I am thinking of moving up to a dedicated server. Unfortunately I know very little about this as I have always used hosts. Are their any resources to which you can point me that would assist me in gaining knowledge of how this works and also the best yet inexpensive providers for this service.

I am not looking for anything grandiose. Our sites and those of our clients are not particularly complicated or large. We basically need something with Front Page extensions, mail, cgi and the ability to put 5 to 20 sites (domains) on the server easily. We’re little. But, we need great support, with a phone number to call where the guy on the other end is knowledgeable and friendly.

Can you folks assist in both relieving my ignorance and possibly pointing me to proper providers?

Are you looking for a Windows or Unix dedicated box?

- phearle

We are doing all Unix (Linux) hosts now and would likely stay that way. But, there is nothing about our sites that is dependent on that. From what I have seen NT dedicated servers cost more. I had assumed this was due to the license for NT but it does not really matter.

Not only does licensing costs for Windows servers add up but also some enhancements or extra features also cost you unlike
Unix/Linux servers where they are free.

If you are looking for easy administration, then again costs add up
and you dont get many good cheap control panels for Windows servers.

Another aspect is that of the hardware requirements. Windows needs more than Linux/Unix and consequently costs more.

If you dont need ASP/MSSQL/MSAccess and such, you better go with Linux/Unix servers.

The control panels available commonly with Linux servers (Plesk, CPanel, Ensim) are provided by most hosts and are easy to use.
One additional advantage is when you have servers with multiple hosts or need to change hosts, using a commonly available control panel maintains uniformity and reduces re-learning and sometimes the client doesnt even realise it.

There have been some very good offers here and Im sure you can get some by contacting hosts through WHT .

Cheers

Matra

Originally posted by Joe Tracy
Are there any resources to which you can point me that would assist me in gaining knowledge of how this worksI would suggest to get a Cobalt server because of its control panel. There is a very detailed manual on how to operate it: http://www.cobalt.com/support/pdf/raq4manual.pdf (if you happen to get Cobalt RaQ 4). Cobalt RaQ 4i has only 450 MHz processor, but if you get at least 256 MB of RAM it should be more than enough for 20 sites.the best yet inexpensive providers for this serviceAfter you decide on server hardware, look around. You probably soon discover RackShack (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=17688). Having my server with them since March 2001, I am now quite convinced they are the best in its class and for sure one of the most inexpensive dedicated server providers around.