Managed.com as a backup solution?

[Amon]

Has anyone here took the plunge and ordered a Managed.com as purely a backup solution and file server? I've been looking into getting a Managed.com box as I host a record label that has a Shoutcast server and a TON of mp3 (I should point out, since we are a record label, we have the right to distribute all files we offer) files avail for download. Currently we're in Server Matrix and would keep that box for day to day stuff but use the Managed.com box as purely backup and file serving. I can barely resist the $60 pricetag on the Celeron 2.4 GHz w/ 512 MB RAM and an 80 gig HDD WITH 1000 GB of transfer (although I doubt I'd ever need it, probably would just use around 350 on that box but it would be good to know that most of our media files we have avail. for download would be on another network when our website gets mentioned on the radio effectively bringing down the site). Just curious to know if anyone else has used Managed.com solely as a backup before and what their experience has been.

Thanks,
Amon

[maxhest]

For a backup server, I would think your safe, not for a server for hosting anything. They have had problems w/ downtime and such, but maybe you can find something cheaper. Try RocketColo.net they have great deals :)

[jojou]

I've been with Managed.com just one month, and have had quite a hard time with them. We regularly got reports from them threatening $10 SLA violation penalties for 'false positive' Symantec reports from third-parties for port-scans and virus attacks - despite the box having nothing installed in it's first month bar a SC media server.

Also, they offered 1200Gb for the 'first 30 days of service', but shut down our box 18 days into service even though only 930Gb had been consumed because 'you were on pace to go over at the 30-day mark'. Incredible stuff! Six emails, and a lot of convincing them I could manage my b/w, and the server was switched back on 5 days later! If you can handle this type of ad-hoc downtime & support, go with them, otherwise choose someone more reliable.

Jo Larroquette.

[no1v2]

Originally posted by jojou:

I've been with Managed.com just one month, and have had quite a hard time with them. We regularly got reports from them threatening $10 SLA violation penalties for 'false positive' Symantec reports from third-parties for port-scans and virus attacks - despite the box having nothing installed in it's first month bar a SC media server.

Also, they offered 1200Gb for the 'first 30 days of service', but shut down our box 18 days into service even though only 930Gb had been consumed because 'you were on pace to go over at the 30-day mark'. Incredible stuff! Six emails, and a lot of convincing them I could manage my b/w, and the server was switched back on 5 days later! If you can handle this type of ad-hoc downtime & support, go with them, otherwise choose someone more reliable.

Jo Larroquette.
Sounds like they're treading the line between a really bad host and an outright scam, and I'm not sure which side they're on. Between what you just said and other things I vaugely remember reading about them, I would stay far, far away from them.



Amon, I bet there are a few _good_ dedicated server hosts out there who would be pretty flexible in selling you a box used solely for backups. Specifically, you could see if they'd sell you a lot of off-peak bandwidth cheap with a minimal amount of on-peak bandwidth, and a server without fast CPU or much RAM, but with a big disk or four.

Or, an even better idea might be to try getting a server from Server Matrix that's just connected directly to your current server (via a second NIC), with no outside bandwidth. I don't know how flexible Server Matrix is (I don't know anything about them), but I think it's worth asking.

On the other hand, there is something to be said for backups being offsite.

Lastly, remember that you're going to be using the same amount of bandwidth at Server Matrix to do the backups as you will at your backup host (unless you backup locally to another server at Server Matrix, as mentioned above). You might want to negotiate a deal for some cheap off-peak bandwidth with them as well...

[tranz]

Why not go with a company that will store a snapshot of your server for you?

You need to ask if the backup is file level or block level.

Why? if file level then it will eat up the same amount of BW. if block level only those blocks that have changed after the first inital snalshot backup would need to be sent. Thus, your bandwidth needed would be very small.

Also, if your server crashes what is the turn around time for activation on the new server?

Some, companies in the industry can reciver your server in less then 20 minutes from a complete server crash.

There are a number of questions that you need to ask the vendor first.

[projo]

I have heard of other companies who will project your BW usage and take action if your slope is too steep (OK, maybe just one).

[Tazd9t9]

I know a lot of people on here probably dont like them but what about EV1 they are a bit more expensive than Managed.com but offer lots of bandwidth for downloads. Ive never really had any problems with them and as a back up im sure there would be no probs. I know they allow dowloads because i know a software company who use them, they are really busy, lots of downloads and they have never had any problems either.

[sirius]

Originally posted by Amon:

Has anyone here took the plunge and ordered a Managed.com as purely a backup solution and file server? I've been looking into getting a Managed.com box as I host a record label that has a Shoutcast server and a TON of mp3 (I should point out, since we are a record label, we have the right to distribute all files we offer) files avail for download. Currently we're in Server Matrix and would keep that box for day to day stuff but use the Managed.com box as purely backup and file serving. I can barely resist the $60 pricetag on the Celeron 2.4 GHz w/ 512 MB RAM and an 80 gig HDD WITH 1000 GB of transfer (although I doubt I'd ever need it, probably would just use around 350 on that box but it would be good to know that most of our media files we have avail. for download would be on another network when our website gets mentioned on the radio effectively bringing down the site). Just curious to know if anyone else has used Managed.com solely as a backup before and what their experience has been.

Thanks,
Amon

I've had a box with them for quite some time and although, they have seen their fair share of problems, they have been pretty stable for me.

I use them for a game server (for some friends) and as a file repository (backup solution) without any problems.

Sirius

[jmweb]

we are looking into adding managed.com as a backup solution. Thanks for the post, which in turn leads to me using your idea, if ya don't mind of course.