what internet connection use

[trident]

Hi there,

I was just thinking about what kind of internet link is needed to a web hosting company get started... when I say get started is with one server, few clients and host very low-end applications and websites.
I'm thinking about a DSL with 256Kb/s for download and 128Kb/s for upload....what do you think?
Just one more thing: how can this big data centers obtain that HUGE number of Ip addresses for their clients?
:)
Thanks.

[tranz]

well, to do it correctly I would colocate the server in a data center. If they allow you start out with a set number of gigs per month say like 500 but burstable to say 100mb. This will give you the room to grow.

DCs have thousands or tens of thousands of IPs. Yet, based on ARIN rules 80% of them have and or should be justified. The DC can obtain blocks or ranges of addresses in order to facilitate client orders.

[beley]

There are too many things to consider besides your internet connection, although that is an important thing to consider. Redundant internet connections - so if one goes offline you still have connectivity
Power backup (UPS) - to keep servers online if power fails
Generator - to keep servers online in a more sustained power outage
Fire protection... system to ensure the fire is put out without drenching the servers (or letting them catch fire
Security - having access to the servers could mean bad things, and your liability to your clients...
There are many more issues as well, those are just some of the important issues. I would definately suggest either leasing a dedicated or colocating your server to a reputable data center.

[trident]

Hi there,

Thank you guys for you opinion...and based on that, I got this questions that I need help to answer:
- Is better get dedicated or colo? Wich are the pros and cons of each way?
- Not considering your business interest (considering that everybody here get connection in some way with hosting), what data center do you indicate to me (considering price and quality)? If possible indicate more than one to I have a base of analisys.
**** THIS IS IT :) *******

Thanks

[Robert]

That answer can go both ways.

If you have a dedicated server, then most likely the server repairs are covered by the DC (faulty hardware). Sometimes they aren't.

If you have a colo, then you are responsible for mantaining the hardware and replacing it when needed.

If you have a dedicated, sometimes the DC will not let you add another hard drive or modifications to the server w/o paying a hefty fee.

If you have a colo, just send them the hard drive and pay for installation and what not.

If you have a dedicated, switching DCs would require switching Machines, which could result in loss of data if not properly backed up.

If you have a colo, you can just switch DCs and send your server to whichever DC, but have to risk the chance of having the server damaged in transit.

And the list goes on...

[trident]

well, thank you Robert for you post....you showed to us some points that must be considerated and are important...as the hardware mantaining...
but try to help us with that: we are in Brazil , and as I said before, we will start with just one server and few clients....in this situation, what would you do?
(I don't consider take ded. nor colo in Brazil because the prices are VERY expensive)

[Chicken]

With some of the prices and transfer/bandwidth offerings of late, I personally wouldn't colo, especially if you're just starting out and a cluster or custom built machine isn't necessay. I once used to colo (bought servers, etc.) and I felt it was a mistake. I could get more for less if I just leased something. Now, years later, that seems even more the case.

[Marc]

I would say to start with one server at minimum would be 1mbps
connection

[Robert]

Trident,

I guess the answer to your question is "depends on the DC you select".

RackShack (For example) will never go out of business (If only there was a God j/k), so if you get a dedicated with them, you can rest assure your server will remain.

If your in Brazil, I would go with a dedicated server.

[beley]

Dedicated servers at a place like RackShack are much cheaper than colo. With colo you will have to purchase the server, then colocate it. That can cost thousands just in the setup, not including monthly fees. I guess it depends on your budget...

[tranz]

It seems though he is looking for a fully managed solution right? There are other fees with RS that you dont see.

Best thing is to do your homework and way the pros and cons and go from there.

[trident]

Hi,

Thanks for everybody who is sending a reply....you are helping me to think better in a solution.....
But about the connection that I said, the 256Kb/s download and 128Kb/s of upload, an DSL one... do you think that this can't support even one server with something about 10 clients??
I am asking that because I am sure that a ded. server would be the perfect solution, but I am starting now, and converting the US dollar prices for my currency don't make a ded. server, even on RackShack, something very cheap for a start-up....another solution would be get some clients worldwide and receive in dollars...but what can I do to get this worldwide clients??

Thanks

[Robert]

Not with 128kbps. Maybe if your upload was (ADSL) 1.5mbps (for example) then it *may*.

But you have other things to look, which Beley (CDHost) mentioned aboved


Originally posted by beley:

There are too many things to consider besides your internet connection, although that is an important thing to consider.

Redundant internet connections - so if one goes offline you still have connectivity
Power backup (UPS) - to keep servers online if power fails
Generator - to keep servers online in a more sustained power outage
Fire protection... system to ensure the fire is put out without drenching the servers (or letting them catch fire
Security - having access to the servers could mean bad things, and your liability to your clients...
There are many more issues as well, those are just some of the important issues. I would definately suggest either leasing a dedicated or colocating your server to a reputable data center.

[Marc]

Originally posted by trident:

Hi,

Thanks for everybody who is sending a reply....you are helping me to think better in a solution.....
But about the connection that I said, the 256Kb/s download and 128Kb/s of upload, an DSL one... do you think that this can't support even one server with something about 10 clients??
I am asking that because I am sure that a ded. server would be the perfect solution, but I am starting now, and converting the US dollar prices for my currency don't make a ded. server, even on RackShack, something very cheap for a start-up....another solution would be get some clients worldwide and receive in dollars...but what can I do to get this worldwide clients??

Thanks

I would be wary of it, if you have 10 clients and there are any type of file downloads the download will use all your bandwidth and other sites will suffer

[Chicken]

128Kb/s surely isn't wonderful, however it would be plenty for 10 small sites that don't generate much traffic. It all depends, if your usage goes over that, things would be slow. Just to give you an idea, HHO's server (at Fastservers.net) has HHO and a few other sites on it. Here are some stats:

Yearly: Max Out: 307.7 kb/s - Average Out: 30.9 kb/s
This week: Max Out: 284.5 kb/s - Average Out: 35.3 kb/s
Today: Max Out: 242.6 kb/s - Average Out: 40.7 kb/s

So I couldn't use your services, and to be honest, this site isn't all that large yet. Gives you an idea of how small those 10 sites have to be. When I ran some other small client sites (business sites that didn't get much traffic at all, an eye doctor, a real estate site, etc.), 64Kb/s was fine.

So you really can't say, "What about for just 10 clients?" -as even just one client might need more than 128Kb/s. 100 clients might only need 64Kb/s if they are extremely low usage.

[trident]

Hi there,

So Chiken...thank you for your post, It was very important to I get a perspective of what kind of clients I should host with this connection. I think that the best way to do the things in my situation is start with that 128Kb/s link, and before make this initial deals talk sincerely to the prospective client that in this period we canīt host sites with too much demand...
Certainly it can not be the best solution for a fast growing business possibility, but getting this few clients will be enough to get a good dedicated box.
What do you think? Also, please let me know how do you proceed to get international clients for your business... =)
Thanks

[beley]

If you host on a connection at home be honest with your clients. Don't try to decieve them into believing you have a large datacenter with 24hour monitoring and redundancy... it'll eventually come back to bite you.

If you're honest and get small customers then you'll be on your way to a dedicated :D

[trident]

Yes beley....you are RIGHT AT ALL!! :)

[Chicken]

Originally posted by trident:

I think that the best way to do the things in my situation is start with that 128Kb/s link, and before make this initial deals talk sincerely to the prospective client that in this period we canīt host sites with too much demand...

What do you think?
IMHO, you might want to consider a **** or multiple domain reseller account. For $35/mo. (ish), you wouldn't have to tell your clients that you were only hosting them on limited DSL on a home server. Instead, you'd have the connectivity of a larger host, for a lower price than leasing the whole server by yourself. Many do have upgrade paths to move you from this small account to your own server when you feel ready and need it. Ask a potential host about this.

[beley]

Great idea Chicken... :)

[trident]

Yeah Chicken....I think you got a good point...obviously I will not have the benefits of a ded...and also I will not be able to provide some services for my clients (some things I had in mind...), but I think that is a good solution to we get started and have some profit to be securily into a ded (not needing to work for pay the ded. fee..).
But do you have any reseller host to indicate for me? I would like something very cheap (remember about the currency, ok? :) ), and specially, anonymous....ah, and would be good to have plesk or something like that...
Thanks

[Chicken]

Well, I prefer to let others (read: actual users) recommend someone they use and are happy with. I will mention that I've been plotting to expand the forum in the area of resellers, as I feel they are an important step onto dedicated servers, and also an extremely important piece of the hosting industry. More on that soon once I work out a few things.

[trident]

yeah...so, I will open a topic to ask that for the community...

[beley]

Check out these guys - I have heard great things about them:

www.httppme.com
www.splashhost.com
www.voxtreme.com

[trident]

Hi beley, thanks for you help... :)
I just read some good reviews about this three companies:

www.vshosting.net
www.dathorn.com
www.srlhostin.com

=====
Has anybody ever heard of them? Which is your opinion?
Thanks