So, just what is a game server? Before answering that question, it’s important to understand how online gaming works. Many popular games today, first person shooters in particular, support online play. Such Internet-based play expands the game to whole new levels, and provides an experience not possible in single player environments. Players ranging in numbers from half a dozen to as many as sixty-four can all join what’s called a game server and play on the same map (game level) at the same time. Gaming servers work much like web servers, but instead of hosting websites, host game matches that others can join. Though the game itself is not loaded from the server, important game information such as player scores and rules are. Think of them in terms of a soccer stadium. The stadium provides a scoreboard and a field to play on, and the players come to the stadium to play.

While it is possible for a gamer to host a server on his computer, such servers are only suitable for a small number of players due to the slow speed of their connections. Game servers of any decent size are hosted by what are known as server providers in large data centers. With high-speed connection speeds and high-end server hardware, these providers can host servers of any size. The most popular games hosted these days include the Battlefield series, Counter Strike: Source, the Call of Duty games, the Medal of Honor series, and Unreal Tournament. Most providers offer free support, the ability to change the hosted game on the fly, free voice servers for oral communication, and web hosting. Prices for gaming servers vary greatly from provider to the provider and game to game, but the average is around $2 per player. People who run game servers sometimes pay for them out of their own pockets, but often times a group of gamers will form what is called a clan and share the cost of the server. Once a server is setup, anyone can play on a server for free, though some servers are private and require a password to join.

They make it possible for game lovers worldwide to get together and play their favorite games in an online environment, and have created a whole new market in the gaming world and have changed the way people view gaming. As technology increases, it will be interesting to see how the game server market changes.

Although very little credit is given to cheap host solutions when it comes to the internet boom, the truth is that without affordable host solutions there was no way so many websites could have been hosted online. The price of host has been on a steady decline and new technologies like VPS (virtual private servers) have made hardware sharing an affordable reality. To better understand how VPS has impacted web host one must first understand what a virtual private server is.
A virtual private server is a method of partitioning a physical server computer into multiple servers; each virtual server has the appearance and capabilities of running as a dedicated machine. In addition, a virtual private server can have multiple instances of different operating systems running at the same time. A virtual private server boots up like any normal web server, the server then executes a virtualization software that allows a single server to host multiple virtual machines. The servers administrator decides exactly what resources are available to each virtual machine. Contrary to popular belief, a virtual private server is in no way inferior to a dedicated server and is far more cost effective.
A webmaster is usually assigned a super-user account on the virtual private server, and a webmaster can choose to install any software he wants. Unlike a dedicated server, there are very little restrictions on the type of software a webmaster can install, and everything from firewalls to anti-virus programs can be installed on a virtual private server. Although, virtual private servers with multiple operating systems are becoming popular, a virtual private server with multiple instances of the same operating system is believed to perform better.
A super-user also has access to various features like root SSH and memory management. As mentioned earlier in the article, the virtual private servers administrator has the rights to decide how much RAM is allocated to each virtual server thus ensuring that each virtual server is allocated enough space and memory and is not deprived of system resources.
Advantages of virtual private servers
Cost effective
The biggest advantage of virtual private serves is that they are cost effective. Compared to a dedicated server, a virtual private server is nearly 75% cheaper and can offer the same features as a dedicated server.
Greater flexibility
A webmaster can choose exactly how many hardware resources he wants allocated to his website. In addition, a webmaster can reboot the web server as and when he wants without having to worry about downtime for other websites. Virtual servers can be rebooted individually, and do not affect other servers that are running on the same virtual private server.
Expandable
Depending on a webmasters requirements, a virtual server can be assigned greater system resources and space. For example, an e-commerce site might require more server space as its business grows. A virtual private servers administrator can assign additional server space and system resources to a website in real time with very little or no downtime.
Unmanaged virtual private servers
A virtual private server need not be managed by the servers administrator alone. A webmaster can also be granted super-user access to the virtual server and can manage the server himself. Webmasters that require access to the root SSH (Secure Shell) can choose to manage their virtual server themselves. In addition, webmasters that want to install specialized software can also manage their virtual server themselves. However, a webmaster acting as the administrator of his own virtual server does not receive support for pre-installed software nor receive any pre-installed software updates. In addition, a webmaster is responsible for monitoring the server himself and any software problems are the webmasters responsibility and only hardware issues are managed by the service provider. In a nutshell, unmanaged virtual private servers are ideal for webmasters with technical know how.
For more information on virtual private servers visit www.ratingwebhosting.com

What is a Dedicated / Virtual Dedicated server and why is
it different than normal web hosting. Web hosting offers you
limited control of how the server your web site is hosted on
behaves. Normal hosting plans put many customers’ accounts on a
single server and you upload your files to that Server.
Dedicated / Virtual Dedicated servers allow you to actually
control your own server where you receive Admin access to
install and run virtually anything YOU want on the server. You
can host multiple web sites on the one server account, and even
sell hosting and host other sites on your server.

I have referred to Dedicated and Virtual Dedicated Servers. You
may ask, what is the difference? Virtual dedicated servers are
similar to Dedicated servers as they offer many of the same
features, but at a much lower price.

With a virtual dedicated server, the customer shares the server
space with a limited number of other customers using the same
server box. Each virtual dedicated server is isolated from the
other accounts giving the user full control of their own server.
Virtual dedicated servers are useful for companies and
individuals that run complex applications that need the
bandwidth, consistent performance, and flexibility of a virtual
dedicated server.

With a dedicated server, you actually lease a server box that is
dedicated to only you and is set up to your preferences. The
dedicated server customer has exclusive rights to the server’s
bandwidth, memory and storage space. Also, a dedicated server
account provides full control of any software installation on
the server. Dedicated servers are useful for companies and
individuals that run very-high-traffic Web sites or applications
that need the bandwidth, versatility, and consistent performance
of a dedicated box.

Dedicated / Virtual dedicated servers are an excellent choice to
use for gaming sites, database management, shared hosting, and
hosting of Web sites that receive high amounts of traffic.

Companies now offer your own customization of your Dedicated /
Virtual Dedicated Server. This allows you the flexibility to
choose one of their popular pre-packaged plans, or go wild and
customize and configure your own virtual dedicated server by
selecting your own options.

One bonus that can help you decide on where to get your server
from is the

support they offer, the value they give you when signing up and
what system

you will actually be running the server on. With support, the
standard now

is to be offered 24×7 email, telephone and Web-based tech
support, as well

as you having access to modify your server 24×7. Sometimes a
free offering

when purchasing the server is given. You should look for
companies that

offer Free and quick setup of the server, so you may be running
in no time.

So you have decided you need a Virtual Dedicated Server or
Dedicated Server. Now what? You need to choose a company to
purchase your Dedicated / Virtual Dedicated Server from. Here is
a company I recommend for purchasing your Dedicated / Virtual
Dedicated Server from.

Domains at Retail – offers 24×7 email, telephone and
Web-based tech support for your Dedicated / Virtual Dedicated
Server, allows you to pick a pre-configured server or to
customize your own server and will set up your account for free.
Visit Domains at Retail at
http://www.domainsatretail.com/wholesalehosting.html for your
Dedicated / Virtual Dedicated Server needs!

Good Luck with the purchase of your Dedicated / Virtual
Dedicated Server and start running your server today