VPS Hosting

VPS hosting is a new concept in hosting technology that brings the best features of a shared hosting plan together with the powerful and flexible features of a dedicated hosting plan. This kind of hosting is typically utilized by small to medium sized businesses.

VPS stands for virtual private server, also referred to as VDS or virtual dedicated server, and is created with the use of virtualization software. This software partitions a server into separate virtual units which essentially perform as individual dedicated servers themselves. Each server unit so created has its own operating system that operates solely for the hosting client who owns the virtual space.

The operating system can be rebooted at the client’s discretion and will not impact any other hosting clients on the same server. This is possible because the VPS hosting space is acting like a dedicated space that gives the hosting client complete control of the space. Proprietary software and scripts, needed for the proper functioning of some websites, can be run within the space without affecting other hosting clients on the server. This cannot be done in the non-VPS shared hosting space.

VPS functionality is much like that of a dedicated server, yet it cannot be regarded as dedicated since it still shares the server with other hosting clients. Although it lies in the same mainframe as other hosting accounts, it operates completely separately from them all.

The great benefits of the VPS hosting model is that it enjoys the same affordable pricing as traditional shared hosting, while reaping the advantages of dependent functioning as seen in the dedicated model.

How VPS Hosting differs from Traditional Shared Hosting

The major factors that separate VPS hosting apart from traditional shared hosting are the performance and the security the VPS model enjoys. Sites hosted on the traditional shared hosting model are also sharing the resources of that server with other websites. What they will also share with other websites on the server are lapses in security, and the negative results of actions taken by other webmasters in the server space.

These issues do not impact the hosting client operating in a VPS virtual hosting space, and in fact, he will enjoy the same flexibility, the independence, the improved performance and increased security of a hosting account in a dedicated hosting space.

However, a VPS hosting client has the responsibility of maintaining security updates, and software patches as well as trouble shooting for his virtual server. Since this type of hosting is usually embraced by small to medium sized businesses, they will have the technical staff to handle these demands. If they do not, or they do not desire to take on the responsibility, these maintenance tasks can be easily outsourced.

The VPS model is not specific to a particular platform, so Windows VPS and Linux VPS systems are available to all users. VPS meets the needs of businesses that require more autonomy and flexibility than is available in the traditional shared hosting model, even though the small downside of having to upkeep the software may be a concern to some.

An important distinction between the traditional hosting model and VPS is the ability the VPS model has to customize its server by running in its space proprietary scripts and software that would not be allowed on a shared hosting server.

The VPS model is a good choice for a business that is fast outgrowing the resources provided by a traditional shared hosting. If that business does not need all the resources and cannot afford the significant increase in price of a dedicated hosting model, then VPS hosting is a good alternative. The features of a VPS model will provide all the robustness the business is looking for.