Dedicated server -- any disadvantage?

[Andrea]

Hello -- this question is mainly directed at GatorWesley -- for some reason I couldn't respond to your PM. Thanks for the quick reply though!

I'm not sure that our site needs dedicated hosting but I might suggest that to be on the safe side. Is there a disadvantage to dedicated server? For example, are those machines not updated as frequently or harder to get support for? Thanks again for answering my questions.

[slapshotw]

I find mine easier to get support for, and it's upgraded as often or rarely as you'd like it (because it's your box).

The best thing you can do after getting the server, and *before* putting any live websites on it, is to get this:

http://www.configserver.com/cp/cpanel.html, whitelist your own IP address in the firewall (this will bite you once--it gets everybody), and then play with everything as much as you can.

And make sure to read Serra's amazing "so you just got a dedicated server" thread.

[Serra]

IMO, the only real disadvantage is the cost. If that isn't an issue, then you should jump on it. Sites run MUCH faster, are more dependable and mail is like a dream come true.

There is no technical downside to a dedicated, except perhaps one. You are the only user on the box, so if your site goes down, you are the only one who will notice. Use external monitoring for that issue and you will be fine.

[wpeters]

I just got to this thread. Serra, you mentioned mail on a dedicated is a dream. I am looking to get a managed dedicated server. What is the differnece between email on reseller account (which I currently have) and email on a dedicated?

Thanks!

[Serra]

Originally Posted by wpeters

I just got to this thread. Serra, you mentioned mail on a dedicated is a dream. I am looking to get a managed dedicated server. What is the differnece between email on reseller account (which I currently have) and email on a dedicated?
Thanks!

The main difference is that the shared environment has users who do bad things. Those other users cause issues for you. That is a huge problem. On a dedicated, you know all of the users and ones who are bad are either there because you allow it or they aren't there!

[wpeters]

Thanks for your response. I only host my clients I develop sites for and therefore I know they will not be spamming etc.

So, question: with a dedicated server, does the email reside on the dedicated box, or is it on another server that is shared with other mail clients.

Thanks.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by wpeters

Thanks for your response. I only host my clients I develop sites for and therefore I know they will not be spamming etc.

So, question: with a dedicated server, does the email reside on the dedicated box, or is it on another server that is shared with other mail clients.

Thanks.

It's on the dedicated box. In other words -- now it's your problem.

[wpeters]

Rockoids, that sounds really great! Or really bad! I hope you mean that email will become more reliable for my clients, support will still be really good, and I can be confident that email will be great because I know who I put on my server.

I hope you do NOT mean that email support will become my sole problem as I would need to now be responsible for all email problems that hostgator would have dealt with on shared server.

I have a hopeful feeling that you mean the first!

Thanks for your responses as I am preparing to jump to managed dedicated in a few weeks.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by wpeters

Rockoids, that sounds really great! Or really bad! I hope you mean that email will become more reliable for my clients, support will still be really good, and I can be confident that email will be great because I know who I put on my server.

I hope you do NOT mean that email support will become my sole problem as I would need to now be responsible for all email problems that hostgator would have dealt with on shared server.

I have a hopeful feeling that you mean the first!

Thanks for your responses as I am preparing to jump to managed dedicated in a few weeks.

Actually I use Google Apps. Nothing wrong with HG's email, but Google is better when it comes to spam filtering.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by wpeters

Rockoids, that sounds really great! Or really bad! I hope you mean that email will become more reliable for my clients, support will still be really good, and I can be confident that email will be great because I know who I put on my server.

I hope you do NOT mean that email support will become my sole problem as I would need to now be responsible for all email problems that hostgator would have dealt with on shared server.

Virtually everything on a dedi, compared to a shared/reseller account, is like moving up to a private house with a fenced yard after sharing a dorm room...or driving your own car after sharing a backseat.

Serra is right about the shared environment being the reason for most mail problems (blacklists, etc.).

The few that are not (incoming spam, setup issues) are far easier to fix or prevent on your own dedi, even with an unmanaged one (BTW, HG has noted that "unmanaged" does not mean "unsupported").
But with a managed server, you'll wonder why it took you so long to make the jump.

[wpeters]

Thanks for responses. Definately making the jump from shared to dedicated in next few weeks or so. Just want to cover all bases first. Couple of questions:

1. Basic vs Standard: I am website developer hosting own clients. A few ecomemrce sites (one kind of busy), many CMS (under 30 currently but hope to reach over 100 within two years), a few sites heavy on photography and a few videos (photographer sites).

Would I be better starting with Basic or Standard. I want to be able to offer fast loading of sites for my clients. I find it frustrating that currently server loads often go through the roof and slows sites down. Especially embarassing when training clients on their sites or marketing my services online to a potential client when sites are slow because of high server load

2. Configserver.com - I have read that this is a great service to use to lock down a server (security etc) when first get server. Is this recommended for unmanged or can be a great service for managed server too

What do you recommend ordering - cpanel server service package

Also, I thought that cpanel and whm and everything all set up by hostgator when they set up server and transfer all my sites on there.

[GvilleRick]

I would suggest getting the best server possible for the types of sites you describe so that you can accomodate the growth you hope to see in the next few months.

As for the configserver package, I think it would be worth it for managed or unmanaged. The full package includes the security options and the MailScanner installation with a nice front end and would be my recommendation. HG does set up cPanel and WHM on the server but the configserver package offers an additional layer of piece of mind.

[wpeters]

Originally Posted by GvilleRick

I would suggest getting the best server possible for the types of sites you describe so that you can accomodate the growth you hope to see in the next few months.

As for the configserver package, I think it would be worth it for managed or unmanaged. The full package includes the security options and the MailScanner installation with a nice front end and would be my recommendation. HG does set up cPanel and WHM on the server but the configserver package offers an additional layer of piece of mind.

Thanks. So, which server do you recommend? The Basic or Standard?

Great to hear that configserver can go in after the server is set up and add to cpanel and whm without deleting that and starting from scratch. Anyone have a link to the actual service that I would want to purchase from configserver.com?

Thanks!

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by wpeters

Thanks. So, which server do you recommend? The Basic or Standard?

I'd go with the standard if you can afford it.

Great to hear that configserver can go in after the server is set up and add to cpanel and whm without deleting that and starting from scratch.

You should do configserver *before* you put any clients on the machine. They will be changing many things. Having live clients on there for that change is asking for trouble.

Anyone have a link to the actual service that I would want to purchase from configserver.com?

Here's the link. The mailscanner package is definitely worth the extra $25: http://www.configserver.com/cp/cpanel.html

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by wpeters

Would I be better starting with Basic or Standard. I want to be able to offer fast loading of sites for my clients. I find it frustrating that currently server loads often go through the roof and slows sites down. Especially embarassing when training clients on their sites or marketing my services online to a potential client when sites are slow because of high server load

2. Configserver.com - I have read that this is a great service to use to lock down a server (security etc) when first get server. Is this recommended for unmanged or can be a great service for managed server too

What do you recommend ordering - cpanel server service package

Also, I thought that cpanel and whm and everything all set up by hostgator when they set up server and transfer all my sites on there.

Everything is all set up, with cPanel and WHM, but the configserver package is well worth it.

Also, even the DediKiddy(tm)--our nickname for the little $75 unmanaged dedi--performance is notably faster than the shared servers, so the Basic, and especially Standard, should really fly.

You will also gain a lot of intangibles for your business--knowledge, confidence, increased professionalism. If you have access to the rest of the forum, start reading threads in the Linux Dedicated Server category--one of the common themes is that getting a dedi was so good for business, users wonder why they waited so long.

[wpeters]

Well, I did it. Ordered the Standard Dedicated server for one year

I am sure that I will have lots of questions and can't wait to get to the forum for dedicated users.

[jakeruston]

I couldn't recommend a Dedicated Server enough. Its totally your own that way.