Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Anyone here reselling using a DialToneInternet server?

[MDB]

Hi All,

Anyone here using a DIaltoneinternet server for reselling purposes? I may be interested in gettin a basic hosting account from you.

Thanks

~Marcus

I got a Dialtone dedicated server for my domains. I haven't been very happy with it lately for various reasons. I was going to resell the extra space on it, but now I think I'll just wait until the contract is up, and go to a real company like alabanza.com.

[webfors]

I have a server with Dialtone and I have no complaints at all. They are a great company.

I've had the server for 1.5 months and have had no problems that couldn't be fixed right away by their support team.

Yes, you can go with a company like Alabanza if you like, if you can afford the $800/month fee. At the moment I can't, but I will definitely consider them for the future.

Henry, what exactly is it about Dialtone that makes them "not a real company"?



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"I AM!"

Why is it always the unregistered members that make unsupported claims, not suggesting your not a genuine customer, but it's just a pattern that's occuring (we don't wanna start another thread like the hostcaters).

tabernack, glad to hear you're working well with Dialtone. I heard great things about them, which is why I decided to go with them about 2 and a half months ago. My experience differs however.

A. My server seems to be slow more times than not lately. Visitors constantly complain about how slow the response time is when they request a page. These are just plain HTML pages with text mind you. Under 10k each including graphics. No CGI, SSI, forms, etc etc. It is this reason why I've hesitated in reselling the extra space on my server. A lot of angry customers/friends isn't something I'd like to deal with right now.

B. They messed up my dedicated server order (twice). Things I ordered as extras were not installed, and probably would have never been installed if I didn't happen to notice they were missing in the Server Status section of their control panel. Perhaps they had a lot of orders that day and needed to get them all up quick before closing time. Who knows.

3. Some of the support staff has not been very helpful in my case. Not all of them, because I HAVE dealt with some *very* kind people there. The others I don't care much for. Especially the ones who reply with 1-line responses in the support/ticket system, then close the ticket so you can't respond if you're still having trouble, don't understand what they are taking about, or what they suggested did not work.

4. Their docs can be a little more up to date. I know my way around Linux and Apache enough to get by, but I feel for newbies who come in and see dated documentation for the new control panel and other functions.

Perhaps implying Dialtone wasn't a "real company" was a bit harsh, since they are. I just wouldn't recommend them to anyone new to dedicated hosting.

On the plus side, they have decent prices, and support is pretty quick most of the time. They just don't seem to be working for me, which is why I'm considering a move to Alabanza if I ever get serious about reselling space and starting a small local hosting company.

[webfors]

Thanks for clarifying that Henry. There could be many reasons why your server may be slow. I have a Celeron 366, 128 megs of ram and and ide hard drive and my server is very, very fast. My clients have told me that it is much faster than the PIII 500, 256 megs of ram I had them on before (mind you I was sharing that server with another person).

You should investigate as to why your server is slow. A pentium 200 on Dialtone's network should still be very quick serving html pages.

I also complained to Dialtone regarding the immediate closing of tickets with vague responses. I think they know about this problem. You are right that some people in their support department are better than others. But you will find that in any organization. The best you can do is make them aware of your concerns so they can address them.

I would be interested in knowing why you are experiencing the slow server problem. If you have more information I would appreciate it.

Thanks



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"I AM!"

[This message has been edited by tabernack (edited 07-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by tabernack (edited 07-12-2000).]

[webfors]

Henry,

as for their documentation I find it good, but still needs work. I don't rely on their documentation to get me by when there are so many resources on the internet that are far better than Dialtone's FAQ. I personally bought 3 excellent books on Linux which give me a quick reference to almost any question I have.

As for your server being set up improperly, they probably were very busy, since I had a similar situation with the setup of my server, but I didn't think is was that big a deal since they got it right as soon as I mentioned it. I was partly to blame since I made the request for the extra hardware upgrade after the initial order for the server, hence it most likely got lost in the shuffle.

I don't think any host is perfect in this industry. Alabanza is definitely a great company but a little to expensive for most people. The only reason you would ever get a server at Alabanza is to start your own webhosting company. There are a lot of other reason to get a dedicated server such as:

running a dedicated DNS service
programming/development
running a large personal UBB
personal sites that require the resources of a dedicated server
running a dedicated ftp server
etc.....

Alabanza would not be a sensible option for all dedicated server scenarios.

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"I AM!"

[This message has been edited by tabernack (edited 07-11-2000).]

Hi again tabernack. So you're on a Celeron 366 with 128? That's interesting. I've got PIII 500 with 256 of RAM on my machine. Maybe I should consider a switch to Celeron.

Speaking of speed, My server seems to be a little less sluggish now after they did something over there. It cost me a few bucks to support for them to find the problem, but it was worth it. I hope it lasts.

I also complained (more like suggested) about the ticket system once. I got no reply. lol.

Their docs do seem effective and I've learned a lot from them. The only thing that is a little strange to me, is how they haven't updated some of the instructions when they put up v3.0 of the Server Interface. Some of the server functions are now included in the interface within the new 3.0 version. However, the docs are currently for 1.0, and 2.0, which list the older (more confusing) ways of doing the same tasks. The old docs can serve their purpose, such as providing info for those who still like to do things the telnet way or haven't upgraded to 3.0, but a little addendum to them noting that the same function can now be done view the web in the newer versions of the interface would be nice. On the bright side, they told me that they were working on the docs for 3.0, so that's good. I still think new docs should go up at the same time or soon after the new version is released. Just common sense there. But oh well.

Looks like we had the same trouble when it came to the order for the hardware upgrade. I put mine in a day after I ordered the server. That was on a Wednesday. I then had to wait a few days for them to install the extra stuff during normal business hours. I think they were running a sale that week, so perhaps I also got lost in the shuffle.

Anyway, thanks for your input, and the config infro from your server. Maybe I'll continue to give DI a chance (especially since there are 4 more months left on my contract ). I hate moving though, and if the speed boost continues, then perhaps I'll renew that deal and stick with them after November.

As for Alabanza, they just seem to have all the tools to smoothly run a hosting service. I work for a local newspaper that is looking to provide readers in the area with their own web space and domain services at a low cost. When I get the OK from the boss, I'll probably use Alabanza for that project (especially since they'll be paying for it). lol.



Best Regards
- Henry

[webfors]

For my purposes the Celeron 366 is perfect. My clients don't run many cgi scripts therefore my server is rarely under heavy load.

The Server Interface documents are outdated, but I found the interface to be self explanatory. I never even looked at the 2.0 documentation. But they should have the docs ready before they release a new version.

Did you find out what the problem with your server was? What was it due to?



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"I AM!"

[This message has been edited by tabernack (edited 07-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by tabernack (edited 07-12-2000).]

[Coreace]

Many "things" can slow down a server, poor config is a main "enemy" and that keeps hunting us. DI's servers are known to be very fast and I had a little check on Duster and tabernack's servers earlier and they are really fast. Duster with a higher spec is impressive. If you do not want to pay the support fee, try to get someone who are highly competent with UNIX/Linux Server Config and let them take a look at your server.

[Learner]

Originally posted by Coreace:
Many "things" can slow down a server, poor config is a main enemy...

Coreace, would you please expand on some of the primary MANY THINGS that can slow down a server.

Also, how is one aware that his server is configured poorly ?

Thanks in advance.

Learner

[Coreace]

Hi Learner, sorry for not being exact in my "many things". I am just about to pack for my holiday

Choosing your hardware is important, Unix/Linux loves SCSI altough UDMA/EIDE can be used with no problem SCSI is best. It all depends on your preferences. Some ISP's are using a K6 processor others a Celeron, Duron PII/III etc etc Personally I like a dual system. i.e instead of going for a PIII700MHz I would choose a dual PIII450MHz or similar.

With Unix/Linux there are "thousands" of variations in "how-to" configure a server. Doing the Apache poorly may cause the server to crash or behave abnormally. My techies like to remove <everything> then patch up step by step, write the sendmail config line for line etc. Erm... ask 5 Unix Guru's and you get 5 answers back!

"Also, how is one aware that his server is configured poorly ?"

If you know your things you don't, this is not an option. If you have a server for business use it must be configured good first time you can do mistakes of course but that is different. We once had a problem with the binding of the network card, lost IP's and the server kept crashing. It was a kernel problem and only affected 1 machine (not the hole network).

I am going on a holiday back in 12 days time. I can go more into details then if you should need any help. Please feel free to email me as well.
Otherwise I am sure that people in this forum can help you give some advise with your server.

I've got the dedicated server from DI,
and am completely dissatisfied with them.

The server is in down too often - it was in down several times for about one hour each last night.

Also there support is a joke - I've asked 2 questions about why the server is in down so often and the other one about DNS and so far got 1 idiot reply.

****, I've testing the server from multiply places on earth, not from my home!



Dmitry

[Duster]

Originally posted by Admin
Why is it always the unregistered members that make unsupported claims, not suggesting your not a genuine customer, but it's just a pattern that's occuring..

Maybe it's time to require registration in order to post.

I think requiring registration would create a clique environment and not support questions and even answers from passers-by like myself. I will most likely join this board, the content looks good and active, but often I'll pass by a board, and perhaps be able to answer a question, but not feel like going through the whole registration process just for one post.

Anonymous posts should simply be taken as that, and judged accordingly.

-Adam
admin@getwebspace.com
(D-Served at DialtoneInternet.net)