Generally the terms that apply to virtual private servers are almost exactly the same as those you would associated with dedicated servers, so once you’ve got a good understanding of VPS’s, you’ll have very little trouble in understanding dedicated servers should you ever make the move to them further down the track.

VPS Terms – Understanding What They Mean

The following quick guide outlines some of the more commonly terms associated with virtual private servers and provides a definition of exactly what they mean. Think of it as your cheat sheet for the next time you’re shopping around for a new virtual private server hosting provider.

Virtualisation

Virtualisation refers to the way that a virtual private server is provisioned, powered managed. Virtualisation is essentially the act of a web hosting provider partitioning a single physical server into multiple blocks that appear as their own servers. These partitions are allocated with their own dedicated share of the physical servers resources such as disk space and RAM.

RAM

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a term you’re likely already aware of as it is a core element of computers, laptops, tablets and phones. RAM refers to a form of temporary computer storage that is used to store processes and information in real time as required.

Guaranteed RAM

Guaranteed RAM refers to the amount of RAM that is allocated to your virtual private server for exclusive use and can be used at any point in time.

Burstable RAM

Burstable RAM, unlike guaranteed RAM, refers to shared memory that can be used by any virtual private server on the same physical server if it is currently not in use by another VPS.

Operating System

Another term you would be familiar with is the operating system, which is the software that manages computer hardware and software resources, processes and provides the core functions required to run a virtual private server. Most VPS providers often offer the choice between Microsoft and Linux operating systems based on what best suits your requirements.

CPU Core

A CPU, central processing unit, is the unit that reads and executes program instructions. The core is is the actual processing unit and, in virtual private servers, more than 1 core can be allocated which controls how much processing power the CPU has. More processing power equates to a heightened level of operating performance.

Storage Space

Storage space is a term that relates to all web hosting platforms and refers to the amount of physical disk space your website, files and data is able to occupy. Storage space is often offered as SSD, SATA or SAS hard drives.

Although the above isn’t a description for every term related to a virtual private server, it certainly covers the more commonly confusing ones such as guaranteed and burstable RAM. Moving up to a virtual private server from a shared web hosting environment really isn’t that much of a step once you have a good understanding of how they work and what they do and, more often than not, a good web hosting provider will also be more than willing to answer your questions and offer you more in depth information about virtual private servers.

Applications For Virtual Private Servers

Although it is now quite obvious, from the above explanation, as to what applications can run on a virtual private server, the following list gives an overview of some of the more popular applications that people often install on their servers. These range from popular blogging applications, management applications and community orientated applications that provide a range of options to improve the overall functionality of your website.

WordPress

Wordpress is an obvious addition to the list and is the most popular blogging/content management system application while also quite possibly being one of the most widely used applications across the internet today. WordPress is a powerful personal blogging applications that is also quite often used as a content management system due to it’s plethora of features and options. With WordPress you can easily create, publish, edit, share, promote and maintain all of your content and media through an easy to use management dashboard that also houses an in-built theme editor making it a simple task to change the look of your website. WordPress is also open source which means it is 100% free to download, use and modify without prior permission and support is easy to obtain due to the huge community of WordPress users, supporters and developers.

Find out more about WordPress here: WordPress.org

Magento

Magento is an online shopping, e-commerce, application that empowers you with all of the tools required to set up, run and manage a successful online store selling both virtual and physical products. It has grown into one of the largest e-commerce applications on the web today and powers some of the biggest online shopping stores including the likes of Nike and Olympus. Magento is available in a range of packages including a commercial enterprise edition that includes solid support and a rich feature set whilst an open source community edition is also available for free.

Find out more about Magento here: Magento.com

VBulletin

VBulletin is a popular commercial online discussion forum application that gives website owners the ability to create and manage beautiful and powerful online communities with minimal work. With VBulletin you can launch your new forum in as little as 15 minutes and enjoy a range of functions including great social functionality, strong security, powerful search engine optimisation and solid moderation controls, all at a great cost. VBulletin is also used by some of the worlds largest companies including Sony Pictures, EA Games and Zynga.

Find out more about VBulletin here: Vbulletin.org

Joomla

Joomla is another content management system which is trusted by millions of people worldwide to power their websites ranging from small personal portfolios through to enterprise grade government websites. Joomla offers a rich set of content and media management tools along with all of the access you need to develop your website to look, act and function exactly the way you want rather than having to rely on the default theme and functionality. Extensions, both third party and official, are available to install onto your Joomla installation which can add extra features and functionality allowing you to further push the boundaries of how your website functions. As with many other content management systems, Joomla is 100% open source which means it is free to download, use and modify as you see fit.

Find out more about Joomla here: Joomla.org

MediaWiki

MediaWiki is a complete content based application that makes it easy for website owners to create an informative index of content on a range of subjects, just like Wikipedia. Infact, MediaWiki is the same software used by the online giant Wikipedia along with many other online collaborative content based projects and websites. MediaWiki is an open source application which means it is free to download, use and modify which makes it ideal for customising to meet the requirements of your new or existing projects.

Find out more about MediaWiki here: MediaWiki.org

There Are Thousands More

There are literally thousands of online applications that can be downloaded, installed and run on a virtual private server without the limitations that previous shared web hosting may have enforced. Due to the way in which a VPS is provisioned and powered, you have complete control in customising the base software on the server, meaning if you find an application that you would love to use but it requires a specific operating system to run, you can simply install the required operating system on your VPS in order to install and run the desired application. This is one of the true beauty’s of owning a virtual private server, you have almost complete control in being able to set it up to suit the requirements needed for your specific websites intended use. However, taking on the additional control provided with a virtual private server does come with a higher cost than that of a shared hosting service and will, for the most part, require a more in depth knowledge of web based technologies.

If you have a good understanding of web hosting technologies and operating systems then the move to a virtual private server may not be a problem, however, if you aren’t technical minded or don’t quite understand how they work then it may be more of an issue for you. It’s for this reason that most VPS hosting providers offer the option of a managed or unmanaged VPS service, although a managed solution will have a higher cost attached due to the ongoing need for monitoring and maintenance by the providers technicians.

Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting

When upgrading to a virtual private server you’ll need to make the choice between a managed or unmanaged environment based on your requirements, skills and knowledge. It’s often accepted that the majority of consumers will opt for a managed service, even with the higher cost attached, as it alleviates the need for a strong knowledge of how to manage and maintain a server environment.

By making use of a managed virtual private server you’ll enjoy the benefit of being able to spend more time working on your website rather than worrying about the technology behind it. The following tasks are generally undertaken by the web hosting company as part of a managed VPS service:

• Server provisioning
• Automated backups
• 24/7 monitoring
• cPanel installation
• Software installation
• DNS & MySQL configuration
• Operating system install and rebuilds
• Operating system updated
• Reverse DNS setup
• Network issue troubleshooting
• Common assistance and advice

As displayed by the above list, just about all aspects of the virtual private server is managed by the provider. On the other hand, if you were to sign up for an unmanaged server the only inclusions offered by the provider would include:

• Initial installation of vanilla operating system
• Reverse DNS setup

All other technical tasks such as monitoring, maintenance, software installs and networks issues would be your responsibility.

By looking at the above lists it is evident that a managed service is preferable should you have limited knowledge of a VPS. Although, bear in mind that should you opt for an unmanaged service and face an issue you will, for most providers, have the option of paying an hourly rate for a technician to look into and repair the problem for you.

The Cost Difference

As previously mentioned, the cost for a managed vps service is more costly than an unmanaged service due to the additional and ongoing work required on the providers side. The actual cost, and difference therein, is heavily dependant on the web hosting provider and will be quite different for each one. In many cases, the cost for a managed VPS service is roughly double that of an unmanaged service. So if you were to find an unmanaged vps service priced at $40, you should expect that the managed version of that would likely be around the $70-$80 mark.

But Which One Do I Choose?

The decision is completely up to you, however a range of factors can come into play, most of which have already been mentioned, that may influence your decision. It’s important to weigh up the prices of both services and compare them against your knowledge of the technology in order to work out what option will benefit you in terms of additional work and potential additional costs.

At the end of the day, if you don’t feel comfortable managing a vps on your own then it may be in your best interest to pay the extra cost for a completely managed service and let your hosting provider deal with the heavy lifting.

One issue that can arise from the additional control you have over the VPS is that of security. Specifically, certain applications you install or particular set-up and configurations can potentially expose your website or partition to a range of threats. For the most past, good Web Hosts will manage much of the back-end security for you as a way to ensure their servers remain in good standing. However, there are many additional precautions that you can take to ensure your virtual private server is as secure as possible.

VPS Security

1. Strong Passwords
The use of a strong password is essential to anything to do with the internet nowadays, whether it be for your internet banking, email account or obviously a web hosting account. When setting the password for your VPS control panel you should be opting for something containing a minimum of 8 characters which includes the following:

• A mix of numbers and letters
• A mix of lowercase and uppercase letters
• Inclusion of special characters such as underscores and hyphens

You should also avoid using any dictionary words or passwords that you have used on other websites.

2. Keep Your VPS Up To Date
One of the most obvious tasks for you to undertake is that of updating your servers operating system and applications on a regular basis. Many updates released by vendors include bug fixes, security patches and new features with an overall improvement.

3. Disable Services Not In Use
One of the benefits of a virtual private server is the ability to control the availability of the many services and daemons that are normally required with a hosting services. For example, should you not require email functionality, you can switch of the server mail service which will not only provide less attack surfaces on the server but also provide you with additional memory.

4. Regular Backups
Something you should be doing with any of your online assets is the creation of regular back ups. Backing up your website, server or application on a regular basis ensures that you have the ability to rollback to a recent version of your server should the inevitable happen. There are many backup tools available, both free and paid, that will do the job. Alternatively, most good web hosting companies will also offer a backup service that can be integrated with your VPS.

Keep It Secure

Although the chances of facing a security exploit is low, it’s always good practice to ensure you are taking the right steps to keep your virtual server as secure as possible. The above steps are a good start and will, for the most part, keep your web presence safe and secure.

There are many operating systems available for use including a multitude of Linux distributions or Microsoft Windows environments. Choosing the right one for you should be based on your websites or applications requirements and your technical ability to manage and maintain a particular operating system.

Available Operating Systems

As above, there are many Linux based operating systems and a selection of Windows systems available for installation on your virtual private server. The Windows environments are fairly standard in terms of how each work, although some editions offer an increased number of features, while each of the Linux distributions vary in terms of features, ease of use and specific usage cases. Many are also based on the same underlying source code or original distribution.

Linux Distributions

The following is a list of available Linux distributions, most of which are open source and free to use for both personal and commercial purposes.

Ubuntu
Ubuntu, one of the most popular distributions, is a free open-source Linux operating system overlooked by it’s parent company, Canonical Ltd. Ubuntu is beginner friendly and users are encouraged to modify, edit and learn from the underlying source code.

Fedora
Fedora, owned by Red Hat Linux, is a community driven operating system and moderated by a selection of members chosen by the Fedora community. Due to the relatively short life cycle of new Fedora versions, it is not generally recommended for software and product development.

Debian
Debian, one of the most popular Linux distributions for personal server use, is relatively easy to use and makes for a perfect OS for both website hosting and development. One of the most desirable features of Debian is the repository of thousands of pre-configured environments.

OpenSUSE
OpenSUSE is a popular general usage operating system which makes it a perfect choice for development and general server hosting. The OpenSUSE team also encourages members to modify and learn from the source code and interact with the community.

CentOS
CentOS, short for Community Enterprise Operating System, is an enterprise grade operating system that is popular within the online development community and makes for a great operating system for most virtual private server uses.

Gentoo
Gentoo, built with the portage package management system, is a free open source Linux operating system which has been designed to be easy to manage, maintain and use while still being extremely flexible, portable and modular.

Some of the other Linux virtual private server operating system distributions include:

– FreeBSD
– SlackWare
– RHL (Red Hat Linux)
– ArchLinux
– CloudLinux
– Scientific Linux

Windows Operating System

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems are generally more popular and most widely used within the corporate world due to it’s premium support and backing from Microsoft. In saying this, and can also be a great operating system for personal VPS use, however it does have a cost attached which may not be ideal for some.

Some of the Windows OS versions available include:
- Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
– Windows Server 2003 Standard
– Windows Server 2003 Enterprise
– Windows Server 2003 Data Center
– Windows Server 2008 Web Edition
– Windows Server 2008 Standard- Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
– Windows Server 2008 Data Center
– Windows Server 2012 Foundations
– Windows Server 2012 Essentials
– Windows Server 2012 Standard
– Windows Server 2012 Data Center

Choosing The Right Operating System

With so many choices available, for both VPS hosting and cloud web hosting, it is important to study and learn about each operating system before selecting the one that you find best suits your requirements. If you are unsure of which one is best suited for you, most virtual private server providers should have no problem in assisting you or recommending a particular operating system.

At the end of the day, each operating system generally provides similar features and support, so choosing one may be based more-so on their ease of use. This provides a few options for Linux distributions and also each of the web and standard Microsoft editions due to their familiar interface to that of a Windows PC operating system.

VPS Made Easy

An effective analogy is that of an ‘apartment’, or individual suite inside of a larger building. Before 2001, when VPS technology really began to excel, multiple users and multiple businesses would host their websites on a shared server. When one site had a problem, it potentially meant that all sites had a problem. With share resources there was also a security risk, as different hosts could theoretically gain access to other hosts on the same server. It was more like a staff canteen than an apartment building.

A ‘hypervisor’ moderates the all the virtual private servers run in a dedicated physical environment, allocating a predetermined and guaranteed amount of resources to each through creating a partition between users. Each ‘virtual server’ run on the primary physical server is isolated from the others. This means enhanced security, and the advantage of having a dedicated amount of RAM, processing time, bandwidth and memory allocated to your site and virtual server. High-traffic sites won’t hog the bandwidth, and there is no danger of cross-contamination when other sites malfunction.

Functionality of a VPS

Each ‘virtual server’, each client, has its own operating system. This means that you can upload any piece of software compatible with that operating system. The hypervisor affords clients ‘superuser’ status, enabling them to effectively make any changes to their VPS that they see fit. The hypevisor exists simply to allocate resources, but there are a number of support packages available, and they range from nil to semi- and fully managed servers.

Along with a dedicated amount of resources for each VPS client, there is also the option for multiple dedicated IPs and privately named servers that better support your company’s branding strategy. These features combined equate to a fully customised service on a high-performance physical server that also has enhanced SEO capabilities. A VPS will commonly include a web server program, a mail server program for e-commerce and blogging, and a file-transfer protocol to ensure that your website, or websites, operate as a self-contained entity.

Advantages of VPS

While sharing physical resources with other websites means that you won’t enjoy the degree of high-performance afforded through having your own dedicated physical server, a VPS performs exceptionally well for the cost of a subscription. Unmetered subscriptions offer an unlimited amount of file transfer for the prescribed amount of bandwidth available, and operate at speeds of 10, 100, or 1000 mbit/s, meaning that a VPS is often a more-than-adequate solution for small and medium businesses.

The enhanced security features afforded by a partitioned server usually includes monitoring and backup services, and changes can be made in real-time. Fast loading and high-traffic capabilities are essential for search engine optimisation, and you have the option to host more than one server. This is particularly useful if you want to run a ‘test site’ alongside your actual site, or host the micro-blogs or sites of your own clients.

Speed: A shared server that ties together everyone’s usage can frequently cause slow loading. Sites that offer more than a few static pages or that have increasing traffic levels won’t continue to grow if visitors must continually wait to access content. VPS offers increased CPU and memory resources that boost speed considerably and allow for greater interaction within a website.

Space: An ecommerce business with lots of inventory faces various difficulties on a shared server, and one of them is space. When a database gets too large, especially one that receives lots of activity, it will falter in a shared setting. Expanded, dedicated VPS resources allow such businesses to keep growing.

Security: The communal aspect of shared hosting makes everyone’s site vulnerable to viruses, script errors or denial-of-service attacks when any single account is breached. Growing business sites can’t afford the downtime economically, and they risk alienating regular visitors or turning away new ones with recurring problems. Having a reliable site where visitors feel consistently safe is essential. VPS allows users to configure their own security, and the partitioned nature of the hard-drive shields sites from crossover attacks.

Customisation: Shared servers have to consider the majority of customers by offering preset selections and few real options. Keeping a site interesting to an increasing audience can be difficult when changes and design choices must fit within shared parameters. VPS lets users do as they will in terms of design and setup both logistically and aesthetically.

Control: Using a shared server means accepting the entire package, including operating system, levels of file accessibility, application selection, firewall settings and more. If keeping a site growing within an environment that limits development and site manageability becomes too difficult, it’s time for an upgrade. With VPS, users can choose their operating systems, have root file access, install any software they like and configure it to personal specifications. Managing sites directly via a control panel, without needing a service ticket, and the ability to perform tasks through SSH or remote desktop applications are additional benefits.

Email Freedom: Sites that send significant quantities of email on a regular basis, such as marketing campaigns or newsletters to large numbers of subscribers, can easily outgrow the sending limits imposed by shared servers. Additionally, if a user on a shared server unleashes a spam attack, the lack of a separate, dedicated IP address can be detrimental to another site’s integrity, and the innocent site could be blocked. Businesses with several employees might run into problems with limited POP or IMAP connections as well. VPS offers a dedicated IP address, unlimited email sending, and unlimited POP and IMAP access.

Multiple Domains: Shared networks limit the number of user domains. VPS allows users to host an unlimited number of them. This is vital to anyone overseeing multiple sites for clients, such as webmasters and site designers, or for reseller hosting space for others. VPS lets users continue expanding their client bases, and the level of control it offers for managing the general server environment is also beneficial.

Advanced Features: Limitations of shared servers prevent the addition of advanced site features that draw frequent visitors. For example, with VPS, users can consider adding webcams or streaming live audio and video.

Shared servers are great for start-up businesses and small personal sites, but growth brings the need for change. VPS offers the expanded resources, capabilities and control that allow websites to flourish.

If a dedicated server is too elaborate for your needs, but you’d like to avoid the pitfalls that go along with shared web hosting, there’s a viable alternative that you should consider: a virtual private server. A virtual private server, or VPS, is a nice compromise between shared web hosting and dedicated servers. More people are turning to virtual private servers than ever. When you consider the many advantages of a VPS, it’s easy to see why. Discover a few of the top advantages of virtual private servers below.

Exceptional Scalability – It’s smart to keep an eye on the future. With a VPS, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to upgrade or downgrade as needed without having to endure any downtime at all. That’s because the VPS provider will manage your account as a server image. If you need to move to a new server, you’ll be able to do so seamlessly and without interruptions of any kind.

Unbeatable Control – If you’ve ever used shared hosting before, you know how stressful it is to be subjected to the whims of a hosting company. That’s not an issue with a virtual private server. Unlike shared web hosting, you will be the one who decides when the server needs to be rebooted, so it can’t happen at random. You will enjoy root access to your section of the server, which will give you the control that you need.

Top-Notch Security – With shared web hosting, a hacking attempt or virus that’s meant for someone else could inadvertently affect your server instead. After all, you’re sharing it with other users. A VPS acts more like a dedicated server because you have complete control over the firewall, anti-virus programs and other software. If VPS security is a top concern, you can’t go wrong with a virtual private server.

Superior Performance – With a VPS, the days of being negatively affected by other users’ activities will be over. With shared hosting, for example, another user could engage in activities that could slow your response times to a crawl. There’s also always the ever-present risk of crashing due to reduced bandwidth. When you use a VPS, you are able to use and manage your own memory, space and bandwidth. You’re not sharing those things with other users. Studies have shown that visitors will leave a slowly performing website quickly, and they are unlikely to return if a site is down when they visit it. With these points in mind, it’s essential to use a server that’s as reliable as possible, and that’s what you’ll get with a VPS.

First-Rate Flexibility – With a VPS, you are in control of everything. You don’t have to compromise on anything at all. You can choose the firewall that’s right for you, and you can adjust it as needed. The same is true about software. You don’t have to limit yourself based on the seemingly arbitrary rules that are often in place with shared hosting. In this day and age, it’s critical to have the freedom to do what you want with your site, and a VPS can get you there.

Remarkable Affordability – When you compare the cost of a VPS to the cost of a dedicated server, you’ll be amazed at what a difference there is. You can save a huge amount of money by using a VPS. Shared hosting accounts are even more affordable, but they also come with many distinct disadvantages. If you want the best features, performance and flexibility and need the best price possible, a VPS is the natural choice.

You no longer have to deal with the exorbitant costs and work that are involved with using a dedicated server, and you don’t have to contend with the drawbacks of shared hosting. Virtual private servers offer the best of both worlds. Make the switch today to see why so many people are turning to virtual private servers.