VPS
By using virtualisation technology, several Virtual Private Servers (VPS) can be installed onto one piece of hardware that shares system resources such as the CPU and memory. Each VPS looks and behaves almost exactly like a full dedicated server. The big differences from shared hosting are:
- VPS are isolated from one another by fully partitioning the file system so that they are not affected by the activities of other accounts on the server, meaning up-time is more consistent
- Root access to the server provides the freedom and flexibility to start, stop and reboot the VPS whenever you want. Install your own software and customised scripts and configure applications with point-and-click simplicity.
A VPS gives you the features and functionality of a full dedicated server without the associated costs. If you need to host unlimited domains, have complete control of your environment and run your own applications, then you will benefit from having a VPS.
Why use a VPS?
A Virtual Private Server acts like a full dedicated server in most ways while retaining the ease-of-use associated with shared hosting, thanks mainly to the Plesk control panel software. Virtualisation creates individual and secure virtual private servers on one very high specification piece of hardware. This keeps the pricing competitive and cheaper than a full dedicated server, and you get the benefits of your own web, mail and database server, root access and lots more.
VPS solutions provide an invaluable balance between complete dedicated control and affordable shared hosting-like pricing. It is the choice for serious developers, e-commerce sites, or any other Web business that has outgrown its shared hosting environment.
Some of the benefits:
- Complete control with root priviledges
- Freedom and flexibility to install your own software and customised scripts
- Total isolation from other VPS accounts which may be abusing the server or overusing server resources
- Dedicated Web, Mail, FTP and Database servers
A good analogy for the difference between shared hosting and VPS is:
Shared hosting is like living in a flat, you share your neighbours problems. If they play their music loud you hear it through the walls. If one of them leaves the communal door open, your security is at risk as well.
VPS is more like living in a semi-detached house, with your own private garden, without ever hearing your neighbours. The only common area you share is the road to get to your house.
What You Need
To get started with a VPS you need very little other than a domain name to point at the server and the motivation to move to a VPS. Whether it is because you have out-grown your shared hosting platform or want to lower your overall costs, moving to a VPS has become the next logical step for many shared hosting customers and those looking for an easy entry into the dedicated server arena. Plesk and Virtuozzo control panel and virtualisation software allow you to perform a wide range of administrative tasks with point-and-click simplicity, a high level of technical expertise is not required allowing you to focus on productivity.