I don't know if the rest of the world works the same, but here in Spain we are getting lots of NT/win2000 hosting requests. Everybody "needs" ASP, Access support, SQL server, ConFusion server, and all that stuff.

I've always worked with Unix flavours, but I don't like to lose all those sales. So we've decided we should include some NT hosting, especially something like virtual hosting.

We don't like the idea of getting some kind of Alabanza package. We would prefer to get a dedicated server and setup everything that's necessary to have NT virtual hosting. Which software should we buy? Which is the cheapest option?

Please remember we focus on linux/*nix servers, but this will be just a new development in our business.

Any suggestions?

i hear you, we are a unix shop, but we do provide one NT machine with FrontPage extensions for people who have gone that route, but the cost-benefit analysis for full-scale NT hosting like you describe just didn't look good at all.

The only numbers that are uglier are the numbers for Oracle/Solaris hosting.

Unlimber your checkbook because NT hosting isn't cheap. You'll need at the very least:

Microsoft NT2000 server license
Microsoft SQL server license
ColdFusion server license
MS Access license
appropriate ODBC driver licenses

and the most high-powered servers you can get your hands on. Unlike linux/unix boxes, these NT servers need a lot of system resources just to run the OS.

I'd recommend doing an Alabanza-type server lease until you build up enough of a client base for this type of hosting to warrant spending that kind of cash for your own equipment. Unless you already have enough unfilled demand.