Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Specialty Hosting and Markets : Using underutilized server/vps

[1imran]

Friend is allowing me access to dedicated server and VPS that he won't be using for the near future.

Other than hosting accounts for clients and voip, are there any opportunities to earn passive income from the servers? Perhaps enough income to offset full or partial cost of servers? Any ideas/suggestions?

[WF_H]

gamehosting, VPS hosting, shared hosting,.. so many options.

[DevMonkey]

I can't see any of those working for this WF_H - since what customer will be happy when 1imran's friend eventually needs the server back for his/her own uses? Whatever you do, don't throw yourself into it!

I was thinking perhaps hosting people you know personally, even if you just know them through the internet - you can charge them a small fee and it can simply be on friends terms, no "official" service (just make it clear they can't be hosted by you forever?).

[seankoons]

Run SETI.



(please)

[DevMonkey]

Originally Posted by seankoons

Run SETI.



(please)

What do you mean? As in, this (http://setiathome.berkeley.edu) sort of thing?! Looks cool though I haven't actually read about it yet!

[seankoons]

Originally Posted by SubliminalHost

What do you mean? As in, this (http://setiathome.berkeley.edu) sort of thing?! Looks cool though I haven't actually read about it yet!

SETI is awesome for underutilized desktop machines / servers. Who doesn't want to help in the search for extraterrestrial transmissions?

I believe the BOiNC project also has other branches, like using your spare cpu cycles for various medical and scientific efforts.

I know the OP was looking for a way to make a quick buck, but giving back is always a nice alternative too.

And to make life easier in getting it installed on your VPS, just run:

bash-3.00# wget http://boincdl.ssl.berkeley.edu/dl/boinc_5.4.11_i686-pc-linux-gnu.sh
bash-3.00# sh boinc_5.4.11_i686-pc-linux-gnu.sh

[1imran]

SETI looks interesting. I will check it out.

I wasn't so much looking for profiting from servers....but perhaps some low effort techniques to earn some revenue to offset monthly cost of server.

For example, people often contribute server space to become mirror sites for popularly downloaded software. Do they do that to help others out, or is their some way to earn a return by becoming a mirror site and perhaps pay part or full cost of server/vps?

Hosting, Game Hosting, Free Hosting - require active participation and an opportunity to profit. I am just thinking if there are ways to earn enough to offset part or full cost of server/vps....