HyperVM Hosting: Compare Hosting

What is HyperVM Hosting?

HyperVM is controlling software for setting up virtual machines on a single computer, or on a cluster of computers. This allows you to create and sell virtual private server (VPS) hosting from your website to your users. Selecting a vendor that provides HyperVM software can make the process of setting up your Web server much easier and more intuitive.

About HyperVM

To understand the perks of HyperVM, you must first understand the concept of  VPS  hosting. While  shared hosting  service providers supply you with space on a server to split with several other websites, VPS hosting providers give you total control over your very own virtual server. In short, shared hosting is like renting a hotel room, whereas VPS hosting is like renting out an entire hotel. Users of HyperVM can run the software on either a real server, computing grid, or a virtual machine, but will in turn be creating new Virtual Machines – usually to sell to customers.

In many ways, having a VPS is just as good as having a physical server. With it comes root access, and thus the ability to use the software and script of your choice. And, as an added bonus, you still get technical support from your hosting provider.

This means that VPS hosting providers are compelled to make sure that their customers’ experiences are as straightforward and effortless as possible—and that’s where HyperVM comes in. It allows for partitioning off parts of a server to create a virtual machine which has it’s own operating system and software running, independent of what’s running on the parent server.

The history of HyperVM is emotionally charged. Originally started as a proprietary solution by a development team in Bangalore, in 2009 a massive “zero-day” exploit emerged which allowed hackers to destroy all data on one UK web-hosting firm’s servers – covering over 100,000 sites. This resulted in severe tragedy, the owner of HyperVM took his own life. The family of the deceased then granted license of the software over to the developer community already supporting it. These glaring security concerns have since been repaired, and the open source developers now behind the platform treat security as an utmost priority.

Features of HyperVM

HyperVM is essentially a virtualization manager specifically designed for VPS hosting. With its integrated Kloxo control panel, it allows the hosting provider to supervise multiple VPS units as effectively as possible, and simultaneously enables the customer to start using their new virtual server right away, with no fuss or hassle.

Choosing VPS hosting will automatically give you a high degree of control, and having HyperVM will only increase that control. From advanced network configuration to system updates to on-demand reboots, HyperVM will put you in the driver’s seat.

At a high level, here are some of the capabilities of the platform:

• Integration with Billing Support Platforms – WHMCS and AWBS
• Deployment across entire datacenters
• Hierarchical Client System – virtual machines within virtual machines
• Web based graphical user interface for deployment and monitoring
• Support for OpenVZ and Xen visualization – for both Linux and Windows VPS
• Intelligent Traffic Management and web IP handling
• A built in “messaging” system – sending real time data streams over sockets.

The scope of HyperVM is deep and far reaching, and used by many high profile web hosting providers. The development community is active, open source, and the partner program includes hosts like A2 Hosting & VPSlink.

Compatibility with Kloxo

HyperVM is also generally used in conjunction with Kloxo – which is also maintained by Lxcenter.org. Kloxo is a two tiered software platform, having both a free and enterprise option for running a distributed hosting service. Where HyperVM is the technical backbone for managing virtual servers across distributed computing resources – Kloxo is the software that makes HyperVM user-friendly to users and customers. Kloxo is useful for directly running a hosting service.

Hosting and Installation

To reap the many benefits of HyperVM hosting, you only need to either own lots of hardware and infrastructure, or to choose a VPS hosting provider which offers HyperVM in their packages and plans. This primarily comes from large cloud service providers who can scale computing resources on demand according to user needs.

Installing HyperVM is similar to setting up any other virtualization software – it will require root level privaledges on a Linux Sever. Compatibility is somewhat limited, HyperVM needs to run on either CentOS or Red Hat EL. Also, be sure to check which versions of CentOS and Red Hat are installed. The hardware requirements are minimal for OpenVZ, but larger for Xen.

The installation process happens all through terminal console, and may require kernal level configuration or consulting the user forums. There may of course be machine images which can installed on some cloud providers instead – saving the trouble of manual configuration. It may be costly however, to setup a large Xen server on some cloud platforms, so be prepared to experiment and consult with those providers.

Who should use HyperVM & Why?
Many different parties use HyperVM – commercially – most users of this software will be Web Hosting Providers aiming to provide dedicated Virtual Machines for customers. With HyperVM you are creating a “Private Cloud” – which means either owning the hardware, or paying to use it from another larger provider.

A private cloud might also be useful for large organizations internal development environments. Having a shared file structure with easy to move virtual machines can be great for debugging multiple versions of software.

How can I use HyperVM to become a profitable web host?
Since there thousands of hosting services in existence, coming up with your own should mean picking a few core technologies to support, and then creating hosting options through a VPS that strongly support a language or feature that competitors don’t understand or use often.

Also, be very careful with costs. It can be expensive to run a private cloud – have the financing setup to support getting started, or start with individual clients and built up to automatic hosting at a later time.