Hello, I was wondering where do hosting providers buy their servers? Is there a main site that everyone buys them at, or do many people build their own(if so where do you get your parts)?
Do they use a site like http://interpromicro.com/ or something similar(anyone know of another site like http://interpromicro.com/ but with better prices? What do you think of their prices and servers?)Please give me any advice on where to buy 1U servers at the cheapest price new(maybe used). I wonder where RS gets their servers?

Thanks, Kyle

A lot of P3 and P4 RS servers were from Compaq, now they buy them from HP but it's essentially the same thing since Compaq + HP merged. Their celeron and some P3 servers were built by their own staff with bulk purchased parts.

Kyle,

Most of the newer hosts I've seen basically rent out managed servers at a datacenter... However if you decide to take the plunge to colocate your own servers, I would suggest getting one that's not necessarily the 'cheapest' but also one with some good support backing it up. Since you're responsible for any/all hardware failures this is *important*. Even moreso if you're colocated at a datacenter that's geographically far from you.

Since rackshack is right there, I'd wager they probably build their own machines and have some spare parts laying around for each model they build. That's the cheapest way for them, but since you're probably not going to be there full time and probably don't want a mess of extra parts laying around at all times, building might not be the best idea for you.

One of the companies that I've been salivating over for a while is http://www.penguincomputing.com/ - 3 years next day on site service is standard.

Just my opinion. I'm still in the leasing stages right now, and haven't made it to the point where colocation is more cost effective.

-David

We purchase all our servers from Dell.

Most buy them from Dell, Compaq (HP) or they're custom built servers.

I get my servers from IBM (http://www.ibm.com) or InterProMicro (http://www.interpromicro.com) :D

Why do so many go with Dell? I know they are good, but why pay 1000 more when you can get the same then without the dell logo at http://interpromicro.com/ ? I really don't see how http://interpromicro.com/ really make a profit. How much do you really think they make on a server?

Can you also tell me more about leasing a server?

dell offers leases and onsite support, whereas interpromicro doesnt. in terms of pricing, i doubt you will find a reasonably reputable company with better prices - their prices are actually lower than the cost of building your own servers with retail purchased parts (by retail i mean pricewatch, pricegrabber et al).

paul

plus with dell, ibm, compaq and stuff, they are a bit more custom setup. Like with a homeade unit, usually they are standard motherboards with pci headers. A mainstream unit, the board is usually built for the case, like in my ibm's i have 2 USABLE 64bit pci slots. It has remote managment built in, built in diagnosis, and all that good stuff :) Plus onsite warranties and such

So do you think that http://interpromicro.com/ is the best place to buy new servers at cheap prices? I think they are great, has anyone used them? What about theur shipping and warrenty?

I've ordered several servers with interpromicro and I've been happy. The are using quality components (IMHO) and they are built well.

Shipping has been fine with them. The default is UPS ground, but I normally upgrade to 2 or 3 day. It depends on where you live relative to CA.

I have not really needed thier warranty. I had one question for them related to remote reboot and they came up with the answer to the question quickly.

I do totally understand why people go with Dell, IBM, HP etc. With the price savings from Interpro, I can just buy a spare server every once in a while and I have pleanty of spare parts on hand.

If you don't see what you want on the Interpro site, just call/email them. I've worked with Bensen quite a bit and he has always managed to come up with what I need.

Just my 2 cents.

Frank

How much did your shipping cost? Do they offer any discounts on big orders? How long does it usally take them to build a server? Do they even have a warrnty?

I ordered a server from interpromicro on tuesday, and had it on thursday :)

i prefer to build my own , rather then order.

Why do you want to order a server for home? At least you have a fast connection :o

What do you mean order a server for home?

We bought 4 servers at interpromicro.com and never had problems with this company. I recommend them.