A VPS (Virtual Private Server) has become very popular among customers as a web hosting option. It’s guaranteed to save money on hardware, shares system resources, is very reliable and flexible, is easy to administer with full root access, rebooting and repairing/restoring online is possible anywhere from backups, it’s independent and costs a whole lot less than some dedicated web hosting package.
Managed VPS
The type of managed VPS hosting differs as per the provider. This is the most viable and suitable option in case you are not very tech-savvy. Here the host takes care of applications and system updates that you need. Managed VPS varies from provider to provider and is usually referred to as a partially-managed service that might assist you in upgrading the operating system core (e.g. Linux Kernel) but might not help in solving issues that shared hosts normally would (e.g. email problems). Some of the features of managed VPS include:
- Downtimes are next to zero as you are provided with a fault-tolerant mechanism and infrastructure.
- Security is ensured by monitoring firewalls, investigation of fishy traffic movements and vulnerability scans.
- Managed VPS is exceptionally fast.
- Monitoring systems inform you of various machine parameters and other security risks.
- Support can be sought 24/7 throughout the year.
- Level of scalability offered is very high.
- Backup is easier, as is the migration in case of any hardware failures.
Inspite of these positives, managed VPS has certain drawbacks. First is the high cost involved. Second is the actual lack of control in hosting. Depending on the provider you choose, the host calls all the shots on equipment and software decisions once the site is live and running. Changing on demand is also not simple.
Unmanaged VPS
In this type of VPS hosting, the host only takes care of the physical server and its availability. To use unmanaged VPS, you need a lot of technical knowledge and familiarity with applications and operating systems you choose. The user is responsible for upgrades, maintenance and application installation. Technical support is usually limited to outages or hardware failures, and the backup is your responsibility as well. Unmanaged VPS offers the below features:
- Complete self-management including full range control and remote server access.
- Full administrative power with complete privacy for your information.
- Allows outsourcing of administrative duties to another expert as the work is very specialized and labor intensive.
- A lot of flexibility as unmanaged VPS providers allow you to carry out upgrades to enhance your business growth. Guaranteed server maintenance and safety.
- A very fast level of service.
- Unlimited allocation of resources for enhanced scalability.
- Financially a highly viable solution.
Managed vs. Unmanaged
Most moderately sized companies can save money by using an unmanaged VPS host if they possess the resources and technical knowledge required for sustained operation. On the other hand, larger companies are better off opting for managed VPS services as it will save them a lot of time. The factors that should influence your decision when choosing between these two types are,
- The amount of money your company is willing to spend.
- The type of applications that will be installed.
- Your manpower and the presence or absence of corresponding technical knowledge.
This is a guest post written by Sathishkumar, who works for a Dedicated Hosting company, Nethosting.