Virtual host service offers rapid deployment

Web hosting firm Hostway has unveiled a service offering virtualised servers to companies, promising to save them up to 17 per cent on the cost of operating such infrastructure themselves.

Available immediately, Hostway's virtualised server portfolio enables customers to have a new web, database or application server up and running in around thirty minutes, the company said.

"We've been seeing demand from customers for rapid server deployment for scaling purposes, such as to meet demand over the Christmas period," said Hostway director Neil Barton.

He cited the example of one customer that was able to get extra capacity online within 24 hours of contacting Hostway.

The new service relies on VMware infrastructure, and customers are typically given root access to their virtual servers as if they were on their own network. Alternatively, Hostway can also manage applications for customers, Barton said.

Companies can rent a virtual server on a short-term contract basis of two to three months if necessary, and Hostway offers service level agreements on availability.

While costs will vary depending on requirements, customers will pay less than the typical price of £189 per month Hostway charges for a physical Windows server, Barton said.