Virtual or physical server. Dedicated servers Physical and virtual server

In this article, we will explain the main differences between a physical and virtual server from a client's point of view. We will also try to debunk some myths along the way. Hopefully, this will help individuals and companies make smarter decisions when buying a server.

Physical server (aka dedicated server)

A physical server is, as the name suggests, a server (physical computer) that runs an operating system, like Windows, or Linux, like any other computer. Physical servers are pretty much everywhere, desktops, with a lot of enhancements that desktops lack, featuring things like redundant power supplies, RAID controllers, a few network cards etc. Physical servers are larger with much more powerful components in general. All of them require a separate space in the server rack. Most servers also have two or more physical processors, each with multiple cores.

Virtual server (VPS or otherwise virtual machine - VM)

In order for everyone to understand the concept of virtual servers, we need to explain a little about how virtualization works.

Hypervisor- An operating system or software in an operating system that simulates the computing environment in which virtual machines are created and run.

This means that the hypervisor can be either stand-alone software (type 2 hypervisor) or can act as the hypervisor of the entire operating system(type 1 is a hypervisor known as “Bare Metal Hypervisor” or “Embedded Hypervisor”). Examples of type 2 hypervisors include Oracle VirtualBox, VMware Workstation and Microsoft VirtualPC. Examples of type 1 hypervisors include VMware ESXi (vSphere), Microsoft Hyper-V, KVM, Xen, and others. The latter - type 1 hypervisors - can all be installed in the same way as the operating system is installed on a server. When a hypervisor is installed on a server, its resources are evenly distributed between virtual machines thus, one server can serve hundreds of virtual machines.

After creation, virtual machine behaves just like any other computer, you can turn it on and load the operating system just like on any other computer. The operating system thinks that it is running on a physical computer. Each virtual machine has its own so-called virtual Hardware... VM has its own processor, HDD and network interface... This means that a virtual machine by default does not know that it is a virtual machine unless there is some software on it, which it detects through other means.

Physical versus virtual servers, pros and cons

Now that we understand the concept of virtual servers we can make a general comparison from both the client's point of view.

Server physical flaws

• Much more expensive than a virtual server (VPS)
  simply because of the resources required to run and maintain a physical server, they are much more expensive.
• Harder to manage
  Physical servers in general are much more difficult to manage. This is especially true with disaster recovery. Just like any other machine, there will be a day when, for a variety of reasons, the server will fail. In these cases, restoring from backups is a real nightmare, as the server must be restored from scratch to another (new) server, and then the data must be restored from the backups. For mission-critical production systems, this means at least, 8 or more hours of downtime. To prevent this, companies create clusters of two or more servers, but of course this will only increase costs.
• Worsescalable
  It is nearly impossible to complete a server upgrade without additional downtime. Also, it's worth noting that future upgrades for a dedicated server should be taken into account when ordering a server. Failure to do so may result in a completely new server being created. Instead of leading to unplanned service migrations and thus unplanned service outages.

Server Physical Pros

• More powerful than a virtual server
  This is the only reason why you should order a dedicated server. So let's face it, if we have a physical server with 8GB random access memory and a dual-core processor, and do exact copy a virtual machine with the same parameters, a physical server will provide much better results. This is because the physical server will not suffer from bottlenecks that are present in virtual machines.

Virtual servers - cons

• Lower performance compared to dedicated servers
  As explained earlier, virtual machines offer slightly lower performance than physical servers for a number of reasons. The main reason is the bottleneck that is between the VM and the hypervisor itself. In most cases, this is irrelevant, because this drawback can be easily resolved for preparing clusters of three or more virtual servers. Finally, SSD technology has added significant performance to virtual machines.

Virtual Server Pros

• Cheaper than a dedicated server
  Virtual machines located on Physical Servers can serve hundreds of virtual machines. Resources that can then be distributed among virtual machines and therefore virtual machines consume very few resources on the parent server, which significantly reduces their cost.
• Simplified management
  Basically, this is the biggest advantage virtual machines have over physical servers. A virtual machine is much easier to manage than a physical server. For example, if you are installing a physical server, you need to perform a close-up of tests on the hardware of the server and its peripherals to ensure that they are working correctly. If something does not work as intended, additional drivers must be installed and configured. When a virtual machine is deployed, the virtual machine receives its drivers from the parent host, so the virtual machine is ready to go immediately. And this is just one example of many.
• Simplified backup and recovery
  Each physical server needs a manifest to make its configurations, applications and what should or should not be backed up for virtual machines done backups from the entire virtual machine. When a failure occurs for any reason, these backups are ready to be restored immediately and the entire VM is restored instead. Obviously, in such cases, downtime is significantly reduced.
• Scalability and flexibility
  There is no downtime to execute upgrade resources (plans) with a lot of RAM, CPU power, disk space, etc.
• Ideal for any web service
  Is it a small blog or a big one social network with thousands of visitors a day, the VPS can be easily adjusted to suit the workload. If needed, more VPSs can quickly and easily be added to the cluster serving various aspects of the web service.

So do I need a virtual or physical server for my business?

The short answer is - 99.9% of the time, VPS is the best choice.

Virtualization as a technology is getting better and better these days. Virtually every company in the world has embraced virtualization to some degree. Unless you need the real power of a dedicated server and have a large business budget as well, there is no other reason why you shouldn't choose a VPS. A VPS system, especially if based on an SSD, is fast, secure and easy to manage.

• Dedicated server, or physical server, is the most productive and expensive hosting service. Renting a dedicated server will be an excellent solution for owners of commercial sites, corporate resources, game servers and complex web applications.
• Unlike shared hosting and VPS, when using which you have to share resources with other users, with Dedicated you will have at your disposal all the capacities provided within the service. Therefore, hosting a website on a server guarantees a high degree of security: you do not share the server with other sites that may be vulnerable to hacker attacks.
• Renting a dedicated web server and storage system (data storage system) in a data center (data center) is an order of a very productive stationary computer in a data center on Windows or Linux with a special set of programs for a specific period. We will provide a server fast connection with Internet at speeds up to 10 Gbps, permanent connection to electricity and professional technical support to help you deal with hardware and software complexities.
• Another reason for renting server equipment to the site is modern and secure data centers that host dedicated physical servers dedicated - data centers are located in Moscow and are considered one of the most reliable in Russia. Data centers use sources uninterruptible power supply, fire extinguishing and air conditioning systems. This will keep your servers and your projects running smoothly.

Dedicated servers based on Intel Xeon processor

• On the site site, you have several options for choosing the optimal server configuration:
• 1. Order a ready-made server. With the help of filters, you can choose the right car for your budget and needs.
  2. Use the configurator and choose the components for the server yourself.
  3. Send us a request and order a unique server configuration.
• The advantages of the Dedicated server rental service include the provision of complete freedom in choosing the software to install, as well as control over the equipment: bus bandwidth, memory and disk. The price of renting a dedicated server per month depends on its parameters and characteristics.
• You can rent a dedicated server in a data center (data center) on the basis of Intel processors Xeon: E, E3, E5, gold, silver, W in various configurations with SSD, SATA or SAS drives, depending on how powerful your hardware is.
• How much does it cost to rent a server for a website? The price of such a service is usually higher in comparison with VPS and shared hosting. Pay attention to the section "Cheap servers": there you can buy (rent) dedicated Dedicated servers for a site in a data center (data center) at rates with the lowest monthly cost.
• A dedicated server for rent is a reliable, fast and secure hosting that will give a lot of opportunities for companies whose information systems, sites and projects need round-the-clock uninterrupted operation, large computing resources and disk space for storing and backing up information.

Server - software or hardware?

All site owners and many ordinary Internet users have heard the word "server" more than once. And in some cases the server was referred to as a program ("server functions", "server with support ..."), and in others - as equipment ("space on the server", "load on the server"). What is it really - software or hardware?

Both. A server as hardware is a computer dedicated to performing some task. This server can be designed to store data and to perform any continuous functions (for example, to support the operation of the program). It doesn’t need any additional maintenance like a normal one. Personal Computer... All that is needed from a specialist is to do the initial configuration and check the server operation from time to time.

Any server must have the appropriate software installed. It allows you to use hardware resources and perform the required functions, i.e. to carry out the service. This software (and sometimes the services provided by its owners) is often referred to as a server.

There are many types of servers, but as applied to the Internet, the creation and promotion of sites, a physical and virtual dedicated server can be distinguished as an alternative to conventional hosting. Each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can be completely eliminated when used in appropriate situations.

Server types.

Depending on the functions that the server performs, it can belong to one of several types:
- Web server. This is a fairly common form on the Internet, which is intended for content and access to web resources.

File server. Its main purpose is data storage and distribution of access to files. The criteria for the quality of such a server are the amount of disk space and the degree of data protection.

Database server. It is an auxiliary part of the database management system (DBMS). Such a server must provide the required bandwidth and business continuity.

Communication server. It can act as a proxy server, router, distributor of IP addresses, server for VPN (virtual private network). Provides high data protection, anonymity on the network.

Mail server... As the name implies, it is used to work with by e-mail- sending and receiving, processing, storing letters from users, target visitors. The larger the local network, the more users, the more important the role of this server.

Server Reserve copy... Quite an important part of the hardware and software complex in any company. To this server in automatic mode all important information is copied. In order to protect information from a physical threat (for example, fire), it can be located in another room or building.

Physical and virtual server.

The server has a lot of tasks. And one of the most common is the support of the site on the Internet.

The Internet is not some kind of general source where you can put something. All sites and any files available on the network are hosted on physical servers. If the server goes down, the site is no longer accessible to other Internet users. The same can be said about any other programs, data, content that are available within the same local network.

In order to host a website, database or program that would be available to all users on the network, you need to have a server at your disposal - physical or virtual.

"Physical" in the Internet is called a server that is located directly at the user. This is a workstation or dedicated computer with the appropriate software, which has persistent connection with the Internet or local area network. It costs a lot to buy and maintain a physical server, so it is only used in some cases. For example, if you need to service a large local area network... Physical servers are required by hosting and Internet providers, as well as owners of large popular Internet resources (for example, Yandex).

A virtual server is a service provided by hosting providers that have a physical server at their disposal. In this case, the user rents the entire server and places his data on it, which are then available on the Internet.

Probably every notable project or just every large organization sooner or later faces a choice: buy a physical one or rent a virtual server? Let's try to figure out which is better and economically viable.

Physical server cost

First of all, you need to look after a physical server that will meet your expectations - so that you have some amount in front of your eyes and so that you can clearly see which option is more economically viable in your case.

We need to decide what we consider a server. If it's just a computer in an ordinary tower case, which will gather dust in the far corner of your office, that's one thing. In fact, you can install MS on my laptop too. SQL Server and make it a database server. But how quickly will such a base "fall" with a real load even of 5-10 users while working in 1C?

If this is how you imagine a server - a separate computer with, say, 16 GB of RAM and one terabyte - then you can stop reading and not waste your time. Better go to any online store to buy your workstation - this cannot be called a server.
In my view, a server is a machine with a server Xeon processor, ECC register memory, and a hardware disk array. Such a "computer" has the right to be called a server. The case when placed inside the office and in the absence of server racks does not matter, but with an eye to the future I would look after the case in the 1U / 2U format - sooner or later you will come to the conclusion that it is better to store the server in the data center.

In fig. 1 shows an HP ProLiant DL180 Gen9 server:

• Intel Xeon E5-2620 v4 Octa Core (2.1-3 GHz)
• Registered memory with ECC, 16 GB
• Smart Array P440 / 2G 12 GB Controller
• Chassis Form Factor 2U

This is what the server is in my understanding. But such a "device" will cost about 162,250 rubles, according to Yandex.Market. There are cheaper versions of this server, but there or not hard disk in general, or the amount of memory is 8 GB, not 16. The configuration for 162 250 rubles includes one 16 GB DDR memory RDIMM module and two hard disk 300 GB SAS each. This is a good option, both in terms of price and configuration. Such a middle peasant - there are more expensive options, there are also cheaper ones. You can buy a Chinese Patriot - even with a license for MS Server 2012 it will cost less. But since you have become so serious that you need your own physical server, then it is better not to look at such options.

Do you need a physical server?

Now that you have the cost of hardware, let's think, do you need it at all? Very often a person agonizes over the choice of a server, although in fact he can do without it perfectly. The arguments “the neighbor has”, “I was advised” should be discarded right away. When should you think about purchasing your own server?

• Very High Traffic Site - When regular hosting can no longer stand up and the site is often disconnected for exceeding the limits of processor time and / or traffic.
• A large Internet project is a promoted online store, a social network, a game server, and the like.
• A portal with a lot of content - a photo bank like depositphotos.com, a site with a solid amount of music or videos.
• The need for joint / remote work with some kind of application, for example 1C.

In all these cases, you need a server (mind you, which one - I'm not talking about it yet). In the rest (for example, when you have a relatively small website and only one accountant, on whose computer you can install 1C), it will turn out to be an unnecessary luxury. You can buy a regular hosting to host your site and pay mere pennies for it - something about 240 rubles per month for 6 GB of disk space. This space is enough even for several sites. If you were thinking of purchasing your own server for these needs, think again: the amount spent on hardware alone will be enough for more than 676 months (56 years!) Rent. And with such a long-term placement, you will also get a substantial discount :).

If your project falls into one of the listed categories, you definitely need a server. It remains only to decide which one, because in most cases you can get by with either a virtual dedicated server (VDS) or a virtual private server (VPS), which is much cheaper.

VDS or VPS

VPS (Virtual Private Server) is software virtualization and is implemented at the kernel level of the operating system. All machines are created on the basis of one server core, each virtual machine (this is the VPS that you will rent) is a server with a software environment, but without the right to change the kernel and the operating system itself. The most commonly used virtualization platforms are OpenVZ and Virtuozzo.

The advantage of this solution is one, and it is very significant - low cost. But there are many more disadvantages:

• Overselling. RAM and kernel resources are allocated without being tied to a specific machine. For example, you and your neighbor rent two VPS servers of the same configuration. Let each server have 2 GB of RAM. But your site consumes 500-800 MB of memory, and your neighbor's site consumes 3 GB. It turns out that you pay for resources that are not really used by your site.
• Dependence on neighbors. From previous paragraph another problem follows. Excessive load on one machine can lead to malfunctions of neighboring VPSs. For example, a neighbor's VPS has loaded the processor, and your site will slow down because of this. And it is very easy to load the processor - just install some gluttonous CMS like Magento, and you are guaranteed constant overuse of processor time and RAM.
• Limited customization. Some of the VPS settings cannot be changed - the root file system and the kernel are beyond your control. Kernel and root of course file system you do not always have to change, and this is not a drawback, just a feature of using VPS.

Your server is physically placed in the provider's data center, where the Internet channel and power are backed up, and the optimal temperature is maintained.

Server hosting services are relatively inexpensive. Hosting the server itself will cost 2,500 rubles per month. Internet with guaranteed 10 Mbps or non-guaranteed 100 Mbps goes free when renting an Ethernet switch port - 500 rubles a month. If such a channel is not enough for you, then you can either buy a guaranteed 50 Mbit / s channel (3500 rubles per month), or take a port with a non-guaranteed 1 Gbit / s bandwidth for 5000 rubles per month.

It turns out that the existence of the server will cost you at least 3000 rubles per month. This moment must be considered when calculating the ROI of a purchase of physical equipment. After all, for this money you can rent (even cheaper) VDS with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of disk space!

All this I mean is that you can safely deduct the cost of hosting a server from the cost of renting a VDS, because in the case of a physical server, you would still have to pay this money.

So, if you take the tariff of 11,747 rubles per month (256 GB HDD and 8 GB of RAM) and subtract 10% (discount when paying for a year) and 3,000 rubles (placement), then 7,572.3 rubles comes out. Let's take our sum of 162,250 rubles and divide it by the resulting value. The result is almost two years (more than 21 months) of VDS lease with an almost maximum configuration. If you don't need 256 GB right now, you can choose a cheaper tariff with 128 GB of space: subtract 10% and 3000 rubles from 7899, you get a very modest amount, like for renting a server of this configuration - 4109 rubles. With a server cost of 162,250 rubles, this amount will be enough for 39 months of VDS lease with 128 GB HDD, three cores and 8 GB of RAM. Two cores with the same parameters of the RAM and HDD will cost even less (2950 rubles, if you count according to our method). Do not forget that after three years the warranty ends and the physical server may require investment. Surely in three years the hard drive will be worn out and will need to be replaced.

Nevertheless, if you need an iron server made of boards and wires and you want it to be yours and only yours, you can rent a physical server with a subsequent ransom for 1 ruble. Of course, the monthly fee in this situation will be higher, but he waited a year and took his server home to the office, left it in the data center. You groom and cherish it yourself - however, you serve it as well. In other words, your virtual server can turn into a real one!

conclusions

In most cases, VDS rental is not only easier, but also more profitable. As for physical servers, their use is advisable only if the planned load is so high that the virtual server cannot cope with it (if you plan that all eight cores of your physical processor will be used) and all disk space is immediately needed. In all other cases, it is more profitable to rent VDS. When choosing a physical server, do not forget about the cost of hosting a server in a data center, which is comparable to the cost of renting not the weakest VDS.