We currently run 10 dedicated servers with 2 different providers, with 11 highly traffic sites, encompassing about two T1 lines, burstable to T3.

More and more we are looking to go into our own hosting, not so much for profit but for ourselves. We are spending about $9k a month and it's only looking to go up.

We would like to open our own mini network operating center but really have no idea how to start. We have been in bossiness for about 18 months but have about intermediate Unix experience. We need 99.9999% redundancy and would like to ensure opening our own center would be better than outsourcing.

Suggestions, comments, ideas, pointers??

Since uptime is VERY VERY important to your sites... I recommend you check with some big datacenter providers... like Verio and stuff.. check out their site - www.verio.com

They have private suites for your own private server room and basically all the fantastic features you need... even automated web control for power cycle (in case you need to restart the server, etc)

Do check with them and discuss with them your requirements and stuff like that, bet they'll be able to accomodate you and the needs.

Any other people here can suggest a good provider?

It might actually be cheaper, and provide more reliability, if you continue outsourcing your servers. All that said, maybe you can do some colo shopping and see which provider offers the best value for money?

How much bandwidth are you using?

If its not more than what 3 T1 can offer, why don't you get yourself 3 T-1 or 4 T-1 or what ever you decide.

that way, the price should be under $9K and if you get the T-1 from different providers, you will have the redundency that you need.

This way you can make your dream of having your own Data Center come true ;)

it is best to outsource your main/mission critical machines and just set up a small NOC/Data Center as BackUp and hosting non mission critical sites.

ooppss...

quote:
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We would like to open our own mini network operating center but really have no idea how to start.
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I just realized that you have no idea how to start one.

But if inbuco had the know how to start a Data Center, would having multiple T-1 have worked out for him?..anyone?

There's no way you'll be able to save money and keep 99.99999% uptime with your own data center. It's just not possible at the scale you're planning on doing it. You can save money (possibly), but you'd sacrifice reliability. Or you could have great uptime, but you'd end up paying more.

The initial investment to start a medium to high quality data center is quite high. Maybe when you're using 10-15mbps of bandwidth....

You can save considerable $$$ if you buy space from a decent colo facilty and pull your own pipes, unless you can get a good deal on BW from them.
I do *NOT* recommend you use your own facility - maintaining power & A/C, running cable, etc. puts you in the facilities business, not webhosting.
The big guys are really expensive, look around for a smaller local guy who has a decent facility w/ generators, inverted AC, batteries, etc.

Be aware if your provider competes with you - just something to think about.

I know for 9K a month it would motivate me to start looking...:)

Look for a carrier neutral facility in the area. And find out what space costs. Then you might be able to have bandwidth brought in via ethernet.

I actually checked with a provider in my area, and it's not that expensive. They wanted $800/mo for the rack, but bandwidth wasn't very expensive.

Originally posted by JTY
Look for a carrier neutral facility in the area. And find out what space costs. Then you might be able to have bandwidth brought in via ethernet.

I actually checked with a provider in my area, and it's not that expensive. They wanted $800/mo for the rack, but bandwidth wasn't very expensive.
errr .. 800.00 for a full rack is actually .. cheap

Originally posted by auyongtc
Since uptime is VERY VERY important to your sites... I recommend you check with some big datacenter providers... like Verio and stuff.. check out their site - www.verio.com

They have private suites for your own private server room and basically all the fantastic features you need... even automated web control for power cycle (in case you need to restart the server, etc)

Do check with them and discuss with them your requirements and stuff like that, bet they'll be able to accomodate you and the needs.

Any other people here can suggest a good provider?

A few of the best providers:

Exodus
Worldcom
Level3
Globix

Run from Verio, Qwest, AT&T, etc. :)

Originally posted by CRego3D

errr .. 800.00 for a full rack is actually .. cheap

Actually, I've seen cheaper ;)

Originally posted by Jag


Actually, I've seen cheaper ;)

Yes, me too :) In fact, I have seen full rack for less than half of $800/rack ... HE sells its full cabinet for only around $400 (and HE is huge!!). DialtoneInternet sells it rack for around $500/rack ...

Anything else? :)

cheers,
:beer:

Dek,

How did you found out that HE is doing $400 for a full rack? did you called them?

sounds like a really good deal considering HE just opened a new data center at Fremont, Cali. :)

Hello,

Yes, you get full rack for $400 at HE.

How do I know?...
I colocate my server there. :D

man that is cheap :D.. know off to finding one that is less than 400 :D

I am pretty sure you cannot find one for less than $400.
If you do, there might be some catch..like high bandwidth cost.

hmm ok how much are you paying per gb or a capped line ?

Internal Secret :X

haha ok i'll find out on monday when i call them :)

thanks for the info.

Are you planning to colocate there?

well..for the right price :D Yes :)

HE's facility is 395 miles from where we live and a good 5 hour drive.

If you want $100 rebate, I can help you out.

I get $200 per referral from my saleman.

ok but we would like to find out how much is bandwidth. you can email me their current rates. If they are around $2 per gb (maybe 1 :D ) then that is cool if not then , we'll have to do some more thinking, if it's worth it.

thanks for the hookups :)

I don't know if they still have $600 setup waive promotion. You can ask them about that.

128k ( around 40GB) = $200/month
.5 Mbps (around 150GB) = $400/month
1 Mbps ( around 300GB) = $500/month

You can use "XX"k/8 * 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 to compute K into GB. I use the about formula to compute K to GB, but somehow HE comes out lower.

Anyway, they use MRTG.

K , email sent and can you send me the name and contact no. + ext. no. of your salesman ?

Thanks :)

Email sent! Let me know if you don't get it

Thanks again Asia, i just sent you an email. I'll let you know via email on monday as soon as we get the detailed pricing info. from your salesman.

What are we going to do with our $100 rebate ?
umm buy :beer: or :pimp: or :bomb: :D

Maybe, add an additional 128MB RAM to your server. :D

You should visit the facility. It is very cold inside.
I was there 4 hours yesturday. The other day, I was in there for 2 hours (1AM to 3AM).

You can visit the facility 24/7

oh that reminds me to buy an additional ram for my servers.

yep, sure we will check it out b4 deciding to get a rack but for 400 per full rack that is a pretty good deal , don't you think ? :D

and what the h.... are you doing in there at 3am in the morning ?

Originally posted by elijah
Dek,

How did you found out that HE is doing $400 for a full rack? did you called them?

sounds like a really good deal considering HE just opened a new data center at Fremont, Cali. :)

I got a quote for 10mbps and a full cabinet at HE ... That's why I know :) though, could not afford it ;)

cheers,
:beer:

:) ok Dek

Hello,


I think they are trying to fill up the facility.


I was hot during midnight. Sitting in a air conditioned facilty to cool down is not a bad idea. Just kidding, I was working on my server.

If you get to 5-6 Mbps per month, they will upgrade you from 10Mbps port to 100Mbps port. As you know, how fast is 100Mbps port. I don't have my price list right here, but at some point, you can upgrade to 1000Mbps port. Thou, my goal for now is to get 100Mbps port.

Originally posted by dektong


I got a quote for 10mbps and a full cabinet at HE ... That's why I know :) though, could not afford it ;)

cheers,
:beer:


c'mon , Dek i'm sure you can afford it, the full cabinet i mean, i dunno about the 10megs though sounds like you need a lot of bandwidth.

we are only going to use around 1meg per month.

I was hot during midnight. Sitting in a air conditioned facilty to cool down is not a bad idea. Just kidding, I was working on my server.


lol are you serious... :D

Yes, I am serious.
I can go in and out 24/7 without any problem.

I live in San Jose, so Fremont is pretty close. About 20 -25 min driving.

Originally posted by Asia
If you get to 5-6 Mbps per month, they will upgrade you from 10Mbps port to 100Mbps port. As you know, how fast is 100Mbps port. I don't have my price list right here, but at some point, you can upgrade to 1000Mbps port. Thou, my goal for now is to get 100Mbps port.

Hm ... HE bills by 95th percentile ... which is not so bad if you buy 10 mbps on 10 mbps switch port. Thus your outbound traffic will always be lower than or equal to 9.5 mbps. But once you use 100 mbps switch port, I don't know what is gonna happen ... theoretically you may be billed up to 95 mbps :eek:

cheers,
:beer:

Originally posted by Asia
I live in San Jose, so Fremont is pretty close. About 20 -25 min driving.

:D lucky dog.

what do you use your servers for ? if you don't mind me asking :) game servers ? mp3 servers ? legal software ? or perhaps hosting high bandwidth sites ?