VPS - Advantages and Disadvantages?

[smeagol]

What are the main reasons VPS's are good and bad?

[marcovaldo]

Depends on what you want to do.


For most stuff, it is just useless, because you can do it with your connexion. But if it is restricted to some countries/IP, it might help.

[pedrog]

If you need higher server control and you don't need much resources, VPS does the job.

[naphto]

If you need higher server control and you don't need much resources, VPS does the job.

I don't need that at all

[b!z]

If you only need web hosting, use a shared host. If you need more than that, get a VPS. If you need more control and more resources, get a dedi.

[01BTC10]

My VPS has better ping, bandwitch and uptime than my home connection.

[b!z]

My VPS has better ping, bandwitch and uptime than my home connection.

because it is in a fancy datacenter

[smeagol]

If you only need web hosting, use a shared host. If you need more than that, get a VPS. If you need more control and more resources, get a dedi.

Actually, what is a VPS?  Is it a server in the cloud?
And by dedi do you mean a dedicated machine?

[pedrog]

If you only need web hosting, use a shared host. If you need more than that, get a VPS. If you need more control and more resources, get a dedi.

Actually, what is a VPS?  Is it a server in the cloud?
And by dedi do you mean a dedicated machine?

Virtual Private Server, it means there are a bunch of operating systems in one computer.

This makes having a server very affordable.

Yes, that is what dedicated is.

[pedrog]

Cons:

VPS server can be hacked and they will access your data = BAD. Happened to my provider.
OpenVZ shares kernel with the host, makes some stuff hard. In the future I'd go KVM route.
Overselling could slow your VPS.

Pros:

Dirt cheap, I pay $5 for 2GB ram OpenVZ from ChicagoVPS, 256MB ram for $1/mo
Great for development environments, easy reinstall of OS

But, everything can be hacked...

[FirstAscent]

I haven't seen any satisfactory answers.

VPS advantages:
- Ability to configure, install and run any type of program developed with any language
- Ability to fully develop, test and deploy a multi server architecture with multiple VPSs
- Safe from the whims of policy and configuration changes of shared hosting companies
- Relatively cheap

[rigel]

VPS are more flexible: and you can add/remove hardware easily

[marcovaldo]

I haven't seen any satisfactory answers.

VPS advantages:
- Ability to configure, install and run any type of program developed with any language
- Ability to fully develop, test and deploy a multi server architecture with multiple VPSs
- Safe from the whims of policy and configuration changes of shared hosting companies
- Relatively cheap

It depends on what you want ...
For 99% on people, VPS are useless...

[moni3z]

I've just been using Heroku lately and building Common Lisp web apps to use on it. Last time I used a VPS was when I built my own email server in Iceland and wanted a .onion login to retrieve msgs to avoid SSL/TLS problems. Also converted a lot of things to Go to use on Google App Engine which still has a pretty painless encrypted db backup option that replicates. They also lowered the price but still too expensive unless you're running a busy backend or site.

My only problem with VPS hosting is overselling. If it's too cheap, it's oversold and you won't be getting the resources advertised you'll get half of that

[b!z]

I haven't seen any satisfactory answers.

VPS advantages:
- Ability to configure, install and run any type of program developed with any language
- Ability to fully develop, test and deploy a multi server architecture with multiple VPSs
- Safe from the whims of policy and configuration changes of shared hosting companies
- Relatively cheap

It depends on what you want ...
For 99% on people, VPS are useless...

Where did you get this number from?

[uoyeparannog]

But, everything can be hacked...

Yes, but if someone hacks Your service provider, it isn't Your fault, so more pain in ass and You cannot avoid it on Your own (unless You'll run pentest on Your provider and help him with hardening).

Pros:
1. If You need something cheap, VPS is it.
2. Perfect for hosting small to medium projects.
3. If You are skilled enough, You can use VPS just like "smaller" dedicated server without noticing big difference in many cases - just some more fun and effort.
4. You can mine LTC on it if You want (can cover around 30% hosting cost, with strongly niced miner You won't even notice any "lag").
5. Perfect for development and testing purposes.
6. It can be Your swiss-knife if You know what You want to do with it.

Cons:
1. In most cases, dedicated servers haves better performance for lower price (assuming that You want to achieve similar results on dedic).
2. Hardware problems - most VPS providers will not give You direct access to hardware.
3. In some countries, provider can browse Your private data legally (and share funny news with police).
4. Some providers will beat You if You'll use 100% CPU or so.
5. In most cases (not all), VPS isn't very good to handle big traffic.
6. It's fun to have Your own "dedic" in toilet!