Virtual Server

What Does Virtual Server Mean?

A virtual server is a server that shares hardware and software resources with other operating systems (OS), versus dedicated servers. Because they are cost-effective and provide faster resource control, virtual servers are popular in Web hosting environments.

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Techopedia Explains Virtual Server

Ideally, a virtual server mimics dedicated server functionalities. Rather than implement multiple dedicated servers, several virtual servers may be implemented on one server.

Each virtual server is designated a separate OS, software and independent reboot provisioning. In a virtual server environment for Web hosting, website administrators or Internet service providers (ISP) may have different domain names, IP addresses, email administration, file directories, logs and analytics. Additionally, security systems and passwords are maintained as if they were in a dedicated server environment. To reduce Web hosting costs, server software installation provisioning is often available.

An overflow of virtual servers in a physical machine may lead to resource hogging, and if a virtual server uses more resources than another, performance issues usually result.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…