Dedicated Server & My Server Knowledge

luckyroadking · #1 03-15-2009, 11:51 PM

Hello,

I am going to be requiring a dedicated server and was curious how much server admin stuff do I need to know.

I am an old Windows guy (programmer and network) from way back who has been out of hands on stuff for a while. I just recently taught myself php so I could devlope a few new sites and modify the social network package I bought.

I have very little (if any) experience with Unix, Linux servers. If I go to a dedicated server with HG do I have to learn a lot of server admin stuff?

I really don't need any more control then I get now with my shared account through cpanel. Will I have pretty much the same cpanel handles everything with a dedicated server?

~Ron

virtvir5 · #2 03-16-2009, 07:44 AM

So, why not get yourself one of HG's dedicated Windows server if you're more comfortable with that OS.

MegaHostUK · #3 03-16-2009, 08:59 AM

Why are you needing a dedicated server?

luckyroadking · #4 03-16-2009, 05:42 PM

Not quite the answers I was looking for

But I will answer the questions...

I can't use a Windows server because the social network package I purchased doen't run on windows. Besides, just because I am a Windows guy from way back, doesn't mean I believe a Windows server is the best solution for web hosting.

I will need a dedicated server to handle the load. I currently run several different sites...informational sites, forums, and a baby social site, all based around the same interest. Once I re-direct all the traffic from those sites, plus do the membership drives and promotion I am planning, along with the fact that a social network is very resource intensive...I will need a dedicated server to ensure optimum performance 100% of the time for 20,000+ registered users and 100s of thousands of unregistered visitors who have almost complete access to most information on the site.

So, now can someone tell me how much Linux knowledge is required to manage a dedicated server. Maybe someone from HG?

GvilleRick · #5 03-16-2009, 05:54 PM

If you get a managed dedicated server then you do not need to know much more than you do to manage a site with your cPanel. You will have root access and can do a lot more if you wish. You would also need to spend some time learning more about the WHM interface if you have not used it before. The actual server management would be handled by HG including updating system files, etc. and you can open a ticket if you need something in particular.

An unmanaged dedicated server requires a bit more time and many here recommend getting the configserver.com package (which would be worthwhile on a managed server as well.) That package includes some nice plugins for WHM that simplify management of the firewall and mail accounts.

virtvir5 · #6 03-16-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyroadking

Not quite the answers I was looking for

Sorry. I wasn't questioning your judgement. I just wasn't sure if you were aware of that Windows dedi option and it seemed like a logical question given your stated background.

The short answer to your question is yes. You will need to know and carry out a certain amount of "server admin stuff" just as you would if you were managing a dedicated box running a Windows Server OS.

There's a lot more detail provided in a thread on that subject. If you havent registered as a member for these forums, you will need to do so to read it.