Adopting A VPS: Six Excellent Reasons
Have you considered a virtual private server in place of your shared hosting account? Did you know there is a better way to grow?
A virtual private server is one of those IT industry buzz-phrases that can seem quite baffling to industry newcomers. Like containers and cloud storage, the intangible nature of this concept can add a sense of mystery to something that’s actually a thoroughly sensible and affordable method of computing resource allocation. If you’ve ever wondered how relevant a VPS might be for you, now’s the time to investigate.
What is a Virtual Private Server?
A virtual private server is a subsidiary of a virtual machine – an operating system or emulator running on one computer while resembling another device. A VPS sub-divides resources among multiple users, creating self-contained environments in which each customer can operate independently without requiring the exclusive use of a server. There are also no issues regarding competition for resources, which can sometimes be the case with less sophisticated shared hosting solutions.
Why Invest In VPS?
Cheaper than dedicated hosting and more flexible than shared hosting, a VPS represents a cost-effective solution for anything from hosting a blog or website through to sharing documents among employees or backing up data. These are six common reasons for choosing a VPS, and the benefits that can be achieved as a result:
#1. Remote information access.
The cloud has given us all a taste of being able to access data from multiple locations, such as webmail or shared music files. Viewing or editing files wherever you happen to be is great for collaborative projects, as well as giving employees the freedom to work remotely on any accredited device.
#2. Simplicity.
Dedicated servers cost money and require a significant amount of technical expertise to install and maintain, while shared hosting can be constrained by other clients. VPS represents a middle ground for companies wanting root level access without ongoing maintenance responsibilities, in a secure virtual environment.
#3. Website hosting.
Outsourcing site hosting to a shared server provider can cause issues – if one site crashes, the entire server may go down, while enforced software updates can be a real pain. Using a VPS for site hosting ensures a stable and flexible environment, without the cost or responsibility of buying and maintaining a server.
#4. Security.
A VPS comes with full access for installing and deleting software, as well as being able to regulate security permissions. Even if one VPS is infiltrated, others will be protected, which isn’t necessarily the case with shared hosting. As hosting providers will already have rigorous security in place, peace of mind is assured.
#5. File storage and backups.
If you have unused space on your VPS, these hard drive resources can be easily used to backup sensitive or valuable data. If you regard this as free file storage (since the VPS is already being paid for), it represents a secure and endlessly customizable alternative to limited cloud storage platforms like Dropbox.
#6. Beta testing.
It goes without saying that any new website, app or software package requires extensive testing before it goes live. A VPS provides a stable environment for debugging and evaluating programs before officially launching to the public. With the appropriate login credentials, beta testers can experiment on different hardware; operating systems; internet connection speeds, etc. Real-time backups are also very easy to accomplish.
If you haven’t thought about how a VPS might impact positively on the way you run your business perhaps now is the time.