An array of hosting options exists for those looking to put up a website, but among these, the virtual private server is arguably the most popular. Also known as virtual dedicated servers, they offer a higher level of access than competing hosting services, and are ideal for web designers and developers that desire high processing power and speed.

Understanding the virtualization

Typically, one physical server is sub-divided, and its resources shared among the different partitions which are mostly isolated from each other. It is these partitions that are referred to as virtual private servers. Despite the shared resources, each virtual machine allows some degree of independence, with the end user defining the operating system they would like installed. Configuration options for said end user are abundant, and the level of security that they offer is above average.

A VPS server is as only as powerful as the physical server it is housed in. Processing speed is determined by factors such as the number of users, and workload on each of the virtual partitions. Because of this, VPS packages are marketed depending on the needs of the user, with bandwidth space, RAM, SSD storage and domain numbers being the primary variables. These also account for the pricing differences.

A virtual private server can be hosted by the internet service provider availing the service, or the end user. The latter, which is sometimes called self-managed hosting, is the more complex option of the two, and it is often reserved for those customers who are familiar with the technical aspects of physical server maintenance. Otherwise, managed hosting offers the path of least resistance.

Advantages of VPS

Virtual private servers offer some distinct advantages over other options such as shared hosting. The better performance, stability, higher level of control and security and the ease of backup and upgrading make VPS very attractive. And since it shares most characteristics with an actual dedicated server such as the freedom of configuration and the very robust control panel, it’s an easy sell to customers who don’t want to bear of the burden of having their own dedicated servers.

Is a VPS for you?

Business owners, web developers and large website owners stand to gain the most from using VPS. That said, it is ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy the many benefits of virtual hosting. It is particularly easy to find a package that is suitably tailored to your needs, and if there comes a time when you need to upgrade, the process is mostly hassle-free.

The best hosting option remains a dedicated server. Despite being the most well-rounded hosting solution, it is only suited to a few. The expense that comes with acquiring and running it is the biggest deterrent. And since a virtual server offers a significant fraction of the features that a dedicated one has, it proves to be ideal in many cases.

The hosting company that runs your VPS will determine the kind of experience you get. This is simply to underscore the importance of researching your internet service provider before settling.