What is a cloud server?

When it comes to hosting having your own server is a big step up from virtual hosting.  If you’re opting for a cheaper un-managed solution you’ll need to know about managing servers, database software, firewalls, security updates etc.

If you’re opting for a managed solution then it can be as easy as using a shared/virtual hosting account if the service comes with a control panel.  You’ll still need to check that the provider will support the software you need, often “Fully Managed” can just mean, “We’ll look after the bits we install as standard, but everything else is on you” – we should know, we’ve had to provide support services for customers with services at a “fully managed” server provider before now.

We’ve given this 2.5 as it can really be anything from 1 to 5 and we offer both un-managed and fully-managed options.

This is where a cloud server can start to really differ from shared hosting with much larger resource allocations (our cloud servers go up to 64GB RAM for example).

It’s important to remember though that some of those CPU/memory/disk resources will be taken up by the operating system and the various services running your sites/apps e.g. database server, email server, security software unlike with shared/virtual hosting where the provider will usually be covering that.  So you 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM and 25GB disk might end up being more like 1 vCPU, 2.5GB RAM and 10GB disk by the time you’re done – or even less if you’re planning on running a control panel such as cPanel or Plesk.

This is probably the area where providers vary the most.   Some will talk the good talk with lots of mentions of “fully managed” etc. whilst not walking-the-walk so it’s important that you check what your chosen provider will actually do:

• Are they providing any support at all? (Managed vs. un-managed)
• Are they providing support for the software you need to use?  Or only software they originally installed for the service?
• Are they proactive or reactive with issues?
• Are they monitoring your sites/apps to make sure they are functioning?
• Will they help diagnose slowdowns in your apps/sites?
• Will they help you scale your sites/apps as your userbase grows?

Above all, it’s important not to make any assumptions when comparing providers, always check that you will get the support you need as providers vary enormously in their definitions of managed/fully managed services.

This is where having your own server can really start to come in to it’s own:

• Need a different system/service configuration? No problem.
• Need a specific piece of software to run your sites/apps? No problem.
• Need to run jobs that take a couple of hours? No problem.

Of course the caveat again, is that if you want a truly fully managed service you’ll need to check with your provider if they’ll support what you want to do.

The only reason we’ve not given it 5/5 is that like with most provider you’re limited to a pre-selected choice of Operating System (although it’s always worth having a chat) and you’re limited to the maximum specification the provider offers on their platform – If you need 1TB RAM you’re unlikely to find that as a cloud server.

A cloud server will usually cost more than a virtual hosting account for the same amount of resources, although it varies between providers and of the level of support provided and how much more dedicated to you the resources are.  Another thing to bear in mind is the cost of any extra software e.g. control panel, enterprise software, security software etc. which can quickly take the cost way in excess of what a virtual hosting account will cost per month.