Virtual Private Server is better known as VPS and is also commonly known as Virtual Dedicated Server or VDS. Are you familiar with this type of a server? This involves a process through which a physical server computer is divided into various servers; each of the servers is capable of running on its own machine. Therefore, each virtual server will be separated from the others, and thus it becomes a ‘private’ server.

Web hosting firms have come up with VPS for providing features that are essentially reserved for a dedicated server at an affordable price. Know the details of the web hosting company so that you make the right choice.

VPS is in trend as a result of the development of virtualization software and technologies for different companies. To provide a better idea of the functioning of the VPS, you need to have some basic information. If there is a server with 2 x 2GHz processors, 100GB of disk space, 2GB RAM and comes with 10 VPSes, then each VPS can gain access to a CPU of 400 MHz, 10GB disk space, and 200MB RAM. Of course, the entire thing will be depending on the VPS software in use. VPS also has the option of sharing hardware resources.

VPS hosting - will it work for you?

With VPS hosting, you get all the benefits associated with dedicated server hosting, and all this comes at the price of shared server hosting. With VPS hosting, you gain root access and this makes installation and configuration of all the programs convenient. You also have the option of hosting numerous websites. You can also host servers like an FTP server, mail server and any other kind of server. You can host various virtual servers on one physical server by using VPS. What more, you can also use the server for file storage and backup.

Benefits of VPS plans

VPS plans are usually hosted on Windows, Linux and FreeBSD. There are people who prefer having Linux VPS plans than Windows VPS plans, owing to the fact that Linux VPS plans are less expensive. Make sure that your choice of the VPS plans are based on the purpose you need them for. Virtual Private Servers are just perfect for individuals and businesses searching for an affordable dedicated server. You will find VPS plans to be much more flexible than the virtual hosting plans.

Colocation is a type of internet server hosting. With Colocation, companies buy rack space in a Data Centre and store their own server equipment there. These Data Centre’s are facilities purpose built for this purpose. It is a way for companies running there own servers, but not having to have them on the site of their own business. Multiple customers are located at these Data Centre’s, but each own their own rack space and server’s. There are both advantages and disadvantages to Colocation, compared with hosting your own server on site, or just basic web hosting.

Bandwidth is cheaper in a Colocation Centre than it would be if you hosted your own Server. As bandwidth is shared between many servers, the cost is reduced. This also has the advantage of there being extra bandwidth should it be necessary. Unlike managed hosting, with Colocation you own your server and therefore have control over it, and can upgrade if you want to. There are large power and mechanical systems, and due to this website speeds can be much quicker. Having your server based away from your own site means that your internal networks are freed up and can be used for other purposes.

As colocation centres specialise in this area there are superior backup protection in case of any problems. If the is a power failure, for example, there is unlikely to be the same issues as there would be if you were hosting your own server. This means websites can continue to run. Colocation can be beneficial to small business, who want some of the features of a large IT department without the high costs. Most centres have the facility for customers to pay extra to have their server managed and maintained. Servers are kept in a safe environment at Colocation Centres. There is security, and servers are kept in a fire safe and temperature controlled environment.

As with most things, Colocation has disadvantages as well as advantages. It may be cheaper than hosting your own server, but it is more expensive than basic web hosting. Therefore if web hosting is all that is required, then that is the best option. There is an initial cost involved as you have to pay for both the rack space at the data centre and the server itself. Once you have outlaid these initial costs, you still need to pay for bandwidth, usually on a monthly basis. This cost will vary depending on the amount of bandwidth that has been used. If a particularly large amount of data has been transferred during the month, then you could have quite a large increase in costs that month. Of course, this can also work the other way, with the cost being less than expected.

As the prices fluctuate month on month you don’t have the security of knowing the exact amount you will be spending. Unlike Managed Hosting, you also have to pay whenever your server equipment needs updating. One of the benefits of having your server located at your own site is that it is there with you, whenever you need it. This is not the case with Colocation, and you will need to travel to the Data Centre when you need to perform any tasks. Unless you pay someone else to do it for you, you have to maintain your own server equipment, much like hosting you own server, but unlike managed hosting.

There are many things to take into consideration when deciding whether or not Colocation is best for your business. You need to take costs, practicalities and the amount of control you have into consideration. Colocation can be a very good alternative to web hosting or managed hosting, depending on your own individual needs.

Once a term only used by governments, cloud hosting is making its way to businesses both large and small. According to Wikipedia, cloud computing “is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the internet.” Image a multitude of servers that are connected through networks to create a cloud where companies are able to store data. Essentially, this cloud acts as an outsourcing agent for server and storage needs.

Just because cloud hosting is becoming a new buzzword, adoption may or may not be the best choice for your company. Read over these pros and cons to learn more about your options with cloud computing.

The Benefits

Hosting your information on an outsourced system (that is maintained by a third-party) can really free up space and cut costs. With cloud hosting, you can

• Access your data at all times - not just while in the office
• A physical storage center is no longer needed
• Most have a pay structure that only calls for payment only when used
• Relieves burden on IT Professionals and frees up their time in the office
• Easily scalable so companies can add or subtract storage based on their own needs

The Negatives

If you are going to move all of your information to data centers situated outside your company, then security should be of utmost importance.

• Lost control comes with handing over your data and information
• Depending on third-party to ensure the security and confidentiality of data and information
• If your cloud host disappears, where does your information go?

If you are a small business, or even a Fortune 500 company, cloud computing can take a large expense and make it work for your budget. Funding the servers, software, and information technology professionals can be a real burden and finding cost-efficient means through cloud hosting can be very beneficial.