What are virtual servers?
Being able to access any website in the world around the clock is a luxury that is only made possible by extensive technologies. Virtual servers play an important role in this. What they do and how website operators use them is explained here.
Every website, including us, is located on a server and can be accessed from there around the clock from all over the world. But not every site uses the same server logic. While some use a complete server, others only access a part of a server. Still others access an entire network.
Virtual servers are found where a server is given virtual boundaries. A website or client can then operate freely within each of these boundaries. Unlike shared hosting, virtual servers are not about freely sharing resources with others. In fact, the predefined virtual boundaries are respected. For example, 10 customers on a server may share 10% of the power each. Thus, regardless of the usage of others, each customer retains 10% of the total performance at all times.
In terms of administration, a virtual server usually behaves like a real server for the user. They can work and act freely within the defined limits. If the customer needs more performance, he can switch to a more powerful package or to a different rate structure.
Virtual servers have several advantages for the server operator as well as the customer. Since several customers share resources, lower costs are possible. This is because, in addition to the hardware, the administration effort and the costs for electricity and repairs are also reduced. And yet the customer enjoys the knowledge that he is receiving fixed hardware services.
When virtual servers are a good choice
The last advantage in particular is important for any website operator with higher demands. Because come what may: the website always receives its promised services. This is especially important for online stores. But other frequently visited and revenue-generating websites will also appreciate it.
Theoretically, shared hosting is fully sufficient for some websites. A few web pages are simply created on a server and can be designed as you like. But as soon as individual pages take up too much power, this has a negative impact on the others. Higher loading times and thus a lot of frustration can therefore be avoided if one relies on a virtual server, since here the projects of other customers have no influence on one’s own.
The step to even more performance
A virtual server from provider like Virmach or Hostwinds, is available with different performance levels. But with steadily increasing visitor numbers, at some point even the most powerful package reaches its limits. That’s when managed servers come into play. As the name suggests, you no longer share a server with several customers, but get the whole server just for yourself. This usually means much more performance, but also higher costs.
If this is not enough for you, you can find so-called cloud hosting. There, an entire server network works to serve the individual needs of high-performance websites.
When a virtual server is enough
The question rightly arises: when is a virtual server enough for me and when do I have to rely on other server logics? How much power a website needs depends on several factors. The focus is, of course, on the number of visitors, but the chosen content management system as well as the respective designs and extensions also play a major role. A direct conversation with the support of a web hosting provider can help here. If the performance is too low, it is usually possible to switch to a more powerful package with very little effort. This also lays a good foundation for the long-term development of the website.
