Hey,
I'm upgrading from a resellers account to a dedicated box and whilst I have found some good prices I would like the views of some people.

Firstly, the box needs to be running windows as I work with asp and other microsoft evils.

Secondly, whats the deal with setting up software on dedicated boxes, as you may have guess im new to the whole remote server stuff.

Thirdly, I'd LIKE the server to be hosted in the uk although I figure if I need this (which I dont) then im accepting that I'm going to pay more.

Fourth, i'll be running only a few sites but most will be using sql server so what spec will I need?

Fifth, I'm looking to pay upto and around £200 per month.

Sixth, would like the capabilty to transfer over 60kbs (burst transfer?).

Any ideas or things that I'm not considering but should?

TheDesignFly,

With a dedicated you will get either Terminal Services or PCAnywhere access to the server desktop, so you can set up whatever software you like.

>Thirdly, I'd LIKE the server to be hosted in the uk
>Fifth, I'm looking to pay upto and around £200 per month.

'Fraid these two are incompatible for a realistic server spec. UK datacentres either charge too much (check the data transfer -- bandwidth -- prices especially) or are no good technically, or both! Beware people running a "datacentre" from a spare room in the office with one slowish connection.

>Fourth, i'll be running only a few sites but most will be using sql
>server so what spec will I need?

Would not advise running SQL Server on the same machine as you are using for web hosting. Also the SQL Server licence is pretty expensive.

Im not looking to do that much with the box as I'm not going to be a resellers account simply hosting sites for our small > medium customers. The SQL license isnt that dear, about 1k for 5 connections (that can go pretty far:).

As regards the USA conenction thats pretty much the one I'm going with. Shame, id love a uk box with alot of bandwidth (or at least burtstable).

Hi DesignFly,

I wish SQL were that inexpensive! In order to connect your SQL server to the Internet you either need the Internet Connector with v7 or a Processor License for SQL 2000! This adds several thousand $ to the proposition.

I wish the cost was as low as a simple SQL 5CAL version.

I also would not reccommed running SQL on the same machine as your web as SQL is a huge resource hog.

You might look for a host offering a shared SQL solution. Make sure they know what they are doing and have the right equipment and licensing themselves.

Good luck!