Once you have decided to put your next server in the cloud, you have a key question to answer: what kind of server to get? There are a multitude of choices, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.
VPS Hosting
The most common type of hosting is called VPS or Virtual Private Server hosting. This is what most providers offer, and is typically the cheapest. In this model of hosting, you are given a small subset of a larger computer to use, and the underlying physical hardware is shared among many customers.
These servers are cheapest for a few reasons. First, a VPS can be very small and have limited resources. Since this takes up less space on the physical machine, hosting providers are able to sell more. Second, hardware can be oversold. This is where hosting providers allocate more resources to virtual machines than they have available. This can cause issues, but since customers typically don’t utilize all the VPS resources at the same time it’s usually not an issue.
The drawbacks of this type of machine are related mainly to performance. Especially if a hosting provider over-sells their hardware, your server’s performance can suffer without much warning. Also, depending on the underlying hardware your provider uses the baseline performance can vary greatly.
Dedicated Servers
Dedicated servers are the more expensive option, but offer dedicated hardware for your workload. These machines are wholly dedicated to your tasks, so you aren’t sharing any performance or resources with other customers.
With the extra performance, comes a higher price tag. The price will depend on the type of hardware being offered, and can range from around $50 per month to thousands of dollars per month.
One drawback of these servers is the new potential for hardware failures. Reputable providers have spare parts on hand and are able to quickly restore service in these cases, but this is something to keep in mind.
Application Servers
If you’re hosting a specific application, you may also be able to find hosting specialized for that application. The advantage here is that the provider is usually well-versed in the needs of that application, and tailor their services as such.
Also, if the hosting provider is authorized by the software vendor, you can usually get upgraded support or upgrades to the application included.
How Gateway Systems Helps
We know that servers can be critical for your day-to-day operations, and selecting the best class of server is no small task. We work with you to determine your needs and budget and find a solution that works best. Once selected, we can also help manage the setup and maintenance of your new server.
