Useful information

Virtual dedicated server. Guide to hosting.

Although still new in some areas, in the most of the world, hosting provided in the virtual dedicated servers is something that has already been there for a while. There, it enjoys the same stable demand and popularity, as regular hosting.

Large and non-standard projects are usually run on dedicated physical servers, which require significant resources for purchase and maintenance. The benefit of this solution is that the user can have custom software setup, optimize system performance and install all necessary software. However, it is not uncommon that only a fraction of potential performance of such hardware server is used. This situation was recognized by software developers as a challenge to create an instrument that would allow splitting one physical computer into several independent virtual machines with full access and administration options. The solution developed was called Virtual Private Server – VPS (or Virtual Dedicated Server - VDS). We would use the second acronym, VDS.

VDS is a virtual server, yet it allows you the same degree of control as a physical, hardware server at your desktop, or in the hosting provider’s data center. This includes full access under root (uid=0), all system parameters configurable and any required software installation allowed. Here is no place for limitations imposed by the provider not wishing or being unable to install the required utility or library.

With all this, solutions based on VDS are not something entirely new. In fact, many companies worldwide have been using this type of hosting for more than 30 years now since the age of the MainFrames. Yet, until recently, such technologies were too expensive for someone other than large companies. However, today this kind of hosting is present at the market for affordable price – but with guaranteed robustness, manageability and scalability. Under this option, compared to the traditional hosting, user gets a higher-level quality of service.

VDS means full access with root privileges.

VDS means possibility to configure any system parameters and applications.

VDS means possibility to install the custom of system libraries or to change the existing ones.

VDS means possibility to delete, add or change any files in the system.

VDS means possibility to install any software or reconfigure the existing system software.

VDS has its own IP address, ports, filters and rules of routing.

VDS means full ownership and control over the processes, users and files in the system.

VDS provides ssh-access, personal web-, mail-, and ftp servers, and much more.

Until recently, having all these possibilities in one service was indeed very expensive.

The Virtual Dedicated Server is recognized for high security level as compared with the traditional shared hosting, in which there is no option to have full protection from the resource attacks. Under VDS, the disk subsystem, network, processor and other components are fully virtualized. This approach allows full isolation of different VDS’ from each other. Users may do whatever they wish to their servers, starting or stopping any of them, and even causing errors – this won’t affect performance of the other virtual servers hosted on the same physical server. Resources dedicated to each virtual server – memory, CPU time, space in the hard drive – are limited so that no VDS could claim all of the machine’s resources and thus affect the other VDS’.

Taking account the market trends, it is possible to suppose that VDS service would be interesting to many web-resource owners. Current trends of development of website building technologies require more resources, options and custom settings, than can be provided under the traditional shared hosting. Thus, the users get more possibilities. Also, many rented computers and dedicated physical servers may now be favorably changed for VDS. Design studios may easily provide their clients with optional hosting services by re-selling VDS. With its unmatched flexibility in terms of server management, the VDS service would be in high demand by the ‘advanced’ users.

However, the VDS is also a good choice for the beginners. What they get is fully configured operable system with user-friendly content management panel. Beginning to learn the art of website administration from a VDS-hosted site, it will be easier for a beginner to turn into a UNIX-based systems expert.

Thus, the VDS service is filling the niche between the shared hosting and a dedicated server, also called ‘co-location’. Advantages and flaws of the technology will be clear from comparison of these services.

Difference from shared server:

You have full control over the server, with access to the operating system core. Under shared hosting, you can access only some of the software, at provider’s choice (www-, mail-, DNS-, ftp-server).

1. At your disposal you have fixed resources of the server, including memory and CPU time. Under shared hosting, only your disk space is fixed, while the other resources are distributed between all the clients based on the ‘first come – first served’ principle.

Difference from co-location:

You are limited in terms of choice of the operating system. You may install any OS you like on a dedicated server.

1. You are limited in terms of the access to the hardware. While you may install additional memory on your server under co-location, you will need to change your subscription plan in case of the VDS.
2. Cost of the VDS is one step less than that of the co-location.

Administration services are included into the subscription plan. You are not bound to the geographic location of the data center, you don’t have to hire a system administrator or pay extra for maintenance. Your server will be brought up after an emergency situation and you don’t have to worry about updating your system software.

What you should have in mind when choosing a provider? It’s not easy to say… We can recommend you to take test accounts from all possible providers and compare quality of the services, paying special attention to how technical support works through the day. Actually, it is professional technical support, in addition to the significant cost advantage, that makes VDS so much more attractive than buying your own physical server.