Blog

Is There A Middle Ground Between Shared Hosting, VPS, And Cloud Hosting?

Website owners and webmasters are always on the look-out for a stable and quality hosting environment. The four “S’s” of web hosting and web servers are “Speed, stability, security, and support.” This combination is often difficult to find, especially with a fixed budget. We’ll start with the hosting basics and “move up” as we go.

Grid versus Non-Grid Hosting

This is a simple (and certainly not a new concept) in hosting, especially shared environments. Basically – if you are on Grid Hosting – this says that your web host has established a cluster of servers in order to maximize speed and performance. Think of Grid Hosting as using the best “access points”. If your site is trying to utilize resources from one server and they simply are not available to properly load the site (or maintain a committed promise of certain speeds, load time, etc.) it will access another server’s resources.

Shared Hosting versus Virtual Private Servers (VPS)

Shared hosting is generally a good starting point for small businesses and beginning bloggers. A shared hosting environment is precisely how it sounds. Your websites are on one machine (or grid) where potentially thousands of other websites are hosted. Security is at a greater risk, and software and hardware functions and changes are virtually non-existent. Basic examples of this are adjustments to files like php.ini, httpd (Apache versions and functions), and much more. Sometimes (but none too often) will you be able to convince your web host to make adjustments to these files. Usually these changes are only made by the web host when an upgrade is necessary and it serves the community on the server as a whole (example given – debugging or improved modules or packages).

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) are again precisely as they sound. While you are on a system that contains other clients, you are allocated a specific amount of disk space (and usually bandwidth) for use in your “segment” of the server. For example, a server may have a total hard disk space of 1 TB (1,000Gb), but you are allocated a portion of this (example – 50 to 80 Gb depending on your plan). In this instance, you have the option of configuring the server to fit your needs. Be careful when choosing a VPS however, because many VPS hosts are using older resources (hardware) that don’t support upgraded software packages like the latest version of MySql or PostgreSQL database, phpMyAdmin, or other critical module and package updates. Security is much better than a shared environment, but no web host or web master can guarantee a 100% safe environment. Generally site speed and load time are also better with a VPS.

Cloud Hosting

Yes, this is the new hot item for hosting….if you can afford it. There are many benefits to cloud hosting, and the one that comes to mind the quickest is redundancy. Think of cloud hosting as being similar in nature to a Content Delivery Network (CDN). With both, multiple servers are involved. The processing ability and speed are significantly better than other forms of hosting. This form of hosting, while ideal for anyone, is simply not an affordable solution for smaller businesses, bloggers, and the greater majority of those online. For more information and a quick video on cloud hosting, you may want to check out Web Hosting Secret Revealed.

The Middle Ground

What if there were a low cost solution that gave web host managers, bloggers, and small business site owners the balance of all these that still includes the four “S’s”? Well, there is. Wouldn’t you like to adjust your php.ini file to do little things to help your site’s performance without having to contact your web host? Shared hosting and even some Virtual Private Servers limit the type of php available for your site to run. Different sites perform better on different types of PHP. Security varies, site speed, and even its’ ability to function. Wouldn’t you like to (again) be able to choose from PHP-CGI, Fast-CGI, suPHP, PHPSuExec, Mod-PHP and more at the touch of a button, again without having to beg your web host provider?

If you are looking for the “Middle Ground” for web hosting with these features, full support and flexibility – all with the most advanced technology available for your hosting environment – try Hosts with Support – Advanced Hosting. Get the speed, stability, security, and support you need at Linux Hosting Only. Great reseller packages are available that outshine the competition…hands down….and affordable!

DrKevChiropract: Video Chiropractic Back Pain Treatment: en: http://t.co/6wr2BNJDFW via @youtube
in 5 hours from Tweet Button

reply | follow DrKevChiropract

BowenFurniture: Dealing with back pain and stress? Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, Stressless Recliners can... http://t.co/dcamS3dRgI
in 5 hours from Facebook

reply | follow BowenFurniture

mejiro_chiro: Mejiro Family Chiropractic is located 3 mins away from JR Mejiro station.(close to Ikebukuro,Tkadanobaba &Shinjyuku) http://t.co/CLg8FRLy8V
in 5 hours from web

reply | follow mejiro_chiro

bivori: #RT @bivori:: Nofollow SEO Tutorial - How to convert post links nofollow? http://t.co/I67uGaHuMc #dofollowlinks
in 5 hours from Tweet Old Post

reply | follow bivori

More Story Tag Tweets... »

About The Author

I am a writer, editor, and publisher (just barely). I started Blog Interact® to allow for an "all-inclusive" site for bloggers and other journalists to come together and view each other's work. Additionally, Blog Interact® allows viewers and subscribers to find the highest quality and helpful content available on the web. Connect with me through Blog Interact®, LinkedIn, or Twitter!

Website: http://sandlapperwebdesign.com/