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02-15-2016, 12:03 AM #1Web Hosting Master
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Liquid Web alternatives/recommendations (decent support)
We currently have 5 servers and 4-5 managed services with LiquidWeb, which we've had for over 2 years. However due to a recent incident we've decided to examine our options and explore alternatives, we haven't decided that we're leaving yet but want to prepare in case. I'm compiling a list of providers to research and contact for quotes. I'd very much appreciate if anyone could help add to this list or could share any insights to any of the providers below.
- Singlehop
- Internap
- Steadfast
- Datapipe
- Hostway
- Softlayer
- Hostdime
Main requirements are:
- Extremely good support, tickets should have an initial response in 5 mins or less. We don't have a lot of tickets or issues (apart from said incident, 2 created in the last 6 months with LW) but when we do need support we'd like it fast
- Able to provide managed services like load balancing, network storage, SQL replication, etc
- We don't require management on the servers although I know this is usually how you get the best support, we definitely don't want any control panel (cpanel/plesk/da/etc)
- We must be able to retain root access to servers
- Provider must have their own on site staff 24/7
- Preferably US east or central based although not a major concern
- Price isn't too much of a concern, as long as roughly inline with LW
- No year long contracts, 6 months at the most
- Network quality isn't much of a concern, as long as its stable
Cheers
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02-15-2016, 12:22 AM #2Web Hosting Master
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I'd personally recommend Limestone Networks (Dallas) from past experience, but you should add HiVelocity (Tampa) to your list also as they're pretty recommended.
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02-15-2016, 12:28 AM #3Web Hosting Master
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You should definitely add to HiVelocity to that list. Florida DC.
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02-15-2016, 12:52 AM #4The Linux Specialist
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What is the issue with LW? Maybe work with them first?
Specially 4 U
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02-15-2016, 01:13 AM #5Web Hosting Master
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<<snipped>>
@sam0 From your above list i`l suggest steadfast.Last edited by Postbox; 02-15-2016 at 10:09 AM.
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02-15-2016, 03:26 AM #6Junior Guru
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Try Hivelocity, you will never regret, specially their support
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02-15-2016, 03:30 AM #7Web Hosting Master
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You can also hire support/managment from other company. So that will make the solution more expensive, but in this case you will have freedom in choice. Having one managed company you can use unmanaged servers from various companies and change them as often as you need that.
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02-15-2016, 10:04 AM #8Web Hosting Master
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Thanks for all the Hivelocity recommendations everyone, I've added them and Limestone to my list.
The issue is one they created, but we're definitely trying to work with them which is why I'm not going to air their dirty laundry in public. However I want to be prepared for if we cannot resolve it.
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02-15-2016, 10:35 AM #9Disabled
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You mentioned that you have 5 servers, but that you're not that interested in network quality. Are all of these servers within the same data center?
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02-15-2016, 10:45 AM #10Web Hosting Master
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02-15-2016, 10:49 AM #11Disabled
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Are you primarily utilizing the private network?
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02-15-2016, 11:37 AM #12Web Hosting Master
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Just had a chat with Hivelocity, unfortunately they don't offer management without cpanel, and they don't offer any managed SQL replication and failover services.
Yes we have web+cache and database servers, so only the 2 web servers get any real traffic with the rest using a private switch.
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02-15-2016, 02:14 PM #13Disabled
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Many companies do require cPanel for management (or package it in automatically on managed servers). You should be able to find someone to meet your requirements, however. Have you called SoftLayer yet?
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02-15-2016, 03:06 PM #14Web Hosting Master
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02-15-2016, 03:12 PM #15Web Hosting Master
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Unfortunately this seems to be the case. We don't need or want cpanel, plus, from my experience it can often mean that the hosts techs use it as a crutch. Just had a chat with Hostdime who also only offer management with cpanel.
Haven't contacted Softlayer yet, still gradually working through the list.
My thoughts exactly. I'm not keen on hosts who are uncomfortable outside of cpanel.
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02-16-2016, 01:01 AM #16Web Hosting Master
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Another recommendation for SteadFast - We have been with them for over 5 years and they have stellar support services.
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02-16-2016, 12:02 PM #17Web Hosting Master
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Thanks for the feedback everyone.
I've sent emails off to everyone listed so far in the thread, so far I've been impressed with Steadfast and Limestones' sales. But have more emails and calls to take later today.
Would still appreciate if anyone had any more potential providers to add.
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02-16-2016, 12:26 PM #18Dedicated & Managed VPS Gurus
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You might consider Total Server Solutions https://www.totalserversolutions.com/. We've done business with them since 2008 and they're solid with a great network and support staff.
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02-16-2016, 12:43 PM #19Web Hosting Master
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The sales department is not the support department. Just remember that.
I'd be working with the sales department to get a couple of temporary servers setup so you can get support at 2am on a weekend on both of them at the same time and see how well the company scales on off-peak hours at actual support. That would be an easy way to test your requirements.█ REDUNDANT.COM • Equinix Data Centers • Performance Optimized Network
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02-17-2016, 10:05 AM #20Web Hosting Master
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Of course, however it's definitely a customers first impressions of a company and how they handle themselves. For example:
Hostway - Had to wade through their hard sell in order to get answers to basic questions
Datapipe - Contact form doesn't work properly on their site
Singlehop - No response at all (2 days)
Where as limestone and steadfast were both functional and no nonsense. Although we've since discounted limestone as they can't offer the level of management required for our SQL cluster, I'd look at them for other projects. The ones above, not so much.
I'm not really sure what hosts would be up for that, but worth asking I guess, could as least try it out with a VPS or something.
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02-17-2016, 10:16 AM #21Web Hosting Evangelist
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Hi Sam- I'm shocked and disappointed to see this feedback. I monitor initial response metrics very closely and we generally run about 30 minutes or less. Can you drop me an email letting me know which route you took to contact us. Also time of day would be helpful so I can track this down and make sure it's something that's corrected. By the way, I could not agree more with you about 'first impressions'. Clearly we botched ours....
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02-18-2016, 07:01 PM #22Web Hosting Master
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To be fair to Singlehop, after contacting TJ I got a very quick response, and apart from the initial delay they were prompt and professional.
The same with Datapipe, initial impressions weren't great (no chat, no public email address, contact form cutting off emails), however sales itself is perfectly fine.
Unfortunately the management of our SQL cluster seems to be the biggest hurdle, as a lot of hosts don't have the expertise to adequately provide the service. We've received a couple of quotes however far fewer than expected.
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02-18-2016, 10:13 PM #23Web Hosting Master
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What kind of SQL management tasks are you looking for?
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02-18-2016, 10:58 PM #24Web Hosting Evangelist
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02-18-2016, 11:31 PM #25Web Hosting Master
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I think Singlehop outsources their management. It may have changed in recent times, though.
I moved from LiquidWeb to Hivelocity and haven't looked back. You will need cPanel for fully managed services with HiVelocity.
Softlayer last I got quoted runs around $1,000 for management.
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