So, you guys who are hosting websites, how do you host them.
Do you have your own servers - if so - good, cause i need your help.


I just want t oknwo how you go about running your own webhosting boz WITHOUT having to be a reseller (i just want to learn)
I had my eyes on donhost, but did a search here - and saying it got bad feedback would be an understatement.

Anyway, how do you get a server, what kind of server do you need? What software do you need, how do you install the software, how on earth do you manage everything, i.e. clients, settings, domains, bandwidth etc.

Can you convert a dedicated server into a webhosting server or do you need some other type of server?

How much does it all cost:confused:

All responses welcome

Thanks
Anayet

Originally posted by Anayet
Anyway, how do you get a server, what kind of server do you need? What software do you need, how do you install the software, how on earth do you manage everything, i.e. clients, settings, domains, bandwidth etc.

More or less any server will suffice, once you install the right software onto it. Certainly anything designed to act as a web server will have no trouble working as virtual hosting server -- there's no practical difference between serving one big site and serving one hundred small sites.

How much does it all cost :confused:

The software which actually does the serving is generally free --FreeBSD, linux, Apache, qmail, sendmail, postfix, exim, djbdns, bind, ... -- it is setting everything up which is expensive. If you want to buy some control panel software, you can get started quickly, but if/when something breaks you'll not know how to fix it; otherwise, you'll have to spend months learning about the software you decide to use so that you can set it up properly.

I'm not going to be popular for suggesting this. But for a first time host I would recommend renting a RAQ for a year. It's designed with hosting providers in mind and it's so easy to use my 3 year old son could just about find his way round one.

You can get a feel for the industry this way, without the headaches of setting up your own server, patching it for security updates, configuring httpd.conf and all those other wonderful config files that linux comes with.

Tell your clients you run a RAQ though, a lot of webmasters are very particular when it comes to hosting on RAQs.

i agree raq will get u off the ground dude!, its mad tyte ;)

What features does a raq have, and how does it work. Is it just a server, or is it made specifically for webhosting?


Thanks

Originally posted by Anayet
What features does a raq have, and how does it work. Is it just a server, or is it made specifically for webhosting?


Thanks

racks are internet readdy applicance made by cobalt company (now accuired by sun microsystem). the main features include easy to use web interface any pre-insatlled softwaer including chili soft asp etc.

you can find good rack deals at rackshake.net

----------

there are also other server available with good software etc. you may rent server with preinstalled CPANEL software on it.

www.cpanel.net

some of the good providers are

www.interserver.net
www.burst.net
www.site5.com
www.dialtoneinternet.com

search on these forms for performance of these companies and you will find many posts.

:cool:

Is ALL of the software preinstalled? I mean do the servers come with software that will allow you to set up a webhosting biz Immediatley? - so that you can add clients, add domains, give clients access to C. panels etc etc??

Would everything be easy to use for everyone, even those who haven't yet hosted any sites?


Thanks

Anayet

Aloha

well first off as soem others have said if you have waiting customers get a RaQ and get going
www.rackshack.net great prices great network
now if you are serious about learning more
do you have DSL ?? or a static IP ???

get a couple domains that you can control domains with (or use your raq
anyway get a cheap second computer load it up with redhat and hook it up to a DSL line with a static IP and start playing with it with a few test domains so if you get hacked no biggy ;)
just play learning to compile stuff handle stuff get to know some people here and have them try to hack into you on your static IP to test your knowledge etc... do this for a while hands on is the best experience you can get and this will be a very cheap way to learn.
if you dont have the money for a second machine get a 2nd HD and soem swappable bays and do it that way ;)

So whats the difference between RaQ and unix/windows?

Whats does RaQ mean + the previous questions:)

And unfortunately - i have no DSL just a 56k modem in the UK

Aloha
others may answer this better ;)
RaQ is a linux based web server that has a easy to use control panel you will see people using CP a lot for control panel
the computer itself uses a less powerful chip but has an easy to use interface (the old give and take)
you may use another CP such as Plesk or others out there
this will help you set upusers add accounts etc... depnding on the CP used (use the search and start reading ;)

if you are starting out forget windows servers unless you need them for a specific apication you are trying to do (such as ASP pages or integrating with Office etc...)
both have pros and cons but Linux is your best bet
most servers run Linux not Unix dont worry about the dif ;) that will coem later
well if you dont ahve a dsl or static IP that is fine still get a 2nd HD and start playing you can DL redhat for free (a long dl that will be on a 56) so use a DL manager depending on if you are on a unlimited plan you may just want to buy it (others can step in here and suggest where to get it cheap )

ther are also soem great ref on the web to learn more about this
again others please step in ;)

read read and read ;)

Is there anywhere i can see/use an online demo of CPanel, the way Plesk have a demo on there site?


And if i were to get a server from rackshack, and were to set up a webhosting biz on that, would hackers be able to get into it, or would Rackshack have security to stop that? Also, how would you back up your server/important files? Do you get another server, and have one to keep backs ups etc?:confused:

Thanks

Aloha
not sure about a cpanel demo ??
as far as hackers go
if hackers want you they will get you
you will have to install updates on your RaQ
but it is super easy
you go to a site where cobalt posts them
you copy the url go into your contraol panel on your RaQ and paste in the URL and press enter its that easy
regular boxes are a bit more complex that is why RaQs can be a great starter
otherwise you may want Managed services this is usually where the server company will keep the updates etc.. going for you

Thanks for the reply m8.

How much do they cost?


And also, is there anyone here that uses rackshack servers to run a webhosting biz?
If so, can you post your link, i'd like to see what you can achieve with a rackshack server:)


Thanks
Anayet

Anayet, if you look through a few posts in the Cobalt forum, I'm sure you'll run across people using rackshack servers for hosting.

Thanks. I think i'll stop asking anymore questions and just sign up as a reseller for donhost or something, maybe after a while teaching myself - by myself, i'll be able to get my own servers - cause by the looks of it, i'm pissing a LOT of people off (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=25825) by asking these questions. And (just for the record) i was not in it for a quick buck, i was just interested in this field, i thought it was better to ask and know, rather than no ask, and not know:(

Well thanks for all the help anyway, especially honu:)

Aloha
doubt your pissing anyone off ;)

I have a raq but use it for playing with hosting some pics and panos etc... no serious hosting (may do some someday on it but lower clients that want cheaper hosting ???)

just check out rackshack for speed as they are on there own network ;)

I have to agree with honu. :homer:
Don't happen that often ;)
I think he's been drinking rum with Joe and Chicken.
j/k :D

I must have missed the part that looked like someone was angry about you asking questions.
Maybe that was another thread you're thinking about. I know there's a couple around where the starters seem to think that the only people that should be running hosting companies are system admins. :rolleyes:

More questions?? Ask. . . . .That's part of what this forum's for.

OK...I have questions.

If I have to choose between Redhat 7.2 and FreeBSD, which should I choose?

If I go with Redhat, I will be using Ext3 partitions. Will that match the crash recovery security of FreeBSD?

Which is easier to learn?


P.S. I too am starting soon. I have a Dell Powerapp.web 120 with windows 2000 for web hosting and database. I have a dell poweredge for email and DNS. The choice I have to make is for the poweredge (FreeBSD or Redhat), because I want to run HSphere Control Panel.

Thanks

Aloha
can not answer some of the questions but if you are using it for Hsphere I would ask them for the price you pay I am sure they have great support would follow there lead
from waht I know
freebsd is more secure than redhat but not as many people know it
redhat may be a bit mroe easy to learn due to more people knowing it and being able to answer your questions etc...

again since this is a box running a specific ap ask HSphere ;)
hope that helps

Cool...thank you.

I think I am leaning toward FreeBSD though. Popular opinion seems to back me up on that. Since I have to learn one, I may as well learn the best for me and my business.

HSphere works with both, but I will definitely ask them which works better with their software. I will probably only use FreeBSD if they (psoft.net) are as knowledgable with that as they are with RedHat.

As far as my clients go, I think that they will have all the tools they need through the HSphere control panel, so I am hoping that the OS will be invisible to them..."hoping"...he,he,he.

Thanks again!!

Aloha
well I know if I had a dedicated box doing a few things such as running hsphere or just email I would be on freebsd for sure ;)

maybe post what they say so people can find it in future ;)
good luck

OK, I just emailed Igor at Psoft. As soon as he gets back to me, I will post the transcription.

Well, I was getting impatient waiting for a response from PSoft.net via email, so I called them. They say that HSphere works best with RedHat Linux 7.2.

They did not say which OS it *ran better* on, simply that with RedHat, it is easier for them to install and support.

So...RedHat it is!! (for me anyways...)