Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting can be a good option for your blog

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting is becoming more popular as it offers the flexibility of a dedicated server but much lower priced compared to a dedicated server.

Previously, we wrote some articles on Server and Hosting, you might find them helpful too:

• What is a Server; this is written for the new users.
• WordPress hosting options : What must to look for
• Finding the right web host for WordPress
• Turning an old computer into a web server of your own

Today, we are going to discuss about Virtual Private Server (VPS) only.

Brief introduction on Virtual Private Server (VPS)

Virtual Private Server hosting is becoming more popular to the world of blogging. This is a new option to get rid of the problems of shared web hosting. It is actually a way of dividing a server into two or more dedicated servers. It can run  on different partitions on the physical server so that all work independently of each other.

The main benefit of Virtual Private Server (VPS) is that each website will have its set of custom resources taken from a common place, such as physical memory (RAM), processes, software and networking tools are independent for each site. Each Virtual Private Server users get a share of the physical server and are not interdependent on the work load of the neighboring sites. It will be the same feeling like a dedicated server.

The main advantage of Virtual Private Server hosting  is to reduce the costs. Dedicated servers require a large investment. Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a great option for people looking to buy dedicated services at a moderate cost.

Understanding the Difference between a Shared Server and a Virtual Private Server

Shared Server: If your hard drive is 1000 GB, it may host 700 sites. If any of them consumes a lot of RAM, the rest will go slower. The free servers are of this type, they host hundreds of webpages that share all the resources of a single computer (server).

Virtual Private Server: The computer dividing their resources. If the physical machine has 2 GB of RAM and 4 websites hosted, each insured will have 500 MB of RAM. The hard disk is divided too. You can not share equally the microprocessor though! Problem will only arise if either the hosting company is very bad (actually hosting 200 sites and saying 4, for example) or your neighbor of Virtual Private Server is a forum. It will suck the processor’s power and actually we can not deny that a hard disk has a physical data seeking latency which increases if RAM and Processor are already overloaded.

This problem is somewhat solved by providing “maximum burstable RAM”, but frankly if you get a forum as neighbor that has 10K visitors at some moments, you will suffer.

Managed Virtual Private Server

Dedicated servers can be managed by you from the control panel. You can only install the programs you want and if you want the technicians to help you, you have to pay the hours.

Frankly, its cheap to go for unmanaged Virtual Private Server but it is convenient to use a Managed Virtual Private Server.

Rule of thumb is, if your website is new, go for unmanaged Virtual Private Server, it is cheap but you will do mistakes but you have the time to learn. But, if you are transferring a already popular running blog, always go for managed Virtual Private Server.

The hosting companies charges a huge for managed Virtual Private Server; it is OK to pay; but, the fact is, there are web hosting companies whose “support engineers” (who will manage) are worst than you can do yourself.

You can find lot of examples in the web hosting forums : we found one user, whose whole website on a Virtual Private Server was deleted “erroneously”, he requested to enable Keep Alive.

Things to look for a Virtual Private Server

• Avoid affiliate reviews, forums generally gives a better neutral opinion.
• The hosting companies usually gives 1-4 virtual IP addresses. Ask directly what is the charge for “extra IP address”. It should not be more than $ 9 / year or one.
• There is a new breed : Demi or Semi Virtual Private Server. You’ll not get the root access. Ask whether you will get the root access to your Virtual Private Server. Without the root access, the cost should be 1/2 to 1/4  that of usual Virtual Private Server.
• Monthly Data Transfer limits
• Name Server is / are charged or not
• Must look for the must have features for WordPress (if you’re going for WordPress)