MadPPC

I always have about a jazillion ideas this time of year of new projects, I keep thinking about building a big splog farm so I can throw back-links around and the such.  So I started looking for a VPS (Virtual Private Server) or a Dedi (Dedicated) Server to host the blogs and whatnot.  Well it was easy to decide that Dedi was way too expensive for the most part, and wouldn’t be utilized to the fullest.  So the decision was simple, lets go with a VPS.

There are just so many different kinds of VPS that I thought I’d give you a rundown on some of the options you have out there, this is in no way a totally comprehensive guild but should give you a good idea.  They pretty much come in 2 flavors, Fully Manged Pimp Juice and Your On Your Own Tap Beer.

Fully Managed Pimp Juice

Sounds like you would expect, these VPS’s are usually fully managed.  They are a bit more expensive, and a lot less of a hassle for those who don’t know what they are doing or just don’t have the time to screw around with VPS setup and configuration.

Advantages:

• Normally backed up every day.
• Pre-configured so your not spending time fucking around, lets you jump right in.
• Good amount of tech support.
• Proactive monitoring.

Disadvantages:

• Rigid, normally don’t let you install what OS you want.  Chances are you’ll be stuck with CentOS and cPanel/Plesk, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
• Less of your own system.
• Much more costly because of things like tech support, cPanel/Plesk licenses, etc.
• Much less resources for your dollar.

So just like Pimp Juice, Manged VPS’s taste great but the Pimp Juice costs quite a bit more for what you get.  If you can’t manage a server, or don’t know how to use some Linux distrobution, this is where you are stuck – I would refer to that as having to buying some random drunk bar chick an expensive drink.

Good Places To Start

Liquidweb.com

I hear so many good things about Liquid Web, so it gets the no. 1 spot.

Media Temple

Anther well talked about VPS service.

Wiredtree.com

A good looking VPS with all the bells and whistles.

Your On Your Own Tap Beer

Pimp juice is good, but damn is it expensive.  I feel I can get drunk cheaper, by slamming those pints of tap Bud Light (oh so good).

These VPS’s are great for those who know what their doing, or want to run their own system.  I’d be referring to non-managed VPS’s.

Advantages

• Install your own OS, try others.
• Complete and absolute control over your virtual server.
• Much Cheaper!
• More resources for your dollar.

Disadvantages

• For the most part backup your system yourself.
• Handle most problems on your own, considering how many server configurations there could be they can’t support them all.

Good Places to Start

Linode.com

Some awesome great prices, good selection of OS’s, good forum, customer loyalty program where they will kick you extra resources for nothing.

Current OS List

Arch Linux 2007.08
CentOS 5.2 (i386 and x86_64)
Debian 4.0 (i386 and x86_64)
Fedora 9
Gentoo 2007.0
OpenSUSE 11.0
Slackware 12.0
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (i386 and x86_64)
Ubuntu 8.10 (i386 and x86_64)

VPSLand.com

Good prices, 50% off your first month, OS listed are old (e-mailed them to confirm), backups!

VPSLink.com

Wrap-up

Although this is not a comprehensive guild on VPS services, hopefully it will help you make an informed choice without having to run all over the place looking for information.  You’ll notice on non-manged servers you get a ton more for what you pay, sure you have to do a little bit more work, but I’d say it’s worth it if your capable.  For everyone else, managed is great.  It will feel like a normal shared hosting account, but much more reliable and more customizable.  The perks are great, but come at a price.

Now, go make monies.