RAM-based servers: Pros and cons of NordVPN’s favored server system

What is a RAM-based server?

A RAM-based server is a server that uses RAM modules to store data. The key characteristic of RAM-based servers is that they use what’s called volatile memory, meaning that the data the server stores and processes is erased from the server the moment it’s turned off.

In other words, a RAM-based server is like a blackboard — you can write and use the information stored on it, but once the class is over, the board gets wiped off. While technically, you can still remember some of the wiped information, once you clear the notes, they’re effectively gone. Similarly, data on a RAM-based server is stored temporarily and disappears completely when the server is turned off or rebooted.

How do RAM servers differ from HDD servers?

The main difference between RAM and HDD servers is that, unlike RAM servers, HDD servers have physical disks that can retain information even when powered off (hence the name “hard disk drive” – HDD). However, HDD servers are slower than RAM servers and take longer to access and return the requested data.

Some experts also argue that RAM servers are safer due to their volatile memory and lack of disks. In theory, however, a RAM server user can recover some of lost server data (to do so, the user needs to employ specific software or techniques, such as RAM cooling), even if it requires a titanic effort to do so.

RAM-based server pros

Since RAM-based servers are used by some of the most popular VPN providers, it is no surprise that they offer certain benefits.

Privacy and security

While RAM servers aren’t cyberbullet-proof, their volatile memory is a huge security benefit with pros such as:

• No data persistence. Due to the RAM server’s properties, all data gets erased when the user powers the server off or reboots it. This means that sensitive information on the server disappears with little to no chance of recovery.
• Reduced risk of data breach. In case of a hardware seizure, the data on a RAM-based server gets erased upon power-down, making it difficult for unauthorized parties to access any residual data.

Ephemeral Nature

Another benefit of RAM-based servers is that they’re perfect for temporary services. Since all the data in a RAM server is deleted upon power off, it is suitable for short-lived services or projects that don’t require long-term data retention (such as no-log VPNs).

Therefore, RAM-based servers are ideal for situations where security is a priority, such as handling sensitive data that needs to be processed and then completely erased (by powering off the server). It’s also a great option for testing environments or situations where you want to guarantee that no data lingers after the server is decommissioned.

Centralized management

Another advantage of RAM servers is their simple and centralized management. Tech teams can simply update, configure, and manage the server network by uploading new server images from the content delivery network (CDN). While HDD servers can also be configured in a centralized manner, the RAM server CDN approach works faster, reducing the downtime needed for server maintenance and ensuring that the network is up to date quickly. For the teams that conduct frequent server reboots, CDN-based centralized management also provides an additional security benefit due to RAM servers’ volatile memory.

Ram-based servers cons

Where there’s good, there must also be some bad. While the cons of RAM servers are relatively minor, they’re still worth discussing. Here are some reasons that might raise some concerns about RAM servers.

Pricy maintenance

RAM is generally more expensive than other types of storage, especially when scaling up to large capacities. This can make RAM-based servers more costly compared to disk-based alternatives. Pricy RAM server maintenance can also result in higher expenses, which might explain the substantial costs of some of the RAM server-based services.

Trickier setup

RAM-based servers require a bit more effort and resources than their HDD counterparts. Running a server entirely from RAM can require a specific configuration and setup, including loading the entire operating system and applications into RAM at boot time. While this is not a huge hurdle, it may still complicate the setup process.

Why do we run only RAM-based servers?

Because they don’t log or store users’ data, no-log VPN services like NordVPN can use both RAM- or HDD-based servers. However, we observed several advantages that led us to choose diskless RAM servers instead of relying on HDD. The biggest pros we noticed were:

• Enhanced speed and lower latency. RAM’s high-speed data access reduced the time it took to process and route data packets.
• Lower power consumption. RAM servers consume less power, potentially reducing ongoing energy costs and offering a more environmentally sustainable approach. In comparison, HDD-based servers consume more power and generate more heat, costing more in cooling measures and energy loss.
• Lower chance of misconfiguration. Servers typically require encryption to secure data, adding layers of complexity and potential points of failure. However, since RAM servers operate on the volatile memory principle, the data on them gets wiped off after powering the server down, making less room for failure while maintaining safety.