I'm expecting to optimize my site to receive more traffic so I'm looking for a dedicated server that can handle the traffic. Preferably, I'd like unmetered traffic but at least 400GB would be ideal. Less would be fine if each additional gig was inexpensive.

It's my first dedicated server and I'm open to all recommendations and criticisms.. was looking at rackshack.com who had 400GB for $99 + 39 setup fee, but I don't know much about their service. Just need a good uptime and cheap bandwidth.

Target price range is $150 and below with a low setup fee.. again, I'm clueless in this department so all suggestions would be appreciated.. Thanks for your time

go with rackshack if you no how to manage a server.

You could also see ThePlanet.com
Their entry-level servers are in that price range, and you could add managed services later.. I personally wouldn't like to wake up at 2:00 am with SMS on my cellphone because server (not network, not hardware) is down and I have no one else to take care of it..

Managed options: nocster , dedicatednow
I've never used their services, but there are people here who can recommend them to you.

Those wouldn't fit with their price range/bandwidth requirements that he posted.

United Colo.....
:D

Originally posted by TheVoice
Those wouldn't fit with their price range/bandwidth requirements that he posted.

Yes it does..:

"Target price range is $150 and below with a low setup fee"

They offer 400GB bw (he would have to pay for extra bw at nocster, they offer 300GB default, but prices starting at $99.. he can pay for extra bw and not go over his budget...)..

As it's a one-site server (as I understood), he can get a server with relatively low-end specs..

ThePlanet has a higher setup fee, but these usually can be worked out if you ask for a special deal.. I've had some private offers myself, not from them, but if you ask them directly...

I have my own sites and am looking to get a dedicated host on about March 1. At first I will just move my own sites there, but I want to sell hosting starting a couple of months after that.

I figure on getting a Raq 3 to start; I don't want to pay more than $150 a month any time soon.

One thing I haven't figured out is stuff like the BBS. My current, and previous, hosting providers included this, as well as storefront software and some other stuff. Do I have to buy these things myself, or are these things that vendors don't mention?

What else am I missing?

Don't get a Raq 3, well, I wouldn't ;) You can get much better for $150.00 a month.

Usually a server only comes with the OS of your choice installed (or whats listed), and a control panel if you paid for one. Other than that you normally need to install the other programs or have them install if needed, and if they are willing to.

yeah, but at what cost? where would I go for such things, and which pieces of software do I need?

I guess I forgot to mention statistics. Can I get low-cost stuff that all my users can use, or do I have to pay separately for each user (a non-starter, I think)?

and is RAID a viable option for my price range? It seems that an extra HD costs about $40 a month. I especially want to have as few problems as possible until I've been around a while.

You can either post in the requests forums so all hosts can make offers. Off the top of my head you might want to visit:

www.rackshack.net
www.nocster.com
www.dedicatednow.com

RAID might be possible for that price range. It depends on the company and how they bill you for extra hardware and if RAID is software or hardware.

I'm still 2 months from starting, just investigating things at this point.

I will do that when I am ready, though.

nocster has v high setup costs!