Like every web hosting solution currently available on the market, there are multiple options when it comes to choosing a Cloud hosting service. To make the choice between one Cloud hosting service and another Cloud server hosting solution, consumers need to calculate resource capabilities, scalability of solution, Cloud operating systems and disaster recovery options.
Cloud Server Resources
As it is with other web hosting solutions, Cloud servers – Cloud VPS (Virtual Private Servers) come stacked with virtualized resources. By utilizing KVM, OpenVZ, Xen, Hyper-V etc., Cloud hosting firms virtualize server resources to provide you with the power, memory and speed you need to host your website or critical business solutions. While every Cloud hosting firm offers virtualized Cloud resources (RAM, Disk, Bandwidth and CPU Cores), not every company offers consumers the ability to choose the amount of each resource they need and not every firm offers consumers the specific amount of resources they need.
Some Cloud hosting services will tie all virtualized resources together creating packages (Linode and Solar VPS come to mind here) while other Cloud services offer consumers the ability to individually select resources.
As mentioned, some firms only offer resource allotments up to a defined point. For example, you might need a Cloud VPS with 200GB of storage however your provider only offers up to 120GB of storage. Point in case; utilize a Cloud computing firm who can supply you with what you need.
Obviously, if your firm can’t supply you with the virtualized Cloud resources your server needs, the very idea of solution scalability goes out the window.
Cloud Operating Systems
Just like Cloud server resources, the operating system of your Cloud VPS will be virtualized. Due to this, you need to pick a provider who not only offers the operating system you are comfortable with (Windows or Linux); you also need to choose a provider who offers the version of the OS you are comfortable with. Point in case, if you are a Linux lover who is used to utilizing CentOS over Debian, don’t select a provider who only offers Cloud Linux or Fedora. The same line of thought holds true for Windows cloud virtualization.
Cloud Hosting Disaster Recovery
Disaster Recovery, or DR, holds true for every web hosting solution. Within Cloud hosting, DR is no different. When choosing a Cloud hosting service, make sure they operate out of a backup data center (a main data center and a backup) which offers instant data replication. DR is critical to Cloud hosting solutions because if disaster strikes and your provider’s main data center Cloud hosting facility fails, you want to know your Cloud servers are up and running without experiencing any downtime.
Talk to Cloud Hosting Users
If independent research isn’t your thing, the best way to learn about Cloud hosting solutions and Cloud VPS providers is to utilize online web hosting forums like WebHostingTalk, SitePoint and yours truly, QuoteColo. Before deciding on your Cloud VPS provider of choice, talk to real users who can supply you with real feedback on the level of services you will receive with each provider.
Essentially, before investing in Cloud hosting services, do your homework.