questions about upgrading to a Dedicated server

[Supremo]

For the last year, i've been with aplus.net. the solo xr plan. not too bad at all, i have had no problems, 10 bucks a month, 1100mb and 45gb transfer.

Soon, I hope I will be at the point where I have to think about moving to a DS. I run a fantasy sports website, at the moment 100 users, but after a year of testing it all works (!) I have a major advertising blitz for the next few months coming, so fingers crossed that my user base increases, to 1000 or maybe even 5000

The easiest thing to do, I guess, would be to stick with aplus, and move to their 99 bucks a month dedicated server, with 1000gb of traffic.

Does anyone have any experience with Aplus?

Failing that, what others are there around the 100 bucks a month mark?

Netcraft has an analysis of domains moving from host to host.

Rackshack has gained a lot of hosts, But I wont go near them, I see that from other posts.

1&1 Internet has over 3 million customers, they have 500gb transfer DS starting at 50 bucks a month.
Any one have good or bad to say about them?


Also, I see a lot of reference to Plesk7. Good or bad? Essential or not needed? I foudn one hoster which was 59.99 a month, 20 bucks a month more if i wanted Plesk 7.


And one final question, about transfering a domain. Is it straight forward? What is the time frame when it comes from the switch from one host to another.

Thanks for all your help in advance. chosing the right DS is a big step. Until I cam here, Rackshack looked good, so I am gald i found you all. any advice is happily received.

[Jonathan VanSchaack]

Well a good question to ask yourself is, Can i keep a dedicated server managed and online. One plus to paying someone for hosting is they keep the server update and online. Do you have the extra time to handle this?, If the question is yes, I do alot of research on any company your gonna go with for your dedicated solution. Name server are very easy to move over as long as the one your moving it too isonline and all setup waiting. Now I would advise you too stay with the web host your have had good times with. But do they offer a virtual server plan?, This allows for you to get more but not have the responsibility of a dedicated server.

[John Scott]

Rackshack has gained a lot of hosts, But I wont go near them, I see that from other posts.

Good call. RackShack / EV1 is crap.

Soon, I hope I will be at the point where I have to think about moving to a DS.

I think you might be missing something. When our customers sign up for a shared hosting plan, it's not just that they are sharing a server; they also get technical support 24/7 and server monitoring, etc.

If you go get a dedicated server, you'll most likely have to get your own people to do load monitoring, kernel upgrades, etc, etc. It's just easier to have a host (a professional) deal with that.

I would recommend either managed dedicated server, or a shared plan that meets your needs.

[Supremo]

. Now I would advise you too stay with the web host your have had good times with. But do they offer a virtual server plan?, This allows for you to get more but not have the responsibility of a dedicated server.

Aplus virtual servers actually offer less bandwidth than the shared hosting, at over 5 times the price. I dont see any benefit to that,

I would recommend either managed dedicated server, or a shared plan that meets your needs.

1and1 offer managed dedicated servers, starting at 60 bucks for a 2ghz celeron, up to 109 bucks a month for a 3.06ghz pentium 4.

Is that comparable to other managed plans, does any one know? and anyone know of any reviews of 1and 1's service? There seems to be nothing on epinions.

[Jonathan VanSchaack]

Well if Aplus doesnt have the virtual server packages you need look at other companies. Most companies will do customer plans for more bandwidth if you know how much space you need. I know I do. Just take a look around. Also , I'm using the tern virtual server, but alot of shared plans can also give this amount of space/bandwidth.

About the 1and1 servers, I'd be a little skepticle about a "managed" server that is less then $140/month.