Virtual Private Server (VPS): What is it?

Byjames brown

For many, VPS servers are the ideal middle ground between shared servers and dedicated servers. Are you all unfamiliar with these terms? Then you’ve come to the right place because we explain and clearly what VPS means, what costs these servers are associated with, and what else you need to know about VPS servers!

THE MEANING: WHAT IS A VPS SERVER (VSERVER)?

VPS stands for »Virtual Private Server. « In principle, this name says it all: It is a virtual server that is used privately. But since there are a lot of very similar terms and confusion quickly arises, we prefer to describe the whole thing in a bit more detail.

VIRTUAL SERVERS EXPLAINED

Imagine a potent computer, i.e., a hardware device you can theoretically touch. It is the basis for every VPS server:

  • On this hardware are several virtual parcels, the VPS servers.
  • The VPS servers use the hardware resources (CPU, RAM, storage space, …), and each runs with its operating system, e.g., Windows or Linux.
  • All individual virtual servers are entirely independent of each other.
  • The hypervisor’s communication interface, i.e., an abstracting layer between the hardware and the virtual servers.
  • As an admin, you can freely personalize a VPS server.

If you rent a server as part of a hosting web package, you alone have the admin rights for your server “compartment” (so-called root-access). Not only can you freely choose the operating system on the Cheap Windows VPS server, but you can also install software programs as required.

You could compare the principle with a rental house (albeit without the virtual aspect): All apartments share the electricity and water supply of the house. However, only the people who live in them have access to individual apartments. They can furnish the apartment as they wish. 

WHAT DOES A VPS SERVER BRING?

With a virtual private server, you have significantly more resources at your disposal than, e.g., is the case with shared servers. (In the shared server model, multiple websites share a server and use its resources simultaneously.)

A VPS server is without question an exciting option when it comes to a larger web project where you need robust and fail-safe performance and root access. If you want to run an online shop, set up a mail server, or similar, you will quickly reach the performance limit with shared servers – a situation that should, of course, be avoided.

Another significant advantage of private vServers is that you don’t have to worry about the hardware with this model because your web host takes care of that. Again, your responsibility lies at the virtual level.

If you want to use a Cheap Windows VPS Hosting server, you should have specific basic administration knowledge in the root directory.

Using the apartment building example above again, let’s assume you brought your washing machine with you when you moved into the apartment. If there is a problem with the house’s water supply, the landlord has to care for it. On the other hand, if the washing machine breaks down, it is up to you to find the fault and arrange for the repair.

It’s the same with VPS servers: if there’s a problem on the website related to a change you made yourself, that’s not the web host’s responsibility.

HOW DO I INSTALL A VPS SERVER?

You don’t have to install a VPS server in the sense that you take care of all the software from scratch. It’s more about finding a hosting provider from which you rent a virtual server. Your web host will then guide you through the activation process. What to look out for when choosing such a provider, read below in the text!

VPS SERVER WITH WINDOWS OR LINUX?

You can decide for yourself which operating system should run on your VPS server since the individual virtual servers do not affect each other. Popular variants are Windows versions or Linux.

Ultimately, you are the best judge of whether it should be Windows, Linux, or a completely different system. If you decide to use Windows, please note: The Windows operating system is associated with a license fee, and the Server Edition cannot be compared 1:1 with Windows on the desktop.

VIRTUAL DEDICATED SERVERS, DEDICATED SERVERS, AND MANAGED VPS SERVERS: WHAT’S WHAT?

VPS servers like the ones we just described are also known as Virtual Dedicated Servers. “Dedicated” means that this server is reserved just for you. However, there is a slight, subtle difference between virtual dedicated servers and dedicated servers per se. It is also good to know what managed VPS servers are all about:

  • Dedicated servers are hardware servers that you use alone if you choose this hosting. It’s the most powerful hosting option of them all (and not the cheapest).
  • The hosting provider maintains managed VPS servers. The name says it all – the web host takes care of updates, maintenance, etc. As an admin, you still have full access rights.

Which VPS model is the most worthwhile depends, among other things, on what requirements and previous knowledge you have. Unfortunately, this decision cannot narrow down much more precisely. But where we can help is the question of costs: What budget do you need for a VPS server, and is it even free?

COST: ARE THERE FREE VPS SERVERS?

In short, free VPS servers do exist. However, it is sensible to use such a server as another matter. As is often the case with free offers, you have to be prepared for certain losses with these VPS servers. It can affect storage and traffic capacity or security and support.

The fact is: You can get the Cheap Windows VPS servers and the associated services from your hosting provider for around 10 euros per month. It is a comparatively small investment and worth considering for anyone who manages professional websites.

If, on the other hand, it is only about setting up a VPS for Minecraft or other gaming purposes, using the server for a private, small blog, or similar, there is, of course, nothing to be said against free VPS servers.

VPS HOSTING IN COMPARISON: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Once you have decided on a VPS server, the work begins because there are a dozen providers. If you have already asked yourself what is important when looking for a hosting package for VPS servers, here is the answer!

Pay special attention to…

  • …the computing power
  • …the storage capacity – The operating system on your VPS requires storage space, as do backups, logins, etc.
  • …the main memory – from 2 GB upwards, you are on the safe side with small to medium-sized projects.
  • …the server location – A server on the other side of the world may mean slower loading times; the data center’s site plays a role. 
  • …the scalability – could one theoretically upgrade if more resources are needed?

CLOUD SERVER VERSUS VPS SERVER AS »PRIVATE CLOUD«

As the name suggests, virtual servers are sometimes equated with cloud servers. However, that’s not entirely true because the only significant similarity between cloud and VPS servers is that virtual resources are provided in both cases.

So, what is different about the cloud server compared to the Cheap Windows VPS Hosting server? Quite simply: cloud servers are a network consisting of several virtual servers. There is no central hardware component, but additional servers can potentially connect if the capacities of a single server are no longer sufficient.

Theoretically unlimited scalability – isn’t that much more practical than VPS servers? Well, at this point, the weaknesses of cloud servers should not neglect:

  • A cloud server cannot personalize to the extent that VPS servers can.
  • With cloud servers, web hosting is exclusively web-based. Therefore, in theory, a cloud service is more susceptible to external attacks.
  • Some cloud services are billed according to “Pay Per Use,” i.e., the capacities used are billed. On the one hand, this is practical, but on the other hand, these costs cannot be calculated as precisely as with a VPS server with a fixed monthly price.

That’s not to say cloud servers are a terrible choice across the board. A server system without a central computer can suit the right project.

The bottom line is that the choice of the server is and always will be a very individual matter, in which one can only speak of “better” or “worse” to a limited extent. In any case, a VPS server with the right hosting package is an efficient matter for many types of websites – probably also for yours!

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