What if I started with a server or two at my place. Since I am good with hardware, I do not think it would be more difficult to learn than using Rackshack for example. Or would it?

Sure, I would need a power generator, and bandwidth... but one or two servers wouldn't require too much of either.

Anyone do this or have any advice/comments when considering this?

Also, about the bandwidth. Obviously, I cannot run it off my cable modem (need more speed... i assume). So does anyone know companies that offer T1's... T3's... etc. for affordable monthly rates. (or semi-affordable).

I'm not necessarily going to do it, just considering all options at the moment.

Well, if you are talking about hosting people, it wouldn't be profitable. If people know it's at your house, no matter how well you have it setup, most are going to go somewhere else. You can get good support at good prices from hosts in well known datacenters. It would be very hard to compete. You wouldn't be able to charge enough money to make it profitable. Maybe that's not what you want though.

Yes exactly, fact is it's alot cheaper getting it through rackshack than setting it up yourself.

Originally posted by MN-Robert
Yes exactly, fact is it's alot cheaper getting it through rackshack than setting it up yourself.

I agree... let the pros do their jobs :)

Not my house. I actually have an empty shop in a building that I can use completely FREE. I would only have to buy 1 server to start, 1 UPC, and the internet connection (expensive part?).

I still think you guys are right though, but at the same time it may not be a bad idea after a year when you're no longer paying monthly fees on the server. Then again, the bandwidth may cost as much as a rackshack server anyway (or more?). I guess that's ok when you have multiple servers running for years.

I think overall the best thing is to start with Rackshack, then start my own mini-datacenter if I get very successful.

Again, I'm very good with hardware... it's the software part I'm still learning. That's why I would feel very confortable setting it up myself. :-)

You wouldn't get the speed you need. Look at it this way, Rackshack has like 7 or 8 redundant gigabit connections and OC( I forget the size of the OC). You're thinking of having one T1. If your T1 line goes down, you're in trouble. The price you'll pay for that T1 compared to what you'd pay for a server at Rackshack can't even compare.

Sometimes the software is the hardest part - especially to keep it secure!

T-1's will run you anywhere from $600-$1200 per month - Rackshack offers Fiber/OC3 connections for as little as $99/$119 a month...

Personally, I wouldn't consider it at this time.

Joe

Having your own T1 connection to host a business website for a large company is fine, but not multiple companies. Getting anything higher than a T1 gets too expensive.

Ok. Thanks for the info. guys. You're definitely right.

I was just thinking about it... maybe not for now, but hopefully sometime in the future.

I'll stick with Rackshack for the time being :-)

Good choice. I thought about it some months ago and now we're colocating...nice choice :)

RackShack is nice, I have selected on of their Dual Xeon machines for purhashing in a few months time, well I hope to purchase it, its not a definite decision.

Things to think about

Staff
Extra Hardware (hdds, switches, ram)
Backup Lines
Generators
Security
Climate Control

All these cost money. You do not want to place a server in a shop front window or in a place that is falling apart. You would also need to consider raising them off the floor (flooding & cooling)