The choice of operating system for a virtual private server depends on the needs of a particular company. But if you are looking for a reliable, efficient, and flexible solution to host your web projects, in most cases it will be Windows VPS. In this article, we'll analyze why many people prefer Microsoft solutions, and what benefits and limitations you can expect if you decide to buy a Windows VPS .
What is a Windows VPS and what it is used for?
Windows VPS is a virtual private server that uses Windows Server as the underlying operating system. Windows VPS functions effectively as a cloud server with elastic scalability. This means that you get a dedicated server resource that you can use as you see fit, and you can easily add resources as needed.
Typically, a private server under Windows is used in many segments, it can be hosting websites and applications, databases, mail servers, and game servers. The main advantage is that the system allows you to run programs and scripts that require a Windows-compatible environment. For example, you can use Windows VPS for hosting ASP.NET, .NET Core, SQL Server, and other Microsoft technologies.
The advantages of using a Windows VPS
The main reason Windows VPS is preferred is that the system is developed by the largest player on the market. Microsoft is a multi-billion dollar company that invests huge budgets in its products. Other vendors do not have the same amount of resources, it is difficult for them to compete at this level. Consider the other advantages of using a Windows VPS.
Ready to launch product
Windows VPS requires no additional configuration or software installation. You can start working with it immediately after purchase and get full control over the server. You can choose the desired version of Windows Server (from 2008 to 2022), that best suits your needs and requirements.
But most importantly, the user gets access to a remote desktop with an intuitive graphical interface. There is no need to program anything from the command line, as is required in UNIX-based systems.
Integration with other Microsoft products
The system easily integrates with other Microsoft services such as Office 365, Azure, and SharePoint. You can install additional Windows software such as IIS, Active Directory, and Exchange Server.
You get a single, seamless software interface where you can use cloud services from Microsoft for data storage, analytics, machine learning, and other purposes. It is possible to synchronize the server with other Windows devices and applications, such as Outlook, OneDrive, and Skype.
Support
Microsoft understands what customers want and for 20 years Windows Server developers have eradicated almost all the technical problems associated with the product.
With VPS on Windows Server, you don't have to wait long for vulnerabilities to be fixed. The company promptly and regularly releases security updates and patches, which are installed automatically. With open-source systems, you achieve the same result only if the product has an extensive community.
ASP and ASP.Net compatibility
Windows VPS is ideal for developing and hosting web applications based on ASP and ASP.Net Core – popular technologies from Microsoft. You can use different programming languages like C#, VB.Net, and Python and connect different databases: SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and others.
Disadvantages of using Windows VPS
Windows Server is a great software for hosting and other tasks, but not perfect. The system has some limitations which may be critical for a certain group of users.
The first is the high cost. One of the main disadvantages is that Windows VPS is usually more expensive than Linux VPS or shared hosting. This is because VPS requires an additional license for Windows Server, and it is included in the cost of renting a server. Add to this the fact that most tools and software are paid Microsoft products, and using a Windows VPS will put a noticeable strain on your budget.
But note that the high cost is a relative indicator. You can almost always find free alternatives to Microsoft programs. And due to the stable operation of the server and quality support in the long run, you can save thousands of dollars. Windows servers are much less likely to crash and are easier to resume operation than other operating systems.
Another disadvantage of using a Windows VPS is problems with performance and compatibility. You may encounter conflicts between different versions of Windows Server or between the OS from Microsoft and other operating systems. For example, it is possible to have problems when running Windows Server 2022 on old hardware, or when trying to connect to a Windows VPS from a Linux computer.
But if you rent a VPS server, such cases will be rare. Most likely, the hosting company has already taken care of installing modern performance equipment and configuring compatibility settings.
Some programs or scripts may run better on a Linux VPS than on a Windows VPS since they were originally designed for a Linux-compatible environment. For example, you may have problems running PHP or MySQL on a Windows VPS, since these technologies are optimized to run on Linux. Windows VPS is not suitable for developing and running web applications in Ruby on Rails or Node.js, as these technologies work better on Linux VPS.
How vulnerable is a Windows VPS to attack?
Among many users, there is an opinion that Linux VPS is preferable in terms of security, and there is a logic in that. The dominance of Windows on the desktop market has made Microsoft systems a prime target for hackers. But Windows has a lot of tools to protect your server from hackers.
You can protect your data from unauthorized access or loss through a variety of security measures, such as
Firewalls. Allow you to control incoming and outgoing network traffic and block unwanted or dangerous connections. You can use both the built-in Windows Firewall and third-party tools, such as Bitdefender or Norton, to protect your Windows VPS from hackers, viruses, or other attacks.
Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS). These are programs or devices that analyze network traffic and detect and prevent hacking attempts or other anomalous activities. You can use IDS/IPS at the operating system level or at the application level.
Data encryption and SSL certificates. You can use BitLocker or VeraCrypt to encrypt disk space or Let's Encrypt and Comodo to obtain SSL certificates.
Of course, Windows VPS allows you to create real-time backups and regularly scheduled backups.
Conclusion
Windows VPS can be a suitable solution for your projects if you want:
run programs or scripts that require a Windows-compatible environment;
have full control over your server and configure it as you wish;
get high performance and reliability of the server.
Windows VPS provides flexibility and scalability, data security, and ease of management for web projects. However, Windows VPS has some limitations. Therefore, you must carefully choose Windows VPS for your projects, first of all, based on usage scenarios. You should also consider other parameters such as server resources, Windows Server version, and purchase or lease costs.
