Have you ever heard of VPS Hosting? You probably have, and the chances are some of your favourite websites today run on the power of the Virtual Private Server. It’s a simple fact – VPS Hosting is one of the most popular hosting services you can choose for a website. With the use of virtualisation technology, it can provide you with private, dedicated resources on a server shared by multiple users. Its shared nature makes it more affordable, while privacy guarantees resources that are exclusively yours. More secure than Shared Hosting and less expensive than Dedicated Hosting, VPS Hosting offers you the best of both worlds.
The privacy and isolation of VPS Hosting are achieved through a software known as the Hypervisor. It works on segmenting the master hardware into smaller parts – Virtual Machines. One physical server, therefore, is converted into multiple Virtual Machines.
Therefore, on a Virtual Private Server, you can run an individual OS and have access to dedicated resources, no matter what other users are doing on the network at any point.
Linux VPS Hosting – An Introduction
So, where does Linux intersect with Virtual Private Server Hosting? Every VPS Hosting Server has its own Operating System. Linux VPS, essentially, is a Virtual Private Server that runs on a Linux Operating System. A Linux VPS Hosting Server comes with many benefits. It is easy to use, provides robust security and stable performance at a lower cost of ownership.
The Linux VPS Server boasts of the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) – a virtualisation technology that is built into the Operating System. This technology allows you to convert the Linux kernel into a hypervisor – the technology that allows different Operating Systems to run separate applications on one server while continuing to use the same physical resources. It is the reason that system and network administrators can have a dedicated machine for every service they need to run.
Hypervisors like KVM create a virtualisation layer, which separates RAM, CPU/ Processors and any other physical resources, from the virtual machines created. Let’s look a little deeper into KVM.
KVM Hypervisor: What is a KVM Server?
KVM, as we’ve mentioned, is an added functionality to Linux. It is installed on the machine and acts as the virtualisation layer of the system. It enables the host system to manage the guest virtual machines. It is built into the Linux kernel – the main component of the Linux OS system, which is the core interface between the computer’s hardware and its processes.
KVM transforms Linux into a type-1 hypervisor – a bare-metal hypervisor. This is a layer of software that is installed directly on top of a physical server and the underlying hardware. This means that there is no operating system or hardware in between – hence the name bare-metal. Type-1 hypervisors typically excel in providing stable performance as they don’t run inside any Operating System. Type-1 hypervisors are the operating systems themselves and act as the base on top of which you can run virtual machines.
So, now that you know some of the benefits of type-1 hypervisors let’s look at the specific advantages that come with Linux KVM-based VPS Hosting.
Benefits of Linux KVM VPS Hosting
- Direct access:
Since KVM interacts directly with the kernel, it means that it can offer superior performance as compared to other technologies that use the same hardware resources. Another advantage of direct access is that it allows for the quick resizing of Virtual Machines. This means there is very minimal downtime that will take place, while the number of CPU cores, RAM space and disk storage space is adjusted.
- Security:
Security is another factor where the Linux KVM ranks high. As it works directly with the Linux kernel, KVM includes some significant security features. This consists of the SELinux advanced security system, which is active in all virtual machines. Furthermore, Linux KVM includes another security layer known as sVIrt, which allows you to set Mandatory Access Control Rules that can be applied to the Virtual Machines. This allows you to set strong security boundaries and limits to your Virtual Machine. Thanks to these features, KVM hypervisors have awarded the highest security certifications, such as the Assessment Certification Level 4+ (required by the American government).
- Open-source:
Linux’s open-source nature means that anyone can use it free of cost and customise the system in order to fit their specific requirements. Furthermore, KVM contains all the features of Linux as well as its other functionalities. As a result, it offers all features of the host system and supports the latest technologies included in the Linux kernel. So, you can configure any file system that is supported by Linux on the VPS Hosting Server.
- Control and management:
With the KVM hypervisor, you have full control over the server and its hardware resources. This enables Virtual Machines to use any kind of Operating System, including custom kernels that certain applications required. Also, given that the Virtual Machines are isolated you can run any number of kernels at the same time. This functionality allows VPS Hosting plans to offer root access to the server and the capabilities to configure server settings, install applications and improve security settings.
- Migration:
KVM VPS Hosting Servers also come with a critical benefit – quick migration time. Machines can migrate (regardless of online or offline) without risking data loss or causing considerable downtime. Migrating to a server with different CPU architecture is also possible.
Summing Up
KVM VPS Hosting is a flexible and secure option. HostGator’s Linux KVM based VPS Hosting plans ensure consistent and excellent performance and allow for the resources of the server to be scaled for your changing business needs. Along with providing a secure environment, cutting edge server hardware and award-winning customer support, your website will also have access to all the essential features. These include full root access, guaranteed CPU, RAM, expandable SSD storage and Network and Management options like Stop, Restart and Rebuild for complete independence of servers.
Check out our VPS Hosting plans and get your server up and running as soon as possible.
