Server envy

when is it financially viable?

[rayjam]

When does is it become worthwhile to get your own server?

[Brett_Tabke]

When your monthly hosting fees outweight what it would cost you for a server. Or when your host can't provide what you need.

[rayjam]

Hi Brett

I guess what i really need to know is just how much does it cost to have your own server and how many sites can you host on it?

thanks

[Brett_Tabke]

There are widely varying prices rayjam. I've seen them as low as $200 a month for an entry level RAQ to well over a thousand per month.

[rayjam]

I have no experience of running my own server but at the moment I have over 50 domains each costing around $25 - $30 per month hosting fees. Each has it's own ip and I use perl etc. I firmly believe that I will eventually need to have my own server it's just a matter of when and which type! For someone will little or no knowledge of servers is it viable for me to even consider it at this time? I was considering getting a server and only placing non essential sites on it at first until I am more experienced. It's a case of knowing the correct entry level hardware to obtain thereby avoiding buying cheap and ending up costing more!

Thanks Brett

[Brett_Tabke]

You are well into your own server territory. I'd say for entry level, you can't beat a top end appliance server like an raq. They have menu's for everything. The only tricky thing is to get your dns issues squared away before leasing one. That involves learning what you need to do to register a dns server.

I would guess you could get setup with a box to handle your domains for under $500-$600 a month. The question may be bandwidth.

[rayjam]

Hi Brett

If there's a forum out there about servers that's even 10% as helpful as this one then I'm sure it won't take long for me to learn.

Thanks for all your help.

Rayjam

[Xoc]

I run my own server. It gives me several things:

1) No limit on disk space. I have over 2000 photos on one web site. My previous ISP's cost per megabyte was costing me significantly.

2) No limit on the domains. I host a variety of small domains for myself and friends.

3) Helps with the education curve. I have learned a whole lot by running my own server.

4) I have a lot more control. I can put software on the web site, database engines, etc. without having to appeal to some higher authority.

Drawbacks:

1) Cost is significant. For a 768K DSL static IP, no bandwidth limit, ~$165 U.S. a month. Requires a dedicated machine (mine is a dual pentium II/333, plus a pentium 200 firewall).

2) Requires a lot of knowledge about firewalls, security, administration, etc. This takes time and time is money.

[web_t]

rayjam,

Along with getting your own server, you have many other options. One would be to become a reseller for another hosting company. You can get rates upto US$ 4.5 for unique IP and 100-200mb space with mysql, php,2-5gb trasfer/month and other stuff. But well, this is just a suggestion. I am paying a guy in Italy US$ 35.00/month for 2.5GB webspce, 20GB transfer, 10 IP, ablity to add unlimited domains/sub-domains [offcourse they can't use space more than 2.5 GB] and also supports other stuff like, ssl, ssi, mysql,php.... well, I got a deal, as I knew him, but there are few companies out there, who are willing to provide you awsome rates.

[rayjam]

Thanks Guys

If I find any good deals I'll post them on this forum