For most computing needs, whether for your application, your website, your data, or any other use, you need a server to deliver that service.
But to choose a hosting offer that best meets your needs and budget, you need to be able to compare the two most common offerings from hosting providers: the dedicated server (physical), or the virtual server (also known as an "instance", "Virtual Machine or VM", or "VPS").
At ST DIGITAL, we provide both virtual servers and dedicated servers.
To help you make your choices, here is a comparison
What is a dedicated server?
A dedicated server is a physical server (very similar to a standard computer) located in the hosting provider's data center (datacenter), which is dedicated to you. The machine is accessible only by you, and you can use 100% of its power. The tenant (you) is free to install the operating system (Windows or Linux) of your choice, but the hardware is fixed: you cannot upgrade it. To do so, you will need to change your plan with the hosting provider, then reinstall your system, your software, and your data. Please note that you must plan in advance for the capacity you will be using, which means that in most cases, you will need to rent a machine that is "overpowered" for your initial usage. This is not the case with a virtual server.
If you terminate your dedicated server, the hardware is recycled for another client (and the hard drives are wiped), or disposed of depending on the hosting provider from whom you are renting the service.
What is a virtual server? (also known as an "instance", "VM" or "VPS")
The virtual server has nothing physical about it — it is simply the hosting provider running your operating system (Windows or Linux) as standard software. It is as if you could launch multiple Windows instances on the same computer, in parallel. You do not see the actual physical hardware; you see only what the hosting provider makes available to you, according to the plan you have subscribed to.
At ST DIGITAL (and other "cloud" hosting providers), we operate very large dedicated physical servers, which we divide into smaller portions that we rent to clients according to their needs. In practice, multiple clients share the same physical machine and its resources (processor, RAM, hard drive) with other clients on that same physical machine. The hosting provider gives you access to your virtual server via the internet, so from your perspective, the experience is exactly the same as with a dedicated server. You cannot see which other clients are on the same machine (only the hosting provider can), and no one other than you can access your server or data.
If you terminate your virtual server, the hosting provider simply stops and deletes your server (and data) within seconds, with no hardware to recycle, as everything is software-based. This also allows you to increase or reduce your server's capacity in just a few clicks; you are no longer dependent on hardware — that is the hosting provider's responsibility. The same applies to hardware failures (hard drive, power supply, etc.), which are transparent to you: only the hosting provider needs to handle them, at no additional cost to you.
To go into a little more detail, here is an explanatory table that will shed light on the functions of these two different types of servers:
|
Dedicated server |
Virtual machine (or instance, or VPS) |
|
|
Hosted in a datacenter, with a hosting provider |
Yes |
Yes, within its cloud. |
|
Billed based on usage? |
No (everything is billed on an ongoing basis). |
Yes (billed monthly or hourly). |
|
Obligation to plan usage in advance |
Yes, as the hardware is fixed. |
No, you can change the capacity at any time, in just a few clicks. |
|
Power consumption |
The server consumes its own energy. If the server is unused, it still consumes a minimum amount. |
Depends solely on processor usage. If the processor is not in use, it consumes no energy. |
|
Hardware dependency in case of failure |
Yes, you must have the defective components replaced. |
No, everything is software-based, the hosting provider handles it without you noticing. |
|
Service loss in the event of hardware failure |
Yes, as long as the hardware has not been repaired by the hosting provider, there is no possibility of recovering data until it has been repaired. |
Most often the instance restarts on another physical server immediately (transparent to you). Depends on the hosting provider and the options subscribed. |
|
Quickly increase or reduce RAM memory |
No (hardware purchase required) |
Yes |
|
Quickly increase or reduce processing power |
No (hardware purchase required) |
Yes |
|
Quickly increase or reduce disk space |
No (hardware purchase required) |
Yes |
|
Ability to take snapshots (disk snapshots) |
Complex (depends on the operating system) |
Yes, regardless of the operating system |
|
Data security (redundancy) |
If your hard drive fails and you do not have a system RAID, you may lose your data. |
It is the hosting provider that takes care of securing your data. The RAID system (or equivalent) is integrated as standard in the price, and is transparent to you. |
|
Data migration or copying |
Complex, another server must be available, and it must be done within the operating system. |
As simple as copy/paste. |
|
Duplicate a complete server |
Complex, most often unfeasible. |
As simple as copy/paste. |
|
Private LAN between multiple servers |
Yes, depending on the hosting provider |
Yes, depending on the hosting provider |
|
Multiple private LAN networks |
No |
Yes, depending on the hosting provider |
|
Firewall management |
Complex (depends on the operating system) |
Simple : via the hosting provider's web management interface or its API, regardless of the operating system |
|
Operating system installation |
Standard installation required (often automated) |
Snapshot |
|
The price |
The price is fixed |
The price-to-performance ratio is not as good as on a dedicated server, but flexibility and security come at a cost 🙂 |