Our story of hosting is long and crappy, from sub-domain free hosting, to virtual hosting, to semi-dedicated and now dedicated. The largest problem has been downtime and lack of support. Recently it's been getting worse. No more fooling around, if it's gonna cost more $$ to get good support, so be it.

We need a fully managed server (someone I can come into contact with by phone/IM and of course email 24x7) and someone who could troubleshoot issues as well as answer questions and help set up 3rd party software (though the latter isn't really necessary).

From what I've seen it looks to be either DedicatedNOW or ServInt. Seems like DedicatedNOW is getting better and I've heard nothing but good about ServInt. Though the prices are a bit high; is that how much managed service actually costs?

Also, is there a way to calculate bandwidth used for a site? I'm thinking we're going to be around the 100gb mark, but seeing as how we're growing we will need to expand later.

So which (also add your own if not listed) would you recommend? We really need someone top-noth I'm fvckin tired of switching hosts every few months because they start out great but then take the crap (best example is our current host, about half a year of great service with maybe a few hours downtime each month and now something is wrong more than once a week :angry: )

If you have lots of cash try rackspace.com. I have never heard one thing wrong about them :)

ServInt, without doubt. Well worth the extra money.

The support at ServInt is faster and better and they are always there to advise or help with anything related to the server.

DedicatedNOW on the other hand has not been as 'fully managed' as I've got used to at ServInt. They don't support third party software, one support email took 14 hours for a reply (thankfully wasn't a reboot) and answers are generally quite vague.

In fact, I think we're cancelling the box at DedicatedNow and getting another at ServInt instead.

Don't get me wrong, no hand holding is needed but I need to know that if/when their support is needed fast, it will be there!

Hope this helps.

My budget is $300/month max. If I were to go with ServInt, is there a way to custom build a server (like take down the specs but put more bandwidth on)? Also, what kind of DC do they have and where is it?

they are located in Virginia i think.

i have just gotten my new server yesterday. support has been great so far. they answer my emails in a few minutes (even at 2am in the morning)

i will post a review of the whole service soon, maybe in a few weeks since i just got the server.

Jim_UK: what do you mean with 3rth party software? does servint suppot this also? If so, that was a thing i didnt know :)

regards

My vote goes to fastservers.com , Excellent support, no down time and great prices with lots of bandwidth

If your looking at that price range, I might agree with phpcoder. RackSpace is the king as far as I am concerned.

I have heard nothing but GOOD said about that company.

Your not going to be able to afford rackspace at 300/m. They charge ALOT more then that for management services and they are not even all that great. For $300/m you won't be able to get a fully managed server at any decent provider. You'll have to shell out at least $450/m for some really decent management at a good provider.

You really think I can't get that? Not even on a lower-spec server? We just need about 100-200gb BW and something along the lines of a P3 700 or better would be sufficient.

Don't forget about http://www.nocster.com

I am with servint... I don't think they support 3rd party software as well.

Originally posted by Mikhailtech
You really think I can't get that? Not even on a lower-spec server? We just need about 100-200gb BW and something along the lines of a P3 700 or better would be sufficient.

Nope. Unless you find an old machine they have on special which isn't likely at most of the decent providers. You'll have to go with whatever the lowest latest one is. Management costs at a decent provider are anywhere from $150 - in the thousands per month.

$300/m is really cutting it short for managed servers.