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A Virtual Dedicated Server, or VDS, is a server which occupies the middle
ground between shared hosting and having your own dedicated server. Where a
leased dedicated server will be dedicated to only one customer, a VDS will
commonly be shared between 8 and 40 or so customers. This may seem like a lot,
but many shared hosts can place hundreds, if not thousands of customers on one
server. You don't get your own server, but there also aren't very many neighbours.
The other thing which sets a virtual dedicated server apart from a shared hosting
arrangement is the fact that every user gets his/her own "root" account. The root
account is the most powerful account on a Unix or unix-like operating system, and
it has many privileges that typical, run-of-the-mill user accounts don't have.
Some programs are designed as high-level resources, which require a high level of
privilege to run. These programs will typically not run on a normal shared account,
and must be run by the root user. If you find that the set of features offered by
shared hosting accounts just don't seem to fit your needs, you may need to get
a VDS or
dedicated server, and use alternate software.
Another benefit of the virtual dedicated server is the higher level of insulation
between the virtual root users of the system and the operating system. VDS servers
often rely on such features as "jails" or "User-Mode Kernels", which end up protecting
the server from most, if not all, errors or hacks which are sent its way. These
servers also will usually guarantee a certain level of performance, so it won't
hurt to be placed on the same server as a very popular site, because they can't hog
all of the processing power of the server.
In case you're wondering, the virtual dedicated server is also known as a virtual
private server or VPS. The same product is marketed under two names.
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