What is a VPS? 4 Tips on How to Choose the Best VPS
Infrastructure
18.10.2021
10 min read
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What is VPS? Why do developers around the world use it? Why should you use it? How to choose the best one?
In this article, we will answer all the questions diving deep into every topic.
What does VPS stand for?
This abbreviation could be deciphered as "Virtual private server". Or "Virtual dedicated server" in some cases.
The term itself brings the description of the technology it relates to, actually. Here we are talking about a server — a platform where webmasters and developers store their project’s data or test different ideas (it includes website’s documents, applications’ media, etc.). But this server is not real. It is a virtualized copy of it that works as a fully-fledged PC but uses hardware of another device as its own. VPS can be used to create many such computers that can be simulated using only one physical machine.
Why is it "virtual" and "private"?
It is "virtual" because it exists in the hypervisor — a special application that is installed on a PC and can be used as a full-featured emulator of "real" computers. This emulator takes part of tangible hardware and shares it with an artificial PC using complex virtualization technologies. After that procedure is established the server "looks" like a familiar workspace for developers and webmasters renting it.
It is private because in most cases this kind of server is given full control to the administrator renting it. The whole dedicated infrastructure is controlled by one team and they don’t have to share any resources or data with other users that pay for service of the same hosting.
What is the difference between VPS and VDS?
Let’s talk about virtual dedicated servers a bit more. Sometimes, both abbreviations are used together. Like VDS/VPS. Because they mean the same thing as a product. VPS and VDS are virtual servers that are given full control to one administrator or his team.
But the difference exists and it lies in the technological implementation of virtual servers. VPS is associated with OpenVZ virtualization technology and VDS — with KVM.
But it is important to understand that this designation is very arbitrary. A lot of developers and webmasters use both terms interchangeably.
What is VPS and how does it work?
In general, VPS is a virtual machine that is installed on some PC that can be remotely controlled via a special application or command-line utility.
VPS is a quite cheap way to get your own server without confusing and disturbing functional limitations like in the case of virtual hosting. It costs less because the provider has to buy one physical machine and implement many virtual servers on it instead of buying a PC for every potential webmaster or developer.
And at the same time, VPS is not really limited in its capabilities. It is almost the same in terms of functionality as its counterpart — a dedicated server.
What are VPS's used for?
So, what exactly you can do with VPS and why they’re so necessary for developers and system administrators:
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It is used to create informational web platforms, online stores, and various kinds of commercial web applications.
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To store any personal data without go-between services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
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To develop and test fully functional lightweight applications or MVPs.
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To deploy chunky and complex software platforms like Odoo, 1C Bitrix, etc.
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To create personal gaming servers (to make money on it) or mail servers (to anonymize correspondence).
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To launch and maintain CCTV systems to store a large number of recordings.
There are other use cases for VPS’ but these listed above are the most relevant.
Advantages and disadvantages of VPS
Speaking of benefits, we must pinpoint things like cheapness, independence, less responsibility, good technical equipment. VPS usually costs less than physical servers and at the same time gives capabilities on par with real computers. In most cases, VPS represents an isolated software platform that is accessible by you and your team members. Even the host can’t get inside it and somehow interact with your virtual PC.
Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks. The performance of VPS will never be as high as the performance of a real computer. Hypervisor and virtualization technologies will be a bottleneck that blocks it from achieving all the potential of used hardware. Further, it is not possible to have any impact on the physical state of the rented PC. Hardware installed in it is installed by the host. You’d never be allowed to change something inside the machine.
Two types of VPS
As we mentioned earlier, there are two virtualization technologies used to create VPS/VDS servers. OpenVZ and KVM. What kind of VPS should you choose? Let’s break them down:
OpenVZ
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The amount of resources available for your personal service is dynamically changing. If your web project is in heavy usage, the amount of available resources will grow respectively.
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It is possible to change any characteristics of your PC at any moment without reloading the operating system. Just pay a bit more if you want a more powerful artificial computer.
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It is possible to lose some amount of performance because other users are accessing the host with you in parallel. So, you’re not independent. Moreover, your data is visible to the host.
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You can install only Linux OSes to the OpenVZ server because it is based on the Linux kernel.
KVM
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The volume of hardware resources is static. It is closer to a real PC than in the case with OpenVZ.
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You can change CPU and RAM but it is necessary to relaunch a server so changes take their place.
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You’re fully independent. Nobody can access your data, not even host administrators.
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You can decide by yourself what operating system to install. Even if you choose Windows or macOS.
As you can see, VPS is a much more flexible variant but KVM is more reliable and works as a real PC.
VPS hostings in a nutshell
A hosting provider (also called "host") is a business that creates VPSes and sells access to them to developers and webmasters. The host creates data centers around the world and deploys different applications and websites on them.
Their main task is to make deploying as easy as possible for every user.
VPS in USA: hostings, prices
There are many hosting providers in the USA that are great at doing their job.
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Bluehost — probably the cheapest VPS and quite a popular platform that gives its users unmetered bandwidth. It also gives users an opportunity to easily migrate from old host to new. Renting a server at Bluehost you are getting a free domain and professional technical support 24/7. It costs about $3/month for the most basic plan.
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Hostman — modernity is at the core of this service. It is not only amazingly reliable servers based on platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. It is also the simplest interface to deploy any application, website, or database in a few clicks. And it is just from $5/month for a powerful platform for your projects.
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Hostgator — the great multipurpose server that only costs around $4 per month. It gives unmetered disk space and bandwidth, a 45-days guarantee, and a large search credit.
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DigitalOcean — a basic server at DO will cost you around $5 a month. What’s great about DO — its reliability. It is one of the most fast-growing hostings out there. Functional and modern.
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AWS — one of the biggest platforms to deploy apps and websites. It is the platform created by Amazon and used by giants like Apple. One of the most functional and reliable. The price depends on the number of projects and their resource capacities.
Is there free VPS out there?
There are but they’re problematic. If your host offers you a free server it comes with many caveats for sure. Like:
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Obligation to place an ad on your website.
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Limit of resources.
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No privacy. Nobody will bother about confidential data.
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No security. Nobody will defend you from hackers and viruses.
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Limited functionality.
We don’t recommend using free hosting because there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If you don’t pay for the product — you are the product. Your personal information, your files, your users.
How to choose VPS that fits your needs?
The decision strongly depends on what exactly you need to do with your VPS and what is your working environment. So you must answer some questions before renting the virtual server.
Choose an operating system
It is necessary to select an operating system, whether it will be Windows or some Linux distributive.
Linux is more flexible and lightweight. It is a great choice for small projects and backend systems like databases that are manipulated via command line without any needing for the graphical user interface. Furthermore, Linux is more resistant to hackers’ attacks and resource-intensive tasks.
Windows is an option for users that need to work with Microsoft’s services and products. For example, if your team relies on Teams (tautology intended), Office 365, and Outlook, you’d better consider VPS with Windows onboard. Moreover, it is a nice choice for those of you who want to deploy a remote operating system with a full-fledged graphical interface.
Rent appropriate "hardware"
It is a must to rent a server that is fully capable to deal with the job you’re going to delegate to it. Also, it is really important to pay for a bit more so your project won’t stop working because of exponential user base growth.
The one thing you should definitely consider before renting a server — finding one with SSD storage. It will guarantee delivering the data to users in a most efficient and quick way.
Choose the most effective datacenter
The performance of your websites and applications depends not only on used hardware but also on bandwidth. It is really important to choose a host that can ensure a fast and stable internet connection. Besides that, it would be great to see many data centers around the world so you can deploy your projects as close to your potential users as possible.
Moreover, the host must provide you with security measures like a screening system that blocks malware, security staff which is responsible for protecting servers from any physical impact or thefts. And also it should protect your applications and websites from DDoS attacks and any potential data loss.
Choose VPS that is suitable for the job you’re going to with it
Sometimes you have to choose a host based on more specific criteria. For example, you might need a server that is purposefully created to work with gaming servers. It has specific attributes like accents on more broad bandwidth and capability of fast deploying of gaming worlds. There is a good example of such a server called HostHavoc. It has a highly specialized interface and control panel that allows everyone to create their gaming world in a few clicks.
Some hosts provide amazing server capabilities for trading. Like VPS for Forex that gives you access to an instant executional platform to work with. Additionally, they usually can boast of a professional technical support team that has expertise in trading. So if you’re trying to find the best VPS host for Forex, you should find one with such a technical support team.
Also, we would recommend trying out multipurpose platforms like Hostman. It just asks you what you want to deploy and takes care of the rest. Using Hostman deploying applications, websites, databases, and other stuff is a breeze.
A few tips for those who are going to rent their first VPS
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Don’t pick a plan with the biggest amount of storage at first. There’s a huge chance for you to overpay. You’d better calculate what SSD you need to launch your project and maintain it.
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Better to overpay for security measures. If you don’t know how to defend yourself from DDoS attacks, pay someone who’d do this.
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Don’t rent first found VPS over a long period. The best idea would be to use a testing period. Many hosts give one. For example, Hostman lets new users try out every function of the service for 7 days for free.
Summary
That’s it. VPS is an outstandingly useful tool. The only thing you need to do to make it even more effective is to choose the right one. Consider your priorities and needs while you are going through different hosts and VPSes. Don’t pay forward too much and prioritize not only your needs but users’ of yours. Try VPS by Hostman for 7 days for free to understand if it fits you.
Infrastructure
18.10.2021
10 min read
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Infrastructure
Hybrid Cloud Computing: Architecture, Benefits, and Use Cases
A hybrid cloud is an infrastructure model that combines private and public cloud services. Private clouds are owned by the company, while public clouds rely on provider resources, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Hostman.
Hybrid Cloud Architecture
The architecture of a hybrid cloud consists of the company’s own data center, external resources, and private hosting. These components are connected through a unified management process.
The key feature of the hybrid approach is the ability to connect systems that handle business-critical data, which cannot be placed on public infrastructure, while still leveraging the advantages of external hosting, such as on-demand scaling.
Hybrid Cloud Advantages
Hybrid cloud addresses the limitations of both public and private cloud services. It is a compromise solution with several important benefits:
Reduced computing costs compared to relying solely on in-house hardware.
Flexible management: critical data can remain on private infrastructure, while less sensitive workloads can be handled by the provider.
Easy scalability by using resources offered by cloud providers.
Disadvantages
Some drawbacks of hybrid cloud include:
Integration complexity: establishing a reliable connection between private and public environments can be challenging.
Risk of failure: if resources are poorly distributed or one segment fails, the entire system may be affected.
Oversubscription: some providers may allocate the same resources to multiple clients.
Such issues can be avoided by carefully selecting a provider. For instance, when configuring a hybrid cloud on Hostman, you can rely on expert support and guaranteed access to the resources you pay for.
Use Cases
Here are several examples of situations where hybrid cloud infrastructure is particularly useful:
Rapid Project Scaling
Suppose you run an online store. During high-traffic events like Black Friday, website traffic spikes dramatically. Cloud architecture reduces the risk of server crashes during peak loads. Additional resources can be deployed in the cloud as needed and removed once demand decreases, preventing unnecessary costs.
Scalability is also crucial for big data processing. Using cloud resources is more cost-effective than maintaining a large in-house data center.
Data Segregation
Confidential client information can be stored in a private cloud, while corporate applications run on public cloud infrastructure. Public hosting is also suitable for storing backup copies, ensuring business continuity if the primary system encounters problems.
Development and Testing
External cloud resources can be used for deployment and testing, allowing teams to simulate workloads and identify bugs not visible in local environments. After validation, the new version can be deployed to the main infrastructure.
Conclusion
Hybrid cloud is a practical approach for companies that value flexibility and aim for rapid growth. It combines the advantages of private and public hosting, enabling multiple use cases, from quickly deploying additional resources to securely storing sensitive data and testing new products.
21 October 2025 · 3 min to read
Infrastructure
Hypervisor: Types, Examples, Security, Comparison
A hypervisor is a process that helps separate the operating system and running applications from the hardware component. This typically refers to specialized software. However, embedded hypervisors also exist. These are available from the start, rather than being launched after system deployment.
The hypervisor is what enables the development of the virtualization concept. Hardware virtualization is the ability to manage multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single device. They become guest systems.
An example of virtualization in use is renting a virtual server from a hosting provider. Multiple isolated spaces are located on one device. Different software can be installed on them. This increases resource utilization efficiency. Memory, computing power, and bandwidth are distributed among virtual servers rather than sitting idle waiting for load.
Virtualization is not limited to servers. Storage hypervisors use it for data storage. They run on physical hardware as VMs, within the system, or in another storage network. Hypervisors also help virtualize desktops and individual applications.
History of the Hypervisor
Virtualization began being used in the 1960s. For the most part, the virtualization environment was applied to IBM mainframes. Developers used it to test ideas and to study and refine hardware concepts. This made it possible to deploy systems and fix errors without threats to the stability of the primary equipment.
At the beginning of the new millennium, virtualization received a powerful boost thanks to widespread adoption in Unix family operating systems. There were several reasons for mass distribution:
Server hardware capabilities improved.
Architecture refinement led to increased reliability and security.
Developers began implementing hardware virtualization on processors based on x86 architecture.
This led to mass adoption. Since then, virtualization systems have been used not only for solving complex engineering tasks, but also for simple resource sharing and even home entertainment. In recent years, virtualization has expanded beyond x86 to ARM-based processors, with solutions like Apple's Virtualization framework and AWS Graviton instances becoming increasingly common.
Advantages of Hypervisors
Although virtual machines run on a single device, logical boundaries are built between them. This isolation protects against threats. If one virtual machine fails, others continue to operate.
Another huge advantage is mobility. VMs are independent of hardware. Want to migrate an environment to another server? No problem. Need to deploy a VM on a local computer? Also a simple task. Less connection to hardware means fewer dependencies.
Finally, resource savings. A hosting provider manages equipment more rationally by providing one physical server to multiple clients. Machines don't sit idle, but bring benefit with all their capabilities. Clients don't overpay for physical equipment while simultaneously gaining the ability to scale quickly and conveniently if such a need arises.
Types of Hypervisors
There are two types of hypervisors, concisely named Type 1 and Type 2.
TYPE 1: bare-metal hypervisors. They run on the computer's hardware. From there, they manage the equipment and guest systems. This type of virtualization is offered by Xen, Microsoft Hyper-V, Oracle VM Server, and VMware ESXi. Modern cloud providers also use specialized Type 1 hypervisors like AWS Nitro and KVM-based solutions.
TYPE 2: hosted hypervisors. They operate within the system as regular programs. Virtual systems in this case appear in the main system as processes. Examples include VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, VMware Player, and Parallels Desktop.
To increase the stability, security, and performance of hypervisors, developers combine features of both types, creating hybrid solutions. They work both on "bare metal" and using the host's main system. Examples include recent versions of Xen and Hyper-V.
The boundaries between bare-metal and hosted hypervisors are gradually blurring. However, it's still possible to determine the type. Though there's usually no practical need for this.
Hypervisor Comparison
Virtualization types are not the only difference. Hypervisors solve different tasks, have different hardware requirements, and have licensing peculiarities.
Hyper-V
A free hypervisor for servers running Windows OS. Its features:
No graphical interface; configuration and debugging must be done in the console.
Licenses must be purchased for all VMs running Windows.
No technical support, although updates are released regularly.
Hyper-V uses encryption to protect virtual machines and also allows reducing and expanding disk space. Among the disadvantages: there's no USB Redirection needed for connecting USB devices to virtual hosts. Instead, Discrete Device Assignment is used, which is not a complete replacement.
VMware
VMware is a virtualization technology created by the American company of the same name. It's used to organize virtual server operations. In 2024, Broadcom acquired VMware and introduced significant changes to licensing models and product portfolios, shifting focus toward larger enterprise customers.
Many know about ESXi, a hardware hypervisor built on a lightweight Linux kernel called VMkernel. It contains all the necessary virtualization tools.
A license must be purchased for each physical processor to operate. The amount of RAM and how many virtual machines you plan to run on your equipment doesn't matter. Note that under Broadcom's ownership, licensing models have evolved, with many standalone products being bundled into subscription packages.
VMware has free virtualization tools. However, their capabilities are insufficient for professional use. For example, the API works in read-only mode, and the number of vCPUs must not exceed eight. Additionally, there are no backup management tools.
VMware Workstation
The VMware Workstation hypervisor was created in 1999. Now it's a virtualization tool for x86-64 computers with Windows and Linux. The hypervisor supports over two hundred guest operating systems. VMware Hypervisor has a free version with reduced functionality, typically used for familiarization and testing. In 2024, Broadcom made VMware Workstation Pro free for personal use, making it more accessible to individual users and developers.
KVM
An open-source tool designed for Linux/x86-based servers. Intel-VT and AMD-V extensions are also supported, and ARM virtualization extensions are increasingly common.
The KVM hypervisor is quite popular. It's used in many network projects: financial services, transportation systems, and even in the government sector. KVM is integrated into the Linux kernel, so it runs quickly. Major cloud providers use KVM as the foundation for their virtualization infrastructure. However, some disadvantages remain.
Built-in services are not comparable in functionality to other hypervisors' solutions. To add capabilities, third-party solutions must be used, such as SolusVM or more modern management platforms like Proxmox VE.
KVM is being refined by a community of independent developers, so gradually there are fewer shortcomings in its operation. The quality of the hypervisor is confirmed by hosting providers who choose it for virtualization on their equipment.
Xen
Xen is a cross-platform hypervisor solution that supports hardware virtualization and paravirtualization. It features minimal code volume. Modules are used to expand functionality. Open source code allows any specialist to modify Xen for their needs.
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Oracle VM VirtualBox is a cross-platform hypervisor for Windows, Linux, macOS, and other systems.
It is one of the most popular hypervisors, especially in the mass market segment. This is partly because VM VirtualBox has open source code. The program is distributed under the GNU GPL license.
A distinctive feature: VirtualBox offers broad compatibility across different host and guest operating system combinations, making it ideal for development and testing environments.
Hypervisors vs. Containers
Hypervisors are often contrasted with containers. They allow deploying a greater number of applications on a single device.
You already know what a hypervisor is and how it works. The problem is that VMs consume many resources. To operate, you need to make a copy of the operating system, plus a complete copy of the equipment for this system to function. If you allocate a nominal 4 GB of RAM to a VM, then the main device will have 4 GB less RAM.
Unlike VMs, a container only uses the operating system's resources. It also needs power to run a specific application. But much less is required than to run an entire OS.
However, containers cannot completely replace VMs. This is partly due to the increased risk of losing all data. Containers are located inside the operating system. If the host is attacked, all containers can be damaged or lost.
A virtualization server creates multiple virtual machines. They don't interact with each other; there are clear boundaries between them. If one machine is attacked, the others remain safe. Along with all their contents.
In modern infrastructure, containers and VMs are often used together. Container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes typically run on virtual machines, combining the isolation benefits of VMs with the efficiency of containers. This hybrid approach has become the standard for cloud-native applications.
Security Issues
Hypervisors are more secure than containers. However, they still have problems. Theoretically, it's possible to create a rootkit and malicious application that installs itself disguised as a hypervisor.
Such a hack is called hyperjacking. It's difficult to detect. Protection doesn't trigger because the malicious software is already installed and intercepts system actions. The system continues to work, and the user doesn't even suspect there are problems.
To protect the system from rootkits, specialists are developing various approaches that protect it without negatively affecting performance. Modern processors include hardware-based security features like Intel TXT and AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization to help prevent hypervisor-level attacks.
How to Choose a Hypervisor
The choice is vast: VMware or VirtualBox, Hyper-V or KVM. There's one universal recommendation: focus on the tasks. If you need to test an operating system in a virtual machine on a home computer, VirtualBox will suffice. If you're looking for a solution to organize a corporate-level server network, then the focus shifts toward VMware tools (keeping in mind recent licensing changes), KVM-based solutions like Proxmox, or cloud-native options.
For cloud deployments, consider managed hypervisor solutions from providers like Hostman, AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, which abstract away much of the complexity while providing enterprise-grade performance and security.
20 October 2025 · 9 min to read
Infrastructure
Information Security (InfoSec): Definition, Principles Triad, and Threats
Information security refers to various methods of protecting information from outsiders. That is, from everyone who should not have access to it. For example, a marketer typically has no reason to view the company's financial statements, and an accountant doesn't need to see internal documents from the development department.
Before the era of universal digitization, it was mainly paper documents that needed protection. They were hidden in safes, secret messages were encrypted, and information was transmitted through trusted people. Today, computer security is the foundation of any business.
InfoSec Principles
Information security protection is based on three principles: availability, integrity, and confidentiality.
Confidentiality: data is received only by those who have the right to it. For example, application mockups are stored in Figma, with access limited to designers and the product manager.
Integrity: data is stored in full and is not changed without permission from authorized persons. Suppose there's code in a private repository. If an unauthorized person gains access to the repository and deletes part of the project, this violates integrity.
Availability: if an employee has the right to access information, they receive it. For example, every employee can access their email. But if the email service is attacked and made unavailable, employees won't be able to use it.
Adhering to these principles helps achieve the goal of information security: to reduce the likelihood of or eliminate unauthorized access, modification, distribution, and deletion of data.
Many companies also adopt a zero-trust security approach that assumes no user or system should be trusted by default. This reinforces all three principles by requiring continuous verification.
What Information Needs Protection
Understanding what data should be protected is what information security in a company depends on.
Information can be publicly accessible or confidential.
Publicly accessible: this data can be viewed by anyone.
Confidential: available only to specific users.
At first glance, it seems that information security measures don't apply to publicly accessible information, but this isn't true. Only the principle of confidentiality doesn't apply to it. Publicly accessible data must remain integral and, logically, available.
For example, a user's page on a social network. It contains publicly accessible information. The social network ensures its availability and integrity. If the user hasn't changed privacy settings, anyone can view their page. But they cannot change anything on it.
At the same time, the account owner can configure confidentiality, for instance, hide their friends, groups they're subscribed to, and musical interests.
Confidential information also comes in different types. These can be:
Personal user data.
Trade secrets: information about how the company operates and what projects it conducts and how.
Professional secrets, which must be kept by doctors, lawyers, notaries, and representatives of certain other professions.
Official secrets: for example, pension fund data, tax inspection information, banking details.
State secrets: intelligence information, data on economic conditions, foreign policy, science and technology.
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an attempt to show how much data needs information security measures applied to it.
Possible Threats
The enormous list of potential threats is usually divided into four types:
Natural: for example, hurricanes or floods.
Man-made: phenomena related to human activity. They can be unintentional (employee error) or intentional (hacker attack).
Internal: threats that originate from within the system, such as from employees.
External: threats that originate from other sources, such as attacks by competitors.
With the mass adoption of remote work formats, the number of man-made threats, both external and internal, intentional and unintentional, has noticeably increased. Because of this, the workload on information security specialists has grown.
Today's threat environment includes several increasingly prevalent attack vectors:
Ransomware attacks: malicious software that encrypts company data and demands payment for its release. These attacks have become more sophisticated and targeted, often crippling entire organizations.
Supply chain attacks: compromising software or hardware providers to gain access to their customers' systems. Attackers exploit trust relationships between organizations and their vendors.
AI-powered threats: artificial intelligence is being used to create more convincing phishing campaigns, generate deepfakes for social engineering attacks, and automate vulnerability discovery. At the same time, AI is also being deployed defensively to detect and respond to threats faster.
Social engineering and deepfakes: attackers use AI-generated audio and video to impersonate executives or trusted individuals, making fraudulent requests appear legitimate.
Protection Measures
Organizational information protection measures are implemented at several control levels.
Administrative: the formation of standards, procedures, and protection principles. For example, developing a corporate security policy. At this level, it's important to understand what data you will protect and how.
Logical: protection of access to software and information systems. At this control level, access rights are configured, passwords are set, and secure networks and firewalls are configured.
Physical: at this level, physical infrastructure is controlled. This refers not only to access to equipment, but also to protection from fires, floods, and other emergency situations.
Despite digitization, physical information protection remains no less important. Antivirus software and access rights separation won't help if attackers gain physical access to the server. They won't save you in case of an emergency either. To eliminate such problems, Hostman uses infrastructure in protected data centers.
20 October 2025 · 5 min to read
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