Have you ever wanted to put your website into its own machine but do not need all the power and space of a full dedicated web server?
Virtual Private Servers, or VPS, fill that intermediate space.
VPS are basically virtual machines, much like one that you might run on your own computer to mimic another PC running within your computer.
To the web server and operating system running within the VPS, it appears as though they own the entire computer.
Each VPS has a certain amount of disk space, RAM and bandwidth allocated.
Web hosts that provide VPS often give their customers virtually complete control over their VPS, allowing them root access
(or administrator's access). You can thus usually install and run any software you want into your VPS,
host any number of domains you wish, and so on. You are basically the boss of your own virtual server.
While Virtual Private Servers have certain benefits over full dedicated web servers, you should note that it usually
runs slower with less resources than if you were to have your own real dedicated server. If your website has drastically
outgrown shared web hosting, a VPS may not necessarily be the best solution. You may need to go with Dedicated Servers (Web Hosting) instead.
What is a VPS ?
VPS, virtual private server, VDS, virtual dedicated server, and virtual server define the same thing.
What is a VPS hosting?
A VPS (Virtual private server) also called VDS or virtual dedicated server is a physical server divided into several smaller servers.
Each smaller server is called virtual private server as it is independent of actual hardware and private in the sense that other VPS servers cannot interact with its processes and its file system.
The virtual private server is independently running its own OS (operating system) and software as Php, Mysql or Apache. The VPS can be rebooted without affecting the other virtual servers hosted on the physical server.
You can host an unlimited number of Websites on a virtual private server. You can setup your own domain name server.
VPS hosting and SSH Root Access
Generally, VPS hosting account provides you a root login and full root access, so you have the possibility to install and run your own scripts
or software on your virtual private server.
A VPS hosting account generally is limited by:
Quantity of ram
CPU usage or CPU processes
Amount of the disk space
Transfer or Bandwidth
VPS hosting and Memory
Memory for each VPS hosting account varies. The RAM of each VPS is isolated from the other virtual servers and the RAM usage never affects any other virtual server in the physical server. Your VPS hosting provider have to inform you about the guaranteed memory. The guaranteed memory is the minimum amount of RAM allowed for your virtual dedicated server.
VPS hosting and the CPU usage.
As the RAM, a limited CPU usage is dedicated for your virtual private server. Your VPS hosting provider have to inform you about the CPU usage allocated to your virtual private server.
VPS hosting and the disk space
With a virtual private server you have the possibility to host several web sites and install your own scripts and software. So it's important to choose a VPS hosting plan with a huge amount of disk space! 5 Go is a minimum.
VPS hosting and transfer usage
Bandwidth is the monthly amount of data transfer that you are allowed to use.
Why Choose VPS Hosting? Do I Need a VPS?
VPS is a good alternative to dedicated server hosting. Virtual Private server hosting is the level between shared hosting and dedicated hosting. Virtual Private server is a good way for learning about the dedicated server administration and management. If your shared hosting plan is too limited and you are looking for an affordable solution to dedicated server hosting, this is a real
interesting alternative: virtual private server is cheaper than dedicated server.
Choosing a VPS Hosting provider:
First you can visit
http://svserver.com. This is a web hosting directory, you will find several offers from the VPS hosting providers.
Questions for your future VPS hosting provider:
What type of server will my VPS be hosted on? ( CPU, RAM ...)
How many VPS are hosted on the physical server?
Minimum amount of RAM dedicated for your virtual private server?
Minimum amount of disk space dedicated for your virtual private server?
Minimum amount of CPU usage dedicated for your virtual private server?
Monthly transfer by Month allowed.
Overage bandwidth price