Many IT decision-makers and business leaders are wondering about the best solution to host their resources: virtual machine (or virtual machine dedicated for a user use) or dedicated server for critical applications and databases. Both options offer excellent performance but meet different needs.

What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine is a complete workstation, hosted on a cloud infrastructure instead of being physically installed on your PC or laptop. It faithfully reproduces the environment of a traditional computer (OS, business software, collaborative tools...), accessible remotely via the Internet.

• Secure virtual machine : thanks to encryption protocols (VPN, SSL) and strict access controls, your data remains protected.
• Quality virtual machine : it relies on powerful and redundant resources, guaranteeing speed of execution and stability.

To go further : Check out our virtual machine offer that offers you a flexible and powerful user environment.

What is a dedicated server?

A dedicated server is a physical machine whose resources (processor, memory, storage) are entirely reserved for you. Unlike a shared hosting or a simple VPS, you do not share the computing power with other customers.

• Secure dedicated server : you can set up your own security policies, firewalls and intrusion detection systems to enhance privacy.
• Quality dedicated server : select high-end hardware (SSD, recent processors) and a reliable datacenter to ensure high availability.
• Dedicated server France : local hosting can reduce latency, improve compliance with the GDPR and facilitate technical support.
• Dedicated server price : the cost depends on the desired level of performance, bandwidth and managed services included.

To go further : Check out our offer of highly secure server with breathtaking performance

Virtual machine or dedicated server: what use for your company?

Virtual machine

• Main use : Workstation for telework, mobility, access to office applications or trades.
• Flexibility : Easy sizing (RAM, CPU). Ideal for quickly deploying new workstations without hardware investment.
• Centralized security : The data is in a datacenter, not on each employee’s computer.
• Foreseeable cost : Monthly billing based on number of positions and resources consumed.

Dedicated server

• Main use : Hosting of critical applications, high traffic websites, large databases, SaaS tools.
• Maximum performance : A dedicated processor, large amount of RAM and fast storage ensure you have constant power.
• Full control : Root/administrator access to configure the OS, software, and adapt security to your requirements.
• Hardware scalability : Add-in disks, upgrade CPU or memory as your needs grow.

Selection criteria between virtual machine and dedicated server

Type of project

• Collaborative or office workstation? The virtual machine is more suitable.
• Critical applications, e-commerce, important databases? Opt for a dedicated secure server.

Performance and resources

• For intensive tasks (scientific computing, mass processing), a dedicated quality server guarantees high performance continuously.
• A virtual machine may be sufficient if the workload is moderate or distributed between multiple users.

Budget

• Dedicated server price : Often higher, but justified by full possession of the material resources.
• Virtual machine : Controlled, user-based or resource-based costs that are scalable on demand.

Location and compliance

• Choosing a dedicated server France can make it easier to apply the GDPR and reduce latency for your users in Europe.
• Hosting your virtual computers in France also has the same advantages of proximity.

Expertise required

• The dedicated server often requires more technical expertise to manage the operating system and security.
• The virtual machine is managed infrastructure-wise by the vendor: ideal if you want to delegate maintenance and supervision.

Why not both? The hybrid approach

In some situations, it may be a good idea to combine the two:

• Dedicated server to host your business applications (ERP, databases, e-commerce).
• Virtual machine to provide a secure remote working environment for your employees.

This hybrid approach ensures maximum flexibility while maximizing processing power for your critical projects.

Discover the UNIVIRTUAL solutions

Whatever your choice, UNIVIRTUAL supports you in setting up a quality virtual machine or a dedicated server:

• Secure virtual machine : Get a ready-to-use solution, hosted in an ultra-secure datacenter, with adjustable resources and multi-OS compatibility.
• Dedicated server France : Take advantage of a high-performance infrastructure and personalized support to secure your data and optimize your performance.
• Advice and management : Our experts are at your disposal to help you scale, deploy and maintain your solution 24/7.

Conclusion

The choice between virtual machine and dedicated server depends primarily on the nature of your projects, your performance constraints and your budget. While the virtual machine is ideal for remote work and remote access, the secure dedicated server provides the power and total control needed for critical or high-traffic applications.

You still hesitate? UNIVIRTUAL guides you step by step to design an architecture adapted to your needs, whether it is a quality virtual machine or a dedicated server in France. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information or to request a personalized quote.