Virtual Private Server Hosting (VPS)

Virtual private server (VPS) hosting is the perfect mid-point between shared hosting and dedicated hosting. It provides a flexible, scalable, and relatively economical web hosting solution for complex or large websites that need more than a shared hosting option but do not have the scale that would make dedicated hosting viable.

What is a Virtual Private Server?

According to Wikipedia, a virtual private server or VPS, also referred to as a Virtual Dedicated Server or VDS, is a method of splitting a web hosting server. Under virtual private server architecture, each of the virtual servers can run their own operating systems, and each server can be independently rebooted.

Uses of a Virtual Private Server

On the one hand there are relatively inexpensive shared hosting services and on the other are the considerably expensive dedicated hosting options. Virtual private servers bridge the gap between the two. Since it is a virtual partitioning of the server, it functions almost like a dedicated server at a lesser cost.

To the user of a virtual private server, it creates a separation from other users of the virtual private server, giving independence in terms of the software that is needed for the website. A virtual private server runs on an independent operating system. This means that the user of the virtual private server has multi-level access to install almost any software that can run on the server’s operating system.

What is Virtual Private Server Hosting or VPS Hosting?

Websites are increasingly getting interactive, dynamic and are growing in their complexity. The kind of web technologies, software and configurations that is needed to run complex websites can require a high degree of customization that is not available in shared hosting. Since dedicated hosting also costs significantly more, virtual private server hosting or VPS hosting is growing in popularity. Commonly, there are two types of VPS Hosting options:

Unmanaged VPS Hosting

Under unmanaged VPS hosting, the customer manages, monitors and takes full responsibility of the administration of the virtual private server. While this gives increased control on the server, its operating system, configuration and software, it also increases the responsibility of customers of virtual private servers.

Unmetered VPS Hosting

Unmetered VPS hosting is when the hosting company undertakes the management of the VPS server but provides a no-limit hosting platform with no restrictions on the data transfer or bandwidth.

Advantages of VPS Hosting

Web hosting requirements change from website to website. However, there are many advantages of VPS hosting that are making it an increasingly popular web hosting option. Some of these advantages are:

• VPS Hosting Advantage 1

  Cost effective Since VPS hosting is mid-way between cheap shared hosting and expensive dedicated hosting, it provides the most cost-effective web hosting options.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 2

  Virtual Separation – Since virtual private servers have separate partitions, operating systems and can even be rebooted independently, they provide complete isolation to customers using a VPS hosting solution. Unlike shared hosting, other users of the same physical server cannot cause your virtual private server to crash.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 3

  Control over the management of your virtual private server – Depending on the hosting package, you can get as much control over the management and administration of your virtual private server.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 4

  Enhanced Security – Because of the separation from other users of the physical server, a security lapse by one of the users of the server cannot allow hacker’s access to your server. You have complete security over unauthorized access of your virtual private server.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 5

  Improved Performance – Your virtual private server only shares the processing power of the physical server with other servers. Memory, software, operating system and other aspects of your virtual server can be configured as per your needs and this can mean a much better performing website as compared to a site using shared hosting.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 6

  Install the Applications You Need – It’s your virtual private server. Do with it, what you wish. Since you get root and partition level access to your server, you can install the applications you need to effectively run and manage your website. You are not restricted to the use of software bundled by the hosting provider as part of the hosting package.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 7

  Flexible – Whether you need custom configuration for your firewall, change in port settings or other aspects of server management, you get far more flexibility with a VPS hosting solution than is possible in shared hosting.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 8

  Multiple Domain Hosting – With shared hosting, even if multiple domain hosting is offered, the sharing of resources and the resultant restrictions usually means that you do not have enough resources for you to meaningfully host multiple domains without affecting performance. With VPS hosting, not only can you host multiple websites without suffering performance issues, you can also set up separate email accounts and allocate specific resources for each individual website residing on your virtual private server.

• VPS Hosting Advantage 9

  Data Backups – Depending on the level of service offered by your VPS hosting plan, data backups can either be managed or at your complete discretion.

Who needs VPS Hosting?

Most sites that comprise mainly static, HTML content do not need VPS hosting. For most such sites, shared hosting is optimal. However, if the website is large with a large amount of files stored, or if the site has dynamic content that is created by large volume of visitors, then you may want to consider a VPS hosting package.

Check the VPS hosting options offered by Ballistic Domains and choose the package that best suits your needs and budgets.