dedicated queries

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by mike240se

i am leaning towards a unmanaged dedicated server with centos v4. i am also looking at the confiservers service but am not sure, i dont really have the extra money for that. i assume alot of that comes pre done on the servers since hostgator sets them up for you like their managed servers. atleast thats what i heard. so all that should mostly be done except maybe a couple things.

do the dedicated servers run their own name servers? i assume so? do they dcome preconfigured with apace 2.0 and mod security? thanks

You've retained a bunch of partial info and sort of assembled it wrong.

I can't speak to the "managed" dedis, but I am the most ignorant person here with an unmanaged dedi.

HG has a $75 special that isn't on the main page. We call it the DediKiddy(TM). You know lots more about Linux than I do (although I've been a spot user for almost as long as you).

The HG dedicated forum has a bunch of helpful coaches--I read a lot, asked questions, and since several of us got them at about the same time, we've cheered each other on.

It arrived configured with Apache 1.2.x, WHM, the cPanel license, and the ability to check off options to use rebuilding Apache the way I wanted (i.e., PHP version and modules).

Neither managed nor unmanaged has the CSF package installed, but I got configserver.com's free CSF, login failure daemon, and a couple of other useful things and installed them myself, with the guidance of the dedi forum here.

At the least, mod_security rulesets need to be installed and possibly mod_security itself.

There are a couple of forum threads about setting up server-down-wake-you-up systems of various sorts, but apparently they aren't needed very often.

With your level of experience, I'd think going dedi (even going cheap, with the DediKiddy(TM) and the free configserver.com stuff) would make more sense than a shared reseller plan. Much more control, many fewer limits.

Yes, you can do whatever you want with the DNS and nameservers. As Dix said, it's your box.

[mike240se]

Originally Posted by gwyneth

You've retained a bunch of partial info and sort of assembled it wrong.

I can't speak to the "managed" dedis, but I am the most ignorant person here with an unmanaged dedi.

HG has a $75 special that isn't on the main page. We call it the DediKiddy(TM). You know lots more about Linux than I do (although I've been a spot user for almost as long as you).

The HG dedicated forum has a bunch of helpful coaches--I read a lot, asked questions, and since several of us got them at about the same time, we've cheered each other on.

It arrived configured with Apache 1.2.x, WHM, the cPanel license, and the ability to check off options to use rebuilding Apache the way I wanted (i.e., PHP version and modules).

Neither managed nor unmanaged has the CSF package installed, but I got configserver.com's free CSF, login failure daemon, and a couple of other useful things and installed them myself, with the guidance of the dedi forum here.

At the least, mod_security rulesets need to be installed and possibly mod_security itself.

There are a couple of forum threads about setting up server-down-wake-you-up systems of various sorts, but apparently they aren't needed very often.

With your level of experience, I'd think going dedi (even going cheap, with the DediKiddy(TM) and the free configserver.com stuff) would make more sense than a shared reseller plan. Much more control, many fewer limits.

Yes, you can do whatever you want with the DNS and nameservers. As Dix said, it's your box.

thanks this is very helpful (and encouraging info) from all of you. especially since you cant oversell reseller plans this is sounding like the right thing for me. I didnt realize at first there was a dedicated hosting forum, i dont have access to it, for some reason the system didnt approve me as a customer automatically so i am waiting for activation. i assume the main guy is not aroun for the holiday weekend cause i havent heard back from my ticket from yesterday either. I am thinking dedikitty and the free scripts from configserv. maybe i will download and isntall centos v4 onto a spare box at home to learn it too. i have experience with redhat but not centos itself (which is rh based but of course its gonna be different) there are a few things that configserv does that i myself am not too farmilair with like protecting dns against spoofs and router posioning but i assume i can figure out how that is done. what about their mail script? do you guys use it? gwyneth, you mentioned you used their scripts, did you also install their mail script that replaces spam assasin? i guess its a program similiar to sa. i doubt their root checking stuff is needed since the box is new and preconfigured, centos is pretty descent for security from wht i know. what do you guys use for updates? in debian i use apt. i think from my redhat days that it uses yum? i assume the dedicated service doesnt do much more than run the auto updates and fix problems,i doubt they monitor your box on a regular basis? slapshotw, being i can set the hostname to whatever i want on the dedicated, that is good, so people checking phpinfo would see servername.mycompany.com and what about traceroute? i assume it goes from theplanet to my box or hop through hostgator first? maybe someone can tell me the dns of a box i can check it out with. thanks again guys. dedicated servers and linux in general have so many options, etc so there are so many questions to be asked, you guys are filling a huge stop gap while i am waiting for a response from hostgator, otherwise i would probably be buying elsewhere (somewhere where i got to talk to sales, we geeks are impatient) also what about theplanet, they have a similiar server for about the same price (unmanaged) and better ones for not much more. what were the reasons you went with hostgator over the planet? i would have figured cutting out the middleman (hostgator) and going directly to the source (theplanet) would be cheaper so i would love to hear your reasons, i am sure there are some i am not seeing. mike

[gwyneth]

Mike,

Unless you're writing your messages first in some text editor that doesn't speak CR, can you please start using more paragraphs?

It's very hard to read a message that's one enormous paragraph, so these answers may be somewhat out of sequence.

You don't get access to the other fora until you're a customer.

I believe most of us DediKiddy(TM) customers already had other types of HG accounts, though we may have drawn some new ones in.

There is no way I, for one, would have tried this without the help and encouragement of the denizens of the HG dedicated forum. With several of us doing it at about the same time, the threads about it have sort of become a lesson set (though I've joked about calling it "Dedi, Set, Go!" that's going to be the name when I assemble the DediKiddy(TM) threads.)

You can name your server anything you want--making the email headers look very bigtime. It comes with five IPS. You not only can make your own nameservers, you can create reseller accounts and give them their own nameservers.

HG has been terrific--as one of the Gators put it, unmanaged does not mean unsupported. There's a priority reboot system for dedis, and HG support has been great about the very few things you can't do yourself (such as set reverse DNS).

Possibly small unmanaged dedis are cheaper elsewhere, but for me (a non-reseller with an unusual end user situation) that would probably end up being more expensive--either I wouldn't have been able to get it going or would have been stranded at some point with no option but paying for something.

While unmanaged dedis aren't for everyone, I couldn't imagine running any kind of web-related business without a dedi. In addition to all the other advantages of a dedicated server, this "bargain-basement" method is extremely educational.

[mike240se]

Originally Posted by gwyneth

Mike,

Unless you're writing your messages first in some text editor that doesn't speak CR, can you please start using more paragraphs?

It's very hard to read a message that's one enormous paragraph, so these answers may be somewhat out of sequence.

You don't get access to the other fora until you're a customer.

I believe most of us DediKiddy(TM) customers already had other types of HG accounts, though we may have drawn some new ones in.

There is no way I, for one, would have tried this without the help and encouragement of the denizens of the HG dedicated forum. With several of us doing it at about the same time, the threads about it have sort of become a lesson set (though I've joked about calling it "Dedi, Set, Go!" that's going to be the name when I assemble the DediKiddy(TM) threads.)

You can name your server anything you want--making the email headers look very bigtime. It comes with five IPS. You not only can make your own nameservers, you can create reseller accounts and give them their own nameservers.

HG has been terrific--as one of the Gators put it, unmanaged does not mean unsupported. There's a priority reboot system for dedis, and HG support has been great about the very few things you can't do yourself (such as set reverse DNS).

Possibly small unmanaged dedis are cheaper elsewhere, but for me (a non-reseller with an unusual end user situation) that would probably end up being more expensive--either I wouldn't have been able to get it going or would have been stranded at some point with no option but paying for something.

While unmanaged dedis aren't for everyone, I couldn't imagine running any kind of web-related business without a dedi. In addition to all the other advantages of a dedicated server, this "bargain-basement" method is extremely educational.

sorry i dont know why my posts are getting bunched without new lines. i write my posts in many paragraphs (probably too many) but for some reason it keeps doing that. i am using firefox 2.0 which should be fine, but i do use no script let me check to see if no script is causing the issue, i thought i allowed hostgator but maybe not. sorry.

[mike240se]

Originally Posted by mike240se

sorry i dont know why my posts are getting bunched without new lines. i write my posts in many paragraphs (probably too many) but for some reason it keeps doing that. i am using firefox 2.0 which should be fine, but i do use no script let me check to see if no script is causing the issue, i thought i allowed hostgator but maybe not. sorry.

yeah it was no script. i had allowed temp instead of always allowed for hostgator.

testing line feeds.

1

2

[gtgeorge]

Originally Posted by mike240se

gtgeorge, can you elaborate on reseller hosting holding you back? was it because you couldnt offer larger plans? i cant see how anyone can compete with hostgators shared plans.

There are many reasons we were held back. At the time the plans were very small and without the ability to oversell, we couldn't offer anything but small plans. We also didn't offer reseller hosting as we would have had to purchase a reseller account for them. We also were up front with customers and never claimed we were not reselling. We also could not install items that customers wanted in most cases.

if you dont mind me asking, how much administration does it take to keep the servers up and running? constant, daily checking i would assume? how often do issues arrise with various other stuff? apache and mail for example,. the only issue i am worried about is when i am sleeping, i do it 8 hours every day and wont be available to service requests, i doubt many customers will deal with waiting for 8 hours, but its not that bad.

Keeping the server going is a breeze until a problem arises of course . We haven't run into a situation whereas there was a major problem and usually find problems before we even get a support ticket. If you have the Configserver package done, it helps enormously.

Originally Posted by mike240se

i am leaning towards a unmanaged dedicated server with centos v4. i am also looking at the confiservers service but am not sure, i dont really have the extra money for that. i assume alot of that comes pre done on the servers since hostgator sets them up for you like their managed servers. atleast thats what i heard. so all that should mostly be done except maybe a couple things.

do the dedicated servers run their own name servers? i assume so? do they dcome preconfigured with apace 2.0 and mod security? thanks

I would go with centos5 as more is compatable with it with less problems from my understanding. Yes they run their own nameservers and you get 5 ips to use. There are many great threads in the dedicated section that will go over the steps required to properly set up a server thanks to the great posters here that document the steps they took

[mike240se]

i just realized something, for those of you without a duplicate hd for backups (aka an extra 80 or 250gb drive) how do you do your backups? i was thinking i would just download my backups but then i started thinking that at 80gb per backup (on a full server) that would use up a crazy 1/3 of your bandwith if you only backup once a week even. i didnt want to have to get the extra drive for $200 but it looks like i have no choice right? its too risky not to backup your customers sites i would think. or maybe i am missing something...

mik

[gtgeorge]

Originally Posted by mike240se

i just realized something, for those of you without a duplicate hd for backups (aka an extra 80 or 250gb drive) how do you do your backups? i was thinking i would just download my backups but then i started thinking that at 80gb per backup (on a full server) that would use up a crazy 1/3 of your bandwith if you only backup once a week even. i didnt want to have to get the extra drive for $200 but it looks like i have no choice right? its too risky not to backup your customers sites i would think. or maybe i am missing something...

mik

Once again when you get full access you will see threads concerning the backup solutions users choose. BTW 1,500 divided by 80 = 18.75 backups
Your backups will be much smaller and it works nicely backing up to a 2nd HD and then copying to an alternate source. BTW the dedikiddy tm etc require you to add a 2nd HD.

[slapshotw]

You don't really have to think of centos and kernel updates in the same way you would with a standard linux box. You do everything through cPanel/WHM and it takes care of everything for you.

Your server is housed at thePlanet, so you'll see that or level 3 on a traceroute. You can try it to the website in my signature to see if you'd like.

MailScanner builds on Spamassassin to do better cPanel integration. The Front End simply amazing, but only available to paid configserver packages.

[GvilleRick]

I installed the ConfigServer Firewall and Mail Queue programs on our box and followed some of the suggestions in another thread on WHM configuration, etc. I later got the MailScanner package installed by ConfigServer. I went to visit family for Thanksgiving and just checked and it looks like the server ran fine for the 48 hours or so that I was away from an internet connection.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by slapshotw

You don't really have to think of centos and kernel updates in the same way you would with a standard linux box. You do everything through cPanel/WHM and it takes care of everything for you.

WHM can update the kernel? when was that feature added.

[slapshotw]

WHM doesn't do it, you can do it from the command line if you want. I was more making the general statement that there is less focus on the kinds of day-to-day tasks you'd have as a standard linux admin with cPanel, and more cPanel/WHM specific tasks.

I wouldn't update your kernel that often unless you really need to, though...

[business.minded]

Hello, I would like to get in on this as well. I have ordered the 'elite' dedicated server and need helping getting it setup properly. So far the staff has transferred the websites and accounts from the old shared server to this new one however it does not look like the server is completely setup yet for production. (by the way, I too have not yet been approved for the dedicated forums and did nto know that there were any more forums) I have emailed as suggested 24 hours ago.

Anyway, if one of you guys could please at least help me get this ready for production I am willing to pay you up front via, paypal, cash, certified cashiers check, money order, e-gold, stormay or moneybookers (your choice)

Once its setup I doubt that I will EVER login to root whm account as I am more interested in running my bandwidth hogging websites rather then hosting others, etc. You could even take half the server if you wanted in exchange. I dont care as I need the resources that are only offered on the dedicated for my business. I have paid for the server and have it automatically paid for so there are no issues there.

Thanks for any help or consideration you can give me.

Like I said, if you can look at my dedicated root account and make sure that everything looks right I will send you payment however you want up front.

Larry

[gtgeorge]

Originally Posted by business.minded

Hello, I would like to get in on this as well. I have ordered the 'elite' dedicated server and need helping getting it setup properly. So far the staff has transferred the websites and accounts from the old shared server to this new one however it does not look like the server is completely setup yet for production. (by the way, I too have not yet been approved for the dedicated forums and did nto know that there were any more forums) I have emailed as suggested 24 hours ago.

Anyway, if one of you guys could please at least help me get this ready for production I am willing to pay you up front via, paypal, cash, certified cashiers check, money order, e-gold, stormay or moneybookers (your choice)

Once its setup I doubt that I will EVER login to root whm account as I am more interested in running my bandwidth hogging websites rather then hosting others, etc. You could even take half the server if you wanted in exchange. I dont care as I need the resources that are only offered on the dedicated for my business. I have paid for the server and have it automatically paid for so there are no issues there.

Thanks for any help or consideration you can give me.

Like I said, if you can look at my dedicated root account and make sure that everything looks right I will send you payment however you want up front.

Larry

Have you asked HG support to please look it over and let them know what you are looking to do? Put attention Level III support and they should be able to set it all up. That is the beauty of going managed

[slapshotw]

Once you get access to the dedicated forums, there's a very easy to follow thread about doing the initial setup. It'll take you about an hour. Then, do the configserver package for $125 (with Mailscanner), and you'll be all set.

[ghpk]

Larry,
root login details should never be shared with other users, until you trust them fully.

Ticket support and they would be more than happy to setup your server as per your instructions.

[mike240se]

as the forum leader are you able to activate my account? it hasnt been activated for a couple days now. i havent heard back from sales either. t

i live chatted with the rep and they told me that sales was definetly available 24 hours and def. was there this weekend and that they just spoke to a sales administrator who was going be contacting me in a few minute but that was yesterday. i guess they are busy....

[ghpk]

Originally Posted by mike240se

as the forum leader are you able to activate my account? it hasnt been activated for a couple days now. i havent heard back from sales either. t

i live chatted with the rep and they told me that sales was definetly available 24 hours and def. was there this weekend and that they just spoke to a sales administrator who was going be contacting me in a few minute but that was yesterday. i guess they are busy....

No only hostgator staff has those permissions.

Congrats I can see you as a activated member with full forum access.

[mike240se]

Originally Posted by ghpk

No only hostgator staff has those permissions.

Congrats I can see you as a activated member with full forum access.

thats cool but i still havent heard from sales in 3+ days, is it true if i reply to my ticket it gets put at the bottom of the queue? i read that some where which is why i havent.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by mike240se

thats cool but i still havent heard from sales in 3+ days, is it true if i reply to my ticket it gets put at the bottom of the queue? i read that some where which is why i havent.

Yes, if you reply back to a ticket it puts it to the back of the queue

[gtgeorge]

Originally Posted by mike240se

thats cool but i still havent heard from sales in 3+ days, is it true if i reply to my ticket it gets put at the bottom of the queue? i read that some where which is why i havent.

To check your ticket status etc, contact live support with your ticket id