What Are the Different Types of VPS Hosting?

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Virtual private server (VPS) hosting supplies the cyber real estate a website needs for its digital presence on the web. Web hosts are proprietors who erect a website and maintain it for visitors who access the site on the Internet by typing in its URL.

What is a virtual private server? TechTarget defines it as "a virtual server that appears to the user as a dedicated server but is actually installed on a computer serving multiple websites."

An individual server can simultaneously host several VPSs, each virtualized environment, or virtual machine (VM) offering a separate operating system (OS) to clients. Each client can access the VM's OS but not the host server. This "root privilege" or unrestricted ingress into the OS permits clients to configure the VPS for their specific use-cases.

Fully-Managed or Self-Managed VPS Hosting?

While several types of VPS hosting abound, tech laity need only recognize two options: managed VPS and self-managed VPS. For most clients, a fully-managed VPS solution is the better alternative.

Tech neophytes typically lack the back end development skills and experience to self-manage a VPS. A hosting provider is only obligated to guarantee tenant availability to a self-managed VPS. The client is solely responsible for server configuration, management, and maintenance.

While a self-managed VPS solution offers greater flexibility and software customization to clients, any misstep can cripple website performance and even lead to site crashes. Should such an unfortunate event occur, the onus is on the client—not the provider—to restore order.

The Advantages of Fully-Managed VPS Hosting

While fully-managed VPS solutions may not provide the carte blanche software and development options of self-managed VPSs, the latter option nonetheless offers clients wide latitude in customizing applications for their specific needs.

Self-managed VPSs grant root access to clients, enabling them to edit system files, set up VM software configurations, and administer account users and their privileges. However, host providers have the final say over any VM software installation. They determine when and what software and hardware elements are installed on the network. Generally, most providers "bend over backward" to accommodate the needs of their fully-managed VPS clients.

 

The potential inconvenience of these restrictions is more than offset by the support a fully-managed hosting solution provides. These include:

 

• Robust cybersecurity and system monitoring: the provider of a fully-managed hosting service continuously monitors client networks for malware (viruses, ransomware, etc.) and dubious web traffic patterns that may indicate the presence of dedicated denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
• With system monitoring, a hosting provider addresses any web traffic surges and automatically provides the system resources needed to serve these additional visitors.
• Automatic system updates: the hosting provider proactively schedules these events—including hardware replacement—and assumes all responsibility for their performance. 
• Safeguarding data: system files, applications, and web servers are continually backed up numerous times daily and evaluated to look for vulnerabilities. Should the unthinkable occur, data is restored immediately with minimal disruptions?
• 24/7 tech support: Client receive round-the-clock support for network-related issues such as sluggish load times, server errors, hardware failures, and cPanel (a web-hosting control portal)-supported migrations.

Obligations of Self-Managed VPS

As stressed previously, the client has sole responsibility for the performance of his or her virtual server and its associated websites. What does this entail?

• Software adaptions and revisions to support specific organizational use cases and needs
• Managing server interfaces for shell access
• Configuring firewalls
• System backups and restorations
• Installing and updating anti-virus software (AVS)
• Creating passwords to protect the VM's root directory

Which VPS Hosting Solution Is Right for You?

The reasoning underlying a client's choice for VPS hosting is intuitive. If a client is a tech-savvy, experienced back end web developer, he or she will want the unfettered freedom and flexibility of self-managed VPS hosting. Conversely, those with finite tech skills and knowledge of server environments will leverage the support and peace of mind a fully-managed hosting solution provides.

Does a fully-managed VPS host cost more? Yes, but consider it insurance to keep a business' website(s) up and running. And, like insurance, one tends to discount technical support until it's needed.