What do you recommend?

I'm about to start a file hosting with an option to stream service and can't stomach the cost of as many dedicated servers as I'm going to need when all things considered. I was thinking about running it off at least 4 shared servers with server balancing. What would the performance be like then and what would be the best web host for my services? I know I'm going to get a lot of space, and a lot of bandwidth with shared servers, and I realize it's going to use a lot of resources. Can shared servers handle these kind of sites? And which would be the best?

I'm leaning away from Bluehost because I had a VB forum with them like a year ago, and I got too many "exceed CPU quota limit" and that was simply unacceptable. Especially considering the type of site that I'm currently starting.

 

Well... Personally I think even a VPS would do. Shared hosting is not really suited for file hosting sites, and even though you'll get hosts come in here posting their shared hosting offers, they just want the money and you'll probably get suspended down the line.

You can find a few VPS providers on this forum here (Yes, including myself ). I suggest if you do go for VPS though, don't go for something like cPanel/DirectAdmin, it will eat up your server resources. Try LXAdmin or ISPConfig, they are very light and do exactly the same things.

Anyway, good luck !

 

Hey,

Take a look at our plans at http://wiree.net/vps/

And yes, Lxadmin is recomended for the best experience and resource wise!

 

If you tell me for a suggestion, i would give you a simple suggestion is to take a Dedicated box for this. Low memory availability and the non-swap edition would kill your file hosting business i can gurantee I have ran till far 2 file Hosting consequently and tried a vps from WebhostingUK with around 5000 Uniques in total. I have to say, WebhostingUK is one of the best non-overseller vps hosting company and provide really superb up/down bandwidth. Though, for the less flesibility of memory i had to move to a Softlayer box. Sometimes, i thought to use a box from BurstNet for its dirty cheap offers, but considering the bandwidth quality and hardware, Softlayer was the best choice. I m pretty sure, you got a bit low budget, thats why i would suggest you to go with Softlayer's Legacy Core server. Try Opteron 1216, which comes with minimum 2 GB Ram from softlayer and i m pretty sure, you can manage it at around 130-150 if you talk with Amanda (Their Sales Manager) or Patrick

I m currently running one file hosting on an opteron with around 12K visitors daily and undoubtedly, it runs superb. When it gets loaded, you should then be able to purchase another opteron 1216 and cluster it with your script

Good luck in your business

 

The more I read up on VPS, the more I like. Would that be a good solution to my problem? If it only cost around 40 a month, then I can manage at least 3.

 

Yes, if your file site is a a new site then a VPS should be more then good enough to start out with

 

I agree to go with a VPS , is too risky with shared hosting

 

You really will need to consider at least a VPS for this type of site that you need hosting for.

 

Do not go with shared hosting.. a vps is even pushing it IMO unless it is brand new and not many visitors yet.. Once you start getting a ton of visitors you will need to upgrade to a dedicated box.. Vps are not all what they are hyped up to be.

 

Took my words! According to OP's first post, it looks like his site isn't a new one

 

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=829627

 

If you have a $40 a month budget, I can offer you a dedicated server

AMD 64Bit 2800+ CPU (Upgrade to a 2.4GHZ P4 for $5 per month)
80GB Hard Disk
512MB RAM
1TB Bandwidth @ 100Mbits
LXAdmin control panel
Only $40 - Shoot me a PM if you need more info

People just wanting to make money....

 

The best way to do this is i would look into the following set up.

stand alone apache server
stand alone MySql data base server
then your file storage server

 

Yeah, and then use load balancing... Mind you, what would they need the database server for?

 

I am assuming they will be using MySql to run the script needed?? If this is not the case then he will not need it.

 

For the script files, it's probably easier just to use the shared hosting. And for the user uploaded files I could use the VPS/Dedicated servers, and use load balancing on those.

Thanks Cameron, I will definitely consider getting one of those. It's at a great price too. I'll need more space and bandwidth than that though, so I'll probably order 2 additional VPS to go along with the dedicated.

 

OK, cool

We also do shared hosting and VPS and we can customise any of our services (dedicated servers included) if need be