Virtual Hosting refers to an environment where multiple domains/sites are hosted on the same server. There are two ways to implement Virtual Hosting - 1) Shared and 2) Virtual Private Server (VPS).
Shared -- This is the most common model for Virtual Hosting. A file directory is set up for each domain. Each domain "shares" certain resources, including the web server, mail server, and other key server software components. Each hosting account has a limited ability to run processes for their own use. Shared hosting has significant disadvantages, a few of which are listed below:
- Stability Issues -- Since many accounts are sharing the operating system, web server, mail server and other key resources, a bug or technical problem with one site can cause a system wide crash, which brings down every site on the server.
- Performance Issues -- There is no way to effectively control resource usage in the Shared environment. One account can consume a large portion of CPU, memory or disk space resulting in fewer resources being available for other accounts.
- Security Issues -- Data and configuration settings are co-mingled in the Shared environment and are protected only by file level passwords. The security of your data can be easily compromised.
- Control Issues -- Due to the fact that each account shares core software components, there are many component level configuration settings that must also be shared. This severely limits the ability to configure and control the environment at the individual account level.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) -- eApps Hosting uses VPS hosting exclusively. Under this model, software innovation has been used to create a vitual server that performs as if it were a full server dedicated to the exclusive use of each account. The industry term for this concept is called Virtualization. The behind the scenes sophistication of virtualization results in a superior hosting solution that is simple to use while eliminating the disadvantages of the Shared approach. A few of the key advantages of the Virtual Private Server hosting environment are listed below:
- Insulation -- Each virtual private server (VPS) is completely partitioned from one another. A crash or lock up on one VPS has no impact on other virtual servers.
- Performance -- Each VPS receives a specified allocation of CPU, memory, and disk. The environment allows for bursting within reasonable limits, but does not permit one VPS from dominating the physical server's resources. The result is that each VPS receives a guaranteed level of service.
- Security -- Each VPS behaves exactly like a dedicated server, allowing the full security scheme to be utilized with absolutely no commingling of data among virtual servers. For the ultimate in security, our higher plans even support Virtual Private Network (VPN) secure tunnels. VPNs allow you to secure all traffic, including web and mail, between your host VPS server and the local computers of your employees regardless of where they are located.
- Control -- Each VPS can be administered with total control of all settings using the powerful, yet easy to use control panel or by direct root access to the VPS via the command line.
eApps uses the Virtual Private Server model for all hosting plans. Starting with our low cost entry level plan, you can take advantage of the benefits of VPS hosting and seamlessly move up to higher level plans as needed. This is made possible by our unsurpassed ability to leverage advanced virtual server hosting technology called HSPcomplete with Virtuozzo, from Parallels (formerly SWSoft). Parallels is the leading vendor of virtualization technology for the managed hosting industry. And no other hosting provider has implemented HSPcomplete to offer such a powerful and effective hosting environment through the entire range of hosting plans!
Take a close look and you will see that our virtual hosting environment is well suited to those that want to quickly implement an existing web site or application AND serious developers that need a technically sohisticated environment with total control. Take a look at some of the features and benefits of our VPS environment.
| Features for Users | Benefit |
| Control Panel | Our easy to use control panel allows you to administer all of the administrative settings for your web site and mail service from a graphical interface. Complete billing information is also available. |
| Private Mail Server | Your VPS will have its own Postini filtered mail server for your private use. Your mail service is immune from being impacted by someone else's abuse of a community wide mail server. |
| Resource Usage Visibility | The control panel, featuring the Virtuozzo Power Panel, shows comprehensive real time and historical resource utilization information allowing you to verify billing and determine if and when additional resources are required. |
| Backup Management | An easy to use interface allows you to manage data backups to meet your needs. |
| Self Service | Add or remove applications, domains, mailboxes and other resources as needed. Upgrade or downgrade your plan with the click of a mouse. |
| Personalized Service | The VPS is easy to use. In the event that you have questions, our responsive staff are experts on the technology. |
| High Performance | Your site or application will receive a guaranteed allocation of resources. Furthermore, your account will run on an extremely powerful server that is up to 10 times faster than servers that some of our competitors use. |
| Features for Programmers | Benefit |
| Root Access | For complete control, use SSH to securely administer the server from the command line. This is possible because you have a private instance of the operating environment, made possible by Virtuozzo, the recognized leader in virtual server technology. |
| Integrated Web Server | You have complete control of an instance of the Apache Web Server, integrated with the Control Panel. |
| Integrated Mail Server | Enjoy the use of a powerful mail service that includes Postini filtering and web mail. Includes instances of SendMail, SquirrelMail, Open WebMail and other mail tools, integrated and available from the Control Panel. |
| Directory Services | Manage users and access control using an LDAP directory using OpenLDAP and an administrative interface. You can easily set up a shared company address book using the LDAP service. |
| Java Application Servers * | Control your own private instance of Tomcat or JBoss. The application servers are configured with up to date versions of all components and advanced features such as EJB 3. |
| Ruby on Rails | Rails developers have an ideal environment, optimized for Ruby on Rails, including Mongrel or FastCGI. |
| Integrated Database Servers | Control of your own private instance of the MySQL
or PostgreSQL database server, or SQLite database. |
| Customized Environment | Deploy your own application servers, database servers, or other software components. |
* Some restrictions apply. See the detailed information for each hosting plan to confirm availability of features.
Ready to start Virtual Private Server hosting services? Visit our Quick Compare page for a complete list of features for all of our plans, or visit our store and choose your plan today. Your state of the art virtual hosting solution can be ready within minutes of signing up. For more information, contact us via email or click on the Live Chat icon on the left hand side of our web site.
