When I "tracert"ed my site it showed "atlas.cogentco.com" towads the end.
Does that mean the the host is using cheap bandwidth?
Kindly enlighten me.
Thanks
S.K

it means they are routing through cogent yes. it may be for a number of reasons such as there primary connection is down.

ps. post the url of the host and somebody from a different location can ping it to see if they get cogent

It means that it is currently being routed at one point through Cogent, a bandwidth provider.

It means the host is using Cogent services.

Cheap needs to relate to other things in order for the context to be clear, so cheap compared to what?

First define what you consider premium, and what you would consider low quality.

Would I use Cogent's services? Yes, do I use cogent services? Yes, for browsing pages served with Cogent's bandwidth, do I sell cogent bandwidth? No, because I am so close to the he.net datacenter, I use what they provide.

Do I notice a difference in sites I visit that use Cogent, and the sites that I host that are not on Cogent bandwidth? Nope, I don't notice a bit of difference.

Do I think Cogent sucks>? Nope, I think they are responsive, care about their customers, and will be around for a long time.

Do I think the product they offer is cheap? In relationship to the bandwidth that I vend from, I would say no it's not cheap.

hypercircle.com
thanks
s.k

Originally posted by Samuel

Do I notice a difference in sites I visit that use Cogent, and the sites that I host that are not on Cogent bandwidth? Nope, I don't notice a bit of difference.

Do I think Cogent sucks>? Nope, I think they are responsive, care about their customers, and will be around for a long time.

Do I think the product they offer is cheap? In relationship to the bandwidth that I vend from, I would say no it's not cheap.
Thanks for wising me up!
The question came to my mind because my earlier host (owner) was quizzed by me if they could give me more bandwidth than they offered and the reply I got was that they give high quality bandwidth, "not cogent"!. That only gave me the idea that it may be a slightly of low quality. I have no knowledge first hand about it.
Anyway so long as the pages are served fast it is ok.
Thanks again
S.K

Exactly, if you notice that your site(s) are unresponsive, do this:

Traceroute your site;

Start
Run
command (Windows 95, windows 98, windows ME)
cmd (WIndows NT, WIndows 2000, WIndows XP)
Tracert domain.com

The response should show you where the slowdown is, and give you an indication if it is within your ISP's network, or outside thier network, and/or at the bandwidth provider's network, or otherwise.

If those look good (Post it as a question in a later thread if needing more explanation), reboot your computer, and try again.

If you still notice it slowing then your site might be on a server that currently has another user running a high process script, or the server is being attacked, etc etc etc

There are many reasons that your site will have trouble resolving, but.

It's great that you are wanting to know more about the technology you are vending from as it will help you understand the problems that can arise at a later date.

You will be able to work with your host/vendor better in understanding the situation while your site is having trouble functiong.

Most of all, the important factor here is communication.

When they aren't talking, blaming the technology for not talking, or simply won't respond, pack up, leave, and find another host, too many out there, and too many that are interested in a professional relationship with you.

A host that will state "We don't use cheap bandwidth", is not taking the most professional approach to helping you understand what their product is about if you ask me (WHich you haven't, just stating), so I would keep an eye on which direction you received this informaiton and remember you are the customer, and are needing a service, if they forget that, ignore you, take your business elsewhere and learn from it.

You'll be better in the long run, and there are plenty of people here willing to help, if even temporarily with vendor services that are free.

Good luck really, and you're welcome.

Do I think Cogent sucks>? Nope, I think they are responsive, care about their customers, and will be around for a long time.

EXACTLY. I do not know what this idea that COGENT means cheap or bad like some cheap form of spagetti or something. I have been using COGENT and have found nothing wrong with their, falsely so-called cheap, bandwidth. I have used all of the different providers and at the end of the day all are much of a muchness and like Samual said about Cogent: 'and will be around a long time'.

There is a lot of miss-information being spread around on the forums these days, mostly by those who know the least about the wonders of bandwidth! ;) :D

Cogent its usually bashed because the poor peering that it offer.

Ex: if you're in the east coast and you do a traceroute to a server in Atlanta, you'll see that mostly it go first to San Jose (CA) and then go to Atlanta.

Also, I have sometimes hightest ping times with sites using Cogent.

Your host is in the DV2 datacenter ( http://www.fixedorbit.com/AS/16/AS16626.htm ) with not just cogent but NationalNet and Netrail ( now owned by cogentco. ). Verio and Williams apparently should be lit in a couple weeks.