Reseller / Dedicated Server Transparency

WEG0508 · #1 06-29-2007, 01:44 PM

I currently have a reseller account with HG and find the cPanel/WHM to be more than enough to manage my domains. I am also seriously considering ordering a dedicated server.

My reason for considering a dedicated server is to simply isolate my domains from the hundreds and hundreds of other domains in the shared server/reseller environment. Issues such as root access at this time are not really that that important to me.

My question is can HG setup a dedicated server to look to the owner as if he is on a reseller server which has one and only one reseller account installed?

princom · #2 06-29-2007, 01:52 PM

You control the resellers on your dedicated server.

So you can have just yourself as a reseller and no one else.

Does that answer your question?

gtgeorge · #3 06-29-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEG0508

I currently have a reseller account with HG and find the cPanel/WHM to be more than enough to manage my domains. I am also seriously considering ordering a dedicated server.

My reason for considering a dedicated server is to simply isolate my domains from the hundreds and hundreds of other domains in the shared server/reseller environment. Issues such as root access at this time are not really that that important to me.

My question is can HG setup a dedicated server to look to the owner as if he is on a reseller server which has one and only one reseller account installed?

Not sure if I understand correctly, but your reseller account could be moved over to a dedicated to where all appears and is handled the same way from the reseller account and accounts under the reseller are concerned.
The only real change would be ip address and host name.

WEG0508 · #4 06-29-2007, 01:59 PM

I think what I am asking is if HG could transfer my reseller account over to a dedicated server.

Could I signin using that reseller account and not have to do anything at all different other than what I am currently doing outside of chaning my private nameservers ns1.xyz.com ns2.xyz.com to point to the new ip addresses.

Thanks

princom · #5 06-29-2007, 02:01 PM

Yup. But know that switching to dedicated may take some work to get it up and running properly.

Refer to Serra's sticky...
http://forums.hostgator.com/showthread.php?t=5087 (Non-public forum)

WEG0508 · #6 06-29-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princom

Yup. But know that switching to dedicated may take some work to get it up and running properly.

Refer to Serra's sticky...
http://forums.hostgator.com/showthread.php?t=5087 (Non-public forum)

Yes, and that is what I am trying to avoid. The scenario I am trying to proceed with is to have HG setup a reseller type server (on whatever hardware base is ordered).

Transfer my reseller account to that server and then set the cap to 1 so that no other reseller or shared account is placed on that server.

kmaw · #7 06-29-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEG0508

Transfer my reseller account to that server and then set the cap to 1 so that no other reseller or shared account is placed on that server.

You want like an extra-extra managed server.... nope not here...

WEG0508 · #8 06-29-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaw

You want like an extra-extra managed server.... nope not here...

Actually no, currently HG allocates so many reseller accounts per server. When the limit is reached, they put a new server in service and begin filling it with reseller accounts, etc, etc.

This is not extra-managed. It is simply a server with a single reseller account installed. Not treated differently than a reseller server in any way other than there is only one account on that server. Just as there would be only one on any newly implemented reseller server between the time the first reseller account is installed and a second is ordered by a new or existing client. Between the time the second account is ordered, the first reseller would not be looked upon as having an 'extra-managed' reseller account.

princom · #9 06-29-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEG0508

Yes, and that is what I am trying to avoid. The scenario I am trying to proceed with is to have HG setup a reseller type server (on whatever hardware base is ordered).

Transfer my reseller account to that server and then set the cap to 1 so that no other reseller or shared account is placed on that server.

Thats how I have my server set up at the moment. I'm the only reseller on it. Like I said you controll the resellers so if you want the cap to be one than all you have to do is never add any resellers.

It sounds like you're afraid that it may be over your head. If the reseller whm is over your head, then a dedicated server will be even more. If I were you I'd get more comfortable with reseller before moving to dedicated.

WEG0508 · #10 06-29-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princom

Thats how I have my server set up at the moment. I'm the only reseller on it. Like I said you controll the resellers so if you want the cap to be one than all you have to do is never add any resellers.

It sounds like you're afraid that it may be over your head. If the reseller whm is over your head, then a dedicated server will be even more. If I were you I'd get more comfortable with reseller before moving to dedicated.

Wrong! I currently do all of my developement in a LAMP environment which I installed myself under virutualization software.

The procedures currently in place for retailers to add, delete, manage resold domains is simple and works for me. I stay busy enough developing software for and supporting my clients and don't want the additional overhead of maintaining a dedicated server.

WEG0508 · #11 06-29-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princom

Thats how I have my server set up at the moment. I'm the only reseller on it. Like I said you controll the resellers so if you want the cap to be one than all you have to do is never add any resellers.

It sounds like you're afraid that it may be over your head. If the reseller whm is over your head, then a dedicated server will be even more. If I were you I'd get more comfortable with reseller before moving to dedicated.

Wrong! I currently do all of my developement in a LAMP environment which I installed myself under VMware.

The procedures currently in place for retailers to add, delete, manage resold domains is simple and works for me. I stay busy enough developing software for and supporting my clients and don't want the additional overhead of maintaining a dedicated server.

princom · #12 06-29-2007, 02:37 PM

Ok, so if you're comfortable with reseller, once your dedicated server is set up for you there really won't be any additional overhead, with the exception of the additional cost. Just more control. HG maintains the server, thats what you're paying them for. You may have to do an occasional upgrade or reboot request but I can't imagine much else.

gtgeorge · #13 06-29-2007, 02:49 PM

Well there would be a couple differences:

You would be responsible for backups as HG doesn't backup dedicated servers

You would need to monitor or set up a monitor as HG doesn't monitor the dedicated servers

Other than that, once things are setup and running smoothly, it would be much like you are now on a reseller account

Serra · #14 06-29-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princom

Ok, so if you're comfortable with reseller, once your dedicated server is set up for you there really won't be any additional overhead, with the exception of the additional cost. Just more control. HG maintains the server, thats what you're paying them for. You may have to do an occasional upgrade or reboot request but I can't imagine much else.

That is exactly right. You can pretend you are a reseller and never really have to look too closely at the WHM side of hosting, if you don't want to. There is more to learn and you will NEED to learn some of it, but beyond that, you'll be fine. Support can and will handle every problem you have on the dedicated, though it isn't proactive support. You will need to report problems. They don't fix things they don't know about.

Read some of the threads from people who just switched and see how overwhelmed they felt, you will feel the same way, it is part of the guarantee. Overall, its a good business choice.

PM me if you want a little more info, I have more to say, if you want to hear it, PM me...

Goddess Dix · #15 06-29-2007, 02:57 PM

with a dedicated server, you do have to do a little more. hg manages the servers and helps you, but the difference is that you're actually responsible for it yourself. you decide when the software gets updated or changed, not hg, you decide what php options get set, blah blah blah. when it goes down or there's a problem, you have to tell them if you need help getting soemthing fixed.

however, you can get the dediciated, pay configserver.com to lock it down for you, and log into your reseller account and do almost everything, day to day, from there.

i don't think it's realistic, however, to expect that you'll never need to get into anything else. you may find, also, that you end up logging in as root sometimes to explore something, enable a feature, etc. you have more control available to you, and it's likely, at some point, you'll be interested in exercising it. or at least, that's sure what i found.

so yes, there's some commiment on your part with dedicated because you are responsible for the box yourself and have to keep it running and in good shape. you don't need to know more to begin with than you did with a reseller account, but it's not a bad idea to be open to learning.

WEG0508 · #16 06-29-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serra

That is exactly right. You can pretend you are a reseller and never really have to look too closely at the WHM side of hosting, if you don't want to. There is more to learn and you will NEED to learn some of it, but beyond that, you'll be fine. Support can and will handle every problem you have on the dedicated, though it isn't proactive support. You will need to report problems. They don't fix things they don't know about.

Read some of the threads from people who just switched and see how overwhelmed they felt, you will feel the same way, it is part of the guarantee. Overall, its a good business choice.

PM me if you want a little more info, I have more to say, if you want to hear it, PM me...

Thanks for the straight answer. What I am looking to do is keep the process for implementing new domains simple. I currently have a HG reseller account along with a reseller account at another web host company which is currently being knocked down or slowing to a crawl by other users (never have a problem at HG... knock on wood).

I am in no ways intimidated by managing a dedicated server. I use an old laptop to run a linux development environment. I also run linux under VMware on my laptop. I do all of the linux/appache/mysql/perl/php customization and maintenance including upgrades... so a dedicated service would be well within my capabilities. The point in wanting to be the only reseller setup on a dedicated server is so that I can continue to use the easily implemented cPanel/WHM environment to implement new domains and not take on the overhead of maintaining a dedicated server for which I have no real need other than to isolate my clients.

Serra · #17 06-29-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEG0508

... not take on the overhead of maintaining a dedicated server for which I have no real need other than to isolate my clients.

That is where Hostgator really is helpful. They manage the server, fix error and whatever and you will be the only user on the box. That is the value of managed hosting. Anytime there is a problem, a ticket or two fixes it.

I think a managed hosting service like Hostgator is exactly what you are looking for.

gtgeorge · #18 06-29-2007, 04:30 PM

I would highly recommend you go ahead and go dedicated then. It is much better and still have the managed option available if you need it. I do recommend Serra's thread for setting it up including CS hardening and you will probably never look back

WEG0508 · #19 06-29-2007, 05:28 PM

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback.

I am leaning even more towards the dedicated server route at this time. The isolation and availability of cPanel/WHM makes the additional efforts required for a dedicated server worthwhlile.

eLIANT · #20 06-29-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEG0508

The point in wanting to be the only reseller setup on a dedicated server is so that I can continue to use the easily implemented cPanel/WHM environment to implement new domains and not take on the overhead of maintaining a dedicated server for which I have no real need other than to isolate my clients.

The answers you are getting from gtgeorge and serra are telling you that the service level you get with a dedicated is ALMOST what you're looking for. If I hear you correctly, you don't want to have ALMOST that level of service; you want the same service level as a reseller on a shared server, but without it being shared.

You're asking for a service that is not part of one of HG's standard packages, so I suggest you ask HG sales to give you a quote for a "Special" package that meets your needs.

slapshotw · #21 06-30-2007, 02:00 AM

The way I'm reading your comments--do you think HG is going to start putting other resellers on your server? Because that's just not the case, it's only your server.

But maybe I'm reading it wrong? I got the impression from this line:

Quote:

Transfer my reseller account to that server and then set the cap to 1 so that no other reseller or shared account is placed on that server.

You will be the only person HG puts on your server. You can choose to have whoever and whatever else on there you want.

WEG0508 · #22 07-01-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshotw

The way I'm reading your comments--do you think HG is going to start putting other resellers on your server? Because that's just not the case, it's only your server.

But maybe I'm reading it wrong? I got the impression from this line:

You will be the only person HG puts on your server. You can choose to have whoever and whatever else on there you want.

No, I was trying to clarify what I was looking for in a move to a dedicated server for no purpose other than to isolate my client domains. I am perfectly happy with the whm/cpanel combination for adding new domains, setting up databases, email, etc. So in effect what I was trying to clarify was could I simply purchase a dedicated server and then simply continue from that point on using the same methods I would as a reseller.

eLIANT · #23 07-01-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEG0508

...what I was trying to clarify was could I simply purchase a dedicated server and then simply continue from that point on using the same methods I would as a reseller.

Sounds like you're looking for a semi-dedicated account, but with no one else on the same server. Like I said, ask Sales to give you a quote.

Sam · #24 07-01-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eLIANT

Sounds like you're looking for a semi-dedicated account,

If he got a semi-dedi he wouldnt be able to host his clients

kmaw · #25 07-01-2007, 08:43 AM

Right... definitely needs a dedicated. So I think I'm started to get it more...

Dedicated is the same setup as reseller... you have WHM and each account has a cpanel.... only you and your clients are on the server.

It just requires more time because you have to administrate the server... look after little problems or let HG know so they can fix them. Deal with security and spam/virus issues...

But dedicated is still far better....