Hello,

How much would it cost to hire a server admin per month to manage a server? In otherwords, if one rents a box from rackshack or a similar place (unmanaged) then the server admin shold keep it running as if it were a fully managed server, monitor it etc., Are there any third-party services for this (other than individual techs) like bobcares does for support? I think it would be a good idea for some people to start this service.

Also, most of these unmanaged servers donot provide any data backup and how do most of you backup the data for your clients?

thanks

I think the answer to this question is "managed hosting" -- like leasing a dedicated server, but you pay a little more to get security services, software upgrades, managed backups, etc.

Lots of web hosts (including Modwest.com) provide services like this. Shop around. This is likely a simpler, cleaner, and cheaper solution than leasing a cheap dedicated server and then contracting a sysadmin to take care of this stuff for you as needed.

Yes, I know about managed servers but "managed hosting" is not the answer. A P3 box on some of these unmanged options what they are offering these days come to less than $150, in some cases about $130. Whereas most managed options for the same box cost 2 to 3 times that amout, including what you are offering. Is managing a server 2-3 times the amount of the box? That is what I am trying to find out.

Originally posted by Gurudev
Is managing a server 2-3 times the amount of the box? That is what I am trying to find out.

If you are looking for a server in the price range of $150: yes.
It depends a bit "how much managed" it should be.

Well, I think you can get an idea of what third party costs would be if you look at managed hosting. Ultimately this is what you are looking for, even if not through the host itself. A managed server host watches over your box and others, thus the cost of hiring an admin is much less (and yes, it wouldn't be cost effective to hire someone just for one box). To me, you might as well have someone there at your host do it, as they (in theory) will know the system and be working on similar boxes, *and* theey are at the facility (or at the NOC) and would (in theory) have access to the box directly if need be, or access to the people who have access to the box.

Some of this is in theory, as I couldn't say that all providers work this way, but I would look for one that does work this way and skip over any that don't.

If you are looking for a server in the price range of $150: yes.

Walter,

If they are avilable, I don't see why I should pass them up for a higher priced option (considering not much is different in server specs and bandwidth, etc.,) I saw deals on rackshack for $119 for a P3. I don't know how good they are but I am sure they are alright for most users and I don't think they are bad. For the same P3 managed options the costs are at least $450 with most hosts and more in some cases. I don't think rackshack provides managed servers.

So, you see these days the prices on unmanged servers have gone down but the prices for managed options have not changed much and I am trying to find our if management is costing 3 times the amount of the box.

Chicken,

A managed server host watches over your box and others, thus the cost of hiring an admin is much less
Yes, if they are managing a few servers with admin sharing the load, the pricing should not be like $150-200 per server per month - right? I know it would not make much sense to hire someone to manage one server but precisely what you say is true - as most of them are managing a few boxes.

I think it is a good idea for someone to start this service (like bobcares does for support). I think there is an opportunity for experienced sysadmin people in this regard. I have seen boxes for AMD, Celeron for $79-$99 which are good enough for a lot of medium sites, small hosts just starting up, designers hosting a few sites, etc., add another $50 for management (which I believe is doable) and there is a wide open opportunity for someone.

I myself have actually looked into offering such a service with my new consulting firm, however, it arises many potential problems, espically when your taking about kernels across various systems, keeping upto date with the hardware each company uses etc etc to make sure things go smoothly, also the legal aspect of it being that no company like that could ever take on or guarantee any security of your box any more than a hosting provider can. Its possible to do, and I'm sure i may offer it in the future, but $50 is a bit on the low side for a monthly fee to manage and keep servers upto date. About the only way $50 a server would be possible would be if you were hosted at some type of partner noc that keeps things fairly standard so you can have one set plan for all of the customers within that noc.

anyhow, just my views on the subject :)

Hi Daniel,

however, it arises many potential problems, espically when your taking about kernels across various systems, keeping upto date with the hardware each company uses etc etc to make sure things go smoothly.
Well, with anything like this there has to be uniformity or there should be three or four different plans/levels and what not, based OS, Hardware and Platform. Also, it needs to be company with a group of people and each well versed with one or two types of systems, etc.,

also the legal aspect of it being that no company like that could ever take on or guarantee any security of your box any more than a hosting provider can.
It's no different than other hosts providing managed services, except the idea is to bring the costs down and I think there is a market for it only because the costs have come down and more people (like me) want like to get a own server but donot want to manage it.

About the only way $50 a server would be possible would be if you were hosted at some type of partner noc that keeps things fairly standard so you can have one set plan for all of the customers within that noc.
$50 is an example though initially it could be higher I guess. With regards to partner noc, that is a good idea (rackshack is a good idea). In fact, what I am suggesting is that someone manges the server only and server itself is located at a different location(s). In otherwords, you don't get into noc business or own one - you just manage as a third party (precisely as bobcares does for support). Think of all the co-located servers at various places and leased servers at places like rackshack, etc., that one could provide these services for.

Originally posted by DanielP
I myself have actually looked into offering such a service with my new consulting firm, however, it arises many potential problems, espically when your taking about kernels across various systems, keeping upto date with the hardware each company uses etc etc to make sure things go smoothly, also the legal aspect of it being that no company like that could ever take on or guarantee any security of your box any more than a hosting provider can. Its possible to do, and I'm sure i may offer it in the future, but $50 is a bit on the low side for a monthly fee to manage and keep servers upto date. About the only way $50 a server would be possible would be if you were hosted at some type of partner noc that keeps things fairly standard so you can have one set plan for all of the customers within that noc.

anyhow, just my views on the subject :)

An easy way to make money is to commoditize. Unfortunately, you cannot do that with an experienced admin's time. There needs to be a lot of automation and standardization for this to be even close to viable at that price.