Bare Metal Server or Cloud Servers? What’s The Difference
In times of limitless information at our fingertips, it’s easy to forget the difference between “bare metal” servers and cloud servers. Cloud servers are virtualized hosts that use the internet to store your files to be accessed remotely and generally provide you with more computing power as opposed to a bare-metal computer.
A bare-metal server is a natural choice for companies wanting security and privacy. A bare-metal server also provides maximum power by cutting out unneeded software layers from its hardware design, resulting in increased performance while using fewer resources. If you are finding it hard to choose between these two, then here’s a complete guide for you:
1. Bare Metal Servers
A bare-metal server is not an operating system. Instead, it’s a plain and unadorned computer that does one thing and does it well: to process data for the applications for which it was designed. The operating system resides on another server and is typically loaded remotely onto the bare metal machine just before use. The main difference between Cloud and Bare Metal servers is the mode of operation. While a cloud server is a virtual machine, bare metal servers are physical machines.
Pros
- These servers offer better performance even under heavy workloads. Therefore, the bare metal server is your choice if you want to run demanding applications that require better performance under heavy loads.
- It offers ultimate server security. If you are looking for a secure platform for your server, bare-metal is the way to go.
- It accelerates IT delivery by minimizing operations and maintenance costs associated with cloud computing.
Cons
- It requires more initial capital and long-term investments compared to cloud servers. However, if you are looking for a low-cost solution and don’t mind limited flexibility.
2. Cloud Servers
Cloud servers are virtual machines on remote servers where the applications are stored. These servers use the power of multiple data centers for resource sharing and scaling. The main difference between a cloud server and a bare-metal server is that cloud servers are virtual machines that run on remote servers, whereas a bare-metal server runs on physical hardware.
Pros
- It allows greater flexibility by allowing offsite backups. In addition, you can easily move your server to an alternative hosting provider to take advantage of better performance or lower costs associated with the new location.
- It provides the flexibility to run multiple operating systems. For example, you can choose to run different operating systems on different physical servers to maximize the flexibility of use.
Cons
- This costs more than machines that are not virtualized. However, it can pay off in reduced hardware and improved performance when using larger numbers of cloud servers.
Final Verdict
The bare metal server is your choice if you want to run demanding applications that require better performance under heavy loads. However, with cloud servers, you can access multiple applications simultaneously without being bound by hardware requirements or software limitations.
Cloud servers are the best choice for organizations looking for a flexible, infinitely scalable, and powerful server. However, if you are looking for an ultimate server that is flexible and offers maximum security, then choose bare-metal servers.