Hi,

I am looking for a cheap (well, reasonable!) , but good dedicated server.

I have little knowledge of Unix or Linux and want to use some kind of administration tool for most of the work. I also want to be able to provide each hosting account on the server with its own detailed control panel.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Cheers.

i suggest
colossus.net
burst.net
site5.com
interserver.net
rackshack.net

all good but do search on these forms before you make any dicision

;)

Thanks,

The users control panle is very important. Do the companies that look after the servers provide the software for this or do you find a third party supplier - if so which ones do i look at.

I took a look at Plesk and it looks good but what is the best?

;)

I would go with a WHM/CP (WebHostManager/CPanel) based box. A lot of Linux knowledge is not necessary but a plus if you want to help your customers. All customers get a control panel and you get an admin panel too (WHM). Almost most of the administration of the server can be done with WHM. As far as providers that can help you, try a the following of the many:

www.site5.com (sales@site5.com)
www.venturesonline.com (sales@venturesonline.com)

There are a ton more but I do not have first hand knowledge of their support/service is like.

Okay,

What sort of server should i be looking at? I want to be hosting at least a couple of hundred sites although cant really say how busy they will be.

Also when you say...
A lot of Linux knowledge is not necessary but a plus if you want to help your customers.
What do you mean?

What sort of things would require Linux knowledge? I kow the basics, shutting down, moving around etc.

Thanks

Running Linux on your PC is not exactly the same thing as running a server.

I actually recommend understanding some Apache too.

Anyway, I know a guy that gives good deals on colos and dedicateds. Call Steve at Global Tap. globaltap.com

He (and others there) run a network and have much knowledge on Linux/Apache. He will help you and serve as your administrator when you get in over your head and he is quite reasonable.

Chris

Running Linux on your PC is not exactly the same thing as running a server.

Nope, but it is an excellent start! It's a great way to learn about installing apache modules, finding out what everything does in httpd.conf and learning basic 'lock-out' techniques - like locking users to their home directory in FTP.

It would also be a good time to get used to installing updates and bugfixes - much better to have learning experience with a non mission-critical server - stuff up your web server, and hose your 200 customers and you'll soon have another non mission critical server at your disposal - if you get my drift ;).

We all have to start somewhere - there is nothing wrong with starting on a 1gb partition of your home PC.

Good luck!

Rich

Generally Linux servers come with good control panels which Windows servers miss out.

Though using Windows NT/2000 servers is easier from an admin point of view, the lack of good CPs' means more work for the admin as CPs' help the clients administer themselves.

From a cost point of view, Linux servers have a defenite advantage.
a) Better management of resources. You can make do with lesser configuration or host more with the same configuration compared with Windows.
b) Better uptime.
c) Costs less with regard to software - O/S, webserver, mailserver, dns etc., all which cost money in Windows.

Windows NT/2000 servers make sense only if you are particular about ASP, CF, MS-SQL etc.

Cheers,

Matra

anywhere i can see a demo of WHM and Cpanel?

Cheers

http://www.cphosting.com/reseller.htm

:cool:

Had a look at the demo's and they seem pretty good. Can they be customised in any way?

I am now seriously considering site5.com, they had a good deal on earlier this month. Any ideas if they are likely to repeat this? Also, aill there support people be okay with a "begginer"?

Thanks again.

Is there any guides or manuals or FAQ's on setting up and administering a dedicated server?

Also if the Cpanel is able to be configured and redesigned is there anyone out there that would be willing to do this?

Cheers.