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A virtual private server (VPS) or virtual dedicated server (VDS) combines attributes from both shared and dedicated servers. In this post we want to take a deeper look into that concept of state of the art web hosting. At this point it may be helpful to have at least a vague knowledge of what shared and dedicated server hosting is.

Basically a virtual private server is acting like a normal physical server – in other words it looks like a dedicated server but it actually shares a physical server with other virtual servers. Sounds a bit confusing, I know. So what’s the difference?

As you know, a dedicated server is a physical server dedicated to one customer. A virtual private server then is one part of a physical server that acts as a standalone server. In fact you have something like your own server, but you use the same resources like the other virtual servers. Because of that the CPU is also used by more than one customer. In the worst case someone uses all the CPU space and the whole server is down.

Unlike the shared server you have more than just a subdirectory on a physical server, you have a virtual server on that physical server and you can use your own operating system.

In sum a VPS gives you some advantages from the dedicated server, with lower costs but some slight restrictions.