How much does a remote server admin cost?

[Chicken]

How much does a remote server admin cost? Basically someone who will look after the server(s) on a per need basis, such as the server going down or server issue, keep the server updated if needed, patch things that need to be patched, fix things that need to be fixed, etc.

Not someone who sets up accounts or handles basic technical support (which would be done by others). Only someone who will handle advanced support issues (which would be forwarded to them) and all of the above.

-And is the cost per server? Per incident? Etc.?

[allan]

A lot of it depends on who you contact, where they are, how desperate for clients they are, etc. Once, Roseanne and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas, which meant we were going to be completely offline for about 4 days, and intermittently offline for about 8 days.

We had staff that could handle account set up, customer support issues, etc, but not do server admin work. We found someone who did it for a week for $100.

I am sure you can find the same service for less if you post a request on that other hosting board :D.

[Rewdog]

I can recommend motley fool (that's his username on WHT)
Lemme see if I can find his link

You won't find his skill for cheaper.
http://www.valai.net/~motley/

[allan]

Originally posted by Rewdog
I can recommend motley fool (that's his username on WHT)
Lemme see if I can find his link
[/url]

I was going to suggest him as well -- I know I have had some excellent technical conversations with him -- though I have never used his services.

[Chicken]

I've spoken (via email, so not exactly spoken per se) to him before and he was extremely nice and wished us luck with our little McNugget at the time. Haven't talked to him in quite some time, however I thought he was more of a reseller and didn't realize he did that type of server admin'ing.

[Tandem]

Here's the WHT link for MotleyFool's sysadmin work:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=93216&highlight=server+maintenance

Alan of Spirithosting.net also does this type of work. Haven't found his post yet.

[Akash]

I think DanielP (his membername from WHT, formerly of VenturesOnline, now of EffectOnline) is very knowledgable and very friendly. He was one of the few I could trust to take Utopia Hosting off my hands for me :) I'm pretty certain a couple of the big names (not the most popular, but popular nonetheless) use his services.

[Chicken]

Yes, he helped me with HostHideout's java chat once when it had a few issues (like not working, heh).

[Tandem]

Found it! Here's the stuff on Alan's services:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=96199&highlight=alan

[Chicken]

Coolio and danke! Anyone actually use these guys or anyone else? I'm looking for a server admin for $35/yr. - juuuuust kidding!

... (but not about anyone using these guys or anyone else)

[Foxxie]

Hello, to just put my $0.02 in it's unlikely you'll find a _professional_ system administrator for less then $65.00/hour and up.

[MotleyFool]

Hey Rooster, and Allan and Rewdog and all my friends!

Nice place to be! :)

I didn't know of this [the last I came here was when a non-loading Java chat would scare me off or time me out! ;) ] except when I saw a lot of hits from here in my log files

I am quite tied up now Chicken.. Thanks a lot for the question and answers though!

Cheers
Balaji

[dandanfireman]

We typically do "outsourced" administration for $100/server/month which includes 1 hour of "support" type of work per week. This can include patches, upgrades, fixing stuff, etc.

[beley]

I think you can find a _professional_ system admin for less than $65 / hour... a lot less.

[allan]

Originally posted by CDHost
I think you can find a _professional_ system admin for less than $65 / hour... a lot less.

In house, or outsourced?

[beley]

Definately in house, but outsourced too. $65/hour salary would be $135,200 per year.

A lot of experienced admins will work for lower though, especially if they're not from the US. I've even been quoted rates from US admins for as low as $25/hour contract. Those are with certifications and/or bachelor's degree.

[oritsfree]

Same company and there was another glowing thread at WHT about them.

Originally posted by Tandem
Here's the WHT link for MotleyFool's sysadmin work:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=93216&highlight=server+maintenance

Alan of Spirithosting.net also does this type of work. Haven't found his post yet.

[James]

I have a friend once hes able to get back online (dsl went south on him) that is good and reliable. and he charges 20 an hour.
he worked for me when i had my own server a while back testing the waters a bit. he knows securty as well.

helped out on a few things and i thnk he went beond the call to track the person down who did what he did(detales left out for a reason)

chicken if you want me to link you two up once he gets back on line let me know. he might charge a bit more but not to much.
hope it helps.
James

[Chicken]

Sure, never know when I'll get the itching to be more busy than I already am and need it. :D

[James]

ok ill let him know next time i see him.
laters
James

[dynamicnet]

It depends as to whether you are hiring an individual or a company.

It depends on the experience levels.

It depends on if it is during that they or the industry consider to be business hours or non-business hours.

It depends on whether you need a guaranteed response time no matter the time you contact them.

For individuals during what they consider to be “normal business hours” where they are very competent, we’ve seen from $50 to $75 per hour.

Companies tend to require more of an investment for the benefit of having greater access (one person can only do so much, several can do more), and they can range from $75 to $300 per hour.

24x7x365 for the truly competent can get pricey because basically you are asking for the equivalent of three shifts (though those in the industry can typically charge less than one person due to volume).

Thank you.

[OPPressed]

*nix admin's cant get jobs, you looked in the classifieds lately? Most admin will work for peanuts! Though beware of disgruntled admins.. I once had an admin chuck a server across the data center room.. explain that down time to your customers...

I have a couple of admins with 9 years linux exp. who work for me, they have a lot of time on there hands and always looking for extra money..

[rusko]

ive seen a lot of linux admins with 9+ years experience and a masters that i wouldnt trust with my servers. good admins are hard to find and will not work for minimum wage.