I know, weird question :)
Here's the reason I ask:

I'm a .NET developer, and I still have my own dedicated server. I don't really need all of it's resource anymore, though, and want to move to shared hosting now.

I'm wondering if most hosters will let you use the App_Data folder in your web application, or if they somehow restrict that.
I wonder why I would pay for a dedicated SQL server database with limited space, when I could have the same thing inside my webspace for free (where space is usually more abundant).

As for the dedicated IP: I host my domains with someone else, where I just pay for the domain name but have full control over the DNS settings. So, if I get a shares site that doesn't have a dedicated IP, can I just set my DNS settings to point to the shared server's IP address and configure my website on the shared machine to accept the hostheader of my domain? (I know I technically can, but do hosters allow this?)

And finally, as everyone else as well, I'm looking for a hoster :)

I need about 5GB diskpace, 10 times that much in traffic (not really, but to be safe) and ASP.NET 4.0. I don't need about 90% of the features most hosters provide (e-mail, subdomains, DotNetNuke, PHP (wtf?! I chose windows for a reason, people!) and so on). I don't mind having them if the price is okay (should be less than $20 a month), but as I said...not needed.

Thanks in advance,

Thomas

Thomas,

You don't need a dedicated IP, but running sql from the app data folder is slooow. There are a list of hosts that give temporary urls you can test with and include a sql server database in the plan. I can throw a recommend to reliablesite.net as that's who I've been using for the past 2 years for my shared (and now my dedicated) hosting.

Yeah, I looked at realiablesite, and I really like their modular model. But for some reason found lots of bad reviews about them. But then, so did i for everyone else, I swear 90% of the reviews are written by competitors :(

Since you host with them, do you know if I can
a) terminate my contract after every billing period? (so when I pay monthly, could I quit after a month if I don't like them)
b) add new features at any time (can I add a database if I should need one, and will it be available immediately, and for the price that is currently advertised during sign-up)?

Running SQL from App_Data shouldn't be much slower actually, unless your webserver is struggling.

Thanks,

Thomas

Since you host with them, do you know if I can
a) terminate my contract after every billing period? (so when I pay monthly, could I quit after a month if I don't like them)
b) add new features at any time (can I add a database if I should need one, and will it be available immediately, and for the price that is currently advertised during sign-up)?

Running SQL from App_Data shouldn't be much slower actually, unless your webserver is struggling.

Thanks,

Thomas

Kim: Thanks for good words.

Thomas: There are no contracts, you can cancel our monthly at anytime. We offer a no questions asked 15 day money back guarantee.

Plans are upgradeable at anytime, you pay for the addons you need without having to buy a separate plan. We have "ala carte" based hosting plans where you start with 1 base plan and addon only the features you need.

As for the dedicated IP: I host my domains with someone else, where I just pay for the domain name but have full control over the DNS settings. So, if I get a shares site that doesn't have a dedicated IP, can I just set my DNS settings to point to the shared server's IP address and configure my website on the shared machine to accept the hostheader of my domain? (I know I technically can, but do hosters allow this?)

You don't need dedicated ip.
Usually you will be put on shared ip when using shared hosting.
When you point domain to correct shared ip, web server will return you website if it has record of your website.

1) I don't know anything about since I don't do ASP
2) You don't need a dedicated IP normally if you use their name servers it'll point to the correct area, setting the domain to the shared IP will work as well.

Regarding having database in app_data, this is typical of a host having IIS + Database on same server - however, this is not something that is recommended in order to have better performance/scalability. Furthermore, the price that you are paying for database is for the resources that you are using along with licensing fees incurred by host. In any event, I tend to see that more and more hosts are now on a model whereby you get a database bundled with each hosting plan and you can thereafter add more resources whenever you need.

I'm going to buck the trend and recommend you stay with a dedicated server, especially if it's going to be a primary development/test platform, as you'll have complete control over the server. This something you won't have on shared host.

Complete control means you can install whatever new-fangled .NET update or application that hits your fancy. You'll have greater freedom to play the .NET configuration as you test stuff. And if something goes horribly south, you going to take 100+ web sites with you. Plus you won't have to wonder if you shiny new web app falls over because of something you did or some security policy on the shared host.

You don't necessary have to have a powerful server for dev and test, of course, but I think keeping full control of the system, especially the ability to apply or not apply a specific Windows or .NET update, would be a big plus. On a shared host, you won't have this luxury. And you can even install your dev tools.

My two cents.