Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Cobalt RAQ???

[Kiat]

Can anyone explain the different between cobalt server and intel based serer? Is there any advantage of cobalt?

[Chicken]

Well, there isn't much difference except that the RaQ's have a AMD K6-2 300Mhz processor, which isn't the fastest out there. The biggest difference is that RaQ's have Cobalt's admin OS installed which gives you an easy way to admin the server. Similar I suppose to installing plesk on a standard box.

Specific questions?

[cbaker17]

Theres a big difference!!!

1. Cobalt box's are not easily upgradable,
2. Very slow processors
3. customized version of linux which is hard to do anything manual with, you have to use the control panel for everything and it is slow.

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

Actually...
Even though I don't like the RAQ myself, they still have some good points.

- They are easy to set up... plug on your network, use the LCD display to set the ip, and then log on your server with a web browser. There are no other rack mountable server that does that right now I believe.

- They are easy to administer when it is your first server. In fact, as a first dedicated server, I really recommend them

- They don't have a FAST cpu (even though the raq4 is better than the raq3) but unless you plan to run tons of CGIs, this server will do just fine with you. A raq with 512 ram can easily have around 150-200 sites hosted on it, which isn't that bad

- The cobalt OS is merely Red Hat 6 or 6.1 on an Intel compatible processor. Sure it lacks some standard functions that you would expect from any server, but you can easily add them. One thing a bit harder to do is upgrade Perl or Apache on the server. I personally had no problems at all with anything else.

- The CP is definately slow and sluggish. It sometimes doesn't do the job well... and the only way to fix it is by deleting / re-creating it if you don't know how to use your shell to admin a server.

- Cobalt's tech support is pure BS. They are slow, they know nothing beside stuff for new admins.

Overall, if you are looking for a high end server, a cobalt isn't the right choice. If you are looking for a server to quickly set up and have operating within a few minutes, then you might want to consider it.

The RAQ4 does have some interesting features with ASP, PHP, etc.

What other type of intel based computer were you looking for?

[MikeA]

I'd have to agree with Felix on this one. The RaQ is the perfect server for someone who is new to hosting or is using it as a stand alone server.

Obviously as cbaker states, they are VERY slow if you bog them down with things like CGI and multiple sites.

[Chicken]

While I think Charles has some VERY valid points, I think you are one of those people who only sees the bad points of them. I looked at alternatives. Plesk was good, but from the plesk website:

"Unlimited-Domains License, $550.00 USD. This license allows the creation of an unlimited number of domains on one server."

Great, but if you add $500 to the cost of a server, what do you have? Maybe a RaQ? It isn't the best thing since sliced bread, but it works well for me, and my needs (something you have to consider).

Would I get another one? Maybe, maybe not. I'd like to see what other options are out there. I don't know EVERYTHING about admin'ing a server, but can get around a bit. It was my first server, and the second one I bought isn't a RaQ. I have yet to hook it up, but we'll see what happens when I do.

It was perfect as my first one (as Mike A said). While Cobalt support may not be all that hot (never used them, but going by what has been said), there are plenty of ex and current users who are more than willing to help you out if you have a problem.

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

:points at himself:
Yah, I will help anyone with a problem on a RAQ... I think we've got them all now, and my opinion still stands.
If you know linux, RUN AWAY from RAQs... if you are new, they are good boxes.

[GeorgeC]

With the recent RAQ 3 and 4s, I think they are slowly becoming an acceptable alternative to Linux. Still, I wouldn't recommend them if you run CGI apps on your site.

[MarineArchitecture]

Yah, I will help anyone with a problem on a RAQ... I think we've got them all now, and my opinion still stands.
If you know linux, RUN AWAY from RAQs... if you are new, they are good boxes.

I thought that Can-Host was based on RAQ servers?

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

Yes... That doesn't mean that I personally like them

We are building our own servers so that we can go away from RAQs as soon as possible.

In fact, we had some problems becuase we are trying to get the most of our servers, and THAT is not supported by cobalt :p

All our servers are working fine, under a 150 + site pressure now for over a month without any downtime... However, this is far from perfet. The dual processing we plan to get after will be much better.

Felix

How do you plan on moving all your customers? The RaQ isn't very standard so I would imagine moving would be impossible.

[Chicken]

I've heard that moving from RaQ2 to RaQ3, and even RaQ3 to other RaQ3 is a manual process let alone... Ohhh well, another strike. Well I never said I loved them like Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch either *hee hee*

*(this message sponsored by Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch Mmmmm)

[Kiat]

Thank you for all of your replies. I now get knowing about RaQ but it seems limited by number of domain names or obtain plesk unlimited domain names licenses if I want to offer hosting services or parking services on RaQ. Is this true?

[Chicken]

Well, you surely wouldn't want to get a RaQ, wipe it clean, and install plesk (the recommended method of installing plesk). If you are interested in plesk, put it on a non-RaQ linux server.

[jellywobbles]

Kiat:

I just dumped a RAQ3 256Mb RAM (have a DialTone Celeron 300Mhz 128Mb RAM) ..the GUI is "quaint" .. you are stuffed with an old version of Linux (v5) old version of mySQL .. install anything other than via the RAQ GUI & your warranty goes out of the window .. i.e ALL upgrades MUST come from Cobalt! Cobalt tech support is pure shite! (They're so out of date I heard they are booking their Xmas staff rave on The Titanic!)

If you want to serve web pages from a RAQ .. save your money .. go out & buy a paper aeroplane & a tin of paints .. paint the plane with your web site & chuck it out of the bed room window .. more people will see it this way than if you host it on a RAQ .. it's a RAQette.

BTW .. I just dumped DI .. gone to catalog.com for a RH Linux 6.2 Box 256Mb RAM 20Gb drive 100Gb transfer / month Plus Plesk (which p****s all over the RAQ interface . its infinitely faster) .. all for $245 / month!

And NO I dont work for them .. !!

Hope this helps!