Virtual private server or VPS Web Hosting is a hosting option you may want to consider.

By now, you probably know the difference between a shared server and a dedicated server when it comes to Web Hosting options. A shared server is a server that has multiple websites (belonging to multiple people) on it. All of those websites share the resources of that server, such as disk space and bandwidth, as well as the IP number.

A dedicated server has just one person or company’s website or websites residing on it, with all of the resources of that server available to that person or company. But what is a Virtual Server, or Virtual Private Server? First, note that there is a difference between a virtual server and a virtual private server.

You may not want to share resources or IP numbers with people who you do not know – or even with people that you do know. You have no control over what they do with their sites, and what they do may bring the entire server down. Their traffic may make your site load slowly. They may be spammers who get the entire IP number banned by search engines!

At the same time, you may not want a dedicated server because of the cost. This is where a virtual private server comes into play. A VPS lies somewhere between shared hosting and a dedicated server.

So what is it? Virtual private hosting is on a server that is actually shared by multiple people – just as shared hosting is. However, the server has been cleanly divided with the use of software. This software has divided the server into what is known as ‘virtual machines.’ Each virtual machine acts as a dedicated server.

Unfortunately, you will still share resources, such as the CPU, the RAM, the bandwidth, and the disk space with those other people. However, your virtual private server can run UNIX while others on that same virtual private server are running Windows. Your VPS can be configured however you like, regardless of how anyone else’s is configured.

With shared hosting, you have access to your account through your control panel. You do not, however, have access to the actual server.

With a virtual private server, just as with a dedicated server, you do have access to the server – all the way to the root level. This access will enable you to set permissions, create accounts, and install or delete software. On a VPS, you can do everything that you can do on a dedicated server.

You may also be interested in knowing that a VPS is more secure than a shared hosting account. Shared hosting accounts can be easily hacked, because they only use one operating system. But the division of a virtual private server makes it much harder for hackers to bring down the entire server. A hacker cannot gain entry to your VPS through someone else’s VPS, as they can gain access through someone else’s shared account.

In most cases, when a Web Hosting Company sets up a virtual private server, all of the resources on that server are divided equally among the number of users that it will allow. For example, if there are 10 virtual private servers on the server, each virtual private server account would be allotted 10% of all of the resources.

If you opt for a virtual private server, note that it is important that you know what you are doing before you go in and start changing configuration settings. Remember that in this aspect, it is no different than operating your own dedicated server, and there is a certain level of knowledge that is needed.

When you shop for a virtual private server, find out whether or not the resources are divided evenly, how many accounts are on the physical server, how it is upgraded, and what choices you have in terms of the operating system.

Please note, although some Web Hosts offer Virtual private server or VPS Web Hosting, many do not; however, HostGator does.