Lesson #5: What is VPS Hosting
In Lesson #1, we spoke about shared hosting and we likened shared hosting server to a high-rise apartment building with 300 units, and then we likened those 300 units to 300 individual shared hosting accounts sitting on the same server.
Lesson 5 Table of Contents:
Now, let us examine VPS hosting. In this lesson you will understand what makes VPS hosting different from shared hosting and if it's the best option for you at this stage.
What Does VPS Stand for?
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. Essentially, a VPS is a server that has software and partitioning setup to emulate a dedicated server, all while still technically using a shared machine.
What is VPS Hosting?
VPS Hosting is generally defined as the bridge between shared and dedicated hosting (Lesson #5 will explain Dedicated Hosting). VPS is one of multiple virtual servers residing on the partitioned dedicated server. Based on the capabilities and appearance of the VPS, customers feel they have a dedicated server. Each VPS can run its own operating system, and each server can be independently rebooted. In a shared hosting environment, all hosting accounts residing on the same server run on the same operating system.
If shared hosting is likened to a high-rise apartment building, then VPS hosting can be likened to a townhouse complex. In other words, there is a lot less to share with others. Instead of 300 or more shared hosting accounts sitting on the same server, there may only be 10 to 20 VPS hosting accounts on a single web server.
Of course, all these VPS hosting accounts still share the same Internet connection, but since there are less hosting accounts residing on the same server each account can utilize more bandwidth at any given time.
Just like renting a two-bedroom townhouse will cost more than renting a one-bedroom apartment in the same part of a city, having a VPS hosting account will cost you more than having a shared hosting account.
If you will be running an online business and you already expect a lot of visitors, you will be hosting a lot of high-resolution photos, you will be offering some higher bandwidth usage downloads and applications, you don’t mind paying more by knowing that you will be sharing a server with less customers, then you may want to consider getting a VPS hosting account. Of course there are many more reasons why you may want to choose VPS over shared hosting but remember that it comes with a higher price tag.
Click Here to see an example of an affordable but yet reliable VPS hosting provider. Nice thing about this VPS hosting provider is that you can pay monthly and cancel your account at any time.
If you need more help with understanding VPS hosting and whether you should choose it, please feel free to contact us.
The next lesson will talk about Dedicated Hosting, the most expensive option.
Disclosure: WebHostScout.com does not charge you any fees, but receives a commission from web hosts for each customer referred. Our commissions are withdrawn, however, if customers do not continue with the hosting provider for a reasonable length of time.
Therefore, WebHostScout is committed to providing information on the best hosts available. It is to our benefit as well as yours that you find a web host that will satisfy your long-term needs.