Although the end product of both VPS and Cloud Hosting may seem similar, the functions, practices, and operations of these modes are very different. Sure, both ultimately provide a similar hosted solution; however, the way in which they work radically changes the final product.

VPS, or Virtual Private Server, refers to a web hosting plan in which the virtual server appears to users as a dedicated server, but is installed on a computer that serves numerous websites. As such, the physical server hardware is shared. That being said, VPS does not use a computer as a server. Instead, VPS works as software within a user’s personal computer and functions like a separate computer dedicated to each individual’s specific IT needs. In doing so, VPS acts as a middle ground between shared hosting (which has lower costs) and a dedicated server (which allows for complete control). In utilizing this mode, users are allotted in full configuration, customization, and administration as they would with a dedicated server; however, they do not have to pay for a dedicated server. Instead, the server is divided (virtually) into pieces, which still maintain the same functionality. This means that each user that utilizes VPS Hosting is assigned a specific piece of the system’s resources, which they then tailor to their needs.

Though some may think this assignment of space is limited, that is never the case. In using VPS, users are able to modify their systems based on the resources they purchase—i.e. Memory, speed, space, etc. As such, solutions can be scaled and flexed quickly based on users’ needs. With both dedicated and shared hosting, users pay for the amount of storage and processing power. This allows users to scale their systems much more effectively and efficiently. Despite this, some users may still feel this mode to be limiting; however, all of the available resources are configured within the virtualized hardware’s limits. Additionally, users are also able to tailor and customize their system to specifically fit their own needs. While scalability, flexibility, and customization are great perks, they ultimately work to allow for greater control over one’s system, as well as increased reliability of one’s system.

As control and reliability are byproducts of flexibility, scalability, and customization, VPS Hosting security are a byproduct of control and reliability. Typically, security emulates greater with VPS as the systems security standards those of a dedicated server. Additionally, in doing all of this, VPS Hosting is typically found on one souped up server. As such, data is centralized as it is stored within a specific, defined portion of the given server in one location.

While VPS Hosting is typically stored on one server, it is also able to be delivered via cluster; however, it rarely is. Instead, this is typically how Cloud Hosting is delivered. Cloud services are quickly becoming gaining popularity and Cloud Hosting is no exception. Cloud Hosting works across a network of (interconnected) servers that compose the cloud. As a result, the data is rendered from various servers. That being said, there is typically little to no downtime with Cloud hosting—which means there will always be a server available to handle users’ needs. This is in stark contrast with both traditional hosting modes (i.e. Dedicated and shared hosting).

With this in mind, it’s clear that this difference in availability greatly differentiates the cloud from VPS in terms of flexibility, scalability, customization, and even pricing. As stated above, cloud servers eliminate down time; therefore, servers are always available to users. This is not the case with VPS Hosting—i.e. Users purchase their resources, which dictate their system usage. With this variance in mind, pricing, scalability, flexibility, and customization cannot be as they are with VPS Hosting. Instead, resources are on-demand with the cloud —meaning service is billed based on users’ resource usage (i.e. Bandwidth, CPU usage, Memory Utilization, etc.). So, where billing would typically be monthly with VPS Hosting, Cloud Hosting is able to issue up to the minute billing rates. Separate from pricing, scalability and flexibility are also very different.

While VPS allows users to scale their solution accordingly, Cloud Hosting instantly scales based on resource usage. Additionally, flexibility is almost infinite. As resources are distributed across various devices, resources are continuously available, and therefore easily expandable/flexible. While this can be extremely beneficial for users, this does present the problem of less effective controls and security.

Though Cloud Hosting is able to scale and flex to users’ specific uses, the practices are not controlled by the user. Scalability and flexibility are neither achievable nor maintained by the user; therefore, control and security are greatly limited. As stated above, VPS Hosting stores data within one centralized location. Inversely, Cloud Hosting implores a number of servers at once. As such, data can be spread across numerous cloud devices/machines; therefore, it’s impossible for users to know where data is stored at any given time. On the other hand, however, in working across a network of servers, the cloud is able to provide greater redundancy and failover, which VPS doesn’t typically account for.

VPS and Cloud Hosting both have their intended uses. Typically, small businesses implore VPS Hosting as it provides customized website without the cost of a dedicated server. Additionally, Cloud Hosting is typically preferred by enterprise-level businesses as it allots for greater flexibility, redundancy, etc.; however, this does not always hold true. Regardless, both of these modes have significant advantages and disadvantages; it’s simply a tradeoff. While both have their intended users, it’s ultimately up to users to select the best option for their needs.

The strengths and weaknesses of both these modes are opposite reflections of the other. For example, Cloud Hosting allots greater flexibility and scalability as it works across a network of servers; however, in doing so, it limits control and security. Inversely, VPS augments control and security by working over one location; however, in doing so, scalability and flexibility are less elastic. Although the end results are similar, there are many functional differences between VPS and Cloud Hosting.

by: Michael Ventimiglia, Managing Editor and Tech Enthusiast at CloudHostingHQ & GetVoIP – a leading source for VoIP Provider comparison, and Service Reviews.

For most of the medium sized businesses getting a dedicated server is not possible due to the huge costs associated with it. In such a case, businesses can certainly opt for bodHOST’s virtual private server often known as VPS or VPS Hosting. It is one of the best and affordable alternatives to a high-end dedicated server.

Unlike shared hosting and similar to a dedicated server, a virtual private server offers various benefits for SME’s and SMB’s. Some of the core advantages of having a bodHOST’s Virtual Private Servers are listed below:

Cost Savings – If you are small or medium sized business, or a business that is just getting its first step in the industry, you will need to search for ways to save your money. If your requirement is a dedicated server and it’s out of your price range, then choosing a VPS Hosting service would be a good option as it will save dollars for you without compromising the server features.

Complete Isolation – bodHOST‘s Linux virtual private servers are completely isolated from other customers’ vps. It simply means that, no customer can make changes or interfere with another customer vps, even if they are offered with administrative access.

Root Access – Most of the time businesses don’t need the power of a dedicated server, however their main requirement is to have administrative rights to manage various things on their server. Unlike shared hosting, the bodHOST’s VPS Hosting provides the client with the “superuser” powers which enables clients to modify various system files including the adding and modifying users. Customers can also manage, restore and re-install their Linux vps by their own without relying on the bodHOST’s technical support team.

Completely Secure – bodHOST’s Virtual Private Server’s architecture is completely loaded with firewalls and strict security measures are set in order to ensure that customers’ vps stays away from malicious and brute-force attacks.

Easily Upgradeable – If you recognize that your business is growing fast, then a VPS server allows you to upgrade the resources and plan to the higher one or opt for a dedicated server very easily.

Certainly, bodHOST’s VPS Hosting is perfect for SME’s and others who can’t afford a dedicated server but want to take benefits of dedicated server features.

Web hosting companies provide shared hosting services with a lot of features, but sometimes they set heavy limitations for secure environments.

For example:

• You generally use PHP / MySQL or ASP.NET / MS SQL.

• There is no access to the web server logs or logs to MySQL or MS SQL.

• You have to use phpMyAdmin, though there are certain limitations over MySQL / MS SQL access.

• You cannot install web applications of your choice.

• Services on ports are disabled other than port 80.

You can enjoy total freedom by hosting a website on your home based machine, but there are certain limitations.

• You have to leave your computer on 24x7x365 days.

• The download or upload speed will be slow, so your website will be slow to access.

• Vulnerable environment for website, means your personal machine can be easily hacked.

• You have to troubleshoot errors yourself.

Hence, you need to consider a new generation of trustworthy hosting type that is increasingly popular: The hosting of virtual private servers.

Principle:

• It gives you access to a virtual machine located on a large server and a high-internet connection ( virtual machine behaves like a dedicated server ).

• Your virtual machine ( VPS server ) will have a certain amount of dedicated RAM, disk space, dedicated IP addresses.

• You can choose any operating system according to your requirements.

• You will get root access to your virtual server and much more.

From there, you can do absolutely anything you want on your virtual private server.

For example:

• You can shutdown / reboot your virtual machine.

• Ability to install a web server (Apache, Tomcat, Lighthttpd, or else!), PHP, ASP.NET, MySQL, MS SQL, Python, Ruby, CGI, etc.

• You can can install your own programs.

• Able to set as many services as you want (http, ssh, FTP, SMTP/pop3, etc. …).

• Reinstall in a few minutes the entire operating system (on request).

• You can upgrade your virtual server resources such as RAM, disk space (on request).

This is a new way of the hosting service which gives you total freedom on the server.

 Benefits:

• Total freedom on server.

• You can install what you want, as long as you have a license (python / CGI programs compiled by you, etc..).

• You can run all the services you want.

• You can stop / restart the machine whenever you want.

• You will have SSH access to your machine to control the environment.

• You will have access to a console that allows you to take control of your machine.

Note:

It takes skills in system administration, for example:  if you are not familiar with installation of Apache / Tomcat, MySQL / MS SQL,  PHP / ASP.NET configuration, server security then it is recommended to opt fully managed services from the web host.

Virtual Private Servers (commonly referred to as VPS), act like dedicated servers but are instead serving multiple users. Each user can run different operating systems or hosting software.Hosting software for VPS may included a mail server, web server or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program.

Such programs make it possible for your site to become “interactive” so-to-speak. eCommerce sites as well as blog sites rely on hosting VPS software to function accordingly. Furthermore, Virtual private servers are great for companies who need a website tailored to their needs but cannot afford a dedicated server.Which leads us to another point; VPS monitoring.

What is VPS Monitoring?

Suppose you run aneCommerce site. If you are a small business, do you really have the ability to monitor the site 24 hours a day? Most likely not, but, what if your checkout page goes down un-expectedly at 2:30 am? Chances are you won’t discover the problem until later that morning.

If and when a person goes to buy something from your website and cannot, they’ll eventually give up and leave the site. Although this is a hypothetical situation, scenarios like this happen all the time to eCommerce sites. There’s precisely where a VPS monitoring service may help. Some VPS devices may log system errors enabling you to trouble shoot the problem.

Some VPS providers include 24/7uptime policy, which basically means if your site goes down, they will be able to fix it a.s.a.p. Third party applications may send an automated text message to you phone whenever it detects server downtime. While this may not be a pleasant way to be woken up in the middle of the night, the sooner you are notified the faster you can be up and running again.

You don’t need to be a web-developer to monitor your VPS during business hours either. Third party monitoring software does exist which you can install on a VPS server. Start monitoring the following:

• Processing orders
• Un-sent email
• Files system storage
• Process status
• CPU usage
• Disk I/O

BIO: James Mulvey is a tech writer and blog editor at Colocation America. He covers a wide variety of topics within the data center industry, from tech trends to industry news.

Bodhost’s Linux dedicated servers are offered with the choice of cPanel/WHM and Plesk if you require a web-based control panel through which you can manage your dedicated server and any hosting related services, for example clients and web hosting plans. As the only other method of management available to you as a Linux dedicated server administrator is through SSH, a web hosting control panel is strongly recommended as an addition to your hosting package so that you are able to fully utilize the features and power that a dedicated server can offer.

The most popular control panel for Linux servers in any case is cPanel; not only is cPanel a low cost control panel suite, but it is also uses system resources efficiently to ensure that your server remains stable, even when under load. Some of the core features of cPanel include:

• cPanel comes in two parts: the cPanel control panel is designed for end-users to manage their own shared hosting accounts and websites, whilst the WHM control panel is slightly more complicated in its features and GUI with the main aim of allowing system administrators and resellers to manage their part of the deal effectively
• Along with the previous benefit, cPanel is also available in two different packages depending on whether you are using a VPS server or a dedicated server; this is at the core of the control panel’s ability to effectively use the resources that it has available
• Full support for the management of MySQL databases is also possible through Plesk, specifically with the aid of the PHPMyAdmin database management system.

cPanel is often seen as being the most complete solution available to Linux system administrators and is the ideal platform for anyone with a Linux Dedicated Server who is looking to start their own web hosting business. Like any other web hosting control panel, cPanel offers the facilities necessary to create and maintain your own web hosting clients, based around your own web hosting plans.

We here at Bodhost can also offer you the Plesk control panel for your Linux dedicated server, but we don’t feel that this can offer you the same benefits and features as cPanel. Along with Plesk, we can provide installation services for any control panel that you wish to use on your Linux Server.

Windows Control Panels

With our Windows dedicated hosting plans, you will find that you are more limited with the choice of control panel offered by Bodhost as we only support Plesk on our Windows servers. However, you shouldn’t let this change your mind about choosing Bodhost as your Windows dedicated hosting provider because Plesk is one of the most feature-rich web hosting control panels available for the Windows platform. Some of the features offered by Plesk that you will find useful include:

• Full support is offered for the ASP.NET 4.0, the latest version of the framework, so that you and your hosting clients are able to retain full control of how the framework impacts on your hosting environment and any applications that have been developed using it
• Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL Server (for Windows) can both be integrated into Plesk so that you are able to manage the databases hosted by both applications from the control panel
• Support for various other third-party applications is also included with Plesk to aid the security of the web hosting environment through virus detection on the server and performing backups of the data hosted on a regular basis.

If there is another web hosting control panel that you would like to use with your Windows dedicated server then you should contact Bodhost’s 24×7 support team as they can offer assistance with the installation of a number of different applications; however, it should be noted that you will need to purchase and supply your own license in the case of commercial applications.