I wanna have win2k dedicated server for webhosting. Please somebody recommend me where to buy ASP and what mail server to install on windows which runs the best. If some body could guide me in detail what softwares I would need for win 2k hosting and where to buy them I will be thankfull. Anyone can mail me at my mail address.

If you are unfamiliar with hosting w/ W2K, you may want to look for a managed hosting provider who can help you along the way.

If you are going to use W2K for hosting you will need mail server and FTP server software.

For mail server software, I recommend you take a look at Merak Mail. It's very stable, fast and full featured. It starts at $99.00 but you will probably need the full standard version ~ $280.00

For FTP software (MS FTP just does not handle shared hosting well) take a look at FTP Serv-U. It's very commom, stable, fast and in expensive.

Hope that helps!

I agree with RackMy. Merak (http://www.icewarp.com) and Serv-U (http://www.serv-u.com/) are the way to go with W2K servers.
He forgot to mention that asp support is included with W2K, unless you are talking about ASP.net which can be dowloaded from MS.

To add my .02.

If you are new to Win2K hosting look for a provider who offers a good control Panel like Hosting Controller (www.hostingcontroller.com). Hosting Controller can integrate XMail (free), Merak, and ServU-FTP into your admin GUI.

Another note, you may want to make sure you are using a provider who is a MS authorized (ASP) Application Services Provider. MS requires that the customer (you) own and provide the Win2K Server license -or- the provider must be a Authorized ASP, in that case the proivider can offer Per-Processor Server license to you. The provider cannot go and purchase a Win2K server license and install it on the web server for you...that's against MS licensing agreement.

The provider cannot go and purchase a Win2K server license and install it on the web server for you...that's against MS licensing agreement.Not really true. Becoming an MS ASP has it's benefits but is not required.

Originally posted by infortech
To add my .02.

If you are new to Win2K hosting look for a provider who offers a good control Panel like Hosting Controller (www.hostingcontroller.com). Hosting Controller can integrate XMail (free), Merak, and ServU-FTP into your admin GUI.


I personally would stay as far away from hostingcontroller as possible. It's full of bugs, and is insecure.

http://www.psoft.com (H-sphere) is a control panel for windows that I can recomend. The only down side is that it requires a linux server to operate.

I also think WINPanel made by powersurge.net is going to be very good once it comes out. More info: http://www.fastservers.net/whsoftware/index.shtml

What I mentioned is TRUE.
I went over this with our MS Rep several times.

The shrinkwrap Windows 2000 Server product can be used by the License owner to host a web server for their own business use or for hosting shared web sites... But a Dedicated Hosting Provider cannot use the shrikwrap license to offer dedicated servers. I suggect that you check with your MS Rep...

Originally posted by citrus


I personally would stay as far away from hostingcontroller as possible. It's full of bugs, and is insecure.

http://www.psoft.com (H-sphere) is a control panel for windows that I can recomend. The only down side is that it requires a linux server to operate.

I also think WINPanel made by powersurge.net is going to be very good once it comes out. More info: http://www.fastservers.net/whsoftware/index.shtml

We are testing the Hosting Controller 2002 with SP2. So far we are happy with what we see.

Also about, WINPanel from powersurge! Being the first version out how many bugs are they going to have!!! At least HC has been artound for 4 years and large providers like DialTone internet uses them.

What I mentioned is TRUE.
I went over this with our MS Rep several times.

The shrinkwrap Windows 2000 Server product can be used by the License owner to host a web server for their own business use or for hosting shared web sites... But a Dedicated Hosting Provider cannot use the shrikwrap license to offer dedicated servers. I suggect that you check with your MS Rep...You may want to double check that. :) It's not really true. MS would "like" you to be a MS ASP, but you don't need to purchase their ASP model licenses or be an MS ASP in order to offer MS hosting solutions.

PS. The funny thing about MS is you can call 10 different reps and get 10 different answers.