There is a big difference between virtual private servers and private clouds, although many people do not know and understand this difference. Even though there may be some similarities, it is important to realize that the terms are not interchangeable and that there are some key distinctions between the two. Before you choose one or the other of these for your business, make sure that you know which one is really the best choice for you. Let’s look at what they are and what you need to know about them.
What Is a Virtual Private Server?
In a VPS, there is a single physical server. That server is then partitioned into a number of different sections for various users. It works very similarly to a shared server, which has a number of accounts on a single server. The biggest difference is that the VPS will tend to have fewer users on a system, which means that they will have a greater amount of control than they would if they were on a typical shared server. The server makes use of virtualization software, which ensures that the users, and their resources, are divided from one another. This means that even though there are other people on the server, they will not affect your experience.
What Is a Private Cloud Server?
When you have a private cloud for your hosting service, you are using resources from a number of different physical servers in various locations. This ensures redundancy of information and data, and makes it possible to transfer from one server to another seamlessly in case there is any type of issue or failure on the system. Even though the end user will experience what feels like a single server, there really are a number of servers operating to make it function properly.
Understanding More of the Differences
Another one of the big differences with VPS and cloud is the location of the hardware. The VPS is often hosted offsite at another location through a third party host. As mentioned, there is just a single machine in a single location. The host company will still likely have backup protocols in place in the event something goes wrong. With a cloud host, the private cloud may be at your location, or it could be hosted offsite at a number of different locations.
One of the best things about the cloud is the fact that it is relatively easy to scale up or down as needed. Most of the time, scaling and getting new resources running will only take a matter of minutes through the admin panel. It generally only takes a few clicks to make it happen. While it is possible to scale a VPS, you need to upgrade manually and have the provider take care of it for you. This often takes quite a bit more time, and many find that the cloud host has a distinct advantage in this area.
When it comes to the cost, there are some differences, but they might not be large enough to make you choose one option over the other. Those who want to have a private cloud will find that this is generally a more expensive option. Those who are choosing a hosted private cloud instead will find that it is cheaper and easier, since they will not have to deal with the maintenance. VPS is typically the cheapest option available.