Downgrading from dedicated

#1 11-03-2006, 05:45 PM

We are downgrading from a dedicated server at another host, and looking at the semi-dedicated plan here. We just don't have the IT resources to constantly maintain a server.

We are used to quick response times and we use PHP/MySQL. From current customers...is this a good place to go? We are well within the disk and bandwidth limits.

Serra · #2 11-03-2006, 06:09 PM

Semi-dedicated is not bad. Speed wise, its not a dedicated server, but you will not be unhappy with it.

The dedicated servers here are managed, so you need not do anything to maintain them, so that is also an option.

#3 11-03-2006, 06:12 PM

The dedicated servers here are a little out of our range.

I welcome more comments.

Is there a difference in the swamp and semi-dedicated other than disk/bandwith usage? I'm talking about resources and response times.

Serra · #4 11-03-2006, 06:18 PM

Yes, a huge difference. There is no mySQL restrictions on the semi, the swamp account has a 30 mySQL connection limit and they watch the processor usage closely. On the semi, you get unlimited connections and they don't watch processor usage as closely.

#5 11-04-2006, 11:17 PM

I welcome any more comments about the semi-dedicated service.

Any customers out there with any positive/negative feedback?

twisty · #6 11-04-2006, 11:45 PM

I'm on the semi myself right now - it's decent enough if your site, CPU/RAM wise, doesn't strictly require a dedicated. The speed is pretty good for what it is.

My CPU is a Celeron 2.4 split (3? 4?) ways with other customers.

I guess the biggest factor is who you end up sharing the server with. Hopefully not someone who pins the CPU hard and/or eats up lots of RAM, and unfortunately there's no way to know this in advance so it's kind of a crapshoot.

And as Serra mentioned, they don't seem to pay as much attention to load issues on the semi's from my experience.

Still, certainly better than a VPS imo - I've been there and tried that. The performance is just crap for what you're paying - running all those virtual servers is very inefficient. I'd rather use a decent semi any day.

Serra · #7 11-05-2006, 08:27 AM

I'll add that if you do see performance issues on a semi, likely you will need to report them to get anyone to look at them. One customer was complaining that they got stuck on a server with someone who used up the whole machine, leaving little for him to use, YMMV.

Overall, the semi-dedicated is a good deal. If you can't get a dedicated server, then a semi-dedicated is about as good as it gets.

#8 11-06-2006, 08:32 AM

Does the database and email server live on the same semi-dedicated server...or do they live in a more "shared" environment?

slapshotw · #9 11-06-2006, 02:28 PM

Databases and email are on the same server

Serra · #10 11-06-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhcueball2

Does the database and email server live on the same semi-dedicated server...or do they live in a more "shared" environment?

Slapshot is correct, the machines are not clustered. The mySQL and Exim are on the machine that the Semi is on.

The semi-dedicated is basically a shared account that is on a server with a limited number of other users. About 4 or so (no specific level is given by HG) other users share the machine. With less restrictions, no suspensions and all, it is a good envrionment, but still a shared environment. No shell access or root access. It is NOT a VPS either, you share the system, with all of the security risks that involves.