| Virtualization is a hot topic these days, and many | | | | hardware and in-house IT staff. In this case, a VPS is |
| businesses are turning to virtual server hosting. A | | | | a cost-effective option. |
| virtual private server (VPS) enables businesses to | | | | In a virtualized environment, a physical server can be |
| grow beyond the limitations of a shared server and | | | | converted into multiple virtual servers, each of which |
| experience the power of a dedicated server without | | | | acts like a unique machine. A VPS can run its own |
| the crippling cost. | | | | operating system. It is more powerful than a shared |
| When a business is small and has limited resources, a | | | | server and it offers businesses the performance |
| lower-cost shared server may be enough to host its | | | | they need to run their applications. Because several |
| website and applications. But as the business grows, | | | | virtual servers can run on a single physical machine, a |
| there may come a time when it needs better | | | | VPS costs less in terms of power, cooling and space. |
| performance than a shared server can provide. | | | | Businesses that have neither the resources nor the |
| However, an in-house dedicated server may not be | | | | IT expertise to maintain a physical dedicated server |
| the answer. | | | | can leverage a hosted solution. With virtual server |
| Dedicated servers are powerful but expensive. They | | | | hosting, the solution is managed by a provider. |
| require sufficient power and cooling to run at | | | | Businesses can run the applications they need without |
| optimum efficiency. They also need to be managed | | | | the cost of additional hardware or the hassle of |
| by a dedicated IT team. A business may not have | | | | server maintenance. |
| the office space or capital to invest in additional | | | | |