I was wondering if I could get some opinions on some dedicated server options. The options that I'm considering are all cheap and I'm planning on going this route initially and then increasing the quality of my solutions as my customer base grows. Initially, my customers will consist mainly of small to mid-sized businesses. I am planning on offering both Web Development and Hosting services to these customers. One worry that I have, is that I will start with a cheap solution and everything will be working fine for awhile but then one big problem will come along and destroy all credibilty that I may have with my customers. I am looking for some reassurance that one (or either) of these solutions is fairly stable and that I'm not overlooking a far superior solution at only a moderately higher rate. I also don't want to get caught choosing a solution just because it's extremely easy. I find that it is too easy to enter the business without any computer knowledge, business experience, or financial backing and I don't want to be one of these people that give Web Hosting a bad name.

Option 1: Rackshack $99/mos
Raq 4i (450Mhz, 256mb Ram, 20GB HD, 300 GB Bandwidth)
Comments: The Cobalt Raq seems extremelly easy to get started with and I'm feeling a lot more confident with the recent announcements from their CEO.

Option 2: ACS DataNet $49.95/mos
667Mhz, 64mb Ram, 20GB HD, 40GB Bandwidth)
Comments: I would install FreeBSD on this system. I currently do not have any experience with FreeBSD but from what I have read it is the superior OS for webhosting hands down. It will take me a little longer to learn the Administration but I have a strong computer background and feel confident that I can learn this system. The main reason that I am considering this plan is because FreeBSD is an option. I would also consider one of the more expensive options from ACS DataNet to bring this solution to a more comparative level with RackShack's offer.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated as well as any other recommendations. I have also been looking seriously at both Burst.net and ACS Datanet.

Thanks.

Although a RaQ is pretty easy to get started with, I don't think it is any more difficult than a FreeBSD/Plesk system (if you are interested in some type of CP for you and your clients). I'm also not certain what other 'coming soon' CP's will be ported to FreeBSD, but I'm willing to bet a dead goat* that one will be.

*you pay shipping

I am of course biased in my opinions on which box as much as which host. I'll leave the which host out fo this response. :)

As fas as the Cobalt versus FreeBSD, various other flavors of linux, etc, I vote for the Cobalt hands down from an ease of use perspective.

My background is not technical and I couldn't program anything, including writing html, to save my own life.

Back when the original Raq was introduced, our techie folks wouldn;t have anything to do with the Raqs. So, I ordered one and "borrowed" an IP to set a test box up on our network. About 20 to 30 minutes later, I had sent an email through the box and loaded an html file that someone else had created fro me. The saying goes ... If I can do it, anyone can do it.

That's why I am sold on the Cobalt platform. It is hands down the easiest to use and easiest to administer on a remote basis.

The Cobalt can be a little limiting for linux folks that like to get their hands dirty working with the os directly. Many direct tinkers can blow up the Cobalt GUI.

There is also the power issue. The Cobalt is plenty powerful for most aplications, and I do say most, but not all.

If you are craving raw power and speed, a generic linux box might be a better route.

We have ourselves tested Plesk 2.0 which does have some neat features although Plesk is working through a number of known bugs. If you happen to choose a generic linux box, I would highly recommend one with Plesk from an ease of use basis.

However, in the end, and in my obviously biased opinion, the Cobalt is the way to go.

As far as a host, I'll leave that one alone lest Chicken 86 my entire rant! :D

Good luck in your search!

Robert Marsh
Head Surfer Rackshack.net

Thanks for the replies.

I'm leaning towards the Raq (it just seems to be a good fit) and I find that you're really limiting yourself if you are looking for a host that supports FreeBSD.

The problem is, that I'm one of those techie types that likes to tinker around and feels that the more difficult the solution the better. After all, we like to feel important and if everybody can do it we just aren't making it confusing enough ;) But, the reality is that the easiest solution often is the best solution and we can't always choose the more difficult solution just so we can break something and then feel good about ourselves when we fix it.

Just a few quick questions for Headsurfer:

How is your backup solution coming along? I know you were working on something recently and I would even be happy if I could implement something myself by backing up to my personal computer but it seems that the Raq currently doesn't have anything that really works.

What type of failure rate do you have on the hard drives and do you have any plans for offering the Raq4r?

Thanks again,

David Delisle

As far as the backup solution goes, we do not currently offer a solution but we are working on one. I do not have a time frame on this.

A few posters on this board have posted a solution but I am not sure if WE have tried it but it seems that a few on this board have used it.

There IS a failure rate on the hard drives but we have been pretty lucky and it is low. I cannot quantify it but it is something we probably could track.

Regardless of who you choose for a Raq, and there several good choices who post on this board, I think it is the best choice.

Robert Marsh

maybe check out this?!?
this may help

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19822