1&1 offers low-cost way to cut risk by hosting websites on two servers

Web-hosting company 1&1 is offering budget 'dual-hosting' packages.

1&1's dual-hosting packages, usually provided to larger companies, provide extra security because customers' websites are located at two data centres, rather than one, so if there is an unexpected problem at one location, there is no disruption to the website.

1&1 said other benefits for the service, which is sometimes called geo-redundancy, allow it ato carry out any updates or planned maintenance work without any disturbance to the websites.

Packages are available in both Linux and Windows configurations, with flexible payment options across three-, 12- or 24-month billing terms starting from £2.38 rising to £15.58 a month for the 24-month option.

"All data and processes hosted with 1&1 are mirrored almost in real time
across two separately located data centres, so if there is an electricity or server blackout, natural disaster etc, all upcoming exercises are automatically taken over by the other data centre, and there is no disruption to the customer's website - thus, websites are now failsafe as never before," the company said.