Managed vs Unmanaged VPS
I'm currently on a shared hosting package (don't vomit on me 😉) and am in the process of reviewing a VPS solution. My question as I review the xCloud BF offer and also trying to understand what it means to have or bring servers - and then what does it mean to have a Managed VPS vs Unmanaged VPS.
I do consider myself techy, but not server speak and all of that type of lingo.
Is anyone able to explain it to me in like grade 6 language - before I ask my friend ChatGPT which I know doesn't always give correct answers. Just trying to make the best decision that I can at this time - whether that is to move to xCloud or discuss with my current hosting the options of their VPS solution.
Thanks
Managed means, they care of your server needs, software, upgrades, etc. Unmanaged means, you take care of everything yourself. If you are not server savvy, then go for a Managed vps. Bring your own simply means you bring your own host outside of xcloud or go with a Managed vps that xcloud offers. I am not interested in managing my own server, I dont have time for that, so I will be going with a plan that is managed by xcloud.
☝️ Nicely explained.
David Scurlock thank you! This is how I was leaning based on what I was trying to understand. But I was finding myself just struggling with some of the info. I'm also not interested in managing either. This was very helpful.
Janice Bennett you will be glad you did. Managing your own server means you will be adding more technical sever work on top of everything else you are doing.
Janice Bennett xcloud BF offer is only good if you have multiple servers you want to manage through xcloud. If you only have 1 website, then I dont think there would be much value on their black Friday offer, if you have websites on 5+ different servers, then that would be a another story.
David Scurlock I currently manage 5 websites / domains on a shared hosting plan. One of them has FluentCommunity installed and I'm considering adding FC to another 2 sites as they are all different niches. So based on the suggestions of the server recommendation, I should be looking at a VPS. When I look at a managed VPS at my current host, it will start out at $38/month (if they let me switch to the intro price) and then will increase to $75/month after a year. So with that, is the reason that I'm looking at switching to xCloud / servers and trying to unpack if I'm comparing apples to oranges, or apples to apples.
David Scurlock OR do I just purchase the xCloud Managed server for the size that I need and that has everything that I need included at the monthly rate?
Janice Bennett tell xcloud what you have, and let them recommend a managed plan for you. You can contact via chat.
Janice Bennett now that I have a litte more time. The good thing about xcloud is that they offer multiple managed plans. Look at plans between standard/professional plans, $24 to $45/mo. If i had 2 fc and 5 sites, then i may go with the growing plan and you could always upgrade to a higher plan if needed. Since I will only have 1 instance of FC then I may start with the $12 plan, that would be just enough to get FC up and running and nothing more right now, once I setup a full website and go live then I will need a higher plan.
David Scurlock If I understand correctly, they take care of all the headaches with VDS settings and optimization, and give you clean access to WP? Then this is a great option for new users, really saving a lot of nerves and time.
To be honest, I don't recommend anyone start learning server administration from scratch. It's better to use services or hire specialists for this. The only exception, as in my case, is if it's your hobby.
Artur Abakarov if you go unmanaged then everything is on you and if it breaks, then you have to figure out why and it could be anything from sever/software issues to wp issues and its all on you to fix, however, if it is hardware failure, then that is on xcloud to fix. I will be going with a managed plan, so I just pick a plan, migrate my site over, then connect dns to xcloud, then I should be good to go and xcloud will take care of sever management for me. Dont forget to create backup of current site before moving over. I am not a server expert and do not wish to be either and I would rather pay a few extra bucks so I dont have to do my own server management as I would not be qualified anyways. If this is a hobby and you really dont care, then go for an unmanaged plan and or take a class on server management so you can learn what to do or not do when managing your server, keep in mind, server management is for those that can learn the server language quickly or they already understand the server language.
David Scurlock thanks 👍 I didn't mean to take up your time yesterday and I really appreciated that you did reply because it was the latter replies that helped me to understand. I also reached out to xCloud with my scenario of what I had and what the server minimum recommendations previously identified by the WP Ninja team and they provided me with a recommended plan. I had reached out previously to them, but my question was wrong, meaning I didn't ask what I had / needed but rather I was asking them to explain the plans. Once I asked the right question, then the recommendation made sense. So thanks 👍
Janice Bennett which plan did they recommend?
David Scurlock a plan with minimum 2 CPU on the managed. Said even with just a basic WordPress and all of the things it needs (plugins, backups, etc) recommend 2 CPU as minimum. So that's where I will start with the Standard and go from there.
Janice Bennett ok that is one that I recommend 👌 I thought they might try to over sell you on a plan but they did not. If you need more space then upgrade to tge growing plan, but if you need more power, then upgrade to the next available plan which is professional I think.
David Scurlock 👍👌 thanks - yes, I thought that they might as well and did not seem to - especially for someone who doesn't quite fully understand.
Janice Bennett David Scurlock I’m going through the same process now, moving to xCloud VPS, this thread has been helpful