What are Cloud Servers?

In some regards, cloud servers actually work the same way as physical servers do, but the main functions they are able to provide can be different. When choosing a cloud host, a client is basically renting virtual server space instead of renting or purchasing the physical servers. The service is usually paid for by the hour or depending on the capacity that is required at any specific time.

Customarily, there are two options for choosing a cloud host: shared hosting and dedicated hosting. Shared hosting is the more economical option by which the servers often shared between all of the hosting provider’s clients. One client’s site can be hosted on the same server as sites belonging to the hosts other clients. This does have several disadvantages though, including an inflexible capacity and it is not able to cope with a huge amount of traffic.

Cloud Servers vs. Physical Servers

Dedicated hosting has a lot more advantages and is the advanced form of hosting, whereby clients will purchase whole physical servers. This means that the whole server is dedicated to them and they do not have to share with any other clients. In some cases, the client may use multiple servers that are all dedicated to their specific use. Dedicated servers do allow for full control over the hosting by the client.

There is a downside. The dedicated server requires a known amount of capacity, so there are enough resources and processing power to handle the expected traffic levels. If this is miscalculated, then it could lead to a lack of resources needed during the busy periods, while overestimating the needed capacity will mean paying for unnecessary space.

Cloud Servers

With cloud hosting, clients can get the best of both worlds. Resources can be scaled up or scaled down according to the clients’ needs. This makes it a more flexible and more cost-effective choice for cloud hosting. So, when there is high demand placed on the cloud servers, capacity can be increased to match the demand without a need to be paid for on a permanent basis. This is similar to a heating bill; you use what you need, when you need it, and pay for only what you have used afterwards.

Cloud servers can be run on a hypervisor. The main role of a hypervisor is to be in control of the capacity of the operating systems so that it is assigned where it is needed. With cloud hosting there are numerous cloud servers that are available to each specific client. This will allow for computing resources to be dedicated to a specific client if and when it is necessary.

When there is a spike in traffic, extra capacity can be accessed temporarily by a website until it is no longer required. Cloud servers also offer more redundancy. So, if one server fails, others will take its place.

Below are a few key benefits of cloud servers:

Flexibility and scalability; extra resources can be acquired when needed.
Cost-effectiveness; is available when it is needed and clients will pay for what they use at a specific time

Ease of set up; Cloud servers do not need much initial setup
Reliability; due to the amount of servers that are available, if there are problems with one server, the available resources will be shifted so that clients will be unaffected.

To learn more about the cloud and cloud servers, visit Cloud Servers.

To read more about cloud servers and cloud hosting, visit Cloud Servers and Cloud Hosting.