What is a dedicated server?
The term dedicated server can have one of several meanings depending upon who is saying it. Technically speaking a dedicated server is a type of hosting where one client buys or leases an entire physical server they do not share it with anyone unless they choose to resell some of the space.
The client has total control over the server. Dedicated servers may be purchased or leased and may be managed, semi-managed or unmanaged. Managed refers to a technician monitoring the unit, installing system updates, etc. Managed does not refer to maintaining any content or the reselling of space on the system. In fact managed can mean very different things at different hosting companies so always be sure to ask exactly what is included. Dedicated servers are housed in data centers.
Virtual private servers or Virtual dedicated servers, commonly called VPS, are when a single physical sever is divided into segments. Each segment is a virtual private server. Each slice of the server gets a dedicated amount of disk space, memory and CPU time.
The VPS may be fully managed, semi-managed or unmanaged just like a full dedicated server. The client has the same total control over his space as one would have with a dedicated server. The VPS fills a niche between a shared hosting account and a dedicated server. Purchasing a VPS on the lower end of the range is more about control of the server than it is about the physical ability to serve sites. It is the ability to install whatever scripts, software or operating system that is desired. It is a fact that a quality shared hosting account may be better than a low-end VPS.
In recent years a new form of VPS, a semi-dedicated server, has entered the marketplace. This is nothing more than a traditional VPS with a very limited number of accounts.
A dedicated server is like a single family home. A VPS is like a condo building. A semi-dedicated server is like a duplex. Each unit has own private everything but it is still a part of a larger structure. The same features are present in each condo as are present in the home. Only the scale is smaller.
This article was revised 11-17-2008