Virtual private servers are a platform that offers performance similar to that of a dedicated server, but for a lower price. However, every hosting solution has its own set of features that make it more or less useful for specific tasks. In this article, we will look into 6 cases where renting a VPS is the best solution.
Use-case 1. Website hosting
Along with shared hosting, VPS is one of the most popular platforms for hosting websites. Unlike public hosting solutions, virtual servers offer more computing power and a higher level of data isolation. This is achieved using a hypervisor, a type of software that divides a physical server into multiple virtual machines. Depending on the host, the configuration of a VPS may be comparable to that of a dedicated server for a noticeably lower price.
These technological advantages of VPS are used for corporate websites that experience a lot of traffic. The resources you order are fully dedicated to your project, which solves the issue of other users affecting the performance of your website when they get traffic spikes themselves. This advantage is especially useful for e-commerce projects since it offers users a smoother shopping experience.
Hypervisors make your data completely inaccessible to other VPS users sharing the host server. High security is a must-have feature for websites that process client data, including online stores. Full root access to the virtual server allows you to implement any security measures you need in addition to the systems offered by the provider, such as DDoS protection.
Use-case 2. Remote desktops
Virtual servers are a popular solution for remote desktops due to their high computing power and low price. In this case, the VPS functions as an employee workstation with the full functionality of a regular desktop PC. This kind of solution is easy to scale, especially if the VPS provider offers software templates that can be used to deploy new desktops quickly. For example, Serverhino offers multiple Windows templates which can be used to set up RDP connections and start working quickly.
VPS-based RDP servers a convenient solution for both corporate and personal needs. Renting a VPS is cheaper than buying a powerful PC, especially when it comes to providing work tools for an entire company. With RDP, the user’s computer functions as a thin client – its job is to provide access to a system which uses the computing capabilities of a remote virtual server. This means that the configuration of the user PC is irrelevant to the programs running on the remote desktop.
As a rule, using VPS for RDP is also more cost-efficient than renting a dedicated server. The computing capabilities of virtual servers are more than enough for day-to-day office tasks involving software such as the Microsoft Office package. Unless you need the computing power of an entire bare-metal server to run specific programs with high technical requirements, a virtual server will solve your tasks without being a burden on your budget.
Use-case 3. Video game servers
It is possible to run a gaming server on shared hosting or even your personal PC; however, renting a VPS is a major step-up for the price. A VPS with a fast CPU and 8 Gb of RAM or above offers significantly better performance and less lag for players. The conditions of a professional data center also contribute to a smoother experience: fast and redundant network connections will ensure a stable connection to the game server.
Virtual private servers are often used to monetize gaming servers. The dedicated resources of the VPS are used both to run the game and process transactions in the in-game store. This is rarely possible with shared hosting due to technological limitations and the lack of root access, which is needed to install the relevant software.
Renting a VPS is also a good way to improve the stability of your game. Fault tolerance measures such as redundant components ensure that the players won’t experience downtime due to hardware failures. However, it is always vital to have a backup system in place in case of unforeseen circumstances. For example, we automatically backup client data every 24 hours and store 7 of the latest reserve copies at all times.
Use-case 4. VPN servers
VPNs are often set up on virtual servers in both corporate and personal settings. A VPN server can be used to browse the internet safely, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks, or to bypass restrictions if a site is blocked in the user’s country. A virtual server is also an inexpensive platform for a company to set up a VPN for its employees and protect corporate data from malicious actors.
While companies can use VPN solutions hosted by a third party, renting a VPS for your own virtual private network has a number of advantages. The VPS is only used by one client, which means that other user’s resource usage won’t affect the speed of the connection. In terms of price, renting a VPS may also be a cheaper option; you choose the hosting platform for the VPN yourself based on your budget.
Self-hosted VPN servers also allow for greater customization. With ready-made services, you get exactly what you pay for, and the service is made to be as universal as possible. When setting up your own virtual private network, you’re in full control of its every aspect. If you need a specific VPN solution that can’t be provided by third-party services, the extra time and effort may be worth it in the end.
Use-case 5. VoIP server
Voice over IP services have a number of uses, from organizing conference calls between coworkers to talking to your friends while gaming. Setting up VoIP on a VPS is a quick and affordable way to solve these tasks. A virtual server can either be used as a dedicated platform for the VoIP service or it can be installed alongside other services due to its relatively low technical requirements.
For corporate uses, it is better to use the VPS as a dedicated platform for VoIP. For example, if your Technical Support department uses VoIP to communicate with clients, you may also wish to record the conversations for quality control. This will be more efficient if the storage space of the virtual server is dedicated solely to this task.
VoIP can also be installed on your gaming server to facilitate communication between players. Reliable VPS’ offer low latency, which is useful for all games, but especially for ones that require fast-paced communication such as CS:GO. Furthermore, the location of the server affects latency as well; you get control over where your VoIP server is located when you host the service yourself.
Use case 6. Email server
An email service is part of the standard package of tools for virtually any company. While hosted email services are a convenient solution for personal uses, their corporate counterparts are not free. Some businesses solve this by hosting their own email servers; however, the cost of maintaining a physical server may outweigh the benefits of this solution. Renting a VPS is a simple way to use an email server while spending less.
When using a provider’s VPS, you only pay for rent. Other expenses such as maintenance, power and component replacement are the responsibility of your provider. Furthermore, there are plenty of open-source email clients available on the market: your spending on an email service can be limited to the price of the VPS itself.
Hosting an email server on a VPS lets you fully customize the solution. You choose everything, from your preferred email client to the security measures that will protect your confidential correspondence. Furthermore, unlike shared hosting, VPS services often include dedicated IP addresses. This means that other users cannot affect your IP’s sender reputation.
How do I pick the right VPS?
Besides the technical demands, each of the listed use-cases has a basic requirement: reliable service. Finding the right VPS configuration for your task is easy; however, factors such as additional services and the approach to customer support must be taken into account as well.
We at Serverhino aim to deliver our best when it comes to each of these factors. Our offers include ready-made solutions for hosting Minecraft servers, trading on Forex and deploying websites with pre-made software packages. We will also manage the VPS for you on-demand; focus on achieving your goals while we handle the day-to-day.
Our Technical Support team is available 24/7 and ready to help or provide a consultation. We don’t have paid support packages; every user gets the same quality of service. The best way to evaluate the quality of customer support is often to ask a question; reach out to us and see it for yourself.
