Hello all, i have descide to begin reselling web space on the web but am a bit confuse regarding some issues and was wondering if someone could give me some advice.

I want to sell off of my own server, but do not wish to have the server at my location, but the so called co-location prices are a bit extreme, does someone know of good source? And what is the difference between co-located,managed,and dedicated really?

Also, i noticed that at www.rackshack.net there is a Sun Cobalt serve for $99 a month with 300GB a month, the same server with 30GB a month ranges about $150 a month elsewhere? Can someone explain to me why the prices are so hugely different between places? In any case rackshack with the cobalt 4i seems to be my best bet(i suppose that price is for them to house the server as well?).

The other thing im concerned about is the client side control panel with the Cobalt 4i, ive been assured my clients would have ease of use with this panel, but if thats true why arent other companies using the default panels and how can i set up a different panel?

And the final thing i need help with is the outrageous start-up costs, the per month for the server i can deal with,, but is there anyway offering a $0 start-up with the Cobalt?

Thanks...
Oh, and whats the difference on the client side between linux and Windows NT, i can work with either but is there a major difference to my customers?

Hello

If you have not enough experience with remote server administration, marketing and hosting industry then I definitely suggest you to start by reselling on a good host (ie something like splashhost.com or mchost.com that are known as good web hosts)

After you gathered some experience you can go with colocation and dedicated servers.

It is soon to start with dedicated as there will be a lot of problems that will decrease quality of your hosting if you are not ready to deal with them.

For example you must be online most of the time if you want to have a top quality service.

Mac

Originally posted by jdp29053
And what is the difference between co-located,managed,and dedicated really?

dedicated = you lease a server and you will have to do most of the work to keep the server running
managed dedicated = same as dedicated, but your provider does most but not any of the work for you to keep the server up
colocation = you own the server and have to take of hardware failures, upgrades and so on
But I would suggest starting with reselling!

there is a Sun Cobalt serve for $99 a month with 300GB a month, the same server with 30GB a month ranges about $150 a month elsewhere? Can someone explain to me why the prices are so hugely different between places?

Rackshack should explain this :)

And the final thing i need help with is the outrageous start-up costs, the per month for the server i can deal with,, but is there anyway offering a $0 start-up with the Cobalt?

I don't really know, but search the forum for Cobalt offerings or post a thread in the Requests forum.
But something I am wondering about you and similar people: why are you concerned about a setup fee?

whats the difference on the client side between linux and Windows NT, i can work with either but is there a major difference to my customers?

Client wise not much difference, even ASP can be offered on a Linux machine (but I don't think that's a good idea). But Linux is far more stable and uses much less resources, so for NT/2000 you'll need a more powerful server.

I arrived here pretty poorly clued up, but now............. :-)

Unless you are very confident administering your own dedicated server dont go for it, its far easier to get a bad rep than a good one, read around here....

I've been considering breaking into hosting but havent for a long list of reasons that would bore you, if I yet decide to take the plunge my loyalty to venturesonline will mean I become a reseller with their system, profit v's administration wins out for me hands down, and it would let me into the business long enough to find out if I had enough custom to warrant learning unix server admin and all the unpaid time it takes to start a worthwhile biz. Only then would I consider moving up.