going for a dedicated server

when and why?

[soapystar]

interested in hearing views on dedicated servers..till now ive stuck with virtual hosting since it suits my needs and is a lot cheaper....now im wondering what criteria you would use for deciding to switch to the more costly dedicated server route and what benefits you would expect to see for it..i dont need to be have hands on with the os so thats not an issue....

[Frank_Rizzo]

Performance gain is the main benefit. All that processor power, ram, disk space for yourself.

You can even use the capacity to set up dozens of sites of your own. A dedicated server should come with some kind of control panel to allow you to set up virtual sites.

There are two big issues. Cost and Support.

If you are going for a fully managed server then support should not be an issue.

Costs can vary by a big amount.

Some of the large sites charge the earth, some are cheap. Some smaller independents charge the earth, some are cheap.

The best bit of advice I can give is to take all advice with a pinch of salt! What I mean is, that when you look on webhosting specific messageboards you will only hear grumbling posts about how bad a service is.

Rarely will you see anyone praise a service. If their site is running fine then they have no need to grumble somewhere.

It's basically upto you to find the balance between cost and support. That's it.

[Receptional]

There are other benefits to your own server.

1) You can start messing with error handling files mcuh easier (assuming you get the right operating system)
2) You get your own IP number (or more than one) which may be useful for you
3) You can start installing server software to do weird and wonderful things... like crash your new dedicated server :)

[soapystar]

ok, but its never been a problem setting up custom error files via htaccess. So, i get to crash my own server :-)Well i wanna take the plunge and then i look at the ten fold increase in price and i think, do you really wanna?

[Frank_Rizzo]

It depends on how slow your current server is.

It doesn't have to be 10 fold, it can be 50 fold!

Beware of scams they use to bump up the price.

e.g. you may choose a server with 256Mb of ram, but then want 512Mb. What the greedy sales droid will do is charge you £40 A MONTH for a part which costs uhhhm £40.

Same goes with disks. One large UK webhoster is offering to upgrade a 40Gb disk to 80Gb for £30 a month.

Hmm, to buy outright, A 40Gb disks costs £38 and an 80Gb costs £45. That is a cost increase to the hosters of just £7 and yet they want to charge you £360 a year! Disgraceful.

If you can avoid the traps and cons you will be much better off with a dedicated server.

Seriously consider running multiple virtual sites. It's very easy to do. You could even run sites for others and generate some income.

[woop01]

You can start installing server software to do weird and wonderful things... like crash your new dedicated server

How exactly did you know what I've been recovering from all day?

[henry0]

Securing the server is major factor
this is where knowledge and updates play leading position
in sleepless nights :)