Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Help with understanding VPS

[smallworld00]

Hi,

I'm thinking of taking the next step from a reseller account to a VPS. I don't have any experience in managing a server and can't afford a fully managed dedicated. The question is, what exactly am I responsible for when using a VPS? And I've seen packages that say 'fully managed' VPS (for a fairly affordable price) but what exactly does that mean?

Thanks.

[rghf]

It depends on the provider really as some people have differenet opinions. For example some mean just the OS + C-Panel updates. Others mean it like they do everything apart from create accounts. The best thing is to email each provider

Rus

[eddy2099]

Like Rus said, some makes the distinction between 'management' and 'administration' of the server.

Management to mean that they would maintain the VPS to the state where it is originally delivered to you and that would just include OS updates. Something like what product warranty does. Like when you get a VCR, they just give you the product but getting it set up would be your job. If the unit does not switch on, you could bring it back for repair or replacement.


Administration would involve customization such as setting up of the DNS server, firewall, security lockdowns, setup of accounts, configuring the control panel and all the other day-to-day tasks involved in running your business and optimizing the machine. Usually VPS provider do not provide this service for free.

[Imago]

Yes, that's why a shared reseller account with a not greedy host on a quality machine is better than any VPS. The virtual servers are VIRTUAL servers, not virtual SUPERSERVERS. They are like luxurious jail with all facilities you would have at large. But you are still in jail, not at large.

I am afraid, this fundamental issue behind the VPS philosophy will put it sooner or later out of the server market.

[eddy2099]

I would have to agree with you there. The VPS technology although honorable came a little too late in time. It would be appropriate when mainstream dedicated server hosting were priced within the several hundred dollars region. The VPS technology seems expensive with its high end hardware but like you say rather jailed framework makes it costly compared to the current entry level dedicated server offering. The saving grace is not so much what the VPS technology brings but rather the managed solutions which comes from the service provider. If VPS were unmanaged then there is no reason to even consider them.

I see a shared hosting account (reseller or individual) as a low security prison where prisoners can freely roam around in the confides of the prison parameters. If there are less people, you could use as much of the facilities as possible. If there are more, you just have to make do with each others' company.

The VPS would be like you say, individual jail cell in the huge prison. Each prisoner is given a guaranteed amount of space but because of that, you can only stay within your confides even if it you are the only one in the facility.

The dedicated server is where you are the only one in the entire prison parameter and you are free to roam around the whole yard.

The VPS technology comes a little too late.

I've tried VPS before and although it is nice to have root access but the resources provided seems too weak to run anything too dynamic. It just lacks the CPU power because of the sharing it requires. For a couple of dollars more, I could have gotten an entry level Celeron dedicated server which at any respect would outperform the VPS but of course the price is that I lose the managed service.