Hi everybody,

for my websites i'm using hosting services since 1996;
now i surpassed the 50 gb monthly, so i have to consider the housing services; the problem is that i always worked on windows and have no idea of Unix.

Plus i need to build a streaming box (windowsmedia) for some live events (we expect 200 concurrent users but we will stream @ a low bitrate, for 56k users).

I'm trying to understand the best way of make the project from the following:

(1) 1 server with win2k unmanaged with a lot of bandwidth.
It will be enough? It will sustain the traffic? Will the performance of the streaming be good?
I was thinking of rackspace, but their bandwidth costs a lot.
I saw other providers, but i'm not sure they permit to install PHP & MySql that now i use for my websites.

(2) 1 server with unix MANAGED, and the streaming stuff on another service (for example playstream or streamguys).
Will I really be able to not put my hands on Unix? Does it cost less? Can you suggest a good service in this case?


Thanks in advance for your attention & help,

Claudio

Hehe, managed unix of course;)

Unix.
More stable, faster, costs less.

Don't just make your decision so fast. Most people on this forum are pro-Unix, but a windows dedicated server maybe more suitable for you.

You need to figure out what you already know about Windows. Do remember that just because you use Windows as a desktop OS doesn't mean you know how to administrate a networked server. You maybe better off starting with Unix since either way you have to learn about administratering a server. Basically, in this case, unless you already have *administratering" experience with Windows or your site requires Windows components, just go with Linux.

Once you have made your decision, you should search webhostingtalk.com forum archive to find out more.

Peter

Grab yourself a copy of each option, if you have time, try each out in a controled environment for a week or so, see the ups and downs of both. But like ckpeter said, if you have no experience admin'ing either, start with unix. Just my humble opinion.

Thanks to you all for your replies.

I actually have time to learn to administer the IIS and the win2k (is it really so difficult even if i have some simple pages? In any case i will not setup any domain name, dns or email; i'll only use the server to park some pages linked by ip number from my main hosting service);

My first priority is to set up the streaming box (windowsmedia) for live events we have in next weeks.

I would like to understand if a dedicated server (for example on rackspace) really can broadcast my signal to an audience like that i stated above without problems.

Thanks again,

Claudio

1. No

2. Yes

Short and meaningful...Thanks! :D

Have you looked at Rackspace's Windows Division, Intensive Hosting (http://www.intensive.com/)? They specialize in Windows dedicated servers that are fully managed, just like Rackspace's servers. You should be able to work with them on a scalable solution.

Alan

Greetings:

While the bandwidth for Rackspace.com may be more pricey, they do offer 99.999% up time on their network, and have a two hour hardware repair / replacement guarantee.

We've been working with Rackspace.com clients for some time now, and there has been nothing to really complain about.

Also, there is streaming media software that runs on a variety of flavors of Unix including Real Media and Apple Quicktime. We've installed Apple Quicktime for clients on Unix, and it has worked out well for them.

W2K and WMS is a great way to stream pre-recorded or live feeds. We do it for several customers and it's very smooth and stable.

I started this topic some months ago, and i would like to share with you my experience.

On july i signed a contract with Rackspace for a w2k server
(single AMD 1 GHz, ram 512 MB, HD 20 GB, monthy bandwith 50 GB).

Well...I'm very satisfied.

They have a very good sales team, that can catch you visiting their site and...pop-up!...in a second you are chatting with them real time...even in your native language (non-english!).

My suggestion is to try to lower the prices in their proposals....there is some margin to negotiate. (After some mails and replies, and some weeks on "stand-by", i have the same proposal but with a discount of $50!!).

Technical considerations:
I used the server on summer for a lot of streaming with windows media services, that i found pretty simple to configure;

I used it to broadcast the signal of a fixed dv cam during an entire tour of a famous rockstar of my country during every afternoon before the concert (to let the people at home see the people in the stadiums...), and the server recorded some thousands connections every time. I did it without effort (ok...some effort to broadcast from the stadium because i needed double ISDN everytime and in any place we went, and a lot of cable).

Then recently i broadcasted a 30 minutes event live video on 56k...the peak was 570 concurrent visitors, and the max cpu util. was 15%.
The total amount of connections was 8000 circa, and the quality was very very good for all, so it seems that my server is doing fine.

The price i pay monthly is 350$, (6-month lease.)

A lot of savings,as you can see giving a look to the prices of some dedicated services, like playstream.com.

In the future i plan to use it even to host some sites...i will let you know (i haven't yet studied IIS...) :-)


I hope it can help,

Claudio

Claudio, it is very nice for you to come back and write us a review. Glad to hear that you are doing well.

Peter

You can never go wrong with Rackspace :). Thanks Claudio, stories such as that are always nice to read, especially when it's an update of your experience with a company 3 months later.

Alan