I really want to go with them, but several have mentioned the constant fees for labor. What is it exactly that they charge for?
Do they charge for a re-boot and simple stuff like that, etc...


I'm looking at making rackspace my first dns and the current host my second.

Originally posted by Fartknocker
I really want to go with them, but several have mentioned the constant fees for labor. What is it exactly that they charge for?
Do they charge for a re-boot and simple stuff like that, etc...


I'm looking at making rackspace my first dns and the current host my second.

They bill you $75 per 30 min. Its not included reboot or simple things (f.e if you mistake in firewall rules and loose access they fix it with no charge)

More complex things is billed.

I think people mean that the pricing at Rackspace is just relatively high compared to other web hosting companies. But what you is what you pay for at Rackspace. If you've got a problem with the server, like a config problem with PHP or something, just open a support ticket and they'll fix it. It really does make life easier.

Alan

You only pay them for things like -

Well, I am not sure they haven't billed me for any support and have helped me several times. More than once with a problem caused by my fingers.

The site mentions sendmail troubleshooting .......

Originally posted by Fish_Saver
You only pay them for things like -

Well, I am not sure they haven't billed me for any support and have helped me several times. More than once with a problem caused by my fingers.

The site mentions sendmail troubleshooting .......

We have a few servers there as well and there were times when I thought they should have charged us and was expecting a bill but they did not. I would like to add that RackSpace is a "True" managed solution which explains the price difference between them and the other companies out there.

They will support the only things that they install. Your software is your problem.
They fixed php security issue for me for free, it is cool ;)

And sure reboots are free (I think if not excessive)

Rackspace has incredibly good service. They are expensive, but you really do get what you pay for, as they will go out of their way to make sure that your server is up and running.

The only thing though - as J Hero mentioned, is that they usually only support what they install. Stuff like Plesk and Miva, get them to install it as they become responsible for any minor problems or issues.

Overall though, RackSpace are extremely reliable. I've got boxes on both RackSpace and RackShack. I can see the difference in reliability and tech support really clearly.

Good luck,

Leo

Yes, I've got a box at Rackshack too, along with one at Rackspace and there is a clear difference on why I pay the higher amount for Rackspace :).

Btw, Rackspace only charge when they say they will bill you $75 per half hour. They usually will ask you if you want it done at teh billing rate or just leave it, they won't just do it and then bill you after. But I've never been billed for their support as they just do basically anything for you (well up to a point anyway, lol).

Alan

What is the difference in Network uptime you've experienced between RackShack and Rackspace?

How about hardware downtime difference between RackShack and RackSpace?

Originally posted by panopticon
What is the difference in Network uptime you've experienced between RackShack and Rackspace?

How about hardware downtime difference between RackShack and RackSpace?

Well! Now I have my chance to rant and rave :)

My server on Rackspace has had NO DOWNTIME whatsoever.

Rackshack on the other hand...there was a network outage today for approximately half an hour (more on some subnets). While the servers did not go down, they were inaccessable. There have also been cases in the past where the entire network would be inaccessible for a period of time, or the big power trip they had about a month back where a large portion of their datacenter blacked out.

I have also had *very* interesting issues with RackShack technical support where they have either been completely useless or have done the wrong thing. There was one case where I found out that (hello) - my /etc/host file was edited by their tech support without my notification and as a result, apache failed to start, with the webserver down for approximately 10 hours.

Overall though, I have been very happy with what I have gotten out of RackShack. Sure, their tech support isn't top-notch, and their service has had its fair share of problems, but it's also why their servers are such a bargain. You might not get a 99.9% uptime guarantee, but 90% uptime ain't bad either, especially with that amount of traffic/bandwidth thrown in.

RackSpace...is just awesome. I have called them at 3am Texas time before and still got great service.

Leo

90% uptime ain't bad either
I hope that's just a typo

It seems Rackspace has truly established itself as the best choice money can buy when it comes to dedicated hosting. For mission critical hosting, I don't think anyone can match the level of reliability and peace of mind they give you for that price.

There's been numerous articles on how Rackspace started. Not the best, but one I could find again is: http://thewhir.com/features/rackspace.cfm

We are very happy with them. Sometimes their techs misdiagnose things, and we've had our share of troubles with Plesk, but they are persistent and eventually the problems were worked out. I do recommend them - they might seem high in price, but they really do an outstanding job with their servers. It's great to be able to submit a trouble ticket at 8pm after a day of pulling your hair out and come in the next morning to find someone fixed it for you overnight.