hi there...

i am wanting to start a web hosting business but have hit a major problem...

basically i want to offer windows and linux hosting to my customers (obviosly they will be on two diffrent servers) but i do not know how to get two or more servers on the internet hosting websites using the same connection / IP address.

Email and Database is not a problem right now because they are on the same server.

but i need to work this out ASAP because i plan to go live soon as my website is almost complete

do i need a dns server or is it something that can be configured on the router / or a server ????

thnx in advance

I don't know how much you've done so far, but by far your easiest option (especially if you're just starting out) is to get a reseller account with a host that already offers this.

I can recommend www.diyhosting.com

hi

i already have three servers running on the network one of these is for email and database, one for windows hosting, and the third for linux hosting. they are all online and waiting to be used apart from the problem that is stopping me.

i do not wish tu purchase a resseller account so that is out of the question.

Then take a look at H-Sphere at http://www.psoft.net/h_sphere2_info.html, this is a CP that will allow you to offer Windows & Linux reseller & end-user hosting from one control panel

Scrivs, I don't understand your problem. You don't need both servers to listen on the same IP address to provide both Linux and Windows hosting. You will at least need to configure a DNS server on at least one box (preferrably two).

Wow, you want to host people's critical sites and you don't even understand how things work????

Do youself a favor, start with a reseller account or hire someone to set things up for you. It's not too late to sell or return the servers. This is the best advice I can give you at this point. You're moving way too fast for yourself.

Good luck.

Are you thinking of hosting at home? If you are you dont want to, You should colocate the servers.

It sounds like you're trying to do hosting from a DSL or cable connection on a dynamic IP....bad idea

Running two servers with one IP address is not going to work out. Sure, I guess you could technically do something like this with a NAT router using port forwarding, but you can only map port 80 to one server. So what you're asking (if I understand your situation correctly) is basically not possible.

You need two IP addresses, one fore your linux web server and one for your windows web server. Your data center should be providing you with this already. That is, assuming you're housed at a data center (you should be)...

Each server should have its own IP address.

i am currently using a T3 line with one static that i already have installed ("due to high paid job =)") but i didnt want to pay for extran ip addresses (provider charges alot for these so i wanted to avoid them...

i get the feeling that people think that i am rushing myself here but i have been planning and researching for several years now.

this is basically the last herdle i had in my way before starting a business. i already have everything like generators and ups systems to keep the servers online.

the business is currently located in my small datacenter several miles away from where i live not at my house.

thnx for the help anyway guys

i will definitly make use of dns on the mail server and the main websever... anyways i gotta work on the infrastructure of the network so check up on post later on

Seems to me you're trying to re-invent the wheel. I'm sure you'd have found a cheaper solution at a datacenter somewhere, but whatever rocks your cradle......good luck!!

Scrivs, sounds like you got all your bases covered except for this IP thing. I'd say you need to talk to your provider about getting a block of IP addresses. This is the only way I see to get your windows and linux server to co-exist.

Good luck!

Scrivs, you are going to have to get separate IP addresses. There is no other way about this if you want to maintain a professional experience to your customers. Anyways, what happens when you have a customer that needs their own dedicated IP address for their site because of SSL or something? You should really contact your provider for more IP addresses. A T3 line for hosting use should allow you at least a class C at a reasonable rate (unless of course your provider does not know you intend to use the line for web hosting).

Also, keep in mind that if you only have one pipe, if your network comes under attack and you do not have the proper mitigation hardware, your boxes most likely will not be reachable. Upwards of 50 mbps attacks are quite possible.