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