VPS VS Dedicated Server

When it comes to web hosting, the array of flavors and niche variations seem to go on forever. Two of the most popular about services on the market today are VPS and dedicated server hosting. Whereas similar in many ways, their large differences can be the decisive factor in regard to which is the best solution for your demands.

What is a Dedicated Server?

Shared hosting is the platform most small businesses and people use to launch themselves online.It is widely available, affordable and easily manageable. The cost efficiency is made possible by an environment that sees multiple customers sharing space and resources on a single physical server. This aspect makes the shared server vulnerable to numerous problems, performance, availability and security isseus included. A dedicated server is the exact opposite, a kind of arrangement where you lease service from a provider and get the whole server to yourself. This means you have all the bandwidth, disk space, RAM and resources of the hardware at your disposal. Dedicated servers are best suited for businesses that run high traffic websites and cannot afford to suffer from the performance and potential security issues genarally associated with shared hosting. Probably the biggest advantage dedicated hosting is the freedom and flexibility it grants. You have the privilege of installing the software applications,web services and technologies you think will give the best potential results. If you require complete control, that’s the way to go.

VPS Hosting?

VPS is short for virtual private server, VPS is a product created by simulating multiple servers within a single piece of physical hardware. Using virtualization technology, it produces these environments where they are isolated and basically run independently of the other servers on the machine. So while users are still having to share the server, they receive the benefit of guaranteed disk space, RAM and CPU, thus resulting in better all the genarally available performance and overall reliability a shared server. VPS hosting is often viewed as the something in between shared and dedicated hosting. This is because when it comes to prices, it isn’t too far removed from a shared hosting package. As far as power and control are concerned, a VPS is just a step below having your own server. As a matter of fact, many hosting companies offer capabilities that make it possible for you to make your own configurations, reboot the server, install custom applications and much more. So If shared hosting is not enough anymore but you can’t afford your own server, this option might be the best.

How to Decide?

Maybe the best way to decide on VPS and dedicated hosting is to focus on their drawbacks. One of the most reliable hosting solutions there are to choose, yet {a dedicated server is not made for everyone, a dedicated server is not for everyone}. This type of arrangement requires a high level of technical skill as you are responsible for keeping the service and making sure it continues running efficiently. On top of that, leasing your own Dedicated server might cost more than a hundred USD per month. The major disadvantage of VPS hosting concerns the fact that you are still actually sharing the physical resources of the server with other users, which forces many limitations on you. Despite the proved effectivity of virtualization technology, there is no way it will guarantee the security, reliability and performance of a dedicated server. Regardless of what you decide, be sure to do your homework and find a reputable provider. This will finally determine whether you have a smooth or bumpy ride with your server.

The Cost

VPS makes it possible for hosting providers to offer lower prices than traditional dedicated server. This is because they do not have to buy as many server machines which cost a lot. They can also save on the licensing fees of software that charges depending on the number of processors being used and not on how many users. This is possible because not all servers maximize the use of the machine’s resources, but might prove problematic when multiple servers on the same machine experiences heavy load.

The Power

VPS adds an additional layer of complexity compared to dedicated servers. The hosting provider needs to employ IT personnel who are knowledgeable with virtualization as it is necessary to set-up and maintain the virtualization software that runs each server. The virtualization software also takes up processing power as it needs to relay the communications between each server and the underlying hardware. Improvements in the software has reduced the amount of overhead but this is always present regardless of how advanced the technology becomes.

The Security

VPS servers on the same machine might also be vulnerable to problems from one computer. Although there are measures implemented to prevent the possibility of the machine crashing due to problems on one server, on the rare chance that it does happen, all the servers on the same machine would also go down. This does not happen ondedicated servers as they operate on independent hardware and a single server going down would not affect others.

The Summary

1. Each dedicated server runs on separate hardware set-ups while multiple VPS’ can run on a single hardware set-up.
2. VPS utilizes virtualization so that it appears like a dedicated server in most aspects.
3. VPS would cost much less than a dedicated server.
4. VPS is a lot more complex compared to a dedicated server.
5. Servers on a VPS might be brought down because of a problem on another server, this doesn’t happen with dedicated servers.