Virtual private server realism urged

Firms investing in virtual private servers must be careful not to overload this IT infrastructure, it has been claimed.

According to Andi Mann, vice-president of research at Enterprise Management Associates, double-digit physical-to-virtual server ratios may not be viable for those wishing to ensure a high level of performance.

"If you go into these virtualisation projects with a false expectation, you're going to get in trouble," he stated.

Mr Mann noted that while 15 virtual machines running mission-critical and resource-intensive applications may be supported quite comfortably by a single physical host, 50 machines is an unrealistic number.

He suggested that realistic expectations of virtual private servers can lead to significant rewards, in terms of performance, security and availability.

Last week, advertising advice site Marketing Donut claimed that choosing a reliable web hosting provider is critical to the success of any successful online business.

It claimed that all systems should be secure yet flexible for business growth and technology change.

Written by Chris Ball