I'm totally new in Dedicated Server. I'm hoping if somebody can help me get started. I'm fine with Shared Hosting but I never get a touch in Dedicated Server at all. I've listed some of my dumb questions :-)

1. When I consider for a Dedicated Server, should I get a company that I'll be able to visit there in person? Or it would be just find to get a reliable company somewhere in another state? My concern is can I totally manage a server thru the internet without paying a visit to the server?

2. I heard Cobalt Raq3 is a good place to start with, am I right? What's the difference between a Unix/Linux server?

3. Say if I really sign up for a Dedicated Server with some company, what would I expect the *most* basic things they give me? Like for Shared Hosting, all I need are FTP, Telnet to access there, what about for Dedicated Server? Is it just similar to Shared Hosting?

4. Are there some kind of management interface for a server?

PS: I think my questions are to the most entry level or might be mostly realated to Cobalt Raq, coz I'm not sure! (forgive me)

What about Unix or Windows server??

Thanks for everyone in advance!

Cheers,
Josh

Hi Josh,

I hope can answers some of your questions.

1) You should find a company that you think is reliable and go with them regardless of location. Most companies do welcome visitors but it is sometimes hard to see the actual server rooms. It is expected that you will be working on this server remotely. Anything physical that needs to be done to the server is usually performed by a member of support from the host.

2) RaQs are a good place to start because they have an easy to use control panel and offer root access. Most RaQs however are not as robust as a regular server. If you choose to go with a Unix/Linux server such as RedHat, a lot of companies will offer either Plesk or WebMin for control panels.

3) Most companies will allow you to either FTP, Telnet or SSH into the box. The main difference with a dedicated server over shared hosting is you have the whole server to yourself. You get to decide what you are offering to clients for services if you use it for web hosting.

4) What do you mean by management interface? Are you looking for a control panel or something to automate the business of hosting?

Do you know anything about server administration either Linux or Windows? If not, then I would suggest getting a RaQ as it will have most of what you need to get you started.

I hope some of this helps.

Thanks for your answers Elisa.

My problem was I have very little server admistration knowledge for any platform. If you just give me a root command prompt, all I can do is to cd, ls, chmod, etc. ;)

I agree I should start with a RaQ. I've been searching for a lot of companies that provide dedicated RaQ servers but I'm confused very often. Sorry I put some of my questions below again, which are basically about RaQ.

1. Is RaQ itself an OS like Linux/BSD/Windows? Or does RaQ built in with Linux?

2. Is RaQ kinda like a prebuilt server? Like model A has this and this built-in features, model B has that and that built-in features? Or like a regular computer in which you choose your own components?

3. Why some RaQ3 use Intel but some use AMD, and different speed? Aren't they supposed to be the same model -- RaQ3?

4. If I use a RaQ, will I be able to *survive* by only using the control panel, without going into the root command prompt at all?

Sorry these might be some stupid questions to many of you. But please help me get started! :wavey:

Thanks!

Josh

Try the demo at http://demo.cobalt.com/raq3en/

Josh,

Look at the control panel for Plesk at http://www.plesk.com and compare it the cobalt demo. See which you think is easier to use. You might find that you don't need a RaQ.

I have just started learning all the features of RaQs as I have just started dealing with them so I am not sure if I can answer your specific RaQ questions.

What I do know is RaQs run Linux and no other operating system. I believe each RaQ is pre built and not custom configured. Each RaQ3 is different as far as RAM and hard drive combination is concerned. I believe according to Cobalt's site RaQs have an Intel compatible processor.

One of the main purposes of having a control panel is so you don't have to use root command prompts.

In general if you have a dedicated server built over getting a RaQ, you will end up with a more powerful system.

If you would like to contact me off list, we can further discuss your options.

Good thing I didn't go with plesk. That's the first time I tried the demo and I hate it.

Originally posted by josh
1. Is RaQ itself an OS like Linux/BSD/Windows? Or does RaQ built in with Linux?

They run a modified linux.

3. Why some RaQ3 use Intel but some use AMD, and different speed? Aren't they supposed to be the same model -- RaQ3?

I've never seen a RaQ3 running an Intel chip. If you can show this to me, then I'll stand corrected, but otherwise, they all run AMD 300Mhz.

4. If I use a RaQ, will I be able to *survive* by only using the control panel, without going into the root command prompt at all?

In theory :)