What Is The Difference Between Managed & Unmanaged VPS?

There are two main types of servers that data centers use: self-managed (unmanaged) servers and managed servers. Both have pros and cons, so it's important to understand the difference between them before deciding which type of server is right for your data center.

Self-managed servers are usually cheaper than managed servers, but they require more work to set up and maintain. You'll need staff familiar with server administration to keep your self-managed server running smoothly. Additionally, it's up to you to fix the problem if something goes wrong with a self-managed server.

On the other hand, managed servers are more expensive than self-managed servers, but they require less work to set up and maintain. With a managed server, you can outsource the server administration to a third-party company. This can be helpful if you don't have the staff or the expertise to handle server administration yourself. Additionally, if something goes wrong with a managed server, the company managing the server will be responsible for fixing the problem.

So, which type of server is right for you? It depends on your needs and budget. Self-managed servers are a good choice if you're looking for a cheaper option. However, managing servers are a better option if you want to save time and money on maintenance. In detail, let's analyze the pros and cons of both types of servers.

Self-Managed server

With self-managed (or unmanaged) servers, you get a server that only has an operating system installed. You can't count on your service provider here that he will help you. You have root access that gives you complete control over the server. You can install any software, like a web server such as Apache and Nginx, a CMS such as WordPress and Shopify, a control panel such as Cpanel and Plesk, or a database such as MariaDB. You don't have to pay extra for the mail server. You can install and configure it yourself with managed server. You can configure the firewall settings how you like them, host a game server like Minecraft or GTA, host a VPN server, and perform software & OS updates on demand. Virtually, you can do anything if you have the expertise.

Advantages of self-managed servers

You pay only for the hardware and connectivity. So, you can find cheap yet solid and robust servers. There's no extra fee that you spend with managed server.

You have total control over the server. You can customize the configurations and settings as you need them to be. You can install any software that you want.

Disadvantages of self-managed servers

The main disadvantage of self-managed servers is that you need technical knowledge to configure and maintain them. Do you want to host a website? You need to install and configure a web server, probably a database compatible with other software, install a programming language such as PHP, point your domain to the server's IP, and assign the domain to that web server. Configuring an HTTPS is also challenging. It may take two weeks to learn if you don't know how to do these things. And if you do something wrong, you may create a vulnerability that can get your server or website hacked, and you may end up sending spam to other people or mining crypto for the hacker. Even Simple tasks like updating software can be challenging and time-consuming.

You won't get any help from the provider. If something goes wrong, it's up to you to fix it yourself or hire someone with the expertise.

You need to have the technical expertise to configure and maintain the server. If you're unfamiliar with Linux, self-managed servers aren't for you.

Managed server

With managed servers, you get a server that already has an operating system installed, and it's often preconfigured with popular software such as Apache, Nginx, WordPress, and more. You also get a control panel to help you manage your server. VPS servers usually come with managed support, meaning that your service provider will help you with server administration tasks.

Advantages of managed servers

You don't need to have any technical expertise to use a managed server. The hosting company will take care of your configurations and settings. Updates and security patches will be installed automatically.

You get help from the hosting company. If something goes wrong, you can contact support, and they will help you fix the issue.

You get a control panel to help you manage your server quickly.

Disadvantages of managed servers

The main disadvantage of managed servers is the price. They are usually more expensive than self-managed servers because you're paying for the hosting company's expertise and support. Management is also generally quite limited in scope, and they'll only offer support for your website-related issues. If you want to host a game server, for example, they won't help with that - nor can you do it on the same server.

Another disadvantage is that you don't have complete control over the server. For example, you may not be able to install the software you want or change the server settings.

And finally, managed servers may not be as fast as self-managed servers because they often run on shared infrastructure. So, if you need a fast server, you may consider a self-managed server instead.

Limitation

These are 10 things you might not be able to do with the managed services that would be possible with the managed server:

1. Upload or download large files
2. Install software or updates
3. Change server settings
4. Access sensitive data
5. Use the server for high-traffic purposes
6. Create new user accounts
7. Reset passwords for user accounts
8. Manage server backups
9. Monitor server performance
10. Troubleshoot server issues

Root access

'Root access' is another term for administrator access in the Linux operating system. If you've used a Windows computer before, you're familiar with the 'Administrator' prompt that comes up whenever you try to delete or move an application. In Linux, this is referred to as 'root access'.Root access means the ability to change, delete, or modify important files on a computer. This level of access is only given to people with expertise and should not be given to guest users.You will have complete control over your server with root access in a VPS Hosting environment.Root access is necessary for system administrators who want complete control over the server. System admins often need to fine-tune configurations, install third-party applications, change security settings, and so on to deliver optimal website performance and security. Doing these tasks without root access would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Summary

There are two types of servers - managed and self-managed. Managed servers are easier to use but more expensive, while self-managed servers give you more control but require more technical expertise. Root access is a type of administrator access that gives you complete control over the server. System administrators often need root access to fine-tune configurations, install third-party applications, and change security settings.