What is VPN and VPS?!

I have few question need to be answered regarding VPN and VPS

1. Can anyone explain clearly what exactly is VPN & VPS?

2. What is the main function of using them?

3. Can an individual provide VPN or VPS service? If yes HOW?

4. Does it require any complicated hardware to provide VPN & VPS service?

Hopefully experience and expert will answer this.

 

VPN - a tunneled internet / network connection

VPS - Virtual Private server.. a slice of a webserver with your own instance of OS, apache, CPU, memory etc.,

there are not the same as they sound..

 

Proviidng a VPS is far easier than providing a VPN, cos all you need is a server on which you can install Xen or OpenVZ which are opensource server virtualization software, or even virtuozzo, the proprietary software from parallels. Setup VMs, install OS and control panels and give it to your clients. It is quite easy once you understand the tech part of it.

But if I am right, VPN can be provided only by ISPs and not by individuals. You need a lot of money to become an ISP, you need to employ efficient people, and you need to find a very good number of clients to keep your company running. You can just start a VPN service for just 5 ot 6 people in your clientèle

 

Sorry but I have to correct that: It is definetely possible to host your own VPN-"Service" if your are not an ISP!!!
Even the combination of a VPS and VPN is possible cause for a VPN you need a Linux Server with Install-Rights.
Best example for such a VPS is AWS (AmazonWebServices)

All you have to do is to install&configure a software called OpenVPN, create a certificate on that Server and voila you are able to connect to that Server through VPN. All connections after that are signed with the IP of the VPS-Server and it hide your original ISP-IP. For detailed config questions feel free to ask !!

 

A virtual private network (VPN) is a computer network in which some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger networks (such as the Internet), as opposed to running across a single private network. The Link Layer protocols of the virtual network are said to be tunneled through the transport network. One common application is to secure communications through the public Internet, but a VPN does not need to have explicit security features such as authentication or content encryption. For example, VPNs can also be used to separate the traffic of different user communities over an underlying network with strong security features, or to provide access to a network via customized or private routing mechanisms.

A virtual private server (VPS, also referred to as Virtual Dedicated Server or VDS) is a method of partitioning a physical server computer into multiple servers such that each has the appearance and capabilities of running on its own dedicated machine. Each virtual server can run its own full-fledged operating system, and each server can be independently rebooted.

 

which is the better hosting server

VPN or dedicated server

 

VPN is not a "hosting server". VPS is. Since a dedicated server runs several VPSes it would be obvious the a dedicated server is better.

 

A VPN is a private network tunnel between two WANs.