success-stories-2022-7

Delivering strategic technical advice, services and support to our valued customers

Our Case Studies

We supply secure cloud hosting services to public sector organisations. We follow their high standards of security and compliance to be an approved supplier.

G-Cloud 13 Framework

The Digital Outcomes and Specialists Framework (DOS) is an agreement designed by Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and Government Digital Service (GDS) to help the public sector buy, design, build and deliver digital outcomes. Hyve’s offering is one of the most comprehensive available

Digital Outcome specialist

Hyve can help with PCI DSS compliance by assessing your existing hosted environment and recommending solutions that will help you meet the requirements of PCI DSS.

PCI-Compliant

Hyve are committed to maintaining very high levels of information security. To help us achieve this goal, we have attained an ISO/IEC 27001:2013 accreditation.

ISO27001

Hyve Managed Hosting’s System and Organization Controls (SOC) Reports are independent third-party examination reports that demonstrate how Hyve achieves key compliance controls and objectives. Hyve’s SOC 2 Report demonstrates Hyve continued commitment to security, platform availability and confidentiality. Hyve Managed Hosting SOC 2 report is available on request.

SOC 1 & SOC 2

Hyve’s commitment to quality in all aspects of its business has led to us being awarded ISO 9001 accreditation.

ISO9001

ISO 27017 Cloud security is such an important accreditation to give customers peace of mind. Hyve's commitment to security in all aspects has led us to being award this latest ISO

ISO27017

Hyve continues to ensure the service they offer clients are secure, adding Cyber Essentials to our security certifications continues to show our customers we take security seriously

Cyber Essentials

Hyve is very proud to have achieved the Cyber Essentials Plus certification which shows our commitment to our program of continual security improvement.

Cyber Essential Plus

In order to meet the HIPAA requirements applicable to our operating model, 
Hyve aligns our HIPAA risk management program with ISO 27001 (Information Security), 
ISO 27017 (Cloud security) GDPR (EU 2016/679) and Cyber Essentials, 
which are higher security standards that map to the HIPAA security rule.

HIPAA

With new international threats constantly appearing, the National Cyber Security Centre's (part of GCHQ) NIS Directive aims to ensure companies who are, or work with the UK's vital infrastructure follow strict guidelines on security for themselves, their customers and chosen suppliers. Hyve is pleased to announce adherence to all the policies and procedures laid down in the NIS Directive

CSA STAR is the industry’s most powerful program for security assurance in the cloud. STAR encompasses key principles of transparency, rigorous auditing, and harmonization of standards. The STAR program provides multiple benefits, including indications of best practices and validation of security posture of cloud offerings.


CSA STAR

CiSP is a joint industry and government initiative set up to exchange cyber threat information in real time, in a secure, confidential and dynamic environment, increasing situational awareness and reducing the impact on UK business. 

CiSP

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) serves as the vendor-neutral home for many of the fastest-growing projects on GitHub, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. With over 500 members, the foundation fosters collaboration between the industry’s top developers, end-users, and vendors. As Certified Kubernetes Service Providers, Hyve is proud to be a part of the CNCF ecosystem.

CNCF

Run by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), the KCSP program is a pre-qualified tier of vetted service providers who have deep experience helping enterprises successfully adopt Kubernetes. Hyve Managed Hosting is recognised for providing Kubernetes support, consulting and professional services for organizations embarking on their Kubernetes journey.

KCSP

The Linux Foundation is dedicated to building sustainable ecosystems around open source projects to accelerate technology development and industry adoption. With more than 1,000 corporate members across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA, the foundation aims to drive innovation across the globe.

Linux Foundation

hyve-blog-header-private-cloud-future-2

hyve-blog-header-private-cloud-future

Statements from brands we work with and how we deliver extra mile support, best of breed hosting architecture and excellent value for money.

Customer Testimonials

hyve-cloud-expo-2022-93-2

Downloads

icon-engineer-2

icon-engineer

When you call Hyve you get through to an expert who will be able to solve your problem. The support team are available 24x7x365, with rapid response times from just 20 minutes.

Personal Support

Culture

icon-engineer-team

We work in small teams to keep up familiarity with clients and support staff meaning you don't keep repeating yourself.

Small Teams

icon-student

We provide each client with an Account Manager who gets to know you and your business inside out. 

Account Managers

icon-toolbox

Whether you are migrating from another host or setting up a new website, our expert team is available to assist you every step of the way. 

Migrations

Included

icon-map-uk

Hyve support, sales and customer services are based in the UK and available via telephone or support ticket systems.

UK Based

When choosing a web host, potential clients often ask us to explain the difference between Hyve and other web hosting providers. The answer is our commitment to delivering on our core business principals, these are: extra mile support culture, best of breed hosting architecture and excellent value for money.

What our customers say about us

private-cloud-hyve-icon-2021-2

private-cloud-hyve-icon-2021

Discover Private Cloud

All the benefits of cloud technology, with the increased security and control of dedicated hardware.

Managed Private Cloud

dedicated-servers-cloud-hyve-icon-2021-e1689671275540

Discover Dedicated Servers

Keep your sensitive data locked down in one of our high-powered, ultra-secure dedicated servers.

Managed Dedicated Servers

cloud-hosting-hyve-icon-2021-2

cloud-hosting-hyve-icon-2021

Discover Enterprise Cloud

Virtualise workloads on our multi-tenant cloud platform for increased flexibility, scalability and cost efficiency.

Managed Enterprise Cloud

colocation-cloud-hyve-icon-2021-2

colocation-cloud-hyve-icon-2021

Discover Colocation

Eliminate the expense of maintaining your own infrastructure, while retaining complete control of your servers.

Colocation

lglogo

deleteagencylogo

scotchwhiskeyauctions-logo

safestore-5

safestore

britishairwayslogo

tescologo

livesource-logo

tkmaxxlogo

youngslogo-2

youngslogo

icon-reliable

We offer a 20 Minute hardware replacement SLA with every Dedicated Blade server.

20 Minute hardware

replacement SLA

icon-ticket

Our support ticket system is fast and reliable. Customers can raise tickets via the MyHyve portal and assign priority levels. 

Support Ticket

System

icon-phone-support

For an immediate response, support is available via telephone on 0800 612 2524. 

Telephone

Support

icon-books

Search for answers to common support requests on our support knowledge base.

Knowledge

Base

icon-stopwatch

Selecting the correct priority level for your support request is important. We have 3 levels of support: Important (24 hrs), Urgent (1 hr), or 	
Critical (20 mins). 

Support Priority

Levels

We have 100% network availability thanks to multiple active/active network connections, router and switch configurations. 

100% Network

Uptime

icon-building-hex

We select our data centres for connectivity, reliability, security and performance. We use only the best Tier 3+ facilities around the globe.

World Class Data

centres

icon-bolt

We offer full server backups with 'instant recovery', meaning that we can boot up a server from the backup SAN almost instantly.

Instant

Recovery

icon-nolimits

We operate a 100GbE network. Customer platforms are connected via multiple 10GbE uplinks. Our bandwidth is 100% unrestricted inside and out.

Unrestricted

Bandwidth

icon-cloud-3

We pride ourselves on being totally flexible and are always able to find suitable solution for you. 

Flexible

Solutions

hyve-success-stories-main-header

We take pride on our customer reviews, find out what our customers say about us.

Trustpilot pages

Our Core Business Values

Success Stories - Baxter & Bailey

Success Stories - Medichecks

Success Stories - PTA Events

Success Stories - Broadlight

Success Stories - Testimonial

Trustpilot Hyve Managed Hosting Customer Reviews 2019

icon-compatibility

hyve-employee-with-long-hair-helping-a-customer

Hyve employee with long hair helping a customer

We know that it can be challenging to understand the best way to manage your IT infrastructure. With a Hyve managed server, you can choose the operating system, type of infrastructure and virtualization software that works for you, while allowing our experts to take care of server management.
Our engineers become an extension of your business, taking the pressure off your internal teams and allowing you to focus on what you do best.

Managed servers tailored to your business

hyve-550x350-image-1

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-35201" src="https://www.hyve.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/linux-logo-1.png" alt="linux server hosting logo" width="86" height="37" />
<div class="mar-b-ms list-disc">
Experience top-tier managed hosting solutions with our <a class="t-brand-green fw-bold" href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/managed-servers/linux-servers/">Linux servers</a>, offering Ubuntu, Redhat, Fedora, and Cloud Linux, coupled with MySQL, Nginx, Apache, and PHP applications.
&nbsp;
</div>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-54639" src="https://www.hyve.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Microsoft_Windows-Logo.png" alt="" width="92" height="21" />
<div class="mar-b-ms list-disc">
Explore unparalleled managed hosting with our <a class="t-brand-green fw-bold" href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/managed-servers/windows-servers/">Windows servers</a>, featuring Microsoft SQL Server, Internet Information Services (IIS) and .NET.
</div>

Your choice of operating systems

hyve-550x350-image-2-2

hyve-550x350-image-2

Your choice of infrastructure

Speak to a server specialist

icon-global-e1684250049137

Global presence

icon-anti-ddos-e1684250153558

Anti DDoS

hyve-icon-unrivalled-slas

20-minute hardware SLA

hyve-compatible-icon

Fixed monthly billing

unrestricted-bandwidth-2

Unrestricted-bandwidth

Performance optimization

hyve-icons-2021-expert-support-2

hyve-icons-2021-expert-support

Extra-mile support

Benefits of a Managed Server from Hyve

header-contents-with-button-desktop

Header contents with button desktop

Whether you are a global enterprise, a public sector body or a startup business, we offer a bespoke approach to managed server hosting, providing servers to suit your exact requirements, with management from our cloud experts.

Managed Servers