Virtual Private Server (VPS) FAQ

About VPS

Question:

What is a Virtual Private Server (VPS)?

Answer:

Virtual Private Servers are isolated server environments located on a single partitioned physical server. A VPS performs and executes exactly like a stand-alone server for its users and applications:

• Each VPS has its own processes, users, files and provides full root access
• Each VPS can have its own system configuration files and can house applications
• Each VPS can have its own versions of system libraries or modify existing ones
• Each VPS can have its own IP addresses, port numbers, tables, filtering and routing rules

Your HostmySite VPS is maintained through root access via SSH, Virtuozzo's Power Panel, or Plesk.

Question:

What are the advantages of a VPS?

Answer:

VPS gives you the features and functionality of a dedicated server without the cost of building and maintaining one. If you need to host unlimited domains, have complete control of your environment and run your own applications, then you will benefit from having a VPS. In addition, a VPS provides the ability to manage your dedicated environment through SSH and a control panel (you will have either the Virtuozzo Power Panel or Plesk, depending on your plan). These control panels enable the root user to perform actions to their VPS immediately, without having to contact support to have a technician to complete any necessary requests.

Question:

What are the disadvantages of a VPS?

Answer:

HostMySite carefully controls the priority and scheduling of processes, memory and network flow, in order to prevent any single user from negatively impacting shared resources. Although HostMySite partitions your VPS from other clients' VPS on a single server and maintains a high level of control, there are still risks associated with sharing hardware with other users. For this reason, certain clients prefer the complete isolation of their own dedicated server environment.

Question:

How is a VPS different than shared hosting?

Answer:

A VPS eliminates the restrictions of shared hosting by giving you the power and flexibility of a dedicated server with your own set of services and customizable disk space. Shared hosting is limited in comparison because its users do not have root access and software configurations cannot be customized, despite the fact that physical resources are also multiplexed. With a VPS, you can control your own unique file system and CGI-BIN, disk space, system resources, bandwidth and memory allotments.

VPS Plan Details

Question:

What is Virtuozzo?

Answer:

Parallels' Virtuozzo is a server automation and virtualization solution that creates multiple isolated Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) on a single physical server. Each VPS functions as a stand-alone server, meaning it can be rebooted independently, has its own root access, users, IP addresses, memory, processes, files, applications, system libraries and configuration files.

Question:

What is Plesk?

Answer:

Parallels' Plesk is control panel software that helps you easily maintain and control your virtual server environment. Plesk is not a replacement for your Virtuozzo Power Panel; it operates separately and extends the power of the Power Panel with a point and click based graphical user interface to make virtual server administration as simple as possible. HostMySite, as well as Parallels, provides detailed support documentation and user manuals to help you with every task.

Question:

What is 'Virtual Disk Space'?

Answer:

The virtual disk space allotted to you in your VPS plan is an alternate set of memory addresses used by your applications and programs. The virtual memory addresses are used, rather than real memory addresses, to maximize data storage and enlarge the set of addresses a program can utilize. For example, a program using all of the virtual memory would not be able to fit in the main memory all at once. Nevertheless, the computer can execute the program by copying the required portions of the program into main memory as needed during execution.

Question:

How many VPS clients are on a single physical server?

Answer:

HostMySite will create between 50-60 virtual private server accounts on one physical server, depending on the estimated overall server load. Our VPS environment is monitored closely to ensure that the server maintains the best reliability and efficiency available. The actual number of virtual private server accounts depends on the hardware specifications of our servers, which are outfitted with the most robust hardware solutions available.