What do I get with a dedicated server? In general, I mean. I know that each host will be slightly different, but what is expected usually?

Who is expected to keep this server running? I don't want to learn to be an expert at WHM or BIND or sendmail, I just will need a little more room than what I have now.

Am I(as a ded. server "owner") expected to do ALL the general maintenance, service updates, patches, etc?

What kind of stuff do you have to do on a regular basis to these systems?

I've also seen that they tend to be sold with only a certain number of IP addresses. Should I just be looking to host my cpu hungry sites on a ded. server?

Umm in easiest terms, You are pretty much renting a server from them, u do all things u can do away from the server. And they will do stuff to the server, like say manual reboots etc.
Am i rite?

For the most part yes, a dedicated server or co-location provider supplys power, bandwith and maybe even the server itself.
Normally the client is responsible for the day to day operation of the server. I believe most hosts supply information on security patches/updates or should.
They should also be a support staff available to help you when needed however anything that can't be done remotely (Adding/deleteing accounts, sites, DNS records etc) is yoru responsibility. Anything that requires physical contact, reboots, fsck disk work,tape swaps and things like that your host will handle.
Some host go farther than others so you should read each's support policy and find one that matches what you need.

Sam

I love the edit button :-)

That is correct you arr responsible for all aspects of matintaining the server unless you purchase managed services.

I think that you will find that there are two options available. One is a traditional dedicated server, where you are basically renting a server and some space on a rack. The other option is sometimes referred to as a managed server. This is where the host administers the server for you so that you have more or less the same responsibilities that you would have with a shared account, except that there are no other accounts on the server.

Here is a recent thread about managed servers:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14281&highlight=managed+server

Aloha

well if you act now !!!!!!!
we can throw in PHP
we can throw in ASP
we can run it on BSD
and if you call within the next ten minutes we will install BIND, MySQL, AND YES AND QMAIL
but act now they are going fast

not $999 not $ 699 but only $299

and we will even throw in UNLIMITED BANDWITH FOR LIFE !!!!!!


sorry had to do this the tv was going when I read this and made me think of those English accent people on the tv that sell stuff
hehehehehehehehehehe


doh had to fix a cap issue
hehhehehe bad spelling

Originally posted by Honu
english accent people

ahem? :)

Don't you mean the English?

haha best thing ive seen allday that.

well it is only 12o clock :o)


Craig

As charles said.

Overall you run the show. If you want other services most companies do offer it.

It just depends what your lookin for

Joe