What is a Virtual Private Server (VPS)?

This article explains to a user what a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is and how to use one.
 

Purpose

Running a Node requires a stable internet connection and enough computing resources to run the software. Rather than having to buy a computer and dedicate it to running a Node, a Node owner can rent a Virtual Private Server (VPS) as a computer to use and host their node. A competent VPS provider can provide up to 100% uptime.   This is an easy option for some people who do not want to worry about uptime or get into the technical setup of running a node themselves.
 

Procedure

A VPS is a virtual computer that people can rent for a fixed monthly price through a third party.  A VPS provider takes a large, powerful computer and splits it into smaller less powerful virtual computers. People can customize their computer based on the needs of the node network.  

It is often more cost effective to rent a VPS, rather than spending the money to buy a dedicated machine for each Node. Pricing can vary based on the 3rd party provider, but a reputable provider can offer much better uptime than hosting at home. Many providers guarantee 99% uptime, some even as much as 100% uptime. This is because there’s a large infrastructure in place to keep the servers running, even through a power outage. Some Node owners may have bad internet connection or inconsistent power, so using a VPS may be the best option for them.

One third party VPS service is Vultr.   The below FAQ walks through steps on how to set up nodes through Vultr:

VULTR VPS Setup

To learn more about Activating and Hosting your Nodes (and the different ways to do it), please visit this FAQ:

How can I activate and run my Nodes?