I would liketo start Web Hosting business. I have some questions too ..

1. Which Internet connections are needed? DSL or T1?
2. Should I run DNS servers on my side or adopt DNSPark like
services for all my clients?
3. How many IPAddresses I should own to allocate for my clients
4. which one would be better?
Cobalt Raq 550 or Cobalt XTR?
Or all together any other server will be a better option?
5. Does Sun have any other good products on Solaris & Sparc with all options that Cobalt provide?

I found threads on
1. Accounting
2. Maintainance so on

thanks in advance

1. Which Internet connections are needed? DSL or T1?

From the way that you asked that question I guess you plan to host from your home/business location? Although I do this myself, this is NOT the way for most people to go, and by that I mean by far MOST should not do this. The reason behind that statement is that it's so much more expensive to pay for a dsl or t1 line, and manage outages, pay for routers and such.

2. Should I run DNS servers on my side or adopt DNSPark like services for all my clients?

I really recomend that you run your own DNS, using 3rd party services creates just another level of separation between you and that service ... this also makes it a pain to add new clients, as it cannot be built into whatever control panel system you plan to use.

3. How many IPAddresses I should own to allocate for my clients

Well, unless you are doing things like personal SSL, or streaming media servers, you only need one for the actual data server. You'll also need one for each domain name server you run, although many hosts make their web/ftp server their secondary or primary dns server too.

4. which one would be better?
Cobalt Raq 550 or Cobalt XTR?
Or all together any other server will be a better option?

Although I have never used a Cobalt before, I've heard MANY bad things about the way they are able to handle server loads, they break down, and their processors are very poorly designed for their main use.

I recomend that you get a good pentium 3 server, maybe from dell if you're looking to rackmount. All of my servers are now from dell, they are good priced, and provide good-quality computers.

5. Does Sun have any other good products on Solaris & Sparc with all options that Cobalt provide?

Sorry, don't know the answer to this one.

Originally posted by achinni
I would liketo start Web Hosting business. I have some questions too ..

1. Which Internet connections are needed? DSL or T1?


If you want to be taken seriously, colocate your server with a colocation provider with faster, larger connections. A DSL will just not work if you want professional clients and a T1 is vastly underpowered for today's market and will cost more than a burstable connection from a reputable provider.

Thanks Very much Brad and Cubision.

-----------------------------
1. Internet Connection
-----------------------------
Both of you suggested me to go for Colocation and Not to opt for owned T1.
What does that mean about co-location? Should I buy a server and ship them that server? So that they can maintain the server.

But in my case I am willing to start several other services of my own. Cart service , Credit card services. Based on Java platform
where i am strong.

Does all my requirements fits in Co-Location?

Out of that you are saying T1 is better option than DSL.


======================

Cubison thanks for all other tips.
Now I will read Dell specs.

OK, well, let me explain about the DSL/T1 thing.

I'm 16, and my business is just officially launching. Please don't judge me before you understand who I actually am. I've been using linux/unix since 11, and computers since before I can remember. Because I'm a startup, and according to my business plan, starting with colocation could be a very large mistake.

You have to forcast your earnings, and match them with what you have. Try not to listen to those on this forum who will tell you that you have to run a web hosting business this certain way, because, as I'm sure you're aware, there are many ways to run a business.

I'm running my main server(s) off of an SDSL line. This was the right choice for me because of 3 reasons. First, a lack of a great amount of startup money. I am going into this with some, but not a lot, so making a monthly payment for colocation was a little out of range. Second, my server is a powerhouse, it's crazy fast, and pumped up with extras (I got it from a failed .com). This means that to colocate, I would be spending a lot of money due to the size (4u). Third, I'm not starting this business just for money, as I'm well aware of the struggle to get clients. I'm in it for experience too, as, after and durring college, I hope to get a sys/net admin job, and later something in programming. Due to a thirst for experience, running a high-grade network in my house can be great. For those reasons, RIGHT NOW, I'm hosting off of SDSL in my house.

My plans are to move to colocation within 6 months at a local datacenter, as I wish to have physical access to it if something were to go wrong.

Typically, in colocation, you send them the server, and they simply install it into the network and power grid there, they then give you your ip address(es), and you go to getting it running via ssh (or similar technology). Most colocation offers do not include "maintainence", that's usually an add-on service, like replacing parts and such.

About the T1 vs. DSL .... there is a lot of crap out there about this, and I'll add my two cents, as I have experience with both. Typicially, if you get SDSL from a very good provider, you can get the same speeds of a T1 for usually half the cost. Now a T1 is not just like SDSL, as it is a little more professional, and usually comes with a better service agreement. The bottom line comes to the fact that if you go with SDSL/T1, you'll pay about $400 and up per month, just for the connection. If you colocate, you wont spend more than $300 a month for what's called "burstable" speed (where you can get great speeds at any time you need them, and you only get billed for the total GB transfered, having no reference on the time in which you transfered it.)

If you have any more questions, please, feel free to ask.

Thanks Cubision,
Really this is very helpful.

When I was trying to search SDSL there are several options available. I feel 384KBPS from COVAD fits my budget. Do you see any problem in this option? Will 384KBPS be ok for startup hosting?
Do you have any other SDSL provider to suggest?

====================
I am unable to visit your site ????

Hosting from DSL really isnt a good idea since you cannot burst to higher data rates like you can with colocation. You must also factor in other costs such has generators,APCs, etc. Also you are only going to have a single-homed connection on a 384kbps line? why would I buy hosting from you when i can go anywhere else and get on a faster connection with true redundancy?

Also 384kbps is dirt slow, I have a 768kbps SDSL line from speakeasy (good stuff, internap backbone) I only host personal machines on my dsl for all those reasons and more. You are also going to spend more on that line, then you would on colocation and the dsl line isnt nearly as reliable.

hmm... I think your DSL is out.

My DSL isn't out ... and you shouldn't jump to conclusions like that. My website isn't up, and hasn't been. If you had known anythng about me or that website before posting you would know that the website isn't planned to launch until January 1st, 2003.

Wow, my bad didn't realize I need to research someone before posting on it. I expected that since your URL and email address were in your signature, that your site would be up.

Ok, I know a good deal about running a web hosting/development company, but I have a question: What difference does it make if you have redudant connections if they all come from the same local loop?

If outside your home, office, datacenter, etc there is an accident and knocks out the line to your facility it doesn't matter how many connections you have the line to your facility is still going to be down....

However, I can see the exception with large datacenters in areas where they can run multiple lines from multiple locations, but how can a small datacenter or office do this?

Just curious....

Saw this posted in a nother thread so couldn't pass it up.

Most of the time, when a connection goes down its on the providers end (ie when our t3 from verizon drops off, the sprint line takes over..its usually verizons fault sometimes its vice versa.) The CO virtually has no involvment in that. if something screws up at the CO (very very rare, then sure its possible for all lines to go down, but that is something that doesn't happen simply due to the amount of redundant systems the CO has along with grade A+ stuff)

Originally posted by achinni
Thanks Very much Brad and Cubision.

-----------------------------
1. Internet Connection
-----------------------------
Both of you suggested me to go for Colocation and Not to opt for owned T1.
What does that mean about co-location? Should I buy a server and ship them that server? So that they can maintain the server.

But in my case I am willing to start several other services of my own. Cart service , Credit card services. Based on Java platform
where i am strong.

Does all my requirements fits in Co-Location?

Out of that you are saying T1 is better option than DSL.


======================

Cubison thanks for all other tips.
Now I will read Dell specs.

When choosing a Colocation provider, make sure you find out about their hands on charges and what they provide. Most colocation providers hook up the server and then you are on your own. Some do provide some extra services.

You should be able to do most things on your server using either SSH or Terminal Services.

T1 is better than DSL but you will probably be paying much much more for a T1 than you will a good colocation provider and you get much much less. A good colo provider has cleaned power, UPS, generator, burstable bw (above 1.5Mbps = T1), etc.

Originally posted by daveman
Saw this posted in a nother thread so couldn't pass it up.


I have dogs instead of trolls and the hose from outside provides me with excellent fire supression!

:eek: