With its low prices and relatively no-frills offering, VPS hosting can sometimes seem like an appealing option. But is it the right option for you and your organisation?
Posted on 28 June 2016 -
BY Tibus
VPS is the industry standard abbreviation acronym for virtual private server hosting. It is no surprise that the acronym is preferred given that the full name is a bit of a mouthful and also gives an immediate insight into the limitations of this particular type of web hosting.
When you opt for a VPS hosting package, you’re essentially trying to capture the benefits of private cloud or dedicated bare metal hosting on a budget and with fewer admin and management responsibilities. Inevitably, there has to be some compromises (otherwise there would be no such thing as private cloud hosting or dedicated bare metal hosting, and everybody would opt for VPS).
Generally speaking, VPS is the creation of a single hosting environment for a client within shared infrastructure or hardware.
In terms of the services offered by Tibus, VPS involves the non-physical aspects of a server setup being built and dedicated to a single client. A VPS hosting customer might share some physical components with other clients.
The main benefit of VPS hosting is cost. It is generally the cheapest form of hosting and can therefore be a very cost-effective option.
Another benefit is that it is easy to manage. With the hosting company usually in charge of the hardware involved, a client needs only to look after those ‘virtual’ elements.
VPS hosting is well suited to websites with modest visitor numbers. For busier websites, a VPS hosting setup is unlikely to have the scale required. But it can be a useful options for quieter sites.
It is also a good option for those who are not intending to host or capture valuable or confidential data. When hardware is being shared, there is always an increased risk of falling victim to a cyber attack. A lax approach to security by another client could give hackers a route into the server, which may make it easier for them to access your data.
If such security considerations are a concern for your website, a private cloud server or dedicated bare metal server - both of which involve all components of the hosting infrastructure being dedicated to a single client - will offer more peace of mind.
READ MORE: Here's a tip for adding an extra layer of security to VPS hosting.
