Virtual hosting is changing the way websites are developed and implemented. When a high-end managed solution is beyond an organisation’s budget, but a basic shared hosting service doesn’t provide enough flexibility, there’s now a happy medium.
Web developers, whether in-house or working for a number of clients, need servers to host their sites, and in most cases these servers will be operated by a service provider in a physically remote location. With a dedicated server, the developer has sole use of a computer and can run their choice of software, with full control over all aspects of the system. Accordingly, costs are relatively high.
Shared hosting is the popular alternative, with prices catering even for the smallest companies and individuals. The service provider hosts multiple customers on one server, each with allocated amounts of storage space and bandwidth. This can be a cost-effective solution for basic hosting, but it’s less than ideal for professional developers. The software and scripts that can be run on the server are subject to the service provider’s conditions, and because the user doesn’t have root access, administration and configuration options will be restricted. This in turn will limit the administration and access facilities that developers can offer to their clients. And because the physical server is managed by the service provider and shared between various users, performance and downtime are subject to many factors beyond the developer’s control.
The Demon solution
Virtualisation, a technology previously used with mainframe computers, is increasingly providing solutions for mainstream IT needs, and web hosting is an ideal application. Rather than dedicating a physical server to one customer, the service provider creates independent partitions on the server. Each of these virtual servers runs its own operating system and software and accesses its own area of storage, all ring-fenced from other functions. This offers most of the advantages of a dedicated server but at a lower cost.
For the web developer, using a virtual server (sometimes referred to as a VPS, for ‘virtual private server’, or VDS, ‘virtual dedicated server’) means that they have root access to their own server and a great deal of autonomy in how they use it. With Demon Virtual Server (DVS) hosting solutions, a web-based ControlCentre tool allows complete self-management. A subset of the same facilities can be offered to end users through a branded portal, allowing the developer to support a number of customers using one hosting package.
With DVS, features that might be unavailable with a shared hosting option come as standard, including unrestricted FTP and CGI-BIN access, full support for PHP, Perl, MySQL and PostgreSQL, unlimited login aliases and nameserver access. Due to its long-standing membership of Nominet UK, THUS, through its Demon brand, can offer .uk domain registration at low prices and will transfer existing .co.uk addresses free of charge.
Performance, reliability and scalability are also enhanced compared to typical shared hosting services. As a tier one service provider, THUS routes traffic directly to other large ISPs over its next-generation network. Service level agreements (SLAs) target the highest possible level of availability, and to achieve this THUS’ dedicated hosting suite is equipped with multiple redundant systems, uninterruptible power supplies and standby generators, intruder detection and fire suppression systems. The servers, all running Linux on Intel Xeon dual processors, are monitored 24 hours a day.
Available in all sizes
The flexibility of virtual hosting means it’s suitable for a very wide range of users and tasks. With Demon Virtual Servers, it’s also easy to upgrade your service at any time, so you won’t be left looking for a new provider if your needs grow. You could use DVS to host an intranet or line-of-business applications such as CRM; to implement an online home for your brand, providing customer information and promotional content; or to set up a full-blown database-driven e-commerce site. The virtual server is yours to exploit, and if you need features or expertise beyond your standard package, THUS can offer additional web and application services at preferential rates.
There are four DVS packages to choose from. They start from the DVS500, with half a gigabyte of storage and 5GB monthly data transfer, all the way to DVS5000, supporting up to a thousand domains and 5000 clients. For those customers who would like to roadtest a virtual server hosting solution, there is a 30-day trial version (DVS20) which offers 200MB of disk space and an allocation of 250MB data transfer. It supports up to five domains and 20 POP3/FTP clients, allowing you to host multiple sites and delegate administrative functions to users via ControlCentre. Apache web server and Exim mail transfer software are also provided.
THUS’ expert team will be happy to discuss your requirements and identify the right package for the type and scale of project you have in mind, whether as a commercial web designer, an in-house web developer, or a business looking at the potential benefits of internal or external online activity. They’ll also be on hand to support your migration to higher service levels in the future.
For more information about Demon Virtual Servers, visit www.demon.net/demon/products/hosting/virtualserverhosting.