Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : What Do I Require? - Semi Dedicated

[GenieAus]

I've decided that I need to get semi-dedicated hosting because my site which runs a Wordpress blog / phpBB forum uses too many resources for shared hosting.

Most of the time it chugs along fine on Shared (I currently am on the 'Baby' plan at HostGator) but I get the occasional spike (up to 400 users online - the blog uses a lot of plugins and this slows the server right down) due to a couple of news sites picking up the stories.

I use about 30 GB bandwidth a month, average around 2,000 unique hits per day (can go up to 10/11,000 when I have a big spike) and, as mentioned, run a Wordpress blog with about 10 plugins and a fairly quiet phpBB forum.

I'm currently in research mode but finding a new host is complicated. I thought I was going to go with SurviveTraffic (formerly SurviveDigg) but having read a bit from the know-alls here, I've decided against that.

The problem is that I know very little about servers / what to do to minimize strain on the server etc so advice on resources that I might need would be extremely helpful (RAM etc). I've been offered a dedicated server by HostGator but that's unmanaged so is of absolutely no use to me.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Commit1 Anthony]

You can get hire a company like PSM to manage your server for you.

[Siropel]

Use the wpcache2 plugin for wordpress and see if that helps with the load.

[GenieAus]

You can get hire a company like PSM to manage your server for you.

I've heard about that. What am I looking at price wise for that sort of service?

Also, how much should I be looking at forking out for hosting? I literally have no idea where to start on this one.

As for wpcache2... HostGator suggested that. I will definitely be installing it when I move. I'd never even heard of it before a few days ago.

[Commit1 Anthony]

What exactly is your budget? I'm guessing you use cPanel?

[GenieAus]

Yes I usually use cPanel. Only thing I've ever used - and most of it, I don't even touch! I can't even read logs, hence me needing something completely managed.

I don't really have a budget in mind as such. Obviously I want the best deal I can whilst making sure that I'll get through spikes.

[HostThree]

Originally Posted by GenieAus

I've heard about that. What am I looking at price wise for that sort of service?

Also, how much should I be looking at forking out for hosting? I literally have no idea where to start on this one.

As for wpcache2... HostGator suggested that. I will definitely be installing it when I move. I'd never even heard of it before a few days ago.

PSM is around $29.99 a month, apparently they are really good.

Have you thought about looking at a high end VPS also? I don't know if Inmotion are any good, but they have pretty good packages.

[mehboobashraf]

Are you thinking of doing hosting business with the server? Or do you just want to use it for personal use?

[Siropel]

GenieAus just wants to host his blog and small forum.
I got an iMountain.com account and I had no problems so far. Load times are pretty impressive. (You are looking at about 15-40$ / month)
I got over 9000 uniques in a day (don't know how many pageviews) using wp cache2 on a shared hostgator account with no problems.
It REALLY improves your blog's speed and makes it MORE resource friendly on the server.

[GenieAus]

PSM is around $29.99 a month, apparently they are really good.

Have you thought about looking at a high end VPS also? I don't know if Inmotion are any good, but they have pretty good packages.

Thanks for the tip. I don't really know what a VPS really is. What's the difference between it and Semi-Dedicated?

Are you thinking of doing hosting business with the server? Or do you just want to use it for personal use?

As I said in my original post, I want to run a Wordpress blog and phpBB forum.

[GenieAus]

GenieAus just wants to host his blog and small forum.
I got an iMountain.com account and I had no problems so far. Load times are pretty impressive. (You are looking at about 15-40$ / month)
I got over 9000 uniques in a day (don't know how many pageviews) using wp cache2 on a shared hostgator account with no problems.
It REALLY improves your blog's speed and makes it MORE resource friendly on the server.

I will definitely try installing that before I move. Thanks for the tip.

I'd still like advice on this topic though just in case it doesn't cut the mustard, as they say.

[HostThree]

Straight from Wikipedia: "slicing up a server into virtual servers. each user feels like they're on their own dedicated server, but they're actually sharing a server with many other users. "

VPS are usually managed, give you loads of bandwidth and a bit more freedom to do what you want just liked a dedicated at a much lower price.

[GenieAus]

Ah right. Thank you.

And how do I decide which are 'high-end' and which aren't? I basically look at the spec of the server? Or is that pointless since I won't know how many servers it'll be split into?

[Siropel]

If you want a VPS you may need a managed one with at least 512 rams and good caching.
I don't really think you need a VPS for your setup (personal opinion). A good provider can accommodate your 12000 uniques if you use caching.

[GenieAus]

Even though I have a high number of plug-ins? With wp-cache, I assume I would have to exclude dynamic content from being cached? Stuff like polls etc?