Cloud Hosting FAQs

Q: What is a virtual server and a virtual dedicated server?

A: A virtual server, also called a vServer or a virtual machine (VM), is a software implementation of a server (i.e. a computer) that executes programs like a physical server. Virtual servers are separated into two categories based on if they share the same operating system with other virtual servers. Virtual servers created by software such as Virtuozzo share the same operating system and are separated by containers. These container-ized type of virtual servers are called Virtual Private Servers ( VPS ). Virtual servers created by virtualization hypervisors such as KVM, VMware, Hyper-V and Xen do not share the same operating system and are called Virtual Dedicated Servers (VDS). All vServer Center's vServers are Virtual Dedicated Servers. Each Virtual Dedicated Server has its own dedicated operating system and maintains the same functionality as traditional physical computers. Virtual Dedicated Server owners have "root" (for UNIX operating systems) access and control or "administrative" (for Window operating systems) access and control of their servers. Any software applications can be installed by Virtual Dedicated Server owners remotely at anytime.

Q: What is a Cloud server?

A: A Cloud Server is a virtual dedicated server that is served by a computing resource pool (aka Cloud) consists of network switches, data storage systems, physical computer servers, and cloud computing software. A physical dedicated server or a virtual dedicated server on a single physical computer lacks redundancy and scalability while each of vServer Center's cloud servers offers extremely high redundancy and scalability: redundant powers, redundant network uplinks, redundant enterprise class data storage systems and data disks, redundant high end physical computer servers. For some Cloud Servers, you can upgrade a cloud server's computing resources such as CPU, RAM and disk space while it is running. If you are familiar with dedicated servers, check out our Cloud Server vs Dedicated Server comparison chart and see why cloud servers are rapidly replacing dedicated servers .

Q: KVM, VMware, or Hyper-V/Windows Cloud Servers, which platform should I choose?

A: If you are already familiar with a virtualization platform, you can choose the platform that you are familiar with. If you are not familiar with any virtualization platform, you choose Hyper-V Cloud Servers for better performance if your server operating system is Window Servers. You choose VMware Cloud Servers if you need more flexibilities and more features. You choose KVM Cloud Servers for lower cost while maintaining a high level of cloud server performance.