Cloud servers are characterized by their enormous flexibility – companies can therefore adapt cloud servers perfectly to their own needs. Cloud servers are also a good way to centrally manage files.

With this type of virtual server, the Internet presence is accessible even if there are unexpectedly many accesses. This means that users can use cloud technology to react more flexibly and quickly to daily or long-term demands on their server infrastructure.

All cloud servers in our test pass through the five evaluation categories performance, product scope, security, handling and help & support. At the end of the test, the individual scores are calculated into an overall score, from which the ranking list is derived.

This not only explains the specific advantages and disadvantages of the different cloud servers, but also supports potential customers in their individual purchase decisions. With slight advantages, the two providers Hosteurope and 1&1 were able to set themselves apart from the rest of the competition.

The Cloud Phenomenon

Cloud computing is generally understood to mean storing data in a remote data center rather than on one’s own hard drive, and executing programs that are not installed on the local workstation or server. In today’s world, where higher and higher bandwidths are available for the Internet and connection speed is no longer a problem, it is another logical step to move more and more storage space, resources and services from local computers or entire server infrastructures as a solution to this cloud.

#1 What Distinguishes A Cloud Server?

Cloud servers are virtual servers whose computing power and storage capacity are made available by cloud hosts. From the user’s point of view, they behave as if they were physical servers. They are addressed via a data connection. Hosting companies typically offer 2 kinds of solutions: Managed and unmanaged cloud servers. Read what cloud server management actually includes.

Ideally, these are cloud servers that can be scaled at any time and which, as a server solution, provide exactly the performance that is needed. In addition, most cloud server resources can be conveniently managed via web access.

In contrast to a dedicated server system, a cloud server can be used to create structures that are tailored precisely to the service they are to provide. Whether e-mail, data or web server: Cloud servers distribute resources according to need and expectation of the performance needed.

Cloud Servers Offer Many Possibilities, Especially For Companies.

For example, a dedicated system can be protected against failure and data loss by doubling the hardware. In the virtual cloud, servers bring an additional gain in security: all files are distributed across several hard disks. Thanks to this sophisticated file storage system, the failure of certain hardware components of a cloud server does not result in any loss of accessibility or data security.

Low Investment Costs

The advantage of cloud servers is that you do not have to make expensive investments in your own infrastructure. This creates freedom in the choice of host and services. Storage, resources and bandwidth are made available and charged to the customer according to requirements and capacity utilization.

The infrastructure consists of many servers and computers that guarantee high availability and redundancy. In order to meet the security requirements and the increasing demands of the customers, the hosters constantly invest in a complex protection of your infrastructures.

#2 Users Should Pay Attention To These Factors!

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right cloud server provider. Especially when it comes to private company data, many companies hesitate to entrust themselves to external hosting providers. The following aspects should therefore be taken into account:

In particular, the location of the hosting provider’s headquarters and the data protection rules that apply there play an important role. At best, the provider operates its hosting service in Germany, as the strict requirements of the Federal Data Protection Act apply to the files here. The location of data centers and cloud servers is also of decisive importance. If the company’s headquarters are abroad, but the cloud servers are located within Germany, the German data protection laws also apply.

In this context, customers must also pay attention to access rights. These should lie exclusively with the user and the hosting provider.

It is also worth taking a look into the future: There are often certain opt-out clauses that have to be taken into account at the end of the contract. It should also be clarified whether all memory and data (including backup copies) will be deleted from the cloud servers at the end of the term.

The Issue Of Data Protection Should Never Be Forgotten.

One aspect that often goes unnoticed is the issue of “encryption techniques”. Customers should make sure that the data is encrypted not only during transmission between them and the cloud servers of the hosting provider, but also on the cloud servers in the data center itself. In the best case scenario, the data is already encrypted at the user’s site and remains so permanently.

What needs to be taken into consideration as well is encrypted communication with the sever through a virtual private network, an encryptoed tunnel through the internet to securely communicate with your cloud server.

This can be done with onboard VPN tools of your operating system ( VPN´s are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux as well) – or through utilizing a dedicated VPN service provider which offers you an easy to use software as well as thousands of servers worldwide to choose from and to hide your communication and your IP addres from spying entities.

How We Compare

Since many providers provide cloud servers at different conditions, it is important to gain an overview and clarify the factors in which the individual cloud servers differ. Before customers therefore decide on a cloud hosting service, they should look at the individual points and then decide individually.

The following are five relevant evaluation criteria that have a significant influence on the equipment, operation, performance and security of the respective cloud server.

Equipment

The equipment of a cloud server depends primarily on the needs of the potential customer and how the solution should look. But the size of a company also plays an important role.

This evaluation criterion is also used to check how many additional and umlaut domains, domain extensions and subdomains are available. It is also important to know whether the cloud server providers offer e-mail accounts and whether DNS management is available.

Operation

Before potential users decide on a cloud server, they should pay attention to the minimum contract duration and the general terms and conditions.
The administration interface also plays an important role here. Ideally, it should be structured in such a way as to make cloud server administration much easier and more pleasant.

A so-called “root access” also determines the access and administration rights of the different customers and should be considered especially in large companies.

Many providers offer a Plesk panel for easier configuration. This is a practical management interface that does not require Linux knowledge. Applications such as Cronjobs also make work easier, as they take on tasks automatically. Certain programming languages and databases are also helpful. However, these are not available in all cloud server offerings.

Performance

Depending on the size of a company, the size of the cloud storage required also varies. Many providers have so-called inclusive traffic that is available to the user. While some providers offer unlimited traffic, other cloud server providers can incur enormous costs.

In addition, both the performance of the processor and a file transfer protocol (FTP) are of central importance. The availability of cloud servers should also be of interest to many customers. This can often be found in the general terms and conditions, but sometimes the providers of cloud services also advertise with it on their website.

Security

Since the files stored in the cloud are mostly confidential and private data, the security of the cloud server plays an important role. This can largely be guaranteed by highly secure data centers, which are located at best in Germany. Access rights to the cloud server must also be taken into account, because not every employee should always be able to access all data, for example.

In addition, regular backups, monitoring and automatic new installations must be considered.

Help And Support

Since very few customers are sufficiently familiar with the topic of cloud servers, a comprehensive support area is essential. In any case, telephone and e-mail support should be available. In addition, an FAQ area and a blog provide solutions and information on products.

What Distinguishes A Cloud Server From A Traditional Server?

A cloud server is an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) that provides a flexible IT infrastructure that can be scaled exactly to a customer’s needs. In many respects, a cloud server combines the characteristics of a virtual server with a dynamic adaptation that provides resources as needed and adds or subtracts them in real time. Some providers can add additional virtual hardware such as firewalls, switches or load balancers as required.

Cloud servers in combination with other services thus create a highly efficient and extremely adaptable IT environment. It can be optimally integrated into different environments and complements them without creating problems such as migrating the operating system or installing new hardware. Different Linux distributions as well as the proprietary OS Microsoft Windows are available for selection and can be used in parallel.

How Much Does Hosting On A Cloud Server Cost?

With cloud servers, providers rely on different price models that are based either on classic virtual private servers or on a consumption model. The former involves monthly rental fees for virtualized hardware that has been permanently reserved for the cloud server in question.

The second, on the other hand, charges are levied exactly according to the actual consumption of memory and processor resources as well as traffic. For this reason, hosting companies offer a cloud server for as little as 0 euro, but charge for the resources consumed.

These amount to only a few Euros for a base load for the operating system, but can quickly add up to a larger sum if the load is high. In order to control costs, it is possible to limit the computing speed and memory capacities.

Alternatively, packages that permanently secure a certain minimum hardware like a virtual server can be used. In case of overruns – e.g. at temporary peak times or during seasonal offers – these are either planned or supplemented in real time with additional resources, which guarantee optimal availability at any time.

Do Cloud Servers Have Specific Advantages And Disadvantages?

Advantages

• Very flexible infrastructure with numerous possibilities for expansion
• Choice between different operating systems
• Payment according to consumption only
• Root access and free installation of additional software
• Combination with other virtual hardware such as switches or firewalls
• Scalable in real time
• Permanent availability and automatic adaptation to demand

Disadvantages

• No dedicated hardware
• No fixed costs with consumption-based billing
• Low compatibility when migrating to virtual and dedicated servers
• Frequent attacks by cyber criminals
• Different conditions for data security

What Are The Alternatives To A Cloud Server?

The use of a virtual or dedicated server offers advantages, especially for system-critical processes and confidential data. With long-term contracts, these also have greater cost control. VPS also have a scalability that is only a few points inferior to that of a cloud server. The pure operation of a website via a web host is usually cheaper and relieves the operator of technical tasks such as securing, installing updates or configuring and optimizing the system.

Cloud servers offer great advantages primarily for temporary use for computationally intensive processes such as special environments for software development. Due to comparatively high prices for data storage, they are only conditionally recommended as file servers. Special hosters and cloud applications are ideal here.