I decided to start a new free hosting server for a certain group of people. I'have some experience with gentoo/coding/configuring things but I decided go get a bit of experience in hosting area too. I have my 3ghz intel 1gb dual ddr pc and a 200kb uplink to play with.

I'm expecting at most 3 free virtual subdomains will be hosted in the first month from the host. Each new months should bring about 3-5 more. If this becomes too demanding I'll switch to a more powerfull line. At which time I'll probably keep the free alternative and have paid hosting with a domain name. Now, the questions are:

1. How long before the server becomed too busy and requires upgrading of the line (each site will be limited to 5MB of free space), what are the current experiences speaking of?

2. Will the server slow dramaticly if I let people have php/ssl/imap/asp/mysql/etc?

3. If the server has too much load, I can always offload the hosting of a demanding website to a professional host and charge for the setup there, just to unload a bit fro mmy server, is this a good/bad idea?

4. Control panel; I've went over 5 products and evaluated them, but they all lack something. I'm looking for one of the following:
a) free control panel, with virtual domain support (subdomains and domains), or
b) paid control panel with a resonable price and NOT PER ANYTHING. I want to pay once, and get done with it. Up to 220$ is fine with me (for unlimited everything). I see why I should keep paying someone, when I buy ongoing service (internet connection), because there are ongoing costs. When I buy a one-time service there should be one-time costs.

5. Can someone give me insight as to WHY people chose to go with "per domains hosted" "per licences" methods of paying? At first look it doesn't make sense where the advantages for the customer are?


Thanks,
E.

1. This depends on your server's configuration and the accompanying OS and control panel software you install. There's not an exact method of determining how long it takes to upgrade, as it depends on your client's usage.

2. There shouldn't be a speed decrease because of this usage due to the fact that the server's specs are strong and should support this usage. But it does depend on the versions installed and how much of it is used by your clients.

3. This, to be honest, sounds like a hassle and I wouldn't suggest doing so unless you have a lot of planning put into it.

4. DirectAdmin is a reasonably priced control panel solution and should do what you're asking; but I've not used it personally.

5. Quite simply because it's easier on the wallet of the provider. Usually when starting out, there is not much expendable income.

Regards,
Waylon

the best advice would be to make sure you know how you are going to at lest break even on this...