List of content you will read in this article:
The digital world is more or less complex, and many project leaders are looking for hosting for their websites, but do not know what to choose between a virtual VPS server or a dedicated server. These two types of web hosts have unique configurations and offer varying performance. The choice of one or the other is essentially based on the type of project that the user wishes to service as well as the benefits he wishes to enjoy. This article summarizes the characteristics of each of these servers succinctly to help you make a wise choice.
VPS or dedicated server: What does it mean?
Made available to the customer in the form of a lease, a dedicated server is a machine that the host installs in its data center. It integrates many components (RAM, processor, hard drive and more). And it presents a configuration particularly adapted to the needs of the user. Unlike the dedicated server, a VPS (hear Virtual Private Server) is a virtual server. Admittedly, it works like a physical server, but its software is emulated thanks to the elements of the latter. It should also be noted that it is possible to partition the physical server into several virtual servers, each having unique resources, a special configuration and a dedicated operating system.
What is a server?
A computer server is a computer that runs a series of services and applications accessible from the network. It can be physical (dedicated server) or virtual (created from a physical server). To choose the solution best suited to your needs, find some useful definitions below.
- Dedicated server: machine entirely administered by the client. All the resources of this physical server are allocated to it. We only provide maintenance, power supply and network connection.
- Cloud (or cloud computing): solution for accessing computer services via the Internet. Your data, or that of the websites you visit, is no longer hosted on a single server, but on groups of remote servers accessible via the network. Several types of cloud exist, such as the public cloud, the private cloud or the hybrid cloud.
- Datacenter: place grouping the physical servers and IT facilities. These are responsible for storing and distributing the data via an internal network or the Internet. OVHcloud has more than 400,000 servers in 32 datacenters around the world.
- Processor: component of a server running computer programs and performing all kinds of calculations. It can be likened to the brain of the machine. Thus, the more powerful its processor, the higher its computing capacity and loading speed.
- Bandwidth: volume of data transmitted by the network in a given time. Calculated in bits per second, the bandwidth can be adapted to optimize the availability of a website. Its increase makes it possible to support traffic peaks or important needs, such as streaming.
What is a VPS?
A virtual private server (VPS) is a virtual environment created on a physical server. The VPS is the virtual sub-part of the host server. Memory and processor loads are shared with other VPS independently of each other. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of a server without having to manage the hardware. Its competitive price-performance ratio makes VPS the ideal solution for hosting websites, deploying sandbox environments, or gaming. Their scalability allows you to add resources as needed. Disk space, random access memory (RAM), processor: model your server according to your needs.
You can host your virtual machines in one of our datacenters. And this is to be closer to your users, thus optimizing the loading time of your web pages. This also guarantees that your hosting complies with the local data protection regulations.
Many options are available for the best possible user experience:
- Failover IPs to ensure continuity of service for your systems and applications;
- Geolocated IPs for international SEO optimization;
- The Load Balancer distributes the loads and thus gains in flexibility and availability thanks to scalability;
- Additional external storage spaces for the scalability of your infrastructure;
- Automatic or manual backups to protect the integrity of your data.
VPS or dedicated server: Which is less expensive?
The cost factor is a key element that customers must take into account when deciding. At this level, you should know that the dedicated server comes at a rather high price; because it has a hardware configuration that requires the intervention of a provider in person. VPS, on the other hand, is more easily accessible, in the sense that its installation is carried out only using virtualization software.
As for the cost of maintenance, it is always he who is the most optimized. Indeed, all the elements are concentrated on a single server, meaning the prices are distributed. With the dedicated server, on the other hand, maintenance is essentially done on the machine, and moreover, by a technician who must travel to offer an effective repair solution if necessary. It is, therefore, the VPS that wins on the price side.
VPS or Dedicated Server: Which is Better?
As is the case in all areas, performance is a determining factor in deciding which server to choose. The dedicated server generally has larger specifications, including a 500 GB hard drive, 16 to 32 GB of RAM and a 4-core processor. The VPS, meanwhile, does not offer as much. It often embeds a 2 or 4-core processor with RAM whose value oscillates between 4 and 8 GB.
It can therefore be said without risk of being mistaken that the dedicated server is more powerful than its virtual equivalent. Remember, however, that the virtual server is no less efficient because it offers a fast processing speed and can be evaluated. For example, its memory or CPU can be increased rapidly in seconds, which is impossible with a dedicated server.
In the table below, we discuss the issues head-to-head.
|
|
VPS |
Dedicated server |
High Grade dedicated server |
|
Performance |
1 vCore |
Intel Xeon E3-1230v6 — 4 c/8 t - 3.5GHz/3.9GHz |
AMD Epyc 7402 - 24 c/48 t - 2.8GHz/3.35GHz |
|
Traffic |
Infinite |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
|
Bandwidth |
250Mbit/s unlimited |
100Mbit/s |
Public: 1Gbit/s |
|
Availability |
99.90% SLA |
99.90% SLA |
99.99% SLA |
|
Backup get-ups |
Automated and manual backups are available |
500GB storage space Additional storage option available. |
500GB storage space Additional storage option available. |
|
RAM |
2GB |
32GB |
128GB |
For gamers, a VPS is good enough. To explain it more, we should say that a task like streaming needs a dedicated server.
💥 Boost your online presence with our high-performance VPS hosting! Experience seamless website loading and rock-solid reliability for your business. 🚀💼💻
How do we ensure maintenance?
If you use a dedicated server, you must expect possible breakdowns, particularly at the level of the RAM, the processor, etc., and in such circumstances, the physical intervention of a technician is essential. On the other hand, when you have a virtual server, maintenance is much easier because you benefit from an availability rate guaranteed to you by your host.
This rate informs you about the precise period during which the server is operational. For its part, the service provider takes care of the hardware part and does what is necessary to ensure that the server is accessible for as long as possible. It also strives to offer you a good availability rate by performing preventive maintenance at an appropriate frequency. As you can see, VPS is more advantageous regarding maintenance or outsourcing.
VPS or dedicated server: Which is better for backing up data?
With the dedicated server, you must perform manual backups, using software designed for this purpose. Several software programs for this purpose are on the market, such as backup-manager. Depending on your host, storage space may even be made available to you to facilitate your backups. As for the virtual server, backups can be done manually and using a snapshot called “snapshot,” which is integrated into your virtual server. This snapshot gives you a complete copy of your device, which is much more beneficial.
Final Word
Due to all the above, and to answer the question: VPS or dedicated server? the virtual server is much more convenient than the dedicated server. It offers many advantages, including a lower purchase price, greater flexibility and easier maintenance. In addition, it is, therefore, the ideal option if you want to set up a normal-scale web project.
However, it is important to remember that certain configurations can reduce the performance of a VPS, so you have to be careful not to launch many applications if you use this type of server. On the other hand, customers who wish to launch more complex projects will rather opt for the dedicated server. The latter offers higher performance than the VPS and will, therefore offer a better price/performance ratio.
People Are Also Reading:
My name is Sophia H. My degree is MS in Information Technology Engineering. I have been working for 5 years on Java developing (j2ee), Computer Networking (Optical Networks), Virtualization and Hosting.