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Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Web Hosting
A Virtual Private Server (VPS), also referred to as Virtual
Dedicated Server (VDS), provides the features of a dedicated
server for multiple web hosting customers to share. At first
instance it sounds contradictory, how can you have a dedicated
server if it is being shared by multiple users? Isn't that
a regular shared or virtual hosting environment? It is true
that with a Virtual Private Server you still share system
resources like the CPU and RAM with other users but the
resources are allocated in such a way that you cannot tell
that the system has anyone else on it, much like a dedicated
server. So resources are usually setup in such a way that
each hosting client is only allowed to use an allocated
percent, meaning that resources assigned to you will always
available to you.
Advantages of Virtual Private Server (VPS) web hosting
Most hosting customers would rather have complete control
of their server environments. They don't want to be hosted
on a server with tens or hundreds of other users, who could
easily use up all the resources or cause the server environment
to be unstable. But at the same time most websites don't
need a dedicated server. The Virtual Private Server (VPS)
alternative is a very attractive niche hosting solution
for a fairly large chunk of web hosting clients who would
like the stability of a dedicated server but on a smaller
scale. With the resources setup in such a way that each
person can only use what is allocated to them, your site
will be more consistent because it will always have the
same amount of access to the CPU, memory, and bandwidth.
Virtual Private Servers are also more secure since even
as you share the memory and CPU time, you are allocated
your own file system. If a website on the server is hacked,
the hackers will only have access to that particular file
system and would not harm the other websites. A VPS is also
much cheaper than a dedicated server.
Disadvantages of Virtual Private Server (VPS) web hosting
Now that you have read the pros of a VPS you are probably
thinking that this is the best thing since sliced bread.
Well, almost - as is the case with every other type of hosting
service, not all providers setup or define Virtual Private
Servers, also known as Virtual Dedicated Servers, the exact
same way. You must make sure that your provider guarantees
that their setup is robust enough to handle operations at
a peak level. A trick used by many providers in the reselling
and shared space is 'overselling'. What this means is selling
more in terms of services than what physically available,
with the hope that the end users wouldn't use up all the
service that were advertised to them. In the realm of VPS
this can be a bit more serious, since at least the expectation
is that you are operating in a more robust environment and
many clients could be running more intensive applications
like message boards or custom web applications. A shortfall
of resources could end up causing problems for everyone
hosted on such a server, therefore negating the benefits
of 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.
As if the technology rich lingo of regular web hosting
wasn't enough, the VPS services add a few new wrinkles.
Apart from storage space and bandwidth you must also deal
with CPU cycles and RAM. So you will see ads for hosting
that might include *** MHz and *** MB RAM to go with the
usual hosting related features. It is somewhat harder to
figure out how much CPU time or RAM you might need, so seek
out a hosting provider that will provide you with some benchmarks
and the ability to upgrade or downgrade the VPS service
if needed.
Conclusion
- Allows complete control of your virtual server and its
resources
- Allows you to run web applications without adversely affecting
other clients
- Flexible - cheaper than dedicated hosting, more expensive
than shared
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