VPS, Virtual Private Servers Web Hosting
Posted on February 10th, 2009
VPS, Virtual Private Servers Web Hosting
VPS, or Virtual Private Server, Virtual Dedicated Server and VDS, provides some of the functionality of a dedicated server host for multiple web hosting customers to share. I know, it sounds somewhat contradictory. After all, how can you have a dedicated server if it is being shared by multiple users and doesn’t that just make it regular shared hosting or virtual hosting? While with a Virtual Private Server you still share system resources like the processor, hard drives and memory with other users, the system resources are broken up in such a way that you can’t tell that you’re sharing the physical server with others, much like a dedicated server. System resources are usually setup in such a way that each hosting client is only allowed to use a predetermined amount, meaning that resources assigned to you will always available to you.
What are the Advantages of VPS (Virtual Private Server) Web Hosting?
The majority of hosting customers would prefer to have control of their server environment. The thought of a server being shared by hundreds of other customers, who could easily use up all the server’s resources or cause the server to become unstable. At the same time most websites out there don’t need a fully dedicated server. VPS (Virtual Private Server) as an alternative is very attractive as a hosting solution for a fairly large chunk of web hosting clients looking for the stability of a dedicated server but not quite as large, so to speak. Since resources are set up so that customers can only utilize what has been configured for their account with a VPS, your site will realize more consistency as it will always have the same amount of access to the processor, memory, disk space and bandwidth. VPS is also significantly more secure than shared hosting since you are allocated your own file system and full operating system. If another VPS on the server is hacked, the hackers will only have access to that particular account and would have no affect on yours.
VPS Web Hosting Is Cheaper
VPS is also much cheaper than a dedicated server because it’s cheaper for the web hosting provider to provide to customers. This results in the cost savings being passed down, often directly to the customer.
Shortcomings of VPS (Virtual Private Server) Web Hosting
Now that you understand the positives of using a VPS, as is the case with almost every other type of hosting service, not all providers set up or define VPS servers the exact same way. Make sure that your provider guarantees that their setup is strong enough to handle operations during peak periods. One of the uglier tactics used by most hosting providers in the reselling and shared space is ‘overselling’. What this means is selling more in terms of services than there is physically available, with the hope that the end users wouldn’t use up all the service that they signed up for. When it comes to VPS, this can be more serious. A shortfall of resources could end up causing problems for everyone hosted on such a server, therefore negating the benefits of having a VPS. In a shared or dedicated environment you might be able to access more resources during peak or spike periods but since the VPS environment limits you to to your slice of the server resources, it can be a drawback.