Hi.. I have a reseller account which I use to set up hosting for clients when I build them a web site. I am interested in expanding this and focussing on selling web hosting services, currently I have about 25 sites on my reseller account.

What are the benefits, if any of moving onto a virtual or dedicated server?

Also I see on many sites the ability to check the availability of a domain name. Is this tool available from ISP's when setting up reseller accounts?

Thanks in advance..

Rich...:)

Virtual Hosting would be a step backward. These are the accounts you set up for your clients and usually do not have the permission to resell.

Moving to a dedicated server is a step forward. The advantage would be you have full control over the server so you could install the programs and scripts you want, configure everything to how you want them and the ability to offer resellers account but with these power comes the responsibility, you need to manage the entire server, set things up, updates and administer it.

Moving to a dedicated server would mean you probably need to be prepared for more responsibility apart from just selling web hosting services and supporting your clients.

Thanks dude I appreciate the advice. I am looking to take on the task and so a dedicated server is the next move. Do you recommend any one ?

Rich..:)

I highly recommend http://www.servermatrix.com I could not be more happy with them. Very friendly and helpful guys. Just remeber dedicated means its all your to mess up or make it work. I suggest going with them then getting yourself a good system admin.

If you do not want to incur so much cost for a leap, probably VPS would be fine. Check out ServINT.com, they have fully managed VPS, highly recommend them!

In my opinion do not waiste time with vps its a shared enviroment with only burstable components. Reseller to dedicated is best if you can concur the expenses. VPS is just like a middle man of both.

Hi Rich,

If you are planning on going dedicated, make sure you have strong experience in sever administration. Otherwise, you are going to run into troubles.

There are those "managed" dedicated servers that some hosts are offering. You could have a look at those.

General tips :

1. Grab a linux book
2. Find an old computer and install linux on it. Most hosts use RedHat 7.3, some even have freeBSD. Once setup, practice working on it from a shell environment (ie, no gui/windows).
3. It also helps if you know some sort of programming language ... like PHP or PERL. Most control panels that you will be using (and some system administration tasks) require some knowledge of these languages.

Best of luck.