VPS Web Hosting

InMotion is our top rated hosting provider. They offer multiple hosting plans, including virtual private servers. For more details click here!

What is Virtual Private Server?

Virtual private server, or VPS, represents a cheap solution for dedicated web hosting. This technology, consist in partitioning one computer to simulate multiple servers. Each partition has the aspect of a physical server, equipped with their own operation system and gives the option for their owner to reboot it independently of other users.

Virtual private servers are made to provide customers a high quality hosting service and a way to save money in the same time. The main facilities of VPS are the flexibility and the security. The VPS hosting is a step between a shared hosting and dedicated hosting, considering the performance and the cost of the service.

When I Need a Virtual Private Server?

You don’t need a VPS if you want to run your own personal or business website, all these can be hosted on a shared hosting account. You will need a virtual private server, when your websites are going to eat much more resources that is allowed on a shared hosting server. It’s important the to deal with a company that can upgrade your shared account to a VPS account, fast, without so much down-time, and certainly for free.

How to pick up the right VPS hosting?

VPS hosting is something totally new compared to shared hosting, making things different when it comes down of selecting a proper VPS hosting.

Besides having to face the difficulties of finding a good host, you also need to determine the amount of RAM, number of IP addresses and what type of control panel you require.
As a conclusion, there are several aspects to consider before making the change from shared hosting to VPS hosting. Below are some essential aspects to keep in mind when choosing a VPS hosting. This guide should help you get the best possible value for your money.

RAM - Memory capacity or RAM is the most important thing when selecting a VPS hosting. RAM allocation will be the main price determiner of the entire hosting package and very frequently is the only factor separating one plan from the other. It is vital to keep in mind that the RAM requirement of VPS is higher because it has to run on its own operating system. Thus, RAM has a direct impact on the efficiency, speed, power and also the cost of VPS.
You’ll need roughly 512 of RAM for such control panel applications such as cPanel or Plesk on your server. Although cPanel claims it requires only 256MB, but just as with most applications, it is recommended to have above the stated minimum RAM for a smooth run. In addition, you also need enough processing space for your site and various software programs.
Consequently, 512MB is enough for a site just moved from shared hosting. Still, if you intend to host several websites and estimating website growth 768MB or 1GB would be highly recommended.

Some words about “burstable” RAM - Another thing should be aware of is the so called “burstable” RAM – offered by the hosting company in some cases, which is basically a back up RAM to use when your VPS uses up its allocation.
But why do you need such RAM? Just think about social networks such as StumbleUpon or Digg. For instance, you might buy 512 MB of RAM, but your provider offers 2GB in “burstable” RAM. This is sustainable, because numerous VPS run on the same machine and VPS hosting company usually do not sell the entire available RAM on the machine, enabling one VPS to run over without negatively influencing the other VPS.
With “burstable” RAM your site will get along with a smaller amount of dedicated RAM as you only need to get ready back up RAM in case of emergency. This will help you cutting off your expenses, but it is not the best solution, because a web host will not accept VPS that regularly exceeds its allocation.

IP Addresses - Regarding IP addresses, you will need at least two of them, one for every nameserver.
Generally, VPS provider will supply you with 4 IP addresses for every single account. Two of them would be used for the nameservers while the other two for domains included in it. The way these addresses will be used depends entirely on the needs of the customers.
The bottom line is that unless you have precise needs requiring more IP addresses, two such addresses should be sufficient for you, although four sound much better.

Control Panel - VPS providers will generally give you a number of options regarding the available control panels, although the regular ones are Plesk or WHM and cPanel. These control panels have pretty much the same functionality, allowing you to edit files in the server for a web interface instead of manually but they are just as good.
User-friendly control panels make the everyday server management a lot easier, including tasks such as adding domains, repairing and setting up email accounts.

Bottom Line - To wrap things up, if you are thinking about getting VPS hosting there are several things to consider. Nevertheless, if you are just moving from shared hosting, a VPS with 512 MB up to 1GB with control panel software will simplify the switching process for you. You will not see a significant difference after you login to your VPS and get started with a fresh and more powerful server in just minutes. Prior to that you have to truthfully offer good reasons for your website traffic needs and how intensely your server will have to function. This is due to the fact that many people selecting VPS could get along just fine with shared hosting while others in real need will end up overspending. Others might make the shift way too late or underspend and ending up with a lousy service.
It is thus recommended to act smart regarding your site and your money and start off truthfully, which is in most cases easier to say than done.