Having a virtual private server (VPS) has many advantages. You can run any Linux distribution you want (such as Ubuntu or CentOS) without having to worry about compatibility issues. You can add or remove services (such as PHP or MySQL) on the fly without having to worry about breaking anything.
The biggest advantage of running a VPS is that you have total control over the environment. You can install whatever you want, which can be quite liberating. There’s no confining yourself to what proprietary software is available, or what software is free only for personal use.
For those seeking convenience, fully managed VPSes are available, which means you don’t need to worry about maintaining the server. The provider takes care of all the technical aspects of the server, so your only responsibility is to pay for it.
Advantages Of A VPS
The great thing about a VPS is that it provides you with several advantages. Here’s a short list, with more information below:
Fully Managed VPS
If you’ve been holding off from deploying a VPS because you’re unsure about how much work is involved, then you might want to reconsider. Fully managed VPSes take care of all the technical aspects of the server for you, so all you have to do is pay for it and use it as you wish. This type of VPS is perfect for those seeking convenience since all the work is done for you.
This is usually sold as part of a hosting package, so if you’re seeking this type of hosting, take a look at what’s offered by the hosting company you plan on using. Most hosting companies provide this type of service, so you don’t have to worry about finding a VPS provider in case you don’t want this type of hosting.
Scalability
A VPS can easily be scaled up or down, as needed. If you have a limited budget and don’t want to commit to a certain amount of money, then this is a great option since you can simply remove the equipment you don’t need. When you need to scale up, you can bring up more servers, or move machines around to take advantage of spare capacity.
This is one of the main reasons why businesses turn to VPSes. They can easily scale up as needed without worrying about the costs involved. If you’re looking for a hosting option that can scale as needed, then this is something to consider.
Dedicated IPs
One of the main issues businesses face, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is limited IP address availability. When the restrictions are lifted and people can get back to work, the need for dedicated IPs will become even more apparent. This is where virtual private servers step in, as they can provide dedicated IPs to each customer, which makes them ideal for companies that are seeking to re-establish themselves on the web.
Having your own private IP address is useful for a number of reasons. First, you can use it to register your domain name. Second, you can use it to access websites that are otherwise blocked due to IP address restrictions. And last but not least, it provides you with a dedicated IP, which you could use to mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks. If you’re looking to purchase a virtual private server, then take into consideration the availability of dedicated IPs.
Isolated Environment
Just because the server is located in a data center doesn’t mean that it has to be connected to the internet. You can configure your VPS to be isolated, which prevents connections to the internet, preventing any risk of viruses infecting your machine. If you need a server that’s completely isolated from the internet, then this is a great option.
Isolated environments are great for security purposes, especially if you work for a company that’s handling confidential data. This is also useful for businesses that are concerned about employee security, as they can prevent any unauthorised access to sensitive information. If you work for a business that’s concerned about data security, then you might want to look into this option.
Performance
The web is a fast-paced environment. There are always new technologies and emerging trends, making it difficult to determine what’s going to be useful in the future. Virtual private servers provide a level of performance that’s usually on par with premium dedicated servers. If you’re seeking a more traditional shared hosting environment, then this is not the option for you. However, if you’re seeking a high-performance environment for your business, then virtual private servers are an excellent choice since you have complete control over the hardware and software that’s powering it.
It’s also worth mentioning that some VPS providers go the extra mile for their customers, offering them free additional services such as SSD drives, extra CPUs, or RAM. Just be sure to check out the terms and conditions before you purchase anything. Additional perks like these make a huge difference in terms of how your VPS performs, and it’s well worth having them. If you’re seeking an extra level of performance for your business, then virtual private servers are a great choice since you can get everything you need to ensure top performance.
Disadvantages Of A VPS
Just like any other piece of technology, virtual private servers have their drawbacks too. Here’s a short list with more information below:
Expensive
The great thing about fully managed VPSes is that they are very affordable. The prices are usually lower than those of a comparable dedicated server, and this makes them a much more viable option for businesses. If you’re seeking an economical solution, then this is something to consider.
Limited Control
A VPS gives you limited control over the server. You can’t configure everything that can be configured, which is where you might run into issues. If you need to make changes to the server, then you’ll have to contact the support staff, who will help you out as best they can. This is generally not the type of control you’d want for a business operation, especially since you might be creating content for public consumption.
Security
Since the server is always connected to the internet, it’s always at risk of being hacked. You can prevent this by configuring a firewall on the server to only allow certain IP addresses and ports to connect to it. If you need security, then this is something to consider.
Dedicated Hardware
Having your own hardware isn’t a problem when it comes to running a virtual private server, but it’s generally not the most cost-effective solution. If you’re seeking an economical solution, then this is something to consider since you’re not necessarily guaranteed to have the hardware you need to run the server. If you’re seeking a dedicated solution that’s guaranteed to work, then it might be better to rent a computer from a company that has a business unit specifically geared toward that purpose.
No Custom Hardware
Depending on your needs, you might not want to go the virtual private server route at all. If you need a solution where you can install whatever software you want, along with having full control over the hardware and OS, then this is something to consider. If you’re seeking a cost-effective solution, then this is not necessarily the option for you since you won’t be able to install whatever you want, unless it’s already available in a data center.
Alternatives To A VPS
There are several alternatives to a virtual private server. Most notably, the cloud. As previously stated, the cloud has brought about a paradigm shift in terms of how we do business on the web. Instead of having dedicated servers where you can install whatever you want (provided you have the required financial backing), all of the computation takes place in the cloud, and your dedicated server simply provides a place for you to log in and access your data. This is generally a much more cost-effective solution, provided you have the necessary funding to make the cloud investment.
Cloud Versus On-Premise
Since the cloud has made its way into almost every major industry, it would be a shame to not take advantage of its many perks. One of the main differences between the cloud and on-premise is that the cloud is always accessible, meaning you can have access to all your data from anywhere, at any time, provided you have an internet connection. Even if you lose your internet connection, you can still have access to your data thanks to the cloud. This is why so many businesses are turning to the cloud, as it provides them with flexibility and peace of mind, especially in these unprecedented times.