When hunting online for possible server options for your business, you’ll likely come across a variety of different terms and phrases. It’s a lot to take in, and it can be hard to know where to start.
Amongst terms like dedicated servers, VPS, and shared hosting, you may have come across something called a cloud server. Many people associate the term ‘cloud’ with something vaguely to do with data being stored somewhere up in the sky. But there’s a lot more to it when we’re talking about servers.
To save you the confusion, let’s take a proper look at what cloud hosting is, how it works, and when you might need a cloud server.
What is a cloud server?
A cloud server is essentially a virtual infrastructure that can be used to house and access large amounts of data, apps, and other resources. Cloud computing environments are made up of a network of cloud servers, which deliver computing resources, such as storage and processing power, on demand to unlimited users.
The concept of cloud hosting, which refers to provision of cloud servers to customers by cloud hosting companies, relies on the simple idea of non-localised data storage. That might sound like a mouthful but it's actually quite simple. Rather than your data being stored in a single physical location and accessed from on-site devices, it’s stored virtually and can be accessed from anywhere via the internet.
What’s the difference between a cloud server and a traditional server?
Traditional servers, such as dedicated servers, deliver the same computing resources as cloud hosting servers but are housed and managed on-site. This lack of remote access means that organisations may have to buy and manage their own server hardware, which can be expensive and time consuming.
However, thanks to server hosting companies, customers don’t necessarily need to buy and house their own server equipment, even if they choose a traditional physical server (like a dedicated server) over a cloud server hosting option. Hosting customers can choose to rent a dedicated server from their chosen hosting provider, which means they’ll be able to access their server remotely (usually via SSH for a Linux server or RDP for a Windows server) while it’s housed in their provider’s data centre. In this dedicated hosting setup, the customer gets full, exclusive access to an entire physical server (and all of its resources) without having to purchase the equipment or pay for physical security, server cooling or power costs. Instead, they’ll pay a monthly fee to a hosting provider like Fasthosts, and we’ll take care of hardware supply and maintenance.
With dedicated server hosting in particular, the customer is in charge of all software maintenance and server configuration (including software installation, updates, resource monitoring, security settings and more), while the provider is only in charge of physical server hardware maintenance. However, with a server in cloud hosting, you won’t need to worry about hiring an IT team to take charge of server maintenance or doing it yourself, as everything is managed by the cloud provider – including security settings, essential updates, and monitoring. And as these managed cloud hosting services aren’t limited by existing hardware like a dedicated server, resources can be added to your hosting plan as needed. This flexibility and scalability can make cloud hosting a more powerful solution at a more reasonable price.
Cloud server vs VPS
A popular in-between option for those looking for the flexibility and affordability of cloud hosting servers with the power and isolation of a dedicated server is VPS hosting. A VPS or virtual private server is created by using server virtualisation technology (called a hypervisor) to split a physical server into multiple virtual machines – each with its own allocated resources and operating system. Just like with a cloud server, customers can add more virtual resources to their VPS plan as needed.
On the other hand, a VPS doesn’t offer the same flexibility in terms of server pricing, as you’ll pay a fixed monthly fee for your VPS resources rather than only paying for the resources you use. However, some customers prefer this pricing consistency to simplify their budgeting, and there are also security benefits to choosing a VPS over a cloud server. VPSs are isolated from other virtual machines on the same physical server, which improves performance and data privacy, whereas cloud servers are part of a global interconnected network, which can make the cloud a risky place to store sensitive information (unless you have a private cloud network – more on this later).
How does a cloud server work?
In a nutshell, the cloud is where a network of servers work together via an internet connection to create a virtual infrastructure. Instead of a single machine taking all the strain – as is the case with dedicated servers or a single VPS – these servers spread the weight across multiple sources to improve stability, allowing for complex processing with reduced risk to your data.
So why is this useful?
Why use a cloud server?
A cloud server comes with a whole host of benefits to consider. Let’s take a look at some of the core benefits of cloud hosting.
1. Security
Data protection has a lot of moving parts and it’s not really something you can afford to get wrong.
When you use a cloud hosting provider, your data is protected by their top-of-the-line security measures, including things like two-factor authentication and the latest software and hardware security. Plus, reputable cloud providers hire top security experts who can handle emergencies at any time, so even if you experience a late-night malfunction or cyber attack, they’ll be there to make sure your data stays safe.
2. Flexibility
Arguably one of the biggest reasons people go for a cloud server is its flexibility. You can upgrade your RAM, storage and vCores when you need to. So really the bottom line is that you have a lot more freedom when it comes to expanding.
They also allow you to work flexibly too – they can be accessed by all sorts of devices, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and notebooks. This adds an additional layer of portability to your project that you wouldn’t necessarily get with other server types.
3. Cost
That’s all well and good, but can you afford it? The answer is, compared to other hosting options, cloud servers are one of the most affordable ones out there. Purchasing and maintaining IT hardware isn’t cheap, especially if you’re thinking of upscaling. By using a cloud server, you offload the maintenance and running costs from your team, saving time, effort, and money.
Remember we said they were flexible? Well, they’re also flexible in terms of how you pay for the service. Payment systems range from monthly and annual bills to down-to-the-minute billing, so you only pay for the resources you actually use.
4. Data backups
Physical servers are always at risk. Whether it’s from natural disasters, fires, theft, or malfunction, there’s always a chance something could happen to compromise your data and ultimately your business.
A cloud server provides you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your data is safe, and spread across multiple sources. Even if one cloud server fails, your data can be retrieved from a network of other servers, enhancing data protection and disaster recovery measures.
5. Collaboration
Found near the top of the list, one of the best perks of cloud hosting is how simple it makes collaboration. The fact that files can be accessed from anywhere means that working on projects together is easy. And with round-the-clock access unrestricted by finishing times and time zones, work can continue anywhere, with anyone.
6. Reliability
Cloud servers are extremely reliable due to the cloud network. If one server runs into issues, others in the network can easily pick up the slack. This means you can continue working no matter what – as long as you have an internet connection!
What are the different types of cloud servers?
There are three main types of cloud computing. Let’s take a look at each, and how they might be used.
Public cloud
A public cloud server, sometimes called shared cloud, is a server that offers services to multiple customers. The server is split into multiple virtual servers, giving you your own space, but you still have to share resources like storage, CPU and RAM. With public cloud, you only pay for what you use, which can help you keep costs low.
Private cloud
It might sound pretty obvious but a private cloud server is exactly what it sounds like – a cloud server that's private. It's exclusively offered to one user, giving you your own server space and all the resources that come with it are dedicated to you – no sharing. The cloud server can be based on the user’s premises or housed in a cloud provider’s data centre.
Hybrid cloud
Looking for the best of both worlds? Hybrid cloud is the perfect solution for you. With hybrid cloud, you get access to both third-party public cloud servers and on-premises private cloud servers, so you can benefit from the security of private cloud and the scalability and cost-effectiveness of public cloud.
Disadvantages of cloud hosting
Although they can offer a whole host of great benefits, cloud servers aren’t the best choice for every type of customer. Here are some key downsides to consider before making a decision, plus some recommendations for alternative hosting services that you may prefer:
1. Data privacy
As we briefly touched on earlier, cloud server hosting can carry some data privacy and security concerns unless you create your own private cloud infrastructure. Although all reputable cloud hosts should implement comprehensive security measures to keep your data safe, there’s always a risk of breaches when you choose to store your data externally – especially when you choose a global cloud network rather than a totally private dedicated server that’s exclusive to you.
If you need to store sensitive information on your server, you may prefer a single-tenant physical server like a dedicated server or Bare Metal server. In fact, some industries have strict regulations on where and how confidential data can be stored, so you may be breaching these regulations if you use public cloud for this type of data.
2. Limited control
For some customers, having their hosting provider handle all server maintenance can be a great help. However, for those who want to customise their server environment to their exact needs and have full control over server settings, cloud hosting services may not offer the flexibility they need because the cloud computing infrastructure is fully owned, monitored and managed by the cloud provider.
In this case, a dedicated server or Bare Metal server would be best as you get an entire private server to customise however you wish. If you’re on a stricter budget, a VPS can also give you a lot of freedom because you get full root access to make administrator-level changes to your isolated virtual environment.
3. Connectivity issues
One one hand, connecting to your cloud server via the internet is extremely convenient – particularly for remote working and collaboration – but on the other hand, it can be frustrating and disruptive if you experience connectivity issues. Cloud-based hosting services are reliant on a strong, reliable internet connection, so if this is a problem for you, an alternative hosting solution may be better.
4. Vendor lock-in
Migrating between different cloud hosting platforms is still a tricky process, so one potential issue with cloud hosting is vendor lock-in. If you aren’t satisfied with your current cloud hosting company and want to move elsewhere, it may be difficult, time-consuming and disruptive to your business to make the switch.
Always do thorough research before choosing a cloud hosting provider to ensure you understand exactly what they’re offering and how difficult it could be to move in the future. Alternatively, if you’re still concerned about vendor lock-in, a VPS or dedicated server may be better for you. Many hosting providers offer quick and easy migrations for these services compared to cloud hosting, so this could be a better choice if you want to keep your options open.
Here at Fasthosts, we have multiple guides to help you migrate websites and providers. Check out our guides on website migration and how to migrate your VPS, or contact our support team for advice at any time.
5. Escalating costs
In many cases, only paying for the resources you use on a cloud hosting plan can be more cost-effective than paying a fixed monthly cost for allocated resources – especially if you don’t need all of the resources on offer with a powerful dedicated server plan, for example. However, since you’re not paying a monthly set cloud server cost, your spending could potentially escalate very quickly if your usage suddenly increases (i.e., if your website experiences large seasonal traffic fluctuations).
It’s always a good idea to estimate your projected usage and hosting budget, but if you’re thinking of choosing a cloud-based server with down-to-the-minute billing, it’s even more important that you plan ahead to ensure your costs won’t spiral out of control. Generally, cloud hosting is very cost-effective for short-term projects with varying resource needs, but if you’re working on large-scale projects for an extended period of time, a powerful VPS or dedicated server may be more appropriate.
What can you use a cloud server for?
Cloud servers are all-rounders. Whatever project you're planning, or already running, you'll likely be able to do it on a cloud server too. With so many possibilities, it's hard to list them all here, but here are a few uses for cloud computing as an example:
- IT infrastructure. Cloud computing servers can be a scalable cost-effective solution for internal IT, allowing employees to access everything they need remotely.
- Education and institutions. Cloud servers are great for resource sharing, making them ideal for delivering training courses and virtual lessons.
- Software development. Develop software on a platform that gives you access to snapshots and clones so you can easily restore versions.
- Ecommerce. Cloud servers give you the beefy performance you need to run a large ecommerce site while running powerful apps like Magento.
Do I need a cloud server?
Whether you need a cloud storage solution, beefy performance for a large ecommerce site or somewhere to test your latest software, a cloud server is great for loads of use cases.
The bottom line is that a cloud server means:
- You get all the same benefits and functionalities as you would with a physical, on-premises server.
- You can easily organise complex, multi-faceted projects, and store large amounts of data.
- You can choose a plan that suits the size and ambition of your business.
- You have increased peace of mind around the security of your data.
- You can choose how to pay for the services you use.
However, it also means that you may not have the same level of privacy that you’d get with a physical server dedicated just to you, and you also won’t have your own dedicated resources and full root access to customise your server environment however you wish. Therefore, cloud hosting is often a great option for shorter-term or smaller-scale projects, but if you need secure, powerful hosting for hosting high-traffic websites, managing large databases, or hosting your own private gaming server, you may be more interested in a VPS or dedicated server.
If you don’t know which type of server is right for you, we’re here to help! Our sales team can help you find the right solution for your project, so get in touch at any time for advice. You can also check out our helpful blog for more information about all things web hosting!
