If you have a website, it is important that you understand all the terms associated with domains and website hosting and one of the most important terms is virtual servers.

A virtual server is basically a cost effective method of converting a physical server into a machine which can run multiple operating systems concurrently.

A virtual server is important in the IT department of every company. This is because it enables technicians to manage computer resources effectively. With most hosting companies, deployment of virtualization solutions is done by the repackaging of Dedicated Servers as VPS or Virtual Private Servers.

Clients get to share the resources of the main server through one of the following ways:

1. Paravirtualized

2. Fully virtualized

3. A combination of 1 and 2 – hybrid

In all cases the client access to the main server is controlled by hypervisor. The main difference is the degree of control exercised by the hypervisor

These severs have several advantages over physical servers. The greatest advantage is that you save money since you do not have to invest in hardware. Since most physical servers are meant to handle individual applications such as emails or databases, there is a lot of underutilization of resources. With a virtual server, you only use the resources you need, much like cloud hosting.

Another advantage is that you will save on space as the original server will be stationed at a different location.

A virtual server is cheaper compared to a physical server because the costs of running the server; power costs, cooling costs, and maintenance costs, is shared among the server users.

Other advantages of a virtual server are that the server software program can be customized to suit the needs of the customer and the virtual server will offer flexibility and complete control of a website.

Each virtual server has a processor, its own resource allocation, its own file system, and different applications based on the use.

It is the responsibility of the hosting company to maintain the server and to secure data. The company can also put in place its own security measures to further protect data. These servers are either Linux or Windows Servers. You should use a Linux virtual server if you are using Linux-based scripts such as php, Python, and Cgi and you should use a Windows virtual server if you are using Windows-based scripts such as ASP or ASP.Net.