Is there a way to tell if virtual hosting and a dedicated server can be distinguished using just the IP address?

Today, I found out by accident that a friend has been paying around $100 per month for hosting the developers of the site for the past 3 years. The site itself is a static business card with 25 pages and a daily traffic of 50-80 people. The developers, a company without a visible portfolio in the city, insist that a dedicated server is necessary due to the "heavy load" caused by a dozen nearly unused subdomains.

I suspected that my friend was being deceived by being sold virtual hosting disguised as a dedicated server. However, my limited knowledge in this area makes it difficult for me to distinguish between virtual hosting and a dedicated server.

The site is located at the IP address: 5.101.132.110

A search on Bing shows that there are half a million sites on this IP.

It would be much clearer if the site owner had access to the control panel, but it seems that the developers are not obligated to provide it to him according to the contract.

I reached out to the hosting support, but they refused to provide any information.
I also consulted a couple of specialists, and they said that either ssh or access to the control panel is necessary.

As a last resort, I am turning to the collective knowledge for help.

It is indeed challenging to distinguish between virtual hosting and a dedicated server based solely on the IP address. However, in this scenario, there are a few indirect ways to make an educated guess.

Firstly, the fact that there are half a million sites on the same IP address indicates that it is unlikely to be a dedicated server. Dedicated servers generally host a much smaller number of websites.

Secondly, the usage pattern of the specific website in question can provide insight. A static business card site with low daily traffic and only a dozen nearly unused subdomains does not typically require the resources of a dedicated server. Such a site is well-suited for virtual hosting.

The behavior of the hosting support and the developers is also suspicious. The refusal to provide information and the lack of access to the control panel indicate a lack of transparency, which is often associated with virtual hosting being disguised as a dedicated server.

While it would be ideal to have SSH or control panel access for a definitive answer, in this case, the combination of the above factors suggests that the site is likely hosted on a virtual server rather than a dedicated one.

Given the situation, it may be beneficial for your friend to reevaluate the hosting arrangement and consider options that better suit the actual needs of the website, which would likely result in more cost-effective hosting.

Additionally, if your friend suspects that they are being deceived into paying for a dedicated server when virtual hosting would suffice, they may consider seeking legal advice. If the developers are not fulfilling their obligations as outlined in the contract, the terms and conditions of the agreement should be carefully reviewed to determine if any violations have occurred.

It's also worth exploring alternative hosting options, such as seeking reputable hosting providers or consulting with independent specialists who can assess the website's actual hosting needs and provide transparent recommendations.

Lastly, it's essential for your friend to communicate openly with the developers and express concerns regarding the necessity of a dedicated server, especially if the current hosting arrangement seems excessive for the website's modest requirements. Clear communication and a thorough review of the hosting situation can help ensure that your friend's website is appropriately hosted without unnecessary expenses.

In the situation with VDS, a specific external IP address is assigned to the server. This means that only the websites hosted on this server can be reached using this IP. This creates a direct connection between the server and the websites it hosts.

Therefore, when multiple sites are associated with the same IP, it indicates either shared hosting or a situation where developers using 1 VDS have included numerous client sites and are charging each of them the full rental price. This raises concerns about fairness and transparency in the arrangement.

In either scenario, there is a high probability that your friend is being misled. It's important to carefully consider the hosting setup and ensure that it aligns with fair and ethical practices.

It certainly seems similar to Shared hosting. Maybe the developers are a little too optimistic about the monthly subscription fee. It's important to carefully review the contract (if there is one). What exactly is included, what needs to be paid monthly, and which payments are one-time.

Unfortunately, there are many developers like this "(a company unknown in the city without a portfolio)" in the country, and it seems they are multiplying rapidly. They take advantage of people's lack of knowledge about hosting issues.

In general, there should be no need to provide access to the panel. This is another reason to be wary. I suggest taking action now, before things get out of hand. In reality, this means the client has little or no control over their resource.

Many web studios may operate on this principle, assuming their clients don't want to be involved in server/hosting/website administration. But not all web studios act in good faith. If you decide to switch from such a developer to another host and embark on an independent journey, you may encounter numerous problems. The host, in turn, may not assist you because you are a third party for them.