What are the advantages of VPS Hosting, and what are the disadvantages of VPS hosting?
We often find that prospective customers ask us, what are the pro’s and con’s of VPS hosting? Well, let’s go back to basics and apologise for those familiar with some of these definitions;
A short definition of Virtual hosting, VPS hosting is the term used to describe multiple domains that are hosted on the same server and that share some or all of the machines resources. This allows each virtual server to run its own full-fledged operating system, and be independently rebooted. A ‘virtual’ machine should offer you some or all of the following features:
* Basic server features (i.e. root access)
* Software licenses
* Control panel access such as cPanel or Plesk control panel
* Internet connection services
* Domain name registration
* File storage and directory services
* An e-mail account with related services.
Naturally you are not leasing a dedicated server, or even hosting your site on a shared hosting platform but rather are able to run a ‘virtual’ or leased server.
Advantages of Virtual Hosting, or VPS Hosting
1. Support. Virtual or VPS servers generally are provided extensive support. This provides an added security should you need help. This support is generally provided at no additional charge to the client of most hosting providers
2. Security. As you are ‘leasing’ your ‘virtual’ or VPS system directly from the hosting providers own infrastructure or backbone these servers tend to be set behind their own firewalls, and are shielded away from curious hackers
3. Flexibility. Virtualised platforms are ideally suited for trial and flexibility. You are able to try a variety of features without the need to sign up to long-term contracts and commitment, and are able to sometimes customize or vary your plan to make arrangements for bandwidth, memory, hard disk or even database access that matches your business needs
4. Instant Upgradeablitiy. You are able to vary the amount of resources such as memory or hardisk space with minimal disruption to your hosted sites assuming that it is using a software based virtualization platform
5. Cost. Virtual hosting is excellent value for medium, smaller companies or even start ups that are on tighter budgets, or that are just trying to minimise their capital commitments and refrain from having to make any significant equipment purchase.
Disadvantages of Virtual Hosting, or VPS Hosting
1. Limitations. At the end of the day you are sharing the servers services with other people, and therefore your customers, in theory, could be competing for resources and your site may have slower server response times during peak periods resulting in your visitors receiving ‘Website not responding’ type messages as they browse your pages
2. Risks. Your hosting company may not issue you with your own IP address, and thus you may be sharing your IP address with other less scrupulous tenants. Since hosted sites on the same IP addresses are sometimes grouped together this may result in your site being banned from search engines that are actively seeking to remove such sites
3. Control. Under some VPS platforms users share software components. This sharing may result in an inability to configure individual settings independently of other clients that are hosting on the same virtual server.
As you can see, there are many advantages and disadvantages to virtual hosting, when looking to choose between different hosting providers you must way the definitive cost advantages in sharing a server provided by Virtual platforms with some of the disadvantages that come with such a solution. These should all be weighed in light of your goals, budget, modus operandi and target audience.
