Well, I have been thinking about switching from my dedicated server to buying a rack mounted server myself and opting for co-located hosting, in order to cut down on some of my monthly costs.

Here's my top 3 list of servers, I was wondering if anyone had any comments or feedback about each server, which is best or worst, or any other good options I should consider. I am not looking for a "cheap" server, however I do want to get the best value for my money.

Dell PowerEdge 1550 - $4,835.00
Model: PowerEdge 1550
Processor: Pentium III 1GHz w/256K Cache
Memory: 1GB SDRAM, 2 DIMMs
Hard Drive: 2 x 18GB,Hard Drive,15K,U160,PE1550

Penguin Computing - $3,403.00
Model: Relion 120 Server
Processor: 1 GHz Intel Pentium III
Memory: 1 GB PC133 (2x512)
Hard Drive: 2 x 18.2 GB, 15,000 RPM, Low-profile SCA

VA Linux - $3,681.00
Model: VA Linux Systems 1221 1U Server
Processor: 1GHz Intel Pentium III
Memory: 1GB SDRAM (1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 2 x 18.2 GB Removable Ultra160 Hard Drive (10,000 RPM)

Also, I am considering Verio for providing co-located server hosting.... if anyone has suggestions on other hosts with the same or better performance and reliablity as Verio for less, please let me know.

Thanks :)

Chris

Hello Chris,

Our favorite pick is the Dell PowerEdge server, but we only run Dell equipment for our managed servers:) That would be my first choice.

I do know that Penguin Computing servers are pretty good. There is a company in our facility that ordered about 200 of them and they love them.

Verio's dedicated/colocation company, Digital Nation, used to be a great provider but since they have been acquired by Verio the service has slipped. You should do a search on the forum to see what others have said about Verio.

Hope that helps,

If I were you I'd seriously consider whether a cluster of servers could do the job better than a single more expensive server. For the same cost as the Dell server you show, you could get 4 IDE-based servers... and even though individually they would be puny, combined I think they would easily out-perform their more expensive cousin.

Leaving that aside, whie VDI had some problems a while back (over-rapid growth -> capacity issues) I haven't heard anything bad about them recently, and they are offering some very low prices (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=11331) to colocation customers. (Very low assuming you're using lots of bandwidth... but I don't know why you'd be getting a server like that if you weren't using lots of bandwidth).

Chris,

Welcome to WHT .... seen you around in VB forum :)

For hardware, DELL are definately good products as everyone knows, but there are alternatives.

Racksaver.com comes to mind and their pricing seems to be cheaper. If you are looking into buying from VA Linux, check your PM :).

When comes to hosting, may i know how much will you be paying for in VERIO?

VenturesOnline are in VERIO facility and they offers colocation as well. Eva2000 have a great server with them. I'm quite sure their pricing will be cheaper than VERIO.

Rackspace are definately expensive but you get what you pay for (thus need to compare pricing between VERIO). They dont have colocation on their page but i heard that they do that. Give them an email.

pwebtech also comes to mind with colocation. Again their website http://www.pwebtech.com/colocate.html doesn't show any packages but do contact Jay. I'm sure they do it. Below are contact details for Jay.

Jay Silver jason@pwebtech.com ICQ 103463692

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by RackMy.com
Our favorite pick is the Dell PowerEdge server

That would be my first instinct as well, since I've had good experience with Dell hardware.... the only thing holding me back there is the price difference between the Dell and other systems :)

I do know that Penguin Computing servers are pretty good. There is a company in our facility that ordered about 200 of them and they love them.

I'm very glad to hear that.

Verio's dedicated/colocation company, Digital Nation, used to be a great provider but since they have been acquired by Verio the service has slipped. You should do a search on the forum to see what others have said about Verio.

I've had a dedicated server with DN for a year now, and I agree that since Verio acquired them things have gotten worse in the support area (thankfully I don't need much support and I have some inside contacts to some of their techs).

Thanks for your comments, they were very helpful :)

Originally posted by cperciva
If I were you I'd seriously consider whether a cluster of servers could do the job better than a single more expensive server.

Sorry, I should have clarifed the main reason for the SCSI drives and large memory is for database use.

hehe Chris

as i said check out racksaver.com for 1U servers and VO for colocation :)

Originally posted by DJ
Welcome to WHT .... seen you around in VB forum :)

Thanks :)

Racksaver.com comes to mind and their pricing seems to be cheaper. If you are looking into buying from VA Linux, check your PM :).

Yes, Eva had suggested them to me as well, they look like another one to put on my list. He had also suggested using VO since they are in Verio's data center now.

When comes to hosting, may i know how much will you be paying for in VERIO?

I actually have no idea... I emailed them yesterday for a quote but haven't heard back from them yet... (maybe a reason not to stick with them?)

Thanks for the other suggestions though... I have heard excellent things about Rackspace, but didn't know they offered colo. I'll also be sure to check out pwebtech as well.

Thanks :)

Originally posted by eva2000
as i said check out racksaver.com for 1U servers and VO for colocation :)

LOL 367 posts here too?? Boy I don't know how you have the time! :)

I did check out both racksaver and VO and they look pretty good. Thanks!

Have you considered building your own dedicated server? It is a relatively easy process. A decent 1u or 2u case with multiple fans will set you back approximately $300 but after it just regular hardware prices.

You might also want to consider Ibm XSeries 330 appliances. DialToneInternet have some detailed information on these appliances:
http://www.dialtoneinternet.net/prodandserv/ibmxseries/index.html

And you can get pricing from:
http://commerce.www.ibm.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce/CategoryDisplay?cgrfnbr=2063529&cntrfnbr=1&cgmenbr=1&cntry=840&lang=en_US

Good Luck!

PS. I agree with you about Verio/DigitalNation, although they still have *the best* network around and excellent ping times.

Originally posted by Chris Schreiber


LOL 367 posts here too?? Boy I don't know how you have the time! :)

I did check out both racksaver and VO and they look pretty good. Thanks! LOL... told ya i'm a vBulletin addict hehe

now to get the other forums i frequent to convert to vB :)

as to Verio waaay before i got hosted with VO, i emailed digitalnation once for a quote and got a reply within 24 hrs, after Verio took over and several months had past, I emailed them again for a quote and it took 1 week to reply and they quoted me for the wrong server specs !

so i'm happy with VO - you get good support from VO and good connectivity through verio hehe

Originally posted by eva2000
so i'm happy with VO - you get good support from VO and good connectivity through verio hehe

The best of both worlds! LOL

I do have to say that I've been very impressed and happy with Verio's connectivity, it's just that they need to get their act together in the sales/support areas :)

Eva2000,

One thing i do want to ask is do VO offers telephone support? I'm previously hosted with tera-byte and whenever my site is down, i will call them and then my site will be back up in 5 minutes. I find this very convenient :)

ICQ will do as well provided they are there 24 hours :)

Originally posted by MattF
Good Luck!

PS. I agree with you about Verio/DigitalNation, although they still have *the best* network around and excellent ping times.

Thanks for the info Matt :)

Yes I'd agree Verio does have the best network, that's why I've been with them so long and recommend them.... I'm just glad I haven't needed to contact their sales/support people too often :)

about DigitalNation, i heard one of their founder set up this company ... www.apprack.net

Have been looking out for their packages but the site doesnt seems to update :(

Originally posted by DJ
Eva2000,

One thing i do want to ask is do VO offers telephone support? I'm previously hosted with tera-byte and whenever my site is down, i will call them and then my site will be back up in 5 minutes. I find this very convenient :)

ICQ will do as well provided they are there 24 hours :) well from their page at http://www.venturesonline.com/About_Us/Contact_Us/contact_us.html if your server is down they get paged and they do have phone support and icq and they have a pager form for emergencies

my main contact is through icq then their helpdesk center never actually called them up before and they do have a vB powered support forum which i frequent alot :rolleyes:

Originally posted by DJ
One thing i do want to ask is do VO offers telephone support?

No.

Originally posted by Walter


No. whoops ... looks like they have a phone number but not for support... :o as i said i never phone them - icq is the quickest way to get to them :)

Walter,

I think they do now.... they must have changed their contact page recently. Now it even list the ICQ no of 6 staff :) and 2 phone nos....

Originally posted by RackMy.com
Our favorite pick is the Dell PowerEdge server, but we only run Dell equipment for our managed servers:) That would be my first choice.....
Does this mean I cannot colocate a Dell server with you? Why is that?

Hello Astra4,

Not sure what you mean? Of course you can colocate Dell server's with us! You can colocate any brand of server with us.

We have actually bought Dell server for a few of our colocation customer under our Premier account at big discounts.

Originally posted by DJ
Walter,

I think they do now.... they must have changed their contact page recently. Now it even list the ICQ no of 6 staff :) and 2 phone nos....

Lovely :)
In their FAQ is a complete page regarding "Why doesn't Ventures Online offer phone support?"

Chris what did you end up getting since valinux.com closed it's server hardware arm?