Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

A virtual private server, also known as VPS hosting offers the perfect balance between regular shared hosting and dedicated server hosting. A VPS is a single hardware node split into multiple virtual machines (known as VPS or VDS). Virtualization technology,  Xen or OpenVZ, fully separates each of these VPS / VDS / VMs from each other. This means each VPS is provisioned with a guaranteed set of resources (CPU, RAM and Hard Drive space) and that each VPS comes with full root access.


WIKI:
A virtual private server (VPS) is a virtual machine provided by an Internet hosting service. Although a VPS runs in software on the same physical computer as other customers' virtual machines, it is in many respects functionally equivalent to a separate physical computer. A VPS is dedicated to the individual customer's needs, has the privacy of a separate physical computer, and can be configured to run server software.

Advantages And Disadvantages OF VPS Server

(VPS hosting) plan can also provide many other advantages such as:

• The virtual web server can provide very flexible and convenient usage for the webmaster
• Other additional web applications can be easily used by the VPS
• Each VPS can be independently rebooted
• Every VPS has its own operating system
• Every VPS has its own copy of the operating service. Users can install and run any software that needs that operating system
• The webmaster can choose any type of operating system and web applications that he requires to run his website effectively
• It is as if the webmaster owns the ‘entire’ server without actually using the costlier dedicated web server. The VPS is very powerful and can offer similar features of the dedicated web server at a fractional cost
• VPS is quite stable and offers consistent service
• The webmaster can have access to the root level of the hosting server
• The VPS offers more freedom and features than the shared web hosting server
• The webmaster using the VPS can install any software which can be very beneficial for his growing business. The webmaster can be assured of highest compatibility between the softwares used and the operating system used for his VPS
• Each VPS is isolated from other VPS sharing the same physical web server. The resources used by each VPS on the physical web server can be centrally controlled by the web host
• Most VPS use the Linux-based operating system which has proven track-record of being more stable and secure than the more expensive Windows-based operating system
• VPS can allow the webmaster to host numerous websites very efficiently
• A VPS account will usually come with more services and tools from your web host – much more than what is offered with the shared web hosting service
• As the VPS is isolated from other websites, that is, the VPS does not interact with other websites present on the physical server, the security aspect of a VPS is much stronger than the risky shared web hosting server, where a harmful script or application used by another webmaster can harm your website
• There are many more powerful features that a VPS can offer you over the shared web hosting server

Disadvantages Of Using The Virtual Private Server (VPS)

There are also many other disadvantages associated with using the VPS. They are:

• The webmaster must possess high-proficiency in using the VPS to control the working of the website, the applications used, and the server resources skillfully
• As the VPS usually uses many web applications like the forums, chatting softwares, e-commerce forms, and other secure applications, if the webmaster is unable to control these applications professionally, they can become unmanageable because of the high traffic that they attract
• The hardware resources of the physical web server are still shared by the many websites that use the server, so your VPS may not be able to use maximum amount of RAM, disk space (although disk space problems can be more easily handled by replacing with a bigger hard-disk)
• VPS can have limited random access memory (RAM), central processing time, and server disk space

The above facts ascertain the importance of correctly using the VPS. It has more power, so more responsibility is also needed to control such powerful system. You can also check the powerful features of the dedicated web hosting server if your website really needs more power and greater features. Also, the dedicated web server offers you the entire physical server’s powers and features, and as in the case of the VPS, your server’s physical resources like the RAM are not shared with other users.

Remember that the great powers and features of the dedicated web server are available for expensive fees to you. So, if your website really needs more powers and features than the shared web hosting server, and if your website is not a very critically important e-commerce website, then opt for the VPS.

SOurce: http://blog.eukhost.com/