By Debbie Fletcher, Special for USDR
According to TechTarget, a virtual private server “appears to the user as a dedicated server but is actually installed on a computer serving multiple websites. A single computer can have several VPSs, each one with its own operating system (OS) that runs the hosting software for a particular user.”
Essentially, VPSs provide the power of a dedicated server but with the low cost of a shared hosting solution. But what else do you need to know about affordable, high performance VPS servers? Here is a brief beginners guide.
Understanding VPS
Think of VPS as a block of flats or apartment building. There will be plenty of other people living in the same property, but you benefit from your own space and complete freedom. You don’t even need a roommate to share the bills and the activity of your neighbours is of little consequence.
A number of VPS users do share a server, but they are isolated from each other. This means that even if they sap lots of resources, it will have no impact on service or performance as your data is secured and isolated from other users.
Key features of VPS hosting
- Operating system – VPSs can run their own operating systems
- Support – You can choose either self or fully managed
- Control – Users have full administrative access to a VPS
- Access – Via SSH or Remote Desktop
- Resources – Websites are able to utilise full VPS resources
- Websites – VPS allows for unlimited websites each with their own control panel access
- Knowhow – Basic server administration and troubleshooting skills are advantageous
Reasons why you might choose VPS
- Your website suffers from slow loading speeds
Even if your initial online aspirations were modest, this might have changed over time and you now have lots of website traffic. However, VPS can significantly boost page loading speeds, which may also improve your search engine ranking.
- Your website is constantly going down
Has your website ever displayed an ‘Internal Server Error’ message? If so, this could mean you are going over your existing hosting plan’s allocated resources, which wouldn’t be a problem with VPS.
- Your website handles sensitive or confidential information
Websites hosted on a shared hosting plan won’t have the same security measures as a VPS. Consequently, if your website handles sensitive or confidential information such as credit card details, it could be easily targeted by cybercriminals.
- Your website requires custom software or applications
Certain hosting plans won’t allow you to install your own software. But with a VPS, you are given the freedom and flexibility to facilitate any kind of web application.
What to look for in a VPS host
- Uptime – Any VPS host worth its salt will be able to guarantee at least 99 per cent uptime
- Security – Look for security measures such as firewalls, SSL certificates, and two-factor authentication
- Scalability – Choose a host that can scale up or down according to your requirements
- Backups – Daily backups ensure no data will be lost and can speed up recovery times
- Price – Find a package that charges a fixed price with a money back guarantee
Author Name: Debbie Fletcher
Author Bio: Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of different magazines and news publications over the years. Graduating from City University London specialising in English Literature, Debbie’s passion for writing has since grown. She loves anything and everything technology, and exploring different cultures across the world. She’s currently looking towards starting her Masters in Comparative Literature in the next few years.
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