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Virtual Server technology enables Enetrics Communications to partition
a single physical server into multiple virtual machines.
This enables small and medium-sized businesses to distribute
the cost of hardware, software, system maintenance, and
bandwidth without losing the power of a dedicated solution.
The Virtual Server system
uses the following:
- Updated hardware components
- Fast network connectivity
- Innovative software
- Remote administration
- Security solutions
Virtual Servers vs.
Virtual Hosting
Essentially two types
of shared hosting solutions are available: virtual hosting
and Virtual Servers. Though the terms seem similar,
the underlying functionality of the two solutions is
very different. Your Internet site is likely an integral
part of your business, so understanding the differences
between virtual hosting and Virtual Servers affects
your hosting decision (a decision that can be as important
as choosing what content you place on your site).
Web hosting solutions
consist of two components:
- Hardware (CPU, memory,
disk drives, etc.)
- Software (the web,
FTP, and POP servers; the e-mail gateway; and any
third-party applications such as CGI scripts)
Virtual Hosting
In a virtual hosting
environment, the following weaknesses are apparent:
Hardware and software
are configured and customized by site administrators
(leaving the client with no control over how the Internet
services behave).
Each physical server
has a single set of shared software applications (leaving
the client "sub-letting" software that is
controlled and maintained by someone else).
Virtual Servers
In a Virtual Server environment,
the following strengths become obvious:
Only the hardware is
controlled by site administrators (leaving the software
autonomous).
Software is controlled
by the client (to enable client control over the core
Internet services).
A Virtual Server is partitioned
from the root of a physical server. This provides
additional file security as well as Secure Shell or
Telnet capability.
Configuration at the
client level empowers the client to use a Virtual Server
just as he or she would use a dedicated server. The
table below compares the capabilities of virtual hosting
with the Enetrics Communications Virtual Server system.
Comparing Enetrics Communications's
Virtual Server System to Virtual Hosting
| Server
Items |
Virtual Server System |
Virtual
Hosting |
|
Control of your own server environment |
yes |
no |
|
Individual Web server (HTTP) |
yes |
no |
|
Individual FTP server |
yes |
no |
|
Individual POP server |
yes |
no |
|
Individual IMAP server |
yes |
no |
|
Individual SMTP gateway |
yes |
no |
| "Virtual
Root" access |
yes |
no |
|
Complete Telnet access |
yes |
maybe |
|
Access to your web server configuration files |
yes |
no |
|
Full CGI-BIN access |
yes |
maybe |
|
Complete log files |
yes |
maybe |
|
Access to your password and aliases file and sendmail.cf |
yes |
no |
Technical Details of
the Virtual Server
Because a single dedicated
server is partitioned into multiple Virtual Servers,
each Virtual Server is given the following:
- IP address
- Domain name
- Web server (complete
log and configuration files)
- FTP server
- POP server
- SMTP gateway
Not only does a Virtual Server have virtual hosting capability, the Virtual Server also enables you to create the following:
- Virtual web hosts
- Virtual e-mail
- Virtual FTP logins
and anonymous FTP logins
- Quota support
Note: A true Virtual Server is not simply a "virtually hosted"
(VirtualHost) site on a web server that you do
not control. You have "virtual root" access
on your Virtual Server.
When you access your
Virtual Server via Telnet or Secure Shell, the following
directories are displayed just as they would be on a
dedicated server:
/dev
/usr
/bin
/etc
Your passwd, aliases,
and sendmail.cf files reside in your etc
directory. Because you are given access to such files,
you have the flexibility to do the following:
- Add multiple POP accounts
- Add e-mail aliases
- Configure e-mail autoresponders
- Block Spam for your
e-mail users
- Control who and how
other people access your server
- Control private and
public FTP access to your server
You can access the entire
usr/local/etc/httpd directory structure including
the following:
- httpd.conf
- cgi-bin directory
The Virtual Server behaves
like a dedicated server, giving you complete control
of your web, FTP, and e-mail services. The significant
differences between a dedicated server and a Virtual Server are the disk space and price tag.
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