How VPS Works
A VPS (“Virtual Private Server”) is a physical server that is divided and sold as multiple virtual machines.Each virtual server has its own operating system and server software, allowing each division to operate like its own server. Every virtual server has its own provisioned resources, meaning that it is guaranteed a certain amount of RAM and processing power. It’s important to keep in mind that a section is still part of a bigger server that holds the hardware that is used. Each virtual server is programmed to think it only has its provisioned resources, and so cannot use more, even though the physical server has more resources. This keeps a virtual server from using more hardware than it is provisioned.
When you buy a VPS, you are given one virtual division of a physical server. There can be multiple people on a single physical server, but each person is contained to their own VPS. Because each division operates like its own server with its own operating system and software, it is secure from its fellow VPS server sections. And, if you have a managed VPS like pair Networks offers, the server software will automatically be updated.
Weighing Price and Quality
Naturally, you want to find the best deals for your VPS hosting. Just be sure you don’t compromise quality for the price. So, in order to help you make an informed decision, we’re going to explain how hosting services calculate prices for their VPS hosting.
In order to lower prices, hosting services decide how many people they’re willing to put on one server. Since the likelihood is incredibly small that everyone will be on the server at the same time and max out their provisioned resources, hosting companies will “overcommit” their servers. This means that they will sell more provisioned resources on a server than the physical server technically has. It’s not a problem as long as all the users don’t get on and max out their resources at the exact same moment. If it did happen, the processes being run would slow down.
Now, the problem is when hosting companies take overcommitting too far. If you see a price on a VPS that looks too good to be true, it probably is. A lower price probably means more people stuffed onto a server, increasing the risk of reaching the server’s limits. Inexpensive VPS hosting usually means you’ll end up “paying” in another way.
Some hosts might lower costs by offering inferior quality hardware or hardware that is not up to the rigors of web hosting. Datacenter-quality hardware is built to withstand the pressures of constant use as well as major surges in usage that come with peaks in web traffic.
Finding a Quality VPS
Many VPS’s are unmanaged or do-it-yourself (so-called “self-managed”). They may offer hardware replacement, but not the technical support. Some hosting companies, like pair Networks, offer fully managed VPS packages. Managed hosting guarantees you the disk space, CPU, RAM, and bandwidth you paid for, up-to-date server software, and technical support.
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to get the most out of a managed VPS. Managed VPS are configured by the hosting service, so you don’t have to do any server setup. You just take care of your website and contact the support team if you have any questions.
Beware of Imposters
Watch out for unscrupulous hosts that claim they’re managed when in reality, they mean that they look after the hardware and datacenter but leave you to deal with the server software, systems administration, and tech support on your own. Make sure the host you’re looking into has a good support system in place. For example, pair Networks is fully managed, meaning that we provide software management, our own control panel, and a 24/7, 365 days-a-year US-based support team to assist you with account usage itself.
Some public and private cloud services are cheaper, but they don’t have the same assurances as managed services. They also often excessively overcommit VPS resources, crowding you onto a server that is already to capacity.
Looking at Specs
When looking for a quality hosting service, be sure to check out the hardware they’re offering. You may be tempted to compare one hosting company’s vCPU to another’s, but you should actually look at the processor’s model. Research their names and see if it sounds like it has enough power to handle your site and traffic. Also, keep in mind that datacenter quality hardware is superior to regular consumer or business quality hardware. This is because datacenter hardware is built for heavy usage and constant activity.
You should also compare the number of virtual cores a VPS is offering. The more cores offered, the more power the server will have.
When inspecting RAM, look at the DDR generation number. The higher the number, the newer the hardware is.
Ease of Upgrading
So you’ve assessed your site and found a VPS package that seems that it will fit really well. Great! Now check out how the company handles upgrades or downgrades. Your site may grow or decrease and you may eventually want to move to a different package. Make sure the process doesn’t look like a huge pain, because you may have to do it someday. Don’t fret! There is VPS hosting with easy upgrade/downgrades out there. For example, pair Network’s upgrading and downgrading is easy, painless, and can be done in your account’s control center.
VPS Search Tips to Remember
So, when selecting a VPS, make sure the VPS server has the right resources for your site. Also, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. They will most likely make you “pay” in other, less obvious ways. Make sure the company has a good support team in place to help you with any questions you may have. Lastly, be comfortable with their upgrade or downgrade process. You don’t want to subject your site to slow run times just because you’re dreading going through the upgrade process.
The process of selecting the right VPS hosting service for you can be long, but if you find that VPS server with the perfect combination, you won’t regret it.
