Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Managed Hosting and Services : Servint or Gnax or Softlayer+3rd party management?

[goacom]

Folks,

I need help to determine the best option for me. My budget is around $250/m. I need a managed server (linux+plesk). My main requirement is good reliable service. I dont need high end performance, 80gb space is sufficient, <1000GB bandwidth..

Ignoring hardware, how would one rate Gnax versus Servint? These two are or claim to be fully managed companies. What about the merits of getting an unmanaged server with softlayer and getting third party management (eg. accunet).


Servint's comes to $259 with a $199 setup fee.
Intel P4 3.2 GHz with Hyperthreading
800 MHz Front Side Bus; 2 MB L2 Cache
1 GB PC4200 Dual Channel DDR2 RAM
160 GB 7200RPM SATA drive with 16MB cache
1200 GB Data Transfer Per Month
Fedora Core 4 or CentOS 4.3
Plesk 7.5 Reloaded (latest) with Power Pack
4 IPs included
Only $1/GB Additional Bandwidth
Managed Server, 24/7 Support



Gnax (Tranxactglobal) comes to $249/mo
Dual Opteron 240
1 GB RAM (ECC Registered)
80 GB Hard Drive
2000 GB Transfer/month
Avocent Serial Console / Power Management


Softlayer comes to $179/mo + ~$70/mo for 3rd party management

AMD Opteron 165
• 2 x 1.8GHz Processors
• 1x250GB SATA II
• 1GB ECC DDR 400 RAM
• 2000GB Public Bandwidth
• Unlimited Private Network Bandwidth
• 5 Public IP Addresses
• Windows / RHEL / CentOS


Basically, price is the same for all these configurations. There are some differences in hardware performance, but they are all overkill for me. The bottom line is good/reliable service. I have been screwed by sago/allmanaged (two days of downs with no response from support, as well as sporadic network problems over several months) and want alternate options.

[layer0]

I don't believe GNAX is fully managed, though they do provider management (somewhat). ServInt offers great support, but their network isn't that great compared to other companies. For example, ServInt had a fiber cut once which caused hours of downtime. Now while they claim to have redundancy at this point, that's only carrier wise. But in terms of actual redundancy (N+1 infastructure), they most definitely don't have that.

GNAX has a decent network, but personally I would choose SoftLayer. SoftLayer has one of the best networks available and their servers give you a lot of bang for the buck, not to mention a plethora of useful features such as the private network, IPMI, etc. Their sales staff is also very friendly and are always willing to help wherever they can. SoftLayer's network has never been down other than maintenance since they opened, as far as I know.

[timdorr]

GNAX's new network has both a TippingPoint and McAffee IntruShield IDS system guarding it, along with a RouteScience PathControl traffic optimizer, much like SoftLayer's setup. So, I wouldn't say either network is higher quality. They're pretty much identical.

One differing item is that GNAX owns and operates their own datacenter. SoftLayer sort of does this, but really rents out space in INFOMART in Dallas (same place as one of ThePlanet's dc's). GNAX is in Atlanta NAP which they essentially own (technically Colo Facilities Atlanta owns it, but they're both Jeff Hinkle's companies).

Also, GNAX has got some *great* staff. I know quite a few of them on a first name basis already and I haven't even been there a full year. It's great to call them up on the phone and have whomever is answering already know about the ticket I'm calling about without them having to look it up. They're all pretty down to earth and really go the extra mile when you need it.

[goacom]

Thank you all for your responses. My main criterion is server management and support as opposed to the network or server performance. I thought gnax was fully managed. In terms of support for server issues (OS, Control Panel and general troubleshooting) which of the three would be best? I would think that SL would not rate well in this as it is "unmanaged".
Another company that seems to have a good rep is LiquidWeb. What is the scoop on these guys in terms of support?

[Alex]

This is Tranxactglobal's (basically GNAX's dedicated servers arm) definition of fully managed. If this is what you want, go with them so that you don't have to mess with two companies. If you think you'll need more management, try to find a good management company (check the Employement forums, there are a good few down there) and go with Softlayer.

Softlayer actually has a few more features than GNAX's network, like the private network which you can connect to from your home PC to transfer large files, the lockbox storage at their network which is basically 1GB of storage space on one of their file servers for your server configs, etc, and the automated OS reload. You should do as much research as you can for all three companies before you make a decision. I have never used nor looked into Servint, so I can't really say anything about them.

Best of luck,
Alex

[dav]

I would like to throw www.beachcomber.net (fully managed) into the mix. They have been great for the past 2+ years.

They offer a fully managed server and with your budget, you will also be getting a top-of-the-line server for that price.

Cheers

[layer0]

GNAX's new network has both a TippingPoint and McAffee IntruShield IDS system guarding it, along with a RouteScience PathControl traffic optimizer, much like SoftLayer's setup. So, I wouldn't say either network is higher quality. They're pretty much identical.

Despite GNAX's RouteScience box, I still see a fairly large selection of extremely inefficient routes on their network. I've seen packets travel cross country, simply to reach MCI/UUNET (which is Washington, DC, ~15ms from GNAX, or atleast it should be ). SoftLayer utilizes a fair amount of InterNAP bandwidth, which is in my opinion second to none. In terms of network, SoftLayer is definitely one of the best. Let's not also forget that Lance Crosby, the CEO of SoftLayer, is very interested in improving their network and has been doing so since the company started, and very rapdily at that. GNAX on the other hand hasn't really made too many improvements to their network lately - carrier wise, that is. Although Tipping Point & McAffee IntruShield IDS system are definitely great devices, a lot of the competition has something to that effect installed on their network. In this sense, GNAX was actually behind.

One differing item is that GNAX owns and operates their own datacenter. SoftLayer sort of does this, but really rents out space in INFOMART in Dallas (same place as one of ThePlanet's dc's). GNAX is in Atlanta NAP which they essentially own (technically Colo Facilities Atlanta owns it, but they're both Jeff Hinkle's companies).

To someone who is renting a dedicated server, does this really matter? A lot of companies rent space in a facility and have no problems as a result. I don't see how this can impose any problem.

[layer0]

Originally Posted by dav

I would like to throw www.beachcomber.net (fully managed) into the mix. They have been great for the past 2+ years.

They offer a fully managed server and with your budget, you will also be getting a top-of-the-line server for that price.

Cheers

While BeachComber has an excellent reputation, I would not class them amongst providers such as SoftLayer & GNAX while keeping in mind that BeachComber does not own their network, space, servers, etc. BeachComber, is, however, a very large, reputable reseller of many companies. If memory serves correctly, they are a reseller of ThePlanet, Sagonet, and AllManaged. Though that list may changed over time.

[NameSniper]

Phatservers.net can offer you fully managed server with your budget
I am with them for a long time now and they interpret managed as "everything included" except programming for your scripts and content management

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by layer0

While BeachComber has an excellent reputation, I would not class them amongst providers such as SoftLayer & GNAX while keeping in mind that BeachComber does not own their network, space, servers, etc. BeachComber, is, however, a very large, reputable reseller of many companies. If memory serves correctly, they are a reseller of ThePlanet, Sagonet, and AllManaged. Though that list may changed over time.

Just to clarify....we have relationships with FITX (DedicatedNOW), ThePlanet and Softlayer. We no longer work with AllManaged or SagoNet.

[goacom]

Mark,
Does Beachcomber deal with Plesk? I could not see this option amongst your choices. BTW, is there any particular reason you folks no longer deal with AllManaged/Sago?
Thanks.

[layer0]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Just to clarify....we have relationships with FITX (DedicatedNOW), ThePlanet and Softlayer. We no longer work with AllManaged or SagoNet.

Ahh...thank you for the clarification

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by goacom

Mark,
Does Beachcomber deal with Plesk? I could not see this option amongst your choices. BTW, is there any particular reason you folks no longer deal with AllManaged/Sago?
Thanks.

I am sorry, Beachcomber has always been a Cpanel only house.

Regarding Sago/AllManaged... that was just a bad fit for us....

[ServerNinja]

Yeah, Sago/Allmanaged has some bad reputation, but you will get for what you pay from sago.

[goacom]

Folks,

Anyone know whats up with GNAX? They dont seem to have much of a choice at the moment and they say it will take them 2 weeks due to them "transitioning" to ???

SL does seem to be pretty good, but I need semi management services to look after OS and control panel issues that may appear. Anyone have experience with them on this regard?

Thanks.