What Are Virtual Private Servers?

Virtual Private Servers are a hot topic these days for good reason. They combine the
control and security advantages of a dedicated server environment with the lower cost
of a shared server environment. Virtual Private Servers should not, however, be
confused with Virtual Hosting, which is a completely different type of shared-server
environment.

With Virtual Hosting, you are sharing the physical server and you are also sharing
a single set of software applications, which is configured and controlled by the
server’s administrators – not you. Unlike Virtual Hosting, a Virtual Private Server
is a single physical server that is “partitioned” at the root into multiple virtual
“dedicated” servers. This allows you to share the cost of hardware, network
connectivity, and system maintenance with other hosting customers while still
enjoying the flexibility and freedom of a dedicated server.

The popular analogy you often hear is that of a condominium complex. The entire
condo building itself represents the hardware of the physical server while each
individual condo represents the “virtual” dedicated servers partitioned within it.
Each tenant maintains control over access and what goes on inside their own unit,
while everyone in the complex shares the cost of building maintenance and common
services.

In the Virtual Private Server environment, only the hardware is controlled by the
server administrators while the software is controlled by you. Because you have root
access to the server, you pretty much have complete control over the function of your
Virtual Private Server. You usually get individual Web, FTP, POP, IMAP servers and
SMTP gateway. You also have access to the “virtual” root, Telnet and your web server
configuration files. Plus you’ll have full CGI-BIN access, complete log files and
access to your password and aliases file and sendmail.cf. In other words, all the
comforts of a dedicated server at a fraction of the cost.

For these reasons, a Virtual Private Server can be an excellent solution for small-
to medium-sized businesses that have increasingly complex needs for their Web sites
but also need to stretch their budget. Coming soon – a new Specialty Showcase is
currently under development for Compare Web Hosts specifically for hosting companies
that offer Virtual Private Hosting solutions. Just one more way we are working to
make it easier than ever to shop, compare and buy the latest innovations in Web
hosting.

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