I thought of getting a delicated server, prior is just the ease of use and setup/maintainence.. cause i got very new to linux.. dun want much headaches..

What makes me think so is because i've the best experience on my cobalt host account then anothers.. but i think i need more advise..

Btw.. Can a completely unix newbie run a cobalt server?




*p.s. my first post, glad to found this great site!

I had the same exact question as you do. If you aren't familiar with the Linux or Unix operating system, I would recommend that you go with a cobalt since they are relatively easier to maintain. The system uses a proprietary control panel in which will aid you with everything. With a Linux box, unless you get a CPANEL or ensim or something of that nature, you will be working from a command line. Thats not my cup of tea!

I agree with dherman76, I would also prefer to work with a server install with cobalt software and working from a control panel instead of a command line.

Futhermore, if you get stuck, you can always find lots of tutorials at http://www.cobalt.com to help you.

How about those setting up of PHP/MySQL.. etc.. hmm.. does sounds a little confusing for a newbie..

Also, What is really nice about cobalt's are that they come with COBALT NETWORKS toll free, 24/7 support. This means you can call these guys up any time a get a quick fix.

(Cobalt: 1-800-70-COBALT)

If you only intend to do some small hosting (150 sites or less) then a Cobalt is what you want.

Its easy, affordable, and not many headaches. Also, the back up utilities work great as well as the restore.

Jim

I think a regular linux distro with webmin would be just as good, but thats just me.

Hmm....

The webmin control panel is a bit much for some first time users. The cobalt GUI is very simple and fast. Also, the fact that prices are so good is another reason why cobalts are a good deal.

Although, the webmin is good, Ive used it many times.

Jim

Why not just get an Ensim Server with WEBppliance.. I pay under $100 per month and don't have to maintain any hardware and have the full benefits of having root access to my private server.

You can easily do 150 domains on an ensim server for a fraction of the cost of a cobalt.

Originally posted by thewebbie
Why not just get an Ensim Server with WEBppliance.. I pay under $100 per month and don't have to maintain any hardware and have the full benefits of having root access to my private server.

You can easily do 150 domains on an ensim server for a fraction of the cost of a cobalt.

forgive my ignorance, could you elaborate or enlighten me on "Ensim server" and the url where I can get more info on it. I am interested in getting a server and any easy way to administer it without any hassle would help a lot in my case. Thanks

http://www.ensim.com/products/sxccomp.shtml

It right here, software looks great indeed.. but the problem is.. i've look through some of the plans.. yes, $99.95 for 500MB of disk space?? pls correct me if i'm wrong..

http://www.ensim.com/products/plans.shtml

btw, here's their plans..

anyone have tried this software.. or know if this software is install else where? (other host)..

Thank you determinist, for providing the urls.

Hey,

Superb Internet (www.superb.net) has a type of Virtual Private Server for cheap.

The starting is at $79 and includes some features like a GB of space, Unlimited Sites, and 1/30th of the system resources or higher.

Pretty good considering the price. They also have a really well developed control panel that you can demo on their site.

Check into this and see what they offer. The URL is: http://services.superb.net/sps/

Hope this helps :)

Jim

Thanks jimb for the info, but the $79/month is for prepaid yearly contract and the setup fee is $125.

Overall, it's a good deal considering that you don't have to manage the server software/hardware and work from a control panel to manage your clients.

The down side of it is you have to sign up for a yearly contract and if you have any dispute, it will not be to your advantage.

Originally posted by jimb
Hmm....

The webmin control panel is a bit much for some first time users...

I am a first time user and I found webmin quite easy to use... Mind you that my host had a great selection of knowledgebase articles that helped... But I believe that Webmin is great! 0.85 works smooth...

Richard

thewebbie,

I don't get it...this looks like a nice product, but I don't see how it'll save money over a RaQ at Rackshack... let's see...

Rackshack, RaQ4i, 20GB disk space, 150GB transfer, 129.00 a month

Ensim, Bronze plan, 500MB storage, 10GB transfer, 199 a month.

Am I missing something?

Isn't RackShack $99/month? That's what it says on their first page.

It`s 99$ + taxes, so it adds up to about 110-130$, I don`t remember the exact sum.

Originally posted by zolbian
Isn't RackShack $99/month? That's what it says on their first page.


I think it's last minute for me to make up my mind, the last i saw stated " 7 Available! ".. But to think again, better not make thing so rush.. i don't really need it very urgent..

Originally posted by wazup
It`s 99$ + taxes, so it adds up to about 110-130$, I don`t remember the exact sum.

I don't remember seeing anything about taxation on their website? So i goes about their site checking out, but whenever i tried clicking on the red "order" button for further access, i got this error;

HTTP Error 403
403.6 Forbidden: IP address rejected

This error is caused when the server has a list of IP addresses that are not allowed to access the site, and the IP address you are using is in this list.

Please contact the Web server's administrator if the problem persists.

Originally posted by captnroger
thewebbie,

I don't get it...this looks like a nice product, but I don't see how it'll save money over a RaQ at Rackshack... let's see...

Rackshack, RaQ4i, 20GB disk space, 150GB transfer, 129.00 a month

Ensim, Bronze plan, 500MB storage, 10GB transfer, 199 a month.

Am I missing something?

Ensim provides the hosting solution to hosting providers. You'll need to go to an Ensim enabled Host to get the private servers. Try forsite, olm, superb, cybertitans, hostcentric, web2010.. just a few off the top of my head.

Originally posted by determinist


I don't remember seeing anything about taxation on their website? So i goes about their site checking out, but whenever i tried clicking on the red "order" button for further access, i got this error;

HTTP Error 403
403.6 Forbidden: IP address rejected

This error is caused when the server has a list of IP addresses that are not allowed to access the site, and the IP address you are using is in this list.

Please contact the Web server's administrator if the problem persists.


I don`t think you see anything about the tax until you click through to one of the later pages in the ordering sequence.

Wow, why would they ban your range of ip`s?
In which country to you live?

Originally posted by wazup



I don`t think you see anything about the tax until you click through to one of the later pages in the ordering sequence.

Wow, why would they ban your range of ip`s?
In which country to you live?

Hmm.. I'm from Singapore, i think that's maybe an unknown error, i don't see the reason why they ban it deliberately.. just my guess.. anyway i didn't contact to let them know cos it wasn't going to order something neither..

Originally posted by wazup
It`s 99$ + taxes, so it adds up to about 110-130$, I don`t remember the exact sum.

I believe it's 8% taxes ... this makes something like $107-108 ...

I'm with them since one week and everything is fine for now ... (except that their support is willing but not very experienced/fast)

Originally posted by determinist
How about those setting up of PHP/MySQL.. etc.. hmm.. does sounds a little confusing for a newbie..

The install of MySQL is very easy from the console.
PHP is a bit tricky but if you follow exactly the instructions provided on this thread:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=8492&highlight=php+mysql

then it works w/o any problem.

francois: 8% isn't too much, thanks! btw, is this your first cobalt deli, or first deli i should say?

Yeah the tax is about 8%. You must have been confusing this because they also offer a box for about $130/month that comes with 256 Megs of RAM. The $99/month box has 128 Megs ;)

Originally posted by determinist
francois: 8% isn't too much, thanks! btw, is this your first cobalt deli, or first deli i should say?

yes it's my first cobalt ... it's also my first linux and my first server ... hopefully i'm not computer illiterate but I have no experience as a web/server admin ... but since i don't need/want to host anyone on my server, I don't have to play much with user config, limitations, etc... so it's a bit easier :D

what interested me with Rackshack was the low price and the high bandwidth (although a Raq4 is probably unable to deliver so much traffic per month) ..

the rackshack support is the only black point I see for now ... they're friendly and willing to help but they're just like newbies if you're asking something too technical ...

Originally posted by francois

(although a Raq4 is probably unable to deliver so much traffic per month) ..


You won't believe! We have almost 300 customers on a RaQ4i with 256megs of Ram and it runs pretty smooth :) Off course, 95% of those sites are pretty static, but still you can push those boxes quite a bit ;)

Originally posted by francois


yes it's my first cobalt ... ... ... ...

Good luck! guess you must be having fun..


Originally posted by bert


You won't believe! We have almost 300 customers on a... ... ... ...

wow.. how did that happen? i thought there was a limit of 200-250? You must be lucky mann.. and earning quite plentyful ;) with those 300 customers..

The Webbie is an Ensim employee.

Originally posted by determinist
i thought there was a limit of 200-250? You must be lucky mann.. and earning quite plentyful ;) with those 300 customers..

Actually they don't recommend going beyond 250, but I guess this all depends on how static the sites are.

I am not very lucky though because I don't charge much! :(