Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Managed Hosting and Services : How much server management do I need?

[feivi18]

Hello everyone,

We're about to get a dedicated server to host a search engine which we're launching. Trying to wade through the many options available, we're leaning towards getting something fully managed, as we're not ready to hire our own admin yet.
The thing is, we're not sure whether we do actually need to pay the premium for a fully managed server. Our site is really simple, without any databases, as the search results are served through a 3rd party api. It's am asp.net site running on Windows. So the question really is, what would be our server administration requirements? Do we really need fully managed, or could I teach myself what's needed for our uncomplicated needs?

TIA

Feivi

[cristibighea]

You should be able to work it out even without full management, as long as you stay up to date with Windows updates and have a decent firewall and antivirus.

[Jaber]

It's good to plan ahead, since you have not launched yet it's hard to estimate your needs, there are many here who can do either hosting, management or both, I would suggest you try it on your own, then if things get overwhelming hire someone to help you maintain it, I wish you the best of luck.

[skullbox]

It shouldn't be too bad on a Windows box. I usually suggest it for people who need to run Linux and don't know linux. I'd suggest waiting until your site launches, then go from there. I've done several start ups and I have been successful when I save early.

[feivi18]

Thanks for all the replies. I've been visiting these forums for a while now, and the amount and quality of help here is incredible!

Can anyone suggest a good site/book with the basic information I would need to start?

[Srv24x7]

If you'are having plesk control panel on your windows server then i really think around 90% of the management you can do it yourself -- Plesk does most of the administration task within its control panel and as you are having fewer sites the lesser problems you may have.

[feivi18]

Originally Posted by Srv24x7

If you'are having plesk control panel on your windows server then i really think around 90% of the management you can do it yourself -- Plesk does most of the administration task within its control panel and as you are having fewer sites the lesser problems you may have.

Srv, thanks for your reply. What would the other 10% consist of?

[Srv24x7]

Things like windows update, firewalls, IIS backup and restore some sort of advance management like ISAPI filters settings etc.. work can only be done via RDP.

[M Bacon]

I highly recommend using Plesk 9 as well with your Windows Server.

[skydelsupport]

Plesk is really a very good control panel. Also make sure to avoid making changes in the backend of a plesk running windows server. Since plesk will not able to capture the changes that you make in the backend. If you need dedicated server admin, then i would recommend supportpro....They are really good in administration. I guess their plans even start at $100/month...or less...If you have only a few domains, then it is recommeded to provide support by yourself from control panel like plesk.

[CoolKoon]

Well, I think that you hardly need anything to get started. Just a bunch on howtos and step-by-step guides. I also say that having a control panel on a Windows server is a joke (of course I might be biased ) especially if you go for a proprietary one. Since 99% of the "management" would consist of only some AV installation (a bummer that you need an "enterprise" edition for W2K3 Servers), maybe some full virus checks once a month and installing all the security updates via Windows Update, I'd recommend you giving it a shoot yourself. Sure, there are a couple of things you have to set up at the beginning (firewall, ASP.NET including IIS etc.) but that's just a one-time task. The only reason I'd recommend you a "managed" hosting would be if you'd find someone offering a cheap AV license for a W2K3 server bundled or something (assuming that you're using that one). The rest shouldn't be different from what you're used to in XP (you can even have your XP themes in W2K3 if you wish ).

[SingleHopWhitney]

You should be able to do it without paying for management. What all are you doing with your website? Since you say it's low maintenance, you should be just fine

I would try it out on your own first, and if it doesn't work out look into other options then.

Have you found low pricing?

[activelobby4u]

You could probably do the administration yourselves and get on call help from support companies who have been around for a while.

Most outsourced support companies have hourly packages and you can buy them in bulk if you wish to.

[CoolKoon]

Hourly rates in bulk? For information you can find using Google at dozens of forums for free? Why would you do that (except if you have no time for this, of course)?

[activelobby4u]

Originally Posted by CoolKoon

Hourly rates in bulk?

Yup .

Something like you provide one or two hours for a fixed price and if you take 10-20 hours (in bulk) for over a month, you get a lower hourly rate.