Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

What is virtual private server (VPS) hosting?

Virtual private server (VPS) hosting is a type of multi-tenant web hosting in which virtualized server resources are made accessible over the internet to an end user via a cloud or hosting provider. VPS hosting emulates the performance of a dedicated server even though the user is still sharing the physical server with other users. Each VPS managed by the hosting provider is installed on a physical machine that runs multiple VPSs. A VPS hosting provider banks on virtualization software, called a hypervisor and underlying hardware to provide customers with rights to access a virtualized server, called a virtual machine (VM). Every VM runs its own operating system (OS) and has limited access to a part of the physical server's compute, memory, and storage resources. Customers have access to the VM's operating system, but not to the physical server.

VPS hosting is one of the newer forms of web hosting that has gained popularity in recent times. Web hosting providers allocate rentable space on computer servers for storing, serving, and maintaining files to help individuals and organizations make their websites accessible to users via the world wide web.

Types of virtual private server (VPS) hosting

VPS hosting providers offer a variety of different plans, but all VPS services can fit into two distinct categories—managed and unmanaged hosting.

• Managed VPS hosting: A managed VPS, sometimes known as “fully” managed VPS is a managed service that uses preinstalled server administration software on a prearranged OS. Under managed VPS hosting, the service provider assumes the responsibility for server maintenance like backup, security, software installation, and more. Organizations using managed VPS hosting do not need to worry about server management and can instead invest resources in the growth and expansion of business.

Irrespective of the underlying OS and software, core server maintenance and management responsibilities lie with the hosting provider including:

• Technical support
• Server monitoring
• Malware protection
• Denial of service (DoS) protection
• Vetted OS and sysadmin software upgrades

Managed VPS hosting can be chosen by businesses regardless of their scale and size as it eases their work.

• Unmanaged (cloud) VPS hosting: With unmanaged VPS hosting, there is no pre-installed software to manage the VPS. The VPS is not limited to a single application and OS—it is also known as cloud server because it is flexible. In this type of VPS hosting, the provider only takes care of the maintenance of the physical server and its guaranteed uptime. The responsibility of core server management tasks lies with the organization implementing this solution. However, the company’s server needs fewer resources to provide and maintain. 

Cloud servers are low in cost as compared to managed VPS hosting plans which include licenses for enterprise software. It is ideal for  users with technical expertise and experience and requires advanced skills in:

• Linux command-line interface (CLI)
• Secure Shell (SSH)
• Web server software management (e.g., Apache, Lighttpd, Nginx)
• Security information and event management (SIEM)
• Disaster recovery (DR), especially backup and snapshot management

Benefits of using a virtual private server (VPS) hosting

VPS hosting is preferred as it offers the perfect blend of shared and dedicated hosting environments. Following are some of the benefits that a VPS hosting user can reap: 

• Enhanced reliability: Under a VPS hosting plan, each user’s resources are segregated from other virtual servers as well as hardware. Therefore, the tasks being run on another user’s server won’t affect the organization’s website or the performance of applications.
• Complete control: With a VPS, the organization would have complete control over own server. All the resources of the VPS will be dedicated to the user. The server is operated in accordance with the requirements of the user and the organization is free to manage their servers as they like. The VPS can also be configured as per the organization’s needs. There is the availability of technical support in case there’s a glitch. The organization can also decide to opt for a fully managed service or a server in which the hosting provider will take care of the server maintenance and management.
• Scalability: Based on the organization’s evolving business needs, a VPS hosting solution can be scaled up or down easily without any bottlenecks in server functioning. In fact, scaling up simply involves upgrading the existing hosting plan, and this generally does not involve any downtime, so the website continues to operate without any intervention.

• Security: As VPS is separate from other users on the same server, they cannot access the resources dedicated to one particular organization. The security of the company’s server is under their control. The organization can put up firewalls and adopt additional security measures without worrying about the other virtual servers. 

• Cost effective: Opting for a VPS solution is economical. A basic VPS plan with the required resources to create and maintain a website is affordable with any budget. Owing to advances in virtualization technologies, the prices are expected to continue to fall and hence VPS hosting solutions cost comparatively lower than the rate of most shared plans.

Virtual private server (VPS) hosting best practices

In order to make VPS hosting work, companies must follow these best practices:

• Selecting a VPS hosting provider: Choosing a VPS provider can be a difficult process due to the availability of numerous providers, some of whom offer low-cost but unreliable servers. It is imperative to evaluate the organization’s requirements before selecting the provider. The buyer needs to determine the features that fit their particular business needs, such as proximity to users, block storage, an API for automation, or the capability to add large amounts of storage, and more.
• Comparison of plans offered by providers:  It is lucrative to weigh up the plans offered by different providers while purchasing a VPS solution. The elements that determine the cost of a VPS solution are managed services, usage, and server dedication. Managed services are more expensive as they come with server implementation, maintenance, and management services. Cost of a VPS solution differs based on the monthly prices along with storage, data transfers, bandwidth and memory usage. 

Virtual private server (VPS) hosting vs. shared hosting

Both VPS hosting and shared hosting solutions share a physical machine and its resources with other users.

In the case of shared hosting, the resources are suppositionally shared equally among all users. If a site uses more than its fair share of bandwidth, it takes away from the remaining users. Additionally, if other websites that share their server get categorized as “spam,” it can hurt the organization’s search engine optimization (SEO) and force their email campaigns into junk folders unless they are able to buy a dedicated IP for their hosting plan.

Some of the benefits that a VPS hosting solution provides over a shared hosting solution are as follows:

• Better performance: The performance of a VPS is more consistent as each user is provided with their own share of resources. Since there are fewer VPS containers per server, the user has a higher amount of resources for their websites and databases. The performance of neighboring VPSs doesn’t impact the organization.
• Root access availability: Root access assists VPS system admins in managing services and installing complex software that requires admin permissions.
• Improved brand reputation: With VPS, companies can have less spam blacklisting and better SEO as the organization has a dedicated IP address.
• Enhanced cybersecurity: Security is higher as the virtualization process protects VPS containers from the impact of cyber attacks on other users. With root access, administrators can enhance VPS and cloud server security.

However, shared hosting plans are preferred by many business users due to their low cost and easy management. It is suited for organizations that are building their first website or have low resource allocations. VPS hosting is ideal for small businesses, online stores, and larger personal sites. It provides additional features, security, and performance, all for a very reasonable rise in cost.

Virtual private server (VPS ) hosting vs. dedicated hosting

In a dedicated hosting solution, each server is dedicated privately to one customer. Dedicated server hosting typically provides all the advantages of a VPS over shared hosting but over an entire physical server. This helps with the capability to install Linux OS and hardware customizations that the organization wishes to install. 

Dedicated hosting plan is the most secure option of the three server hosting types. Nevertheless, it is also the most expensive solution, which is why many users opt for a VPS.

VPS hosting solution users save money as users only pay for their portion of the costs needed to keep the physical server running with regular maintenance, hardware upgrades, and so on.

Virtual private server (VPS) hosting discussions on G2

• VPS discussions
• Discussion on the difference between a VPS and a dedicated license