Two types of shared hosting solutions are available:
virtual hosting and VPS v2 Virtual Server. 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 VPS v2 Virtual Server 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:
-
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)
-
Managed services
-
Maintenance
-
Backups
In a virtual hosting environment, the following weaknesses
are apparent:
-
Hardware and software are configured and customized
by site administrative users, leaving the user with no control over how the
Internet services behave.
-
Each physical server has a single set of shared
software applications, leaving the user "sub-letting" software that
is controlled and maintained by someone else.
-
Only the hardware is controlled by site
administrative users, leaving the software autonomous.
-
The accounts are backed up nightly to have
recent files available for restoration.
-
Software is controlled by the client, enabling
the client full control over core Internet services.
-
Software is maintained by site administrative
users with recent copies of software as they are developed which are backward
compatible. If you choose, you can install your own software and update as
frequently as you like as well.
-
A VPS v2 Virtual Server is isolated from the software of a
physical server. This provides a sandbox environment preventing other accounts
from accessing each other. This also allows for Secure Shell and Telnet
capability.
-
The VPS v2 Virtual Server is compatible with third party software
that your company may need, enabling you to install these programs using either
the FreeBSD ports system or by installing it yourself.
Configuration at the client level empowers the client to
use a VPS v2 Virtual Server just as he or she would use a dedicated server. The table below
compares the capabilities of virtual hosting with the VPS v2 Virtual Server system.
Comparing the Enetrics Communications VPS v2 Virtual Server System to Virtual Hosting
|
Server Items |
VPS v2 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 |
|
