To explain the principles of the IT industry, I want to discuss the three types of hosting: virtual (shared) hosting, VDS/VPS hosting, and dedicated server hosting. Even if you do not use web hosting, this information can still be valuable.



Virtual (shared) hosting is the simplest hosting available to users. After purchasing this hosting service, the user receives an account ready to work immediately after registration. They have access to a set of resources from a server and logins and passwords for managing these resources. While they have temporary ownership of a space on the server's hard drives, all other resources such as RAM and processor time are distributed among all users of the server, which can often be quite a lot. Shared web hosting is like renting a furnished room in a large communal apartment. It is cheap and easy to use but performance is dependent on the server load of other users on the same server.

VDS or VPS hosting is a virtual server that is part of a larger physical server. The difference between VDS and VPS is only in the way resources are allocated, but as a user this won't be visible. To use this type of hosting, users need server administration skills or the money to hire someone for setup and subsequent administration of the server.

Dedicated server hosting is when a user rents an entire physical server from a hosting provider. This provides more security and customization options, but it is also more expensive than the other two types of hosting.

Referring back to the housing metaphor, VDS/VPS hosting is like renting an apartment in a large building with separate utilities. In rare cases, dependence on neighbors can occur. The user needs to furnish the apartment themselves or hire a specialist. It offers independence from other users but has a slightly higher rental price and requires self-configuration and server administration skills.

Dedicated server hosting is a physical server that is entirely at the user's disposal, and its capabilities depend on their monetary and technological progress abilities. It's compared to a house, and its size and resources depend only on the user's wallet. While it's expensive, it offers complete control over the resources.

For most projects, shared hosting is sufficient. If the user requires specific software or has server administration skills and wants to customize the server, they can choose VDS hosting. Dedicated server hosting is suitable for projects that have outgrown shared and VDS hosting. Many users gradually move from shared hosting to VDS/VPS and then eventually to a dedicated physical server.

Regarding VPS/VDS, is it possible for employees of the hosting provider's system administration department to know the server owner's passwords, such as the root password? Is their access to client servers somehow mediated for security purposes, or is there a possibility of password leaks?

In other words, can any administrator from the hosting provider access a VPS server and retrieve information from scripts and databases without any control measures in place?

Is it possible to create a system where the user purchases a server from a foreign country, outside the jurisdiction of their own country and saves all real-time actions, including caches and tmp files on it? Would it be impossible for anyone to access the files? Additionally, is it possible to establish a private messenger and independent voice communication?

Although this topic may be unrelated, it could be of interest to many. It could also be covered in a separate post.

Personally, I prefer having local storage for applications such as teampass than relying on cloud-based storage. However, for the average user, these types of technologies may seem too complicated to use, so they often resort to their own methods of password protection. In one certified office, for example, a basic scheme was used where everyone worked with keys and the password was stored in an envelope in a safe as a backup.

However, this approach may not always be practical or secure and we need to move towards more advanced methods of password protection.

VDS (Virtual Dedicated Server) and VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting are two popular hosting solutions that provide users with dedicated resources within a virtualized environment.

VDS or Virtual Dedicated Server is a hosting solution that offers a virtualized server environment with dedicated resources such as CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth. It simulates a dedicated server experience by providing users with full control over the server's configuration, operating system, and software applications. With VDS, multiple virtual servers are hosted on a physical server, but each virtual server operates independently, ensuring isolation and security.

On the other hand, VPS or Virtual Private Server is also a virtualized hosting solution where a physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers. However, unlike VDS, VPS does not offer dedicated resources. Instead, resources are shared among multiple users, which can lead to performance variations based on server load. Nonetheless, VPS still provides a higher level of privacy, independence, and customization compared to shared hosting solutions.

Both VDS and VPS hosting offer flexibility, scalability, and control over your hosting environment. They allow users to install custom software, manage the server configurations, and scale resources as needed. These hosting solutions are suitable for businesses or individuals who require more control and resources than shared hosting but do not necessarily need an entire physical server to themselves.

Terms VDS and VPS are sometimes used interchangeably, and different hosting providers may have slightly different implementations and offerings. Therefore, it's always best to research and compare the specific features and benefits of each provider before making a decision.

I see shared hosting as a temporary solution. It's convenient but leaves you vulnerable to the whims of other users on the server. VPS is a good middle ground, allowing for customization without the full commitment of a dedicated server. However, dedicated hosting is where you truly harness the power of a server. If you're serious about your applications, don't waste time with shared hosting, invest in a VPS or dedicated server for optimal performance and security.