A virtual private server (VPS) is a private network arrangement on an Internet hosting provider's network where a separate area of the server is configured as a virtual machine. The virtual machine has the same characteristics of a standalone physical computer and can be dedicated to meet the needs of a particular customer. The virtual nature of the configuration allows it to have security, privacy and other capabilities that are not impacted by the other VPS resources on the same networked machine.
Another advantage of a VPS is that many configurations allow the customer to have administrative control to manage certain aspects of their applications and data on the server. In other instances, the customer may prefer to have the internet service provider handle the management of the VPS. In this case, security, maintenance and software upgrades are the responsibility of the service provider. Access to multiple operating systems is another benefit of using a VPS. This feature is especially useful for a company that may have legacy applications that will only run on an earlier version of an operating system.
A VPS can take advantage of the virtual nature of shared resources that is accessible through the Internet. In situations where a client may need increased resources, the VPS can borrow those network resources from other clients on the system that may be idle. The converse is true when the client is not using all of their resources, the system will shift it to other clients that may need the added horsepower. Security aspects of the VPS are better since each VPS client is a standalone virtual machine that is isolated from other machines on the network. This prevents it from being impacted by security threats and service issues that may occur with the other clients. The isolated nature of the machine on a VPS allows it to be rebooted independently of the other machines on the VPS. It can have dedicated software and applications that run on it that can be customized to meet the client's requirements. The VPS can also provide virtual storage space that can be expanded to meet the needs of the client. Customers are not limited by hardware limitations that may occur when they handle their own network.
A Virtual Private Server is secure and offers customized security features that are tailored to the customer's needs. Although the VPS is located on the same physical network server as other VPS arrangements, it is not impacted by the other clients using the same server. The VPS can be configured to run the software and applications that are specific to that customer. Many service providers will use various encryption protocols to ensure that data and information stored on their VPS is protected. All this is handled for the client and alleviates them of worries about keeping security software updated. As new technologies are developed, most providers will use the latest security measures to ensure that their client's data is safe from any threats.
Virtual Private Servers offer convenience, security and significant value over other network server configurations. The service providers that offer VPS can give users customized configurations that allow them to access their websites, data, files and applications without the worry of maintaining the infrastructure and administering the software and security updates of a conventional in-house network. Since it is a virtual network, it gives the customer access to additional storage space and available network resources that are necessary to operate their websites or networks. Another reason to use VPS is that many providers will continue to update their networks with the latest technology. This eliminates the need for the client to invest in costly infrastructure. If a client needs access to different operating systems or to run applications on several operating systems, many providers may offer multiple operating systems such as Linux, Windows and UNIX as options.