Website hosting using a VPS host has many different benefits to improve your websites performance and reliability when compared to average shared hosting. So, what’s the difference between a self-managed and fully managed Virtual Private Server?
Individuals or businesses lacking the technical knowledge and experience to operate a VPS (virtual private server) on their own can end up missing out on the vast benefits of this service. The best VPS hosting companies believe clients shouldn’t miss out on any benefits, no matter your level of technical experience. Therefore, these hosts provide an alternative to self-managed VPS hosting to address these concerns and help their clients.
As a standard, VPS hosting companies should offer its non-technical users the ability to take full advantage of VPS hosting benefits without the required knowledge. With that said, clients should aim to select a fast hosting provider, dedicated to improving their reliability and speed. Finding the right host will ensure your website is always accessible to your customers. This will not only benefit your website but also your clients who will encounter your sleek fast loading site. However, many companies fail to provide this service for their client base leading to slower unreliable services.
Let’s have a look at five key differences between fully managed and self-managed Virtual Private Servers.
Table of Contents
1. Operating System Configuration
With VPS hosting you have a wide range of operating systems to select from. Installing the correct operating systems can be challenging for users depending on the complexity of the OS. Potentially leading to errors after installation. If an operating system is unconfigured correctly, your VPS will not function as it should, resulting in errors and potential downtime for your website.
Regular VPS Hosting: With regular VPS hosting, you must install and configure your operating system every time you reinstall it. This can be challenging as different operating systems require different configurations.
Managed VPS Hosting: With fully managed VPS, a highly skilled team will professionally install the required operating system for you resolving any errors that occur. This guarantees your VPS install will run smoothly leaving you with a properly functioning and efficient VPS with no chance for downtime due to installation errors.
2. Professional Advice When It Matters
When upgrading or looking to install new software there are a wide range of options to select from. The wide range of software available on the market increases what your managed VPS can do. Selecting the correct software can be a challenge due to the amount of choice. It may be difficult to figure out if you require certain software.
Regular VPS Hosting: With regular virtual servers, you are left to make these critical decisions on your own with minimal support. For non-technical users this can be a major issue as many people do not know where to start.
Managed VPS Hosting Support: Having professional support to consult with when making important decisions is critical to ensure the best option is selected for you. Check with your host’s support team to verify if they install certain software that you require or perhaps didn’t think of using.
3. Automatic Software Updates
VPS’s take advantage of software developed by others to do specific tasks. As you progress with your VPS you will install different software. Overtime you will have a collection of different applications running. Each application does a specific task therefore it is critical none of the software fails. Developers release updates for their software to patch any bugs or errors in the previous version.
Regular VPS Hosting: To guarantee fast hosting and an efficient VPS it is recommended that you perform software updates when available. Updates not only improve the software but fix errors. With regular VPS hosting updates are left to you. If forgotten about software that has not been updated can causes errors leading to potential downtime.
Managed VPS Hosting: Companies who offer fully managed hosting work with dedicated teams to provide you with the best quality VPS hosting experience possible. However not all hosting providers are equal, so be sure to examine your needs and ensure your host is able to match them. To guarantee your VPS runs efficiently check if your host offers automatic software updates. Using automatic updates helps to take the stress off forgetting dates and getting occasional interruptions in your service. So, standard updates are a plus for any custom software you have installed. This prevents the risk of downtime due to outdated software causing errors.
4. High Level Security
Security is the most important aspect of VPS hosting. Incorrectly configured security settings leave your VPS vulnerable to unauthorized connections. Unauthorized connections have major consequences like data being breached and your VPS being used for malicious activities which can lead to suspension of the service.
Regular VPS Hosting: With regular VPS hosting you are solely responsible for configuring your security. Making it vital to ensure your VPS is correctly secured to prevent any malicious attempts.
Managed VPS: Using managed VPS hosting your provider is responsible for your security. Ensure you select a provider with a highly trained team of technicians who work to prevent unauthorized connections. Some hosts also offer numerous server implementations that increase server security. This guarantees your VPS is secured and will block any unauthorized connection.
5. Core OS and Software Monitoring
Regular VPS Hosting: For unmanaged virtual servers, you are responsible for ensuring that your server runs properly. This is done by monitoring the core OS to ensure the operating system is running smoothly and monitoring software to ensure nothing stops working. If the operating system or software has an issue, this can cause downtime. You then need to spend time looking for the error to resolve any issues.
Managed VPS: A good hosting provider offers a team of highly trained engineers who actively monitor key areas of your VPS like Core OS and Software you may have installed. Selecting a provider who offers this means in the event of any errors or discrepancies occurring the team will move quickly to resolve the issue reducing downtime.
Full VPS Hardware Management
The best VPS hosting companies should keep an eye on their hardware to ensure nothing breaks down or causes errors. If a piece of hardware is going to brake, it will be replaced beforehand. This guarantees your server will never randomly shutdown due to physical hardware failing.
Conclusion
Managed VPS hosting is an excellent choice for those who lack the knowledge to securely operate a VPS efficiently and safely. Keeping data safe is of priority. So why not ensure your VPS is secured and managed by professionals?
