Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : how to move from dedicated host to colo

[bullwinkle]

I have a dedicated host and want to move to colo. The reason is that I want to be able to put in my own hardware and not pay monthly for it, and I expect I should be able to significantly lower my monthly costs..

I am thinking I should get a box, make it work as a server from home, then ship it to my provider (the Planet). If all goes OK, move the stuff off my dedicated host to it, then ship a second one to them and turn off the dedicated box.

Does this make sense, or am I missing something?

[carphost]

Sounds like you are on the right track. I think if you can completely admin the box yourself the only downside is no spare hardware onsite if your box happens to die. If you rent a dedicated server you would assume the host would provide you spare hardware instantly if your system dies. Thats one benefit , but depends on your hosting company how warm and fuzzy that would feel

We will sometimes recommend the colo option to our new and old customers when they go too custom with the options that they need, or they simply are looking for ways to lower monthly cost. I think in the end if you are fairly sure you will do fine with a colo, and know you have a datacenter that will support you, the way you need it then it's a great way to go.

Stay away from desktops and towers. Most of the better datacenters will charge you more for the space in these bigger boxes. Get 1 or 2U servers when possible.

Good luck on your move

[HiVelocity]

You might be able to pay a certain amount for your current host to sell you the server outright then you can colo from there.

If not then you want to build yourself a 1U or 2U server so you spend the least amount as possible for colo.  You are paying for the space you take up so the smaller the server the less you pay.

[handsonwebhosting]

As HiVelocity suggested, purchasing the server might be better. The reason I would say that is because if you have a hardware failure you'd like to be able to purchase hardware directly through them to replace it rather than having your site offline while you ship product to them (or incurr the cost of shipping extra product with the inital shipment).

Hardware failure doesn't happen often, but when it does, you don't want your sites offline for 3 days while you wait on UPS. Having a maintenance contract or "stand-by" with your colo provider might be something to consider.