Keys to VPS Hosting
Web hosting can seem like a complex world and choosing a home for your new website may not be the most straightforward process if you’re new to the various types of web server configurations. Rest assured, however, choosing the right host is a simple task once you have a basic understanding of your options. One of the most popular options in web hosting today is VPS hosting. VPS stands for Virtual Private Server and refers to a virtualized web server that runs within a physical web server’s root operating system. Read on to get a full understanding of the keys to VPS web hosting.
How VPS Web Hosting Works
To better understand VPS web hosting and be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not it’s the right type of hosting for your own website you should do a brief review of how it works.
VPS hosting works by the creation of a virtual instance of web server that runs on a physical web server. This is much akin to running a virtual operating system within your root operating system with a tool like VirtualBox. Web hosting providers create virtual web servers on a singular physical web server to keep server operating systems compartmentalized and separated from those used by different websites and prevent resources from going to waste.
When you’re issued a virtual, private web server you can choose what to install on the server without affecting other websites and other accounts located on the same physical server. This means you’ll have more control over your server environment and that other users on the physical server won’t be able to affect your own files or operating system.
When to Choose a VPS
Knowing when to use VPS website hosting can be tricky at first. VPS website hosting often costs a little more than traditional shared hosting but performance-wise is much closer to a dedicated physical server. With a dedicated physical server you will have an entire physical server that you can utilize but access to such resources is often more than what’s needed for typical websites. Dedicated servers also cost an order of magnitude more than VPS servers given the vast amount of resources they use and the inefficiencies involved in dedicated server systems.
If you want more control over your server environment appreciate the privacy and security of having your own server then a VPS web hosting solution is probably right for you. It’s also a good choice if you intend to operate more than one website or a single website with multiple subdomains, as shared hosting plans don’t always allow for these options.
Making the Most of Your VPS
To reap the full benefits of your VPS server you will want to eventually set up traffic monitoring and file backup systems. These are great features for any website even if your current traffic is only measured in the hundreds of visits per month. VPS web hosting systems allow for total control over which traffic monitoring software you use and even go a step further by allowing you to see how much of the server’s resources you are using at any given time. This statistics will help you determine the busiest times for your website so you can create ads and other marketing efforts to reach your audience at their ideal potential visiting time.
VPS web hosting environments also lend themselves nicely to automated backups and redundant file hosting policies. Since VPS web hosting typically allows for more storage space than a traditional shared hosting environment you will be able to create plenty of backups of your website and files without having to worry about running our of server space.
Customizing Your VPS
Most VPS web hosting providers allow you to customize your VPS to a great extent. This includes everything from choosing your operating system or database software to configuring the cache and call limits of website and app data transmission protocols. For example, on a VPS you will likely be able to update PHP, CMSs, and other server-side software without having to contact your hosting provider to do it for you. You can also benefit from configuring your own server in this way through optimizing it for SEO and security.
With your own VPS you will be free to choose which platform you host your website on, how many websites you’ll operate, and how much resources each website should get. This is a great way to save money and divvy up your hosting budget across multiple websites.
After reviewing these essential keys to understanding and operating a VPS you are now well prepared to decide if VPS website hosting is the right fit for your projects. If you enjoy added control over your server environment or like to update the server-side software on your own to improve SEO and security, then VPS web hosting is probably the best choice for you.