What are Virtual Servers?

Virtual servers are isolated virtual containers (environments) that allow you to run a web applications.  Unlike the shared hosting environment, the resources can be dedicated to the virtual server and you are operating in your own environment.  No other customers are sharing your virtual server.

Types of virtual servers:

• A physical server (hardware) is sliced to provide multiple instances of virtual servers
• A cloud architecture environment;  virtual servers operate inside of and powered by a cluster of physical servers
• A bare metal server – a virtual server is utilizing most of the physical servers resources; typically over 90%; runs on cloud architecture

The bare metal is ideal for those requiring the performance of a physical server but the redundancy of a cloud architecture. The bare metal server can be moved to another physical server should the current physical server go down.

Advantages:

• Cheaper than a dedicated server
• Your very own dedicate space
• Dedicated resources equals to better performance
• Isolated container equals to better security
• Virtual Servers on the cloud; built in redundancy
• Better for the environment; better usage of resources than physical server

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than Shared Hosting
• Requires System Administrator skills (un-managed servers)
• Virtual servers on a sliced physical server; no redundancy

Overall the virtual servers are the best web hosting solution for a customer.  You have better performance & security.  It has better built in redundancy (cloud architecture).  Virtualization is much better for the environment because it is maximizing a physical servers resources.

Please keep in mind these are over simplifications and there are multiple variances of virtual server configurations. The goal was to provide a general sense of what virtual servers are and the differences.