Now that company has found the ideal web hosting service candidate, it is time to decide which type of server best meets the needs of their online business website. There are three main options to choose from including a dedicated server, a shared server and a VPS, also known as a virtual server.
By definition, a server is simply a specific computer, directly connected to the Internet, located anywhere in the world that holds all the files and directories used to create a website. It has the capability to provide input and output, and communicate with connected users across the web. Using its central processing unit, RAM and hard drive, it works 24/7 managing a specific site.
Dedicated Servers Are Expensive
Web Hosting Sites can provide a private server that is completely dedicated to all of the computing needs to operate a website around-the-clock. Typically, this offers high-speed transfer rates, even when many multiple users are connected to the website at the same time. This however, is the most expensive of the three options.
Shared Hosting Shares Problems
The most common, at least expensive, choice in website servers is a shared hosting plan. Using a single server, many different websites all share the same computing capacities to manage all the various sites at the same time. This option dramatically reduces the overall monthly cost of maintaining a single website, though it has its disadvantages.
Because the different sites share the same RAM, should one or more websites, sharing the same server, all have a high volume of traffic, it can slow all the remaining websites input and output down to a crawl. Additionally, should the actions of a single website cause a crash on the server; it affects all of the websites completely. The shared hosting option also leaves the server unsecured between the websites, and is not a good choice if you know your site will have constant heavy traffic.
The Benefits of VPS
The last choice, a virtual private server, or VPS, is the newest type of website server available through hosting companies. It operates on a system somewhere between sharing a server and using a dedicated one. Its monthly cost is slightly more than shared hosting, but significantly less than the expense of the dedicated server.
The concept of a VPS is to construct a large number of virtual servers inside the computer by creating multiple virtual partitions between each of them. These new virtual partitions are in essence a distinct virtual server with a unique identity as well as its own individual operating system. It sets limits and boundaries on each partition, not allowing one or more websites to harvest away large amounts of the CPU and RAM from the other neighboring sites.
Another benefit of a VPS is that should any website existing within the server crash its operating system, it does not affect any of the other sites. It also provides the opportunity for that particular site webmaster to immediately reboot its own operating system, to bring the site back up online.
Understanding the benefits and costs of each particular site server option will provide enough information to consider a budget. Professional web hosting providers can help any company decide which server is best for their particular website needs.