Virtual Dedicated Server

[fengshui-123]

The advertisement on top of this forum from ISPserver attract me. The Econom Virtual Dedicated Sever Plan is quite close to what I am paying for. Is it worth considering?
http://ispserver.com/en/products/es/index.html

I am just an end user, currently host my forum site with a share hosting plan, which cost me S$30 a month for 1GB Disk and 20 GB bandwidth.

I am new to Virtual Dedicated Server, but I heard about virtual dedicated server is better for forum site compared to share hosting. I wonder is it easier to setup my site in this virtual dedicated server environment, I have little knowledge about this environment.

Another question, in term of security, do I need to find and install my own firewall, and take care of my own security protection to avoid hacker in Virtual Dedicated Server environment? How to do, where can I learn more?

[Heng Chai]

VDS (Virtual Dedicated Servers) are nearly the same as any dedicated server you buy from Rackshack or any other provider. The difference is that you have X number of people sharing the server, hence you are only allocated a percentage of the CPU/RAM. As for disk space and bandwidth, you are also allocated a certain amount.

In terms of environment, you will be still plagued with problems that dedicated servers have. Having to manage everything yourself from OS patches to software. Whether the VDS is managed or not will depend on how "managed" is the server. You have to make this arrangement with the VDS provider.

As for security, yes, you have to handle your own firewall and so on. The VDS is allocated a dedicated IP address, and attacks/hacks targeted towards your IP address is your concern even if the machine is shared except if your provider provides a firewall higher upstream (on the network before the dedicated server). Depending on the OS the VDS is running on, you need to refer to the appropriate documents on how to set it up.

Generally VDS(es) are used by users who want/require full access as high as root level but do not want to pay for the full cost of a dedicated server. One of the core group of users are people who want to run their own hosting programs (different web server, database server, scripting language) than what most web providers offer (eg. postgres instead of mysql, thttpd instead of apache). Another group are the people who host applications which require root level access.

Budget wise, VDS(es) are cost effective if you are only hosting a few sites that fit into the requirements. Something which I noted from VDS providers is that the costs are usually 1/3 or 1/4 of a dedicated server but only offering 1/8 the resources. This is mainly due to the costs of the VDS setup. So a very big concern when you want to utilize a VDS is that whether your total resource use is within that 1/8 and whether you are willing to pay something like 1/4 of the price of a dedicated server.

In short, if you are not prepared to handle a dedicated server, this is still not the solution for you. It is a lot more troublesome than a normal hosting account. Furthermore, CPanel and Ensim would be added costs for you, and won't be worthwhile if you are only running a few sites on the server.

*PS* This post is not directed at ISPServer or any VDS provider. It is a general overlook on the VDS hosting scene.

*PPS* Pardon my spelling mistakes if any. I haven't written long posts in a long time.

[fengshui-123]

Thanks SG.GS.

Where can I learn how to manage dedicated server from ground up?

[Heng Chai]

Roy posted a long article some time ago I remember. Try a search or go through the posts in the ded-server forum.

[fengshui-123]

Is there Virtual Dedicated/Private Server that come with all pre installed and configured software so that I just need to go to public_html to setup my forum web site? Everything is the same as in cpanel environment.

[Heng Chai]

That would require CPanel installed. That means extra US$99/month for you (or cheaper).

As I said, unless you're prepared to handle a dedicated server from scratch minus the control panels, VDS isn't the way to go.

[fengshui-123]

Thanks SG.GS.

Are you referring to this article: http://www.74r.com/linux/websrv.htm

[Heng Chai]

Roy covered the points partially in that article. His other articles should cover the rest.

[Hostings]

But actually, having higher access up to root isn't anything big fun at all, if you're hosting your own forum.

If currently you're having your own 1GB account for forum, you might consider getting a reseller account somewhere with panels like CPanel/WHM so that you can actually allocate the remaining disk quota that you're not using to someone you share or your friend.

But at least for me, a dedicated server is never the ultimate choice if i were to host only my own stuff and sites if i'm not selling anything.

Another point is that, you'll have to check the provider had created how many VSD layer, as the more there is, the lower resources you're likely to get. And they might tell you it's only 2-3 when they had 8-9. You'll have to wary about it.

[Sghost]

Originally posted by SG.GS
VDS (Virtual Dedicated Servers) are nearly the same as any dedicated server you buy from Rackshack or any other provider. The difference is that you have X number of people sharing the server, hence you are only allocated a percentage of the CPU/RAM. As for disk space and bandwidth, you are also allocated a certain amount.

In terms of environment, you will be still plagued with problems that dedicated servers have. Having to manage everything yourself from OS patches to software. Whether the VDS is managed or not will depend on how "managed" is the server. You have to make this arrangement with the VDS provider.

As for security, yes, you have to handle your own firewall and so on. The VDS is allocated a dedicated IP address, and attacks/hacks targeted towards your IP address is your concern even if the machine is shared except if your provider provides a firewall higher upstream (on the network before the dedicated server). Depending on the OS the VDS is running on, you need to refer to the appropriate documents on how to set it up.

Generally VDS(es) are used by users who want/require full access as high as root level but do not want to pay for the full cost of a dedicated server. One of the core group of users are people who want to run their own hosting programs (different web server, database server, scripting language) than what most web providers offer (eg. postgres instead of mysql, thttpd instead of apache). Another group are the people who host applications which require root level access.

Budget wise, VDS(es) are cost effective if you are only hosting a few sites that fit into the requirements. Something which I noted from VDS providers is that the costs are usually 1/3 or 1/4 of a dedicated server but only offering 1/8 the resources. This is mainly due to the costs of the VDS setup. So a very big concern when you want to utilize a VDS is that whether your total resource use is within that 1/8 and whether you are willing to pay something like 1/4 of the price of a dedicated server.

In short, if you are not prepared to handle a dedicated server, this is still not the solution for you. It is a lot more troublesome than a normal hosting account. Furthermore, CPanel and Ensim would be added costs for you, and won't be worthwhile if you are only running a few sites on the server.

*PS* This post is not directed at ISPServer or any VDS provider. It is a general overlook on the VDS hosting scene.

*PPS* Pardon my spelling mistakes if any. I haven't written long posts in a long time.

Just to addon:

If other VDs does not use any resources, you may use the full potiential of the whole dedicated server. If the server is loaeded, you will get your guranttee resources. You have the power to restart your "server" and kill all the processes running behind.

[Hostings]

Hmm .. English Check...
*VDS? do, not does?
*potential
*guaranteed

Anyway, i disagree with that. If VDS is installed, VDS itself already took up resources. The more layer, the more resources it takes, for the program itself. If you mean other VDS do not use resources, meaning it is not used? And so, i can load 200 VDS on one server and it won't lag? Moreover if i use only one of it, it'll get the FULL resources of the server? If so, you mind to set one up for me? :D

Yeah.. you're restarting the server, and you kill processes. So what's the point over here? If you restart server, it'll mean downtime, if there's not cache. You like that? :D

Please review the topic when you have enough information on VDS.

[Sghost]

Yes, if there is available resources in the server you may use it. You are near to dedicated server. For more information, you may refer to : Http://www.SWsoft.com.

I find that your post is provoking. Read first before you comment on people.

[Hostings]

If there's any offence, please kindly accept my apologies and disregard them.

Spelling check is only more of a joke, compromising a self-others improvement for each other. Moreover, other comments are basically approaches towards your post. It is 100% true(as i had deployed it on my own box) that VDS take up memory. It doesn't sound logical to not take up resources, like OS and CPU. As such, i'll make sure i'll make no joke with you, which i had been doing since first day onboard, with almost every member with no offences yet. I'll make clear that if you can't take them, i'll do no more of such, and again, accept my apologies.
My last line of last post is to request you to provide us more of such information, if you do have any.

I would stress again, if any offences taken, please kindly accept my apologies and disregard them. However, i seriously do not find any provoke in my words yet, and even there is, it's very light, on a joking basis which seems to me that you can't take it.