Please, dedicated servers that "just work"!

Freaking Crazy · #1 02-14-2006, 06:28 AM

It was a pain to configure the dedicated server with Hostgator. Basically, I'm afraid to upgrade when I need to, because it was so time-consuming to send e-mails back and forth asking to set up properly most services

For instance, when you install PureFTP, you want it to start on bootup (I had to ask for it). Also, you want to require SMTP authentication for outbound messages (I had to ask for it). WHM need to be installed already too, and properly configured. Also, an "A" record for the main domain should be stored in default installation. Squirrellmail should work out of the box too and not give an error message. If IMAP doesn't work properly, why not disabling it?

I don't know you, but every week I have problems on my server. The Hostgator technical support is excellent and solves those quickly, but it's annoying for both parts.

Serra · #2 02-14-2006, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freaking Crazy

It was a pain to configure the dedicated server with Hostgator. Basically, I'm afraid to upgrade when I need to, because it was so time-consuming to send e-mails back and forth asking to set up properly most services

I agree. I found several things on my box that it should have had setup, which were not. I'm not an expert in running a server, so I wasn't aware they were missing until I needed them. One would assume that a dedicated server would come preinstalled with some sort of standard setup, but that clearly is not the case.

I would rather spend my time making money and not waste it learning how to run a server. If I wanted to run my own server, I would buy one instead of renting one!

dema · #3 02-14-2006, 08:16 AM

Speaking on a purely theoretical level (as OP didn't give many details), as I understand it the point of getting a dedicated server is to have a hardware-managed machine on a managed network that you have full control of. Frankly, if I were to purchase a dedicated server and find a bunch of stuff preinstalled I would protest immediately.

Freaking Crazy · #4 02-14-2006, 09:15 AM

Nope, because these servers are managed. They are more expensive than regular dedicated servers that come only with the operating system, where you need to install everything, set up everything and deal with updates.

TeeJa · #5 02-14-2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dema

Speaking on a purely theoretical level (as OP didn't give many details), as I understand it the point of getting a dedicated server is to have a hardware-managed machine on a managed network that you have full control of. Frankly, if I were to purchase a dedicated server and find a bunch of stuff preinstalled I would protest immediately.

Well, if the average person ordered a dedicated server, with no knowledge of Redhat, Apache and all the other software to run a Linux server and installed nothing else, can you visualize that average person installing his own Cpanel/WHM and all the other programs through root/shell with command line installs??
Again, when I got my dedicated last July, I found many things that where not either configured, or installed.
After getting with support with all the start up problems, I went through all the configurations myself, and even did some of my own installs via root. I am happy to say I have not contacted support for anything in months.
It just would not hurt to read up on the software and the server it self to at least get an idea of how everything works. I know many don't have the time to do it, so you are totally reliant on support, but that's what we pay the extra bucks for. It also is nice to know you can do a lot of the basic things...

Serra · #6 02-14-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dema

Speaking on a purely theoretical level (as OP didn't give many details), as I understand it the point of getting a dedicated server is to have a hardware-managed machine on a managed network that you have full control of. Frankly, if I were to purchase a dedicated server and find a bunch of stuff preinstalled I would protest immediately.

Yea, but I'm paying a lot extra so that it comes ALL preinstalled and I have to do nothing myself. If I wanted a non-managed server, I could save a bunch of money, heck, I could buy my own and it would be cheaper, month to month.

I would expect on a managed server, that it would come presinstall just like a reseller account. I just install my accounts and I'm ready to roll.

I suspect that HG's dedicated accounts appeal mostly to people who don't have a server background, but need the power and safety of a dedicated machine. I've been running Apache, mySQL and PHP off my own server for a while, but I don't feel like I could manage my own server from scratch and I don't want to spend the time and effort to become a server expert. I'd rather make money than be a support guy.

cjnoyes · #7 03-09-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeJa

Well, if the average person ordered a dedicated server, with no knowledge of Redhat, Apache and all the other software to run a Linux server and installed nothing else, can you visualize that average person installing his own Cpanel/WHM and all the other programs through root/shell with command line installs??

A person such as this, should not be getting a dedicated server and dealing with all their stuff themselves IMHO.

Serra · #8 03-09-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjnoyes

A person such as this, should not be getting a dedicated server and dealing with all their stuff themselves IMHO.

That is right, that is exactly why we have HG to do it for us. I have no intention of learning all about servers, Apache, Lunix... and the hunderd of other things. Yes, I know enough to get by and I'm sure I could be an expert at it, if I wanted to be an expert, but I'd rather not. I've got plenty of other things to keep me busy.

LadyLarke · #9 03-30-2006, 05:14 AM

Well said Serra, I agree 100%. That is exactly why I pay all this money every month. For a *managed* dedicated server. If I wanted to do it all myself I too would have save a ton of money for an unmanaged server.

Yes please, let's make it so the managed servers actually work! Mine has been crashing hard more and more often. HG fixes it with no reason why it keeps happening. If I knew, I'd deal with it. *tired of it*

#10 05-19-2006, 03:42 PM

Just an additional note:

Please be aware that The Planet actually handles all of our server provisioning. Anything that isn't available or setup correctly at the beginning is the result of their setup.

We do our best to ensure everything is up and running properly once a dedicated is online however as we'll be unable to test every service in conjunction with your websites a few trips to support will be required in the majority of cases.

As with anything a steep learning curve there are going to be issues that arise along the way for both clients and support alike: However we're simply an e-mail away and we'll do our best to ensure any issue that you have occurring will be resolved as promptly and thoroughly as possible.

If you have any outstanding problems that we can assist with simply just let us know and we'll resolve it.

We're only an e-mail away: support@hostgator.com

kmaw · #11 05-19-2006, 04:29 PM

With this in mind... I've been thinking about making the jump... but I'm still a bit uneasy about going through the setup...

Maybe you folks that have been through it want to post some of your recommendations... ie Tell HG to install CPanel/WHM... ???

#12 05-19-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaw

With this in mind... I've been thinking about making the jump... but I'm still a bit uneasy about going through the setup...

Maybe you folks that have been through it want to post some of your recommendations... ie Tell HG to install CPanel/WHM... ???

All of the major services always come pre-installed, such as cpanel/whm, apache, ftp, email, etc.

TeeJa · #13 05-19-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaw

Maybe you folks that have been through it want to post some of your recommendations... ie Tell HG to install CPanel/WHM... ???

Unless you tell HG different, it should come with Cpanel/WHM. It also should have everything you had on your present account, only more if you want. Just have to make sure everthing is installed, remember your the new "HG" on the server, create your own name server names, set yourself up as the main reseller, transfer your accounts over, but don't kill the old accounts until your sure the new ones all work before changing any domains over to the new NS, or just move one and test. I had 10 domains I copied over first, (my own non important sites) to make sure all was working, before bringing the clients over. Once you get it all working, you will be happier than with a shared.
I'm sure they will be a few hicups, but in the end with HG support help you'll be good.

Serra · #14 05-19-2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaw

With this in mind... I've been thinking about making the jump... but I'm still a bit uneasy about going through the setup...

Maybe you folks that have been through it want to post some of your recommendations... ie Tell HG to install CPanel/WHM... ???

Most everything will be installed for you. You might find some stuff that isn't, like Curl or OpenSSL, but you'll figure out pretty quickly that something is missing and support will install them.

cjnoyes · #15 05-20-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serra

That is right, that is exactly why we have HG to do it for us. I have no intention of learning all about servers, Apache, Lunix... and the hunderd of other things. Yes, I know enough to get by and I'm sure I could be an expert at it, if I wanted to be an expert, but I'd rather not. I've got plenty of other things to keep me busy.

I think you know far more than the people he was describing