Virtual server vs shared hosting: top 10 benefits of a managed virtual server

HaiSoft's shared hosting plans are fast and affordable, but they can sometimes prove too inflexible or offer too few guarantees for advanced or professional use. In that case, a dedicated server would be ideal, but it may be beyond your budget. All is not lost, though: there is an alternative – the virtual machine. This semi-dedicated server lets you step up to professional-grade hosting while staying within budget.

What is shared hosting?

A shared server is a server whose resources are shared between several users. Shared hosting is the best option for getting started and hosting your website.

This type of web hosting does have its drawbacks: users are not administrators of the server and therefore cannot carry out advanced operations themselves, such as setting up scheduled tasks, whitelisting an e-mail sender, or anything requiring SSH access to the server. Website visitors may also be affected by slow page loading caused by traffic peaks or by problems (such as hacking) on other websites hosted on the same shared server.

What is a virtual server (VM)?

A VM (virtual machine) is a "semi-dedicated" machine. It is virtual because it does not run directly on a physical server of its own: it is hosted on a larger physical server called a "virtualisation host", which runs several virtual machines and provides them with the processor, memory and disk space they require.

In everyday use, a VM is identical to a dedicated server. The difference lies mainly in the resources and their flexibility.

In this article, we present the 10 benefits of switching to this type of hosting.

1. Performance and reliability

Our virtual servers, combined with the SSD option, are fast and powerful. They are virtualised on Dell servers, the most reliable on the market.

HaiSoft therefore guarantees you a high-performance server that is available at all times.

2. Security

All our servers benefit from optimum security: they are installed in a latest-generation datacentre equipped with all the necessary security systems.

A VM carries fewer security risks than a shared server: since the latter (usually) hosts more websites than a VM, it is statistically more likely to be targeted by attacks.

3. Backups

With this server, you can opt for a backup plan that backs up your entire server (websites, e-mails, system…).

We set up these backups and restore them if necessary. You can choose the data retention period and the backup frequency (daily, every 6 hours…). You can also restore your data yourself.

We strongly recommend taking out this backup plan, which will allow your data to be restored. Failing that, we recommend making your own backups.

4. Comfort and flexibility

Unlike a shared server, your machine has dedicated resources (CPU/RAM/disk space). As these resources are guaranteed, you are much less likely to experience temporary slowdowns caused by other users' activity on the server.

Your server is delivered ready to use. Our technical team takes care of everything involved in setting up and maintaining the server.

If your needs change, you can increase or decrease your VM's capacity: the advantage of this type of machine is that resources can be modified without our technicians having to go on site, and therefore without any call-out cost. What's more, these changes involve only a very brief interruption.

5. Freedom

You can customise your server as you see fit, according to your needs and requirements: installing specific software, packages or extensions, changing its appearance, adding or removing security rules, configuring the anti-spam filter in detail…

You can access the server via SSH and run commands (depending on your needs).

6. Managed services

At HaiSoft, managed services are fully included! They cover, among other things:

• Installation of the system, Plesk and the various utilities required;
• Configuration and securing of access (connection filtering with iptables and Fail2ban…);
• System and package updates (PHP, Apache, MySQL updates…);
• Plesk updates;
• Help with tasks in Plesk: creating e-mail accounts and databases, setting up scheduled tasks…;
• Installation and deployment of applications or software (on request and subject to certain conditions);
• Setting up the R1Soft backup system, with advice and customisation if required;
• Log management: advice, log retention and rotation periods adjustable on request;
• 24/7 monitoring of the machine and its services, with proactive action by our technicians;

7. Support and emergency line

HaiSoft customers, whether on virtual or dedicated servers, enjoy a premium service: priority technical support is included, with an available and responsive contact person (who knows you and whom you know) to help you and answer all your questions 24/7. An emergency line is available for any request in the evening and at weekends.

8. Cost savings

VMs give you all the benefits of an outsourced dedicated server at a lower cost: there is no longer any need to buy very expensive hardware and manage your own servers.
What's more, the installation, configuration and administration of the servers are entrusted to experts, which saves labour and time – and therefore money – for businesses.

You can also install several applications on your VM at no extra cost, and offer your colleagues whichever applications you like (Nextcloud, various CRMs or CMSs, etc.). We can also install and maintain these applications for you if needed.

Finally, by outsourcing your infrastructure, you will reduce your carbon footprint and become more environmentally responsible.

9. Plesk licence and freedom to manage resources

A virtual server lets you host several domains on the same server.

A 10-domain Plesk licence is included in the price of your virtual server, so you can host 10 domains on your server at no extra cost and freely allocate resources to each domain. You can also increase the number of domains on your Plesk licence by opting for a 30-domain or unlimited Plesk licence.

You are therefore free to manage the resources of each domain: you can create as many subdomains, mailboxes, FTP accounts, databases… as you like. The only limits are your VM's disk space, memory and processor.

10. Better availability

We guarantee over 99.95% internet availability for your server via our network.

Our technicians constantly monitor all our servers. By default, the main services are checked every 5 to 15 minutes; if an anomaly is detected, a technician steps in immediately or gets back to you if necessary.

Give your projects the best performance by choosing a reliable hosting provider that listens to you!

HaiSoft will help you migrate to your virtual machine.

Contact our sales team for a free quote.