So, what's wrong with starting small dedicated server hosting from garage with full T-1 line? is this possible?

Will host about 15-20 servers only if I could get any client.

Any thought?

thanks

Hi,
I don't own dedicateds myself but i think i know a few of the problems, i've seen this sort of thing before.

1. I think t1 may be too slow to run servers with lots of accounts properly
2. What happens if the line goes down, you should have multiple connections from diffesrent providers
3. What about security, most data centres are pretty secure, security guards, cctv etc. If someone nicks your servers the customers wont be happy
4. Fire or other hazzard, what would you do if this happened, would you have adequate protection for the servers?
5.power failure, do you have backup generators?

Basically by the time you have paid for all this you could get a server or colo in a decent datacentre

Sorry to be so negative but they are some of the probs i've seen others come up with.

Besides the above, compare the price of a t1 to your house with the cost of a good colo

Thanks for great input!:D

Price wise it is very competitive. Full T1 for me is less than $600/month including Hardware, local loops, and installation.

It is not a Data center that is the problem. Data Center= Fire suppression system, security, backup power, multiple power lines, the list is endless.

Nothing is wrong with trying what you have suggested. However, you should at least carefully look at the costs involved and evaluate which would be cheaper – colocating your servers or paying for power, bandwidth, and security for your garage.

Obviously, you can’t convert your garage into a full blown datacenter. You could get some racks and put rackmount servers on them. If you plan on using 1U servers, you could easily fit 15-20 servers on one or two racks.

Power may be a problem. The servers will definitely increase your power bill by being on 24/7. Also, like others have said, what if the power goes out? You absolutely need to have – at the very least – a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) on the servers.

If you plan to use RaQ servers, I believe RaQ 4’s and below only draw about 60 watts or less of power at full load, so you wouldn’t need too many UPS units. A piece of advice: VA does not equal watts. Some UPS units are measured in VA. Also, UPS batteries don’t last forever, so you will need to change them once every three to five years (again, more costs).

Then, of course, there is the bandwidth. A T1 would probably be fine for starters, but you may need to get another T1 or even a T3 as the sites you are hosting get more traffic. Another option would be to look into “business DSL” lines that are about the same speed as a T1 connection. You could also get two phone lines, have DSL installed on both, and run them to a router with two WAN ports. This could combine their speed and cut costs.

As for the security of your garage, I would lock it up when not in use and consider installing motion sensors or get some type of alarm system if you are at all serious about the safety of your servers. I believe one of the first places burglars look at is how easy the garage is to break into.

Finally, I don’t have any advice about how to protect the servers from a fire, unless you install those special sprinklers with foam that won’t damage electronics. Whatever you do, the servers need to remain cool and must not get overheated. Consider putting an air conditioner in the garage (either a full blown one or a window AC unit). They have portable AC units now that can be used with just water, too. You can never have too many fans in a server (unless you are about to go deaf with the noise from them ;).

Good luck with your endeavor.

It can be done. But, it takes proper planning. A T1 may seem weak in comparison with many of the other high-speed options, but for the most part it is quite usable.

Although, think about this. For probably around $1600/mo you could rent a cabinet/rack with 1-2mbps, with 20AMPS power, at a decent DC.

That helps, thanks.

It will be in my basement acutally. It is cold, DLS can not come to my house. Too far from CO, but with under $600.month is not much difference from DSL. I am more leaning to coloc. I have two big portable generator that can feed all day long and could get big APCs(4U size) from dead dot com auction for cheap. As business grow, I always can get into real NOC to host.

But all you gurus have point.

Some says too t-1 is too slow..it is not good enough for 15-20 servers??

Also, I was looking at cogent offers for $1000/month flat rate..
great price for the speed I guess....

Originally posted by pcnet21
Also, I was looking at cogent offers for $1000/month flat rate..
great price for the speed I guess....

This is said many times around here. You will not be able to use the $1000/month plans without breaking your contract with cogent, if you plan to resell bandwith you need to get the $3000/month plan they offer to ISPs.

Don't you plan to have any kind of network redundance?

As many other people said, go and colo your servers, you'll save money and headaches.

I could picture Cogent showing up at your Home's basement with a 100Mbit feed in hand. :)

Brian