Cloud Server vs Cloud VPS
You cannot be a cloud expert unless you are well-equipped to identify the different dimensions of the technology. First came the “as-a-service” models, then came the combination or hybrids to better address the varying needs of customers (ranging from individual end-users to MNCs).
Two of the most popular concepts are cloud server and cloud VPS. What is the difference between the two? Are they the same or are they only similar? Here is the explanation:
History
VPS is an older term used to describe the difference between a real “bare-metal” server and many virtualized OS’s running on a single real server. Now that cloud or virtualization has become the norm, VPS is used to define the amount of flexibility. An old VPS was usually on one server that had RAID 10 array. Cloud, however, uses a centralized SAN system for disk storage, with many separate hypervisors providing CPU and Memory for virtual servers.
What Relates and What Separates?
Both cloud server and cloud VPS are running on the same virtualized environment, which basically means CPU and memory come from the same hypervisor. “Cloud VPS” is different in that total resources for all VPS’s are set to one overall account. Also, the OS templates available are usually restricted for VPS.
“Cloud Server” tailors resources to the expanding or diminishing needs of the consumer, allowing for flexibility and cost savings. There are more OS templates to select from and plans can be changed. More than one hypervisor can also be used.
Thus “Cloud Server” versus “Cloud VPS” is a question of how much flexibility a user has. ”Cloud VPS” is restricted; “Cloud Server” is more flexible.
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About the Guest Author:
Bryan Kinney is a technical engineer at GMO Cloud. He has been working in the I.T. field for the last 18 years but have been into computers personally for 29 years. Always loves good logical puzzles and non-logical human ones too. Originally from the Northwest USA and can get into hiking and survival camping.
