What are the basic principles of VPS and dedicated server hosting? What are the main differences between these platforms & what tasks are they suited for? In this article, we will answer these questions and offer some insight into which option is better for your business-related or personal goals.
What is VPS and how does it benefit users?
A virtual private server is a segment of a physical server with its own set of characteristics: CPU cores, RAM, storage space etc. This segment is created using a hypervisor, a kind of software that creates multiple virtual representations of a physical server’s resources and fully isolates them from one another.
Some of the main benefits of VPS are:
- improved performance thanks to dedicated resources;
- better security due to full data isolation;
- increased reliability;
- low price.
Unlike in shared hosting, other client’s resource usage can’t affect the performance of your VPS. Each client gets a defined resource quota; for example, if another users gets a surge of traffic, it will only affect the performance of their services. Meanwhile, your resources will only be used for your tasks, giving you full control over the performance of your hosting platform.
Likewise, this high level of isolation excludes the possibility of other users accessing your private data. While multiple clients use the same physical machine, every VPS is a completely separate entity which cannot be used to access another user’s data. In addition, most VPS providers grant root access and allow clients to implement any security measures they need.
In terms of price, VPS sits as a middle ground between shared hosting and dedicated servers. It gives users a bigger chunk of a server’s resources without dedicating all hardware to a single client. This makes virtual private servers a great option for cases where a dedicated server is too much and shared hosting is not enough.
What are the basics of dedicated server hosting?
A dedicated server is a physical machine used entirely by one client. Naturally, this platform offers better performance than other hosting solutions which require users to share the resources of a server. It is also referred to as a “bare-metal server”: when you rent it, you get the hardware and complete freedom in customization and resource management.
Here are some of the key advantages of dedicated servers:
- high security;
- high performance & full control over resources;
- more customization options;
- more stability due to physical isolation.
This type of hosting is a good option for any tasks that require maximal performance. Not having to share resources lets you allocate and use them however you need without worrying about software-based caps; the capabilities of your hardware are the only limit. This makes dedicated servers a good choice for corporate use.
Physical isolation prevents any cases of hardware failures caused by other users. Using dedicated hardware significantly lowers the risks of unexpected crashes and lets you control the strain on the equipment. Furthermore, your service provider’s support team can resolve issues and implement changes without thinking about the effect this may have on other users.
Finally, dedicated servers eliminate the possibility of your data being affected by security breaches in another user’s system. They also give much greater freedom in implementing security measures in addition to physically separating your personal data from other users.
Which platform should I choose, a VPS or a dedicated server?
If raw performance is your priority, dedicated servers are a better choice. For instance, if you need to run an entire package of software, work with databases or deal with high traffic loads on your website, the resources of a dedicated server will be able to deal with these tasks efficiently.
A VPS, on the other hand, is useful for tasks that don’t require the power of dedicated hardware, such as: hosting websites with a moderate traffic load, testing software, hosting online games or running specific programs. For example, Serverhino offers VPS-based solutions for tasks such as hosting WordPress, Forex or Minecraft.
Dedicated servers are generally more secure than VPS. If a virtual server is poorly protected, malicious attacks on other users could potentially affect your machine, whereas this is impossible with dedicated servers. While VPS hosting is a secure solution thanks to the hypervisor, there are cases where it is better to completely eliminate the possibility of security threats outside of your immediate control. The same logic can be applied to reliability.
It is important to consider that some of these factors depend on your service provider more than they do on the solution. For example, we at Serverhino store our virtual servers and our dedicated servers in Tier III, ISO/IEC 27001-certified data centers with free DDoS protection. While a virtual server may have more vulnerabilities than a dedicated server by virtue of its technical characteristics, these risks can be mitigated by comprehensive security measures.
Both VPS hosting and dedicated servers offer plenty of customization options. However, the latter has an edge due to the user not being limited by other clients using the same hardware. For example, some VPS providers outline the kind of software that can be used on their virtual servers to guarantee a stable experience for every client.
In terms of scaling, dedicated servers are also the better choice: while some providers offer the option of resource increases within a certain limit, you won’t be able to add or replace hardware. If you need additional disk space for your dedicated server, all you have to do is request it and your service provider will install it.
While the technical characteristics of dedicated servers surpass those of virtual servers, VPS rental will be much easier on your budget. Think of it like this: while an expensive sports car may surpass a regular SUV in terms of speed, you don’t necessarily need one to drive to a supermarket two or three times a week.
In short, the question of choosing a hosting platform comes down to matching your tasks to the price and performance of a solution. If you run a small online store, a virtual server will likely be enough to handle the traffic and give users a smooth experience. However, as the project grows, you may need more resources to deal the influx of users and host additional software. This way, a dedicated server will become cost-efficient considering the new tasks. As long as you understand your goals and pick your service provider well, choosing a hosting solution won’t be a difficult task.
