Dedicated Virtual Servers are a cost-effective approach to the flexibility and control of a dedicated server.
What is Server Virtualisation?
Dedicated Virtual Servers (also known as Virtual Dedicated Servers or VDS) are a cost-effective compromise between the excellent value of a shared hosting package and the flexibility and control of a dedicated server.
Dedicated Virtual Servers use virtualisation software such as Xen, HyperVM, Virtuozzo, OpenVZ and Vserver to divide a single web server into several virtual servers, each with its own operating system and its own web server platform, but all of them sharing the same server hardware.
Using this virtualisation technique it is possible for a single web server to emulate many dedicated servers, each providing their owners with the flexibility and high level of control of a dedicated server, while at the same time slashing the price.
How is a Dedicated Virtual Server better than Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting packages are prone to suffer from the performance impact of other sites that are hosted on the same server. At busy times, your website can slow down more than it should because other sites on the server are experiencing high volumes of traffic as well. Dedicated Virtual Servers, on the other hand, are able to dynamically allocate server power to the virtual servers that need them most, thus reducing the impact of those busy periods.
Shared web servers typically run a single operating system, with one instance of a web server platform (like Apache or Microsoft IIS) controlling all of the websites hosted on that machine, yours being one of them. Each website is usually controlled by its own admin panel whose capabilities are limited to functions that won't disrupt other sites on the server. Therefore, server maintenance is something that can only be carried out by the hosting company's technicians. As we explain in the next section, Dedicated Virtual Servers tackle this issue too.
Can a Dedicated Virtual Server be better than a true Dedicated Server?
Dedicated servers also run a single operating system and web server platform, but you get complete remote control of the server and can set up whatever websites on it that you choose. You are also able to perform important maintenance tasks on the server yourself through remote access software, giving you full control.
Dedicated servers are extremely powerful and flexible, but are ultimately the most expensive form of web hosting available to you; after all, you are effectively renting a high-performance piece of hardware for your exclusive use. Dedicated Virtual Servers work out much cheaper by bridging the gap between shared and fully dedicated hardware.
Dedicated Virtual Servers from iWeb Hosting
Now, we're not usually ones to toot our own horn, but we happen to think that our Dedicated Virtual Servers are pretty darn good. Check out our server specifications to see that they are no slouches, and if you look at our prices you will see that our product is both competitively priced and great value for money.
Our Dedicated Virtual Servers use Xen, which we love, and when combined with our cutting-edge server hardware, delivers a whole load of bang for your buck.
Still not convinced by iWeb Hosting's Dedicated Virtual Servers? Read our Dedicated Virtual Servers FAQ for more info, or give us a call today and someone from our team will be happy to talk you through the benefits of having a Dedicated Virtual Server for your website. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us online.
Server Options
We offer solutions tailored to the individual needs of each customer, here are some example server costings.
We can provide virtualised dedicated servers running your choice of server software on our hardware. This offering is ideal for the small business wanted to bridge the gap between the cost of a full dedicated server and shared hosting.
Getting up and running is really simple:
- Choose your operating system out of our options of Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora or Windows 2003
- Choose your storage capacity out of 10, 20, 50 or 100Gb
- Choose your required memory size from 256, 512, 1024 or 2048Mb
- Choose a transfer rate from 2 mbps (megabits per second) or 200Gb/month (Gigabytes per month)
- Indicate how much backup space you're going to need.
It's as easy as that. You can be uploading your web content in minutes flat.
Models shown are our most popular, however if you have more specific requirements please call us on 0845 0066 528
Additional options
| More Bandwidth | Backup | Server Monitoring SMS | |
| Description | Measured by 95th percentile | Backup your server's data | We monitor your server using our existing monitoring infrastructure, and send you SMS alerts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £60 per additional Mbit/s | £25 per 2 GB required | From £20 per month |
| > More info |
If you would like to proceed with a virtualised server, simply contact us so we gather your requirements and get it all up and running for you.