Virtual Server – What Is It?

For years, companies were forced to have many “physical” servers to store and make accessible data, applications, etc. This made the computer park quite heavy and relatively quite expensive. To overcome these difficulties, virtualization has emerged, giving rise to virtual servers (VPS).
In this article, we will discover how virtual servers work, present their advantages and disadvantages, and then see the benefits that make this technological innovation a solution for the future.

What Is A Virtual Server?

A virtual server, a VPS (Virtual Private Server), is a virtual machine that uses the resources of a physical server to offer users the same functionalities provided by a classic dedicated server. A physical server can host several virtual servers.

This virtualization of servers makes it possible to optimize the capacity of use of the hardware resources available because it makes it possible to operate several operating systems on the same physical platform.

The virtual server is part of the so-called “Iaas” services (Infrastructure as a service).

How Does A Virtual Server Work?

The virtual server uses part of the RAM, processor, computing power, and storage memory of the physical server on which it is installed for its operation. A virtual server may have a different operating system from the physical server on which it is installed. Generally, the physical server is called “host,” while the virtual server is called “guest.”

There Are Three Types Of Virtualization

Full virtualization: This type of virtualization uses specific software called a hypervisor. This software interacts directly with the disk space and the central unit. In the case of full virtualization, each “guest” server is independent and even ignores the existence of other “guest” servers present on the same “host” server. This form of virtualization allows each virtual server to have its operating system.

Para-virtualization: In the case of para-virtualization, the “guest” servers are aware of the presence of the other “guest” servers, contrary to what happens in the complete visualization. Therefore, this allows the hypervisor to no longer need a very high power to manage the virtual servers’ operating systems.

Virtualization at the operating system level: In this third case, the hypervisor plays no role. The physical server’s operating system can act as a hypervisor. In the case of virtualization, the virtual servers operate under the same operating system as the host server. We will therefore say that the guest servers are in a “homogeneous” environment.

Why Choose Server Virtualization?

Benefits

The very first advantage of the virtual server is its accessibility cost. Indeed, a VPS is much cheaper than a physical server. Even better, with a VPS, responses to queries from users of a hosted site or application are served relatively quickly. From a security point of view, the data of a VPS cannot be accessed by users of other VPS using the same physical server. It is possible to increase the performance of the VPS by generally subscribing to a superior “hosting formula.” Choosing an external IT service provider allows you to have a new and neutral point of view on your IT equipment and personalized support to find the solution best suited to your needs.

Boundaries

The very first limitation of the VPS is that it requires knowledge of server administration. It is sometimes necessary to master the command lines to make adjustments or changes. It is also essential to master the basics of an exemplary configuration to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the data. Many companies use a server outsourcing service to be able to call on a professional to maintain their servers.

Virtual Server – A Solution For The Future

Because of the many advantages companies derive from server virtualization, this technological solution has a bright future. Indeed, virtualization allows companies to save not only money but also space. Mainly supported by an IT outsourcing provider, companies ensure the constant efficiency of their servers. With virtual servers, it is no longer necessary to implement a single application on a physical server. If the applications are manageable, it is possible to put several on a single physical server thanks to virtualization. Virtualization also helps companies to guarantee data redundancy and, above all, ensure service availability.

Migration is another significant advantage of virtualization that will keep companies adopting it for many years. Indeed, it is possible to migrate virtual servers from a physical server to another physical server. The only requirement is that both physical servers use a processor from the same manufacturer.