Understanding Virtual Hosting
The term virtual hosting can often be misleading. Basically, it is
another term for shared hosting. Hosting is accomplished by using
servers.
Virtual hosting is when numerous domain names are shared on the
same server. This one server will share certain features like memory
and processing cycles without needing these services to be pointed
to the same hosting name.
For example, this allows you and a friend to share the same server,
but each of you wouldn’t have access to the other person’s files or
information. The hosting company provides each of you with a
separate login account. You have access to your own domain
names and files but nothing else.
Because of the shared feature virtual hosting is cheaper than paying
for a dedicated hosting account.
A virtual service uses two methods for hosting.
Name based hosting and IP based hosting.
Name based is more commonly used and the
cheaper of the two. When a protocol is served it must supply the
name at some point.
With IP based virtual hosting the IP address is used at some point in
the protocol. Each domain name must have its own IP address and
this is the point that drives the price up for this type of hosting.
Many marketers don’t want to have all their domain names coming
from the same IP address. Imagine renting out IP addresses for each
domain that you own.
It is also possible to have a virtual hosting account that incorporates
a mixture of name and IP based hosting. Again, planning your
website and business will allow you to see if this is a service you
require. Whether you need it immediately or not if you are planning
on running lots of domains, it might be option to keep open. Check
to see if your hosting provider even offers this type of service, so you
can upgrade when necessary.
Virtual web hosting is normally taken on by large companies and
corporations. Many hosting companies themselves are on a virtual
web hosting plan. This is how they offer the service to you as a
customer!
Internet and computer technology can sometimes be overwhelming
to understand. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of
what virtual hosting actually consists of. It is always best to educate
yourself ahead of time. You don’t want to be paying for services that
you will ever use.
