Hi all -

I am going to be moving to a dedicated box in the near future and was hoping to get advice from everyone here. My budget is not huge - I'd like to keep the price under $300 a month. My main question is - should I go for a RAQ or should I go for a more powerful server that might require more server admin time. Also, what kinds of admin stuff will I avoid by going with the RAQ?

Here is what I need:

I will be using PHP and mySQL (also Cold Fusion, but I already have a license for that).

I will have two applications running (one written in PHP, the other in Cold Fusion - both access a mySQL database). These applications will be shared by all accounts on the server.

Since one of these applications is an extranet that several companies will be using, uptime is very important during regular business hours.

I want to run Linux.

I will be using this server as a sort of reseller - I would like to be able to create accounts through a control panel to point URLs to particular directories.

I would like to have some sort of data redundancy and backup solution.

I don't have command line experience with Linux, but I'm willing to learn.

Bandwidth requirements are not huge - I don't think we'll go over 30gb per month.

Everyone has suggested that I get a Raq 3 or 4.

I'm new and wanna have some fun hosting w/ out wondering what to type at the cammand line to get the thing working. Seems like when that happens, systems get messed up. (I'm not a complete idiot as I do some unix admin. But, my work pays for sun support when I'm at work).

Personally, I figiure I'll get my feet wet w a idiot proof (as much as it can be) Raq for a year or so and then move up.

:eek:

If you have enough linux admin knowledge i would recommend a white box

Originally posted by projectZero

Also, what kinds of admin stuff will I avoid by going with the RAQ?


Well, installations ( kernel updates/hot fixes/program installations ) are managed from the graphical GUI with the RAQ, with a white box you would typically need to Telnet/SSH and run RPM from the prompt

Otherwise I would say most things can be done from the browser with a white box as well, with CP:s like Webmin and/or regular hosting CP:s like Plesk etc