A virtual dedicated server or virtual private server is a tightly isolated software container that can run its own operating systems and applications as if it were a physical computer. A virtual server behaves exactly like a physical server and contains its own virtual (ie, software-based) CPU, RAM hard disk and network interface card (NIC).
An operating system can’t tell the difference between a virtual server and a physical server, nor can applications or other computers on a network. Even the virtual server thinks it is a “real” computer. Nevertheless, a virtual server is composed entirely of software and contains no hardware components whatsoever. As a result, virtual servers offer a number of distinct advantages over physical hardware.
Virtual Dedicated Servers can be used for all applications, including but not limited to: