If this question has already been asked, please just direct me to the thread and ignore me...
What is the optimal configuration of servers for a small web hosting company. I am just gathering information at this point, but if I start a company, I want to do it right. What would your suggestions be for the optimal number/type of servers allowing for good performance and growth potential. (i.e. 1 DNS server @ 300 MHz, 1 email server @ 1 GHz range, 1 web server @ 1GHz range or whatever you think is best) Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

you can run all that on the same server to cut costs and administration, you don't need an extra server for email anyway.

go with a 1ghz, 1gb ram, and two 60gb or 80gb drives, you'll be set for awhile with that

Originally posted by Sainthax
go with a 1ghz, 1gb ram, and two 60gb or 80gb drives, you'll be set for awhile with that

If you've got the money and resources, it's easier to do things with two servers. If you can, use the 300mhz computer for mail and dns, then keep all clients on the 1ghz.

Then, you may want to setup secondary DNS and mail on the box the clients are on as well.

Any opinion about Lowest system required for web hosting, dns and email service. Any one here have used very low speed system. Give your experience and tell the operating system used for low speed system.
thanks

Originally posted by kamal
Any opinion about Lowest system required for web hosting, dns and email service. Any one here have used very low speed system. Give your experience and tell the operating system used for low speed system.
thanks

Uhm, 5 years of UNIX experience and I host some of my sites off a 66mhz 486dx2 with 128 megs of ram.

I run OpenBSD on all my boxes, but that's just because I'm comftorable running it and help develop some stuff for it.

Don't strive to be like everybody else and copy their setup, make your own and do what works for you.

Originally posted by tanknd
If this question has already been asked, please just direct me to the thread and ignore me...
What is the optimal configuration of servers for a small web hosting company. I am just gathering information at this point, but if I start a company, I want to do it right. What would your suggestions be for the optimal number/type of servers allowing for good performance and growth potential. (i.e. 1 DNS server @ 300 MHz, 1 email server @ 1 GHz range, 1 web server @ 1GHz range or whatever you think is best) Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

That depends on lots of thing. How many domains on each server? What's the operating system? What's the size of each account? etc.

If you are starting a hosting business, you might want to have a talk with your technical person to determine your own exact requirement according to your business plan.

Originally posted by kamal
Any opinion about Lowest system required for web hosting, dns and email service. Any one here have used very low speed system. Give your experience and tell the operating system used for low speed system.
thanks

Our first clients were hosted on a 166 MHz machine. It was enough to host about 100 accounts. But that was about 5 years ago.