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Dedicated Server Hosting - what features need to be considered in comparison?

When it comes to a virtual server, also known as VPS Hosting, Virtual Private Server, or VPS, it is a complete operating system that operates in a virtualized environment. Because the user receives the traditional Root Account - the rights of the administrator - it is also referred to as a Root vServer. It offers significant advantages over simple web hosting as it allows for configuring the operating system and software according to specific requirements.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Root vServer?

In terms of configuration possibilities, a Root vServer (VPS) behaves like a dedicated Root Server with exclusive hardware. Virtualization typically takes place in extremely powerful systems or in a Cloud Server within a data cluster. This approach makes it possible to significantly reduce costs for a server with low to medium performance. A disadvantage of vServers is that they share the physical hardware with other instances on the same server, which can lead to temporary performance issues during peak loads.

A Root VPS gives you full control over your server as you have unrestricted Root access as an administrator, allowing you to configure all aspects of the server. This provides high flexibility as you can install and customize any software that meets your specific requirements. However, a Root VPS requires advanced technical knowledge as you are responsible for the security, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the server yourself. This can be time-consuming and requires a high level of attention to ensure that the server is always secure and running optimally. Despite these challenges, a Root VPS is ideal for experienced users who desire maximum control over their server environment.

What is the difference between a vServer and a Root vServer?

The term Root server originally referred to any virtual server where the user had access as Root or Administrator, granting them full control over the operating system. However, in the last decade, this meaning has somewhat evolved. Nowadays, many providers refer to a server as a vServer where all instances share a single Linux kernel. Only the operating systems are isolated from each other in containers (LXC) or through virtualized environments (Virtuozzo, OpenVZ). In contrast, a Root vServer runs on virtualized hardware, providing a fully independent server. This full virtualization is based on solutions like Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) or Hardware Virtual Machine (XEN HVM) and behaves like a dedicated Root Server. It allows for the free installation of custom operating systems such as Microsoft Windows using an ISO image file. However, not all web hosts make this distinction. If no details are provided, it is advisable to explicitly ask customer service about the virtualization technology being used.

What are the key features to consider when comparing Dedicated Servers?

Dedicated Servers differ more in their performance compared to a dedicated Root Server. When comparing multiple offers, the following aspects are particularly important:

• Number of available virtual CPU cores
• Size of guaranteed and temporary RAM
• Network connection bandwidth
• Available storage space and type of drives (SSD/HDD)
• Traffic limitations
• Contract duration and notice period
• Additional features like backups, snapshots, nameservers, or reverse DNS
• Customer service and support

Especially with a Root vServer, potential customers are faced with a wide price range for sometimes similar offers. However, there are often significant qualitative differences, particularly in short-term and long-term performance, technical support, and administration via the web interface. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the experiences of other customers in addition to the technical and financial data.