Dave Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 How difficult is it to get a server up and running? Or is it cheaper and easier to rent space? I have a business web-site that i want to start up. It involves uploading and filing photo's, so that people can pick them and order them online. IS this easy to achive? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Dave, it's easy mate. If you want any advice, just PM me. I've done just what you're mentioning for a client not long ago. You can either host it yourself (leased line etc), or co-locate your server, or just use a Shared hosting option. You can probably buy off the shelf packages, but if not, feel free to give me a shout and I'll see if I can find you one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 OK mate, could you let me know your e-mail add and i'll get it all down on that rather than PM.. you'll have more time to look at it then. Thanks a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 If its a business website then personally i'd pay for hosting of some sort with SLA etc. For a starters their bandwidth is highly likely going to more than your business DSL, so it's not going to get bogged down, if the server dies you're stuffed and have no built-in resilency like a decent hosted service should have. Hosting really doesn't cost a lot these days if you're not going to be uploading/download gigs of data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeX Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Don't host it yourself whatever you do - it just doesn't make sense even if you have a fair bit of bandwidth. Co-locating your own server, or even renting a dedicated machine is cheap these days. I wouldn't recommend a shared server for a business operation that deals with photos - it will cause hassle. If you need any help drop me a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crasher Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Yup, i'd have to agree here, its not worth the hassle trying to host your own box (tried it, was a nightmare). I'd go the hosted route every time. I currently rent a dedicated machine through 1and1 (www.1and1.co.uk) - excellent price and service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 You only host, if you have a leased line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeX Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 I have to say that after many bad experiences, I wouldn't go anywhere near 1&1. When it works, it's great but if anything goes wrong (particularly where payment is concerned) you end up having your systems down for a long time. As for hosting on a leased line, I've done it (and still do for some things) but there are lots of issues to think about. Also beware of the folks pushing DSL services branded as "leased lines" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 A leased line must be a proper circuit from the likes of BT (only an example!). A DSL based "leased line", or SDSL line isn't worth the risk. They work most the time, but just wait until your server vanishes off the internet - they'll not come rushing to help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Yes, and if you host it yourself and it goes tits up you can only shout at yourself and have to pick up the pieces. If its in a data centre and you have an SLA in place then someone else is contractually obliged to make it good for you!! Let me know if you need anything from me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 someone has just recommended me www.fasthosts.co.uk, will be having a butchers myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Nooooooooo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Why ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeX Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 I've used their name registration arm a few times without any trouble and haven't heard anything bad about the hosting. However, if anyone does need hosting, servers or co-location I may be able to help...just drop me a PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Truly shocking hosting. Letting domain names lapse, losing accounts etc... I've been busy moving everyone off them. We get a lot of people moving from them in disgust. It's probably personal experience, as I've never had an issue with 1&1, but others here have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I have to say that after many bad experiences, I wouldn't go anywhere near 1&1. When it works, it's great but if anything goes wrong (particularly where payment is concerned) you end up having your systems down for a long time. [/ QUOTE ] I know the net is full of bad stories about companies, but here's mine too... I'm currently having a right nightmare with 1&1 and all I’m trying to do is pay my bill. I had a domain name with them, which I wanted to move. It was due to expire, so I intended to let it and then renew it with another company. However, it was renewed automatically, buggering my plans no end. I moved the domain to another company anyway and everything seemed fine until I received a letter from 1&1. They wanted £4.98 (or there-abouts) as they had been unable to retrieve payment. Now it's been over a year since I accessed my 1&1 account, so I'm going from memory here, but it was probably because my account wasn't configured for automatic renewal and payment of domain names. The letter gave me 13 days to pay, or they would pass the matter to a debt collection agency! Now bear in mind, this was the first letter they had sent me and they jump straight in threatening legal action. So, I called them straight away. I offered to pay, but they said the only way I could do it was to log into my account and do it all online. They offered no other assistance. Now this is where the fun begins - I tried to log in, but it wouldn’t let me. I considered the possibility I was using the wrong details, but they all checked out. It simply wasn't working. I must have explained my situation a dozen times, but they never actually read the emails. They just jump into some mindless drivel of a generic reply. After spending over a month emailing and telephoning them, they have finally admitted that they deleted my account! That was it! No explanation, no advice on how to proceed, no apology, nothing. So more emails were required. I asked them how I was meant to pay a bill which can only be paid online, if my online account had been deleted! I then mentioned how incompetent and unhelpful they had so far been and how bad it would look to a magistrate, if it ever came to court, that they pulled their finger out. I received an email this morning and they have now passed the matter to their billing department, for what it’s worth. You may wonder why I am so determined to pay the bill, as it’s so small. But these things have a habit of snow-balling and as soon as debt collection agencies get involved, they start bunging on the ‘admin fees’. Before you know it, £4.98 has become £104.98. Hopefully I can get this sorted before it gets really messy, but so far they have been the most useless and unhelpful people I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Well, at least on par with Ebuyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crasher Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 All i can say is that i've been using 1and1 for almost 6 years now and have never ever had an issue with them. I have well over 20 domains registered through them, and 2 separate hosting packaged (including the dedicated server) and can only say that they have always been at pains to assist with any query I have. I guess its the same with cars. You get the occasional nightmare story about a specific car, but it doesnt mean that they're all bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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