Hi everyone. I need a bit of help from some of you that are
experienced with different types of dedicated servers.

Here is my dilemma --- all of my sites are on a Win2000 server...
but I need to be able to have a few of my new sites on a Unix
server because the programs I will be running on these sites
are Unix compatible only.

My present host has looked into getting another dedicated
server but of the Unix flavor, now upon requesting a quote
from his present source not only did they take almost a week
to get back to him, instead of giving him a quote they told
him that they could not sell him a Unix box with a clear
conscience because of how long it would take him to learn
how to run it and how much of a drain it would be on their
support staff.

I have a bit of a problem with this since when the Win2000
box was purchased they knew that he was looking to purchase
a Unix box down the road. They had no trouble with it then.
Furthermore, their dedicated servers are suppose to be what
is called "managed servers" --- correct me if I am wrong but
I was under the impression that a managed server is the type
to get when you don't know a whole lot about managing a server.

What I would like to know is....

Is there any good places to get a Unix server that isn't
going to require that you have years of experience with it?

Are there any other alternatives for using programs that only
work with Unix?

Thanks bunches....

Betty Ann

If you were to get a CPanel/WHM server, generally they're nearly idiot proof, and are fairly easy to manage. Other then that, you can always look at a linux/unix reseller plan, basically a chunk of space/bandwidth that you can split up for smaller domains, etc. which will cost a bundle less.

BTW if they provide managed servers but wont give you a *nix one, sounds very very very fishy to me, maybe they dont know *nix themselves? :laugh: because most would just sell you a fancy control panel and worry about the rest.

I would just buy a reseller account that way you can manage all of your websites but just work with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) I'm not sure the best place to get one but... check around for "reseller accounts" on yahoo or something. OR another alternative is just buy a ded. server from www.serverbeach.com and get one with ensim or plesk and you won't even have to work with the CLI (Commnad Line Interface)

-Aaron-

Thanks guys...I don't want a reseller account --- I want a dedicated
unix server. I am assuming that the company in question is worried
about support issues (namely that "in the real world" they are unable
to give 24/7 support) and are afraid that if something goes wrong at
the wrong time it could blow up in their face.

Next question --- where can I get a good Unix server, at a reasonable
price that "honestly" offers good support and uptime?

Thanks again.

Betty Ann

anything from 100/mo to 300/mo is a reasonable range for unmanaged servers, typically people will also offer semi-managed solutions. Ideally you should be looking for a server that comes pre-loaded with a control panel, obviously most of us recommend CPanel/WHM :D.

Typically you'll find operating a unix/linux server is a lot less expensive then a windows based one, so don't get caught totally off guard :)

www.serverbeach.com

or

www.rackshack.net

Both great places to get a dedicated unix server with a cpanel :-)

Originally posted by dallassmith
www.serverbeach.com

or

www.rackshack.net

Both great places to get a dedicated unix server with a cpanel :-)

Both would also be extremely poor choices for a linux/unix newbie, if you've been reading the thread.... Do a search on rackshack support, getting anything other then a restore and a reboot is supposedly like pulling teeth, and it gives me the feeling this user would be having a restore 2x a week by the sounds of her request.

Porcupine,

Not for nothing....I do learn quickly but you just made me feel real dumb.

That's okay though, I don't know squat about unix/linux and will have to learn.
To me that is not a huge problem since I do have a few knowledgeable
associates out there....and of course I can always ask the gurus here :D

I will gladly accept any advice right now because I am tired of waiting
to get a solution for the sites I need to have on a Unix/Linux box.


You guys are great....

Betty Ann

Betty: not trying to make you feel stupid, just if you read around, rackshacks support is generally, and literally broken down into two actions, it's either restore your server (aka format, fresh install) or reboot the server. Aside from that, unless you get lucky and get one of the more active staff like patrick, thats the only two actions they will perform, so you literally would be having that problem :)

Personally, i'd suggest just putting in a request for a semi-managed server, and make sure you get CPanel/WHM (my recommendation) and find a company that will work with you and give you a reasonable price, there are tons of them out here :), you probably wont need a fully managed service with CPanel/WHM doing the brawn of the work, but semi-managed ones will give you that little bit of assist when you're stumped :).

Places like www.webreseller.net I think are now offering managed unix servers, althoug in the past they only ever offered unmanaged. Also try www.hostit365.com offer managed unix servers.

Hope it helps :)

u can try rackshack.net they dont do manual management but they do cpanel and stuff, if you dont actually need a dedi esite-host.com do well cheap prices on cpanel hosting plus theres dm**********.com for pretty much any dedi u need.


Jim Naro

sUpreme.

Originally posted by jimnaro
u can try rackshack.net they dont do manual management but they do cpanel and stuff, if you dont actually need a dedi esite-host.com do well cheap prices on cpanel hosting plus theres dm**********.com for pretty much any dedi u need.


Jim Naro

sUpreme.

rackshack is'nt even semi-managed. he/she needs at least semi managed and probably fully managed until he/she learns linux.

and as far as hosts are concerned there are a ton just ask in the request forum and im sure somone will be able to get you setup.

Since there's a lot more involved than some people think when starting out (i.e., it's a heck of a lot more than Linux) and since it's not as quick to learn all the aspects involved like some people assume it might be because they are a fast learner, (It's just not that way, sorry, but it's not -- not at all!), I would suggest as well that she stay far clear of providers like Rackshack. In fact, even if you know what you're doing, Rackshack is a very poor choice if you care about your data due to their restore or reboot policy (if that doesn't bother you, consider them).

However, for a beginner, you must get some type of system that's not going to need a lot of work done to get it stable and secure. A cpanel based system will set up a lot of default programs and have them reasonably configured and secure. This will buy you some time, if you intend to just jump in. H-Sphere is another option too. You should probably consider RackSpace, Site5, Pegasus or someone that can provide support if you need it. Someone that can and will answer a question at the very least for you. I would overall suggest that you set up a system at home or get someone to give you a reseller account to use and see how much there is to just that side of it before you go any further.

I have been looking at a few different hosts....

fastservers
myvirtualnet
webreseller

I'm not sure about pwebtech (Pegasus)

I don't know anything about Site5

and it seems that RackSpace has problems at times.

Thanks for the help.

Betty

dont get rackshack, and rackspace mixed up, two VERY different companies :)

Betty,

I don't know how much you are looking to spend, but you could check out www.mchost.com. They don't have them posted, but if you contact them, you will find that that they offer a nice dedicated linux server with Cpanel/WHM for $350 a month and that is fully managed.