Dedicated Server. Bad idea if I know nothing about config/fixing/settings?

Okay, I'm a webmaster and have no idea how to run my own server. Having said that, I'm considering a dedicated server, which I've heard, means that if there are problems, I will need to fix them myself. I'm considering host gator. As I'm a new to dedicated servers, are they essentially for people who have hired their own tech support? Or do places like Hostgator fix issues if they arise? I'm quite confused, but I need to hurry and make a decision. I'm thinking dedicated for that sake of not having to go through a move to dedicated after going with a shared setup now. Make sense? I appreciate any and all feedback. Cheers!

 

I've been running about 3 dedicate servers (2 Linux and one Windows) and have had no problems with them. You may want to consider hiring a consultant for your initial setup, but once they are up and running, there are usually no problems. Why do you need a dedicated server if you are not a webmaster type dude...just curious?

 

I am a webmaster dood, but the technical aspects of a servers are beyond me. I just know how to submit tickets! Essentially I'm wondering can I get a dedicated server without worrying about some issue, which I need to deal with, which ends up causes all my websites to crash? In other words, they are all offline until I, me, can somehow fix it or find someone to fix it. Not comforting to me at all.

 

I would think that if you have been using a shared server account with hostgator okay that a dedicated server should not be anymore of a problem. Of course, where your questions should be going is to hostgator themselves!

It never occurred to me that an offering such as hostgator would NOT include the onsite services of system administration and tech support, probably even system engineering. That would be stupid of them. BTW, HostGator is one of 3 web hosting services that we use, and currently my favorite. My only problem is that even though the account is unlimited, the inodes ARE limited and I am waaaaayyyy over. (working on that ;-))

The scenerio you describe may be true if you are renting space in a rack where the server hardware you own is kept and ran. This is something people have done that I know of. Then, if something happens, well hey they are just providing the space and connections, not the system maintenance!

I am semi-retired from over 18 years of system engineering work, but, for me to physically travel to the server in another state to work on it... that would be stupid! It would make much more sense that HostGator has onsite people available which are part of the overall deal, or at least stated fees for use when needed.

Ask HostGator directly.

And, let us know! I have been considering such a move for our sites as well ;-)

 

Hostgator is responsive in regards to support for even their shared hosting plans...they are TOP NOTCH for helping you for dedicated issues too.

 

Okay, here's what I know so far. I did email host gator about 3 or 4 times, just so I was clear about this. So, if you wake up, and find all your sites down, yes, you submit a ticket and they will resolve the issue. Once you start installing some of your own software and things, I'm not sure exactly what happens. Bottom line is, they told me that dedicated servers are managed. So, you aren't out on your own if you need help with something. I'm still holding off for now, as should you. Black Friday says to me, that there will be some crazy deals at host gator. I can't wait! Finally a host that I can trust. I'll post here again if I hear anything else.

 

If you look around you can find fully managed dedicated servers. Liquid Web offers fully managed servers.

You could also try these guys www.platinumservermanagement.com for 29.00/mo per server they will manage and watch over your server responding to problems before you would even notice.

Search around... lots to choose from.

 

Managing your own dedicated server is not really hard nowadays. Familiarize yourself with a vps so that you wont have problem on a dedicated server. Just get a vps 1st and see if you handle it perfectly (Usually you just install the control panel then you are done. The rest can be configured inside the control panel itself or require some simple yum install command.)

Why get a high priced managed dedicated server while you can get a cheap unmanaged server?

 

When I was setting up my first dedicated server with HostGator I was almost as intimidated by the idea as you are. I soon found out they are VERY responsive, even beyond what one would reasonably expect, and I've kept that server for a long time now. The initial configuration was done for me with a very well-chosen set of default parameters that made it easy for me to accomplish everything I needed to do later on, and I've never been disappointed with their support along the way.

Go for it, dude. You'll be fine.

Cheers,
Neil

 

Dont worry hostgator people help a lot. I have one win server running and they always help. Even for small email problems.

 

Thanks for that, I appreciate it. If the Black Friday deal comes along as legend has it, then I will sign up for a dedicated. In a way for me right now, it's perhaps like pants that are too big. I will eventually grow into them. Paying $15 or less for a server just seems wrong to me. It's like I'm getting too much for too little. I don't want to cut corners and this will be good incentive to get really great sites going. I simply don't want to have to move a bunch of sites in a year or two. I'm hoping this would be a permanent home for me.

Friday is taking forever to come!

 

First off, don't use Host Gator. They are extremely expensive on what they provide.

I would highly recommend going with www.wholesaleinternet.com or www.interserver.net both are good companies for dedicated servers (one gives you free DA on request). And then here's the good part, pick up the management part to do all the security / setting up work for you at either www.bxmanagement.com or www.platinumservermanagement.com

Much cheaper isn't it? And much better quality too!

 

Most dedicated servers provide server management facility too you can get that too

 

I appreciate the other suggestions. I've been looking for a while, and I honestly am more worried about a lifetime partner than saving money. I likely wouldn't be using host gator dedicated servers, but if there is this big sale, then I will do it. I just think on what I've read, Host Gator is going to be the go daddy of web hosting. Having said that, I'll check those links you provided. No rock left unturned! BTW, the one thing I've learned from my most recent experience with my host is that cheaper is not a good option if you are serious about or are worried about ecommerce sites or sites you rely on websites for income. No downtime and reliability are king at least for me.

 

Trust me on this one, Host Gator is a reseller of The Planet. Would you rather deal with a reseller or deal directly?

If you want 100% uptime then probably go with rackspace.net or the king of the server market, softlayer.com

 

Yes they are resellers but they are offering more good prices. Just compar the prices of The Planet and Hostgator.

 

Dedicated server will rarely get a downtime unless you did something on it. A no downtime term is almost impossible (there is a lots of cause for downtime including client fault etc) unless you go for High-availability clustered server. Form what you want I think you should go for high-availability instead of normal dedicated server if money doesn't even a matter for you.

 

That's interesting! This is getting more difficult to decide, but I appreciate your experience. To clarify, you wouldn't recommend The Planet, just the places from your previous post?

 

I've dealt with The Planet in the past and their staff are horrible. They promised a server and then went back on it and ended up charging me $300 for a machine I was supposed to pay $189 on. Here are some things dug up about The Planet.

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=899889&highlight=planet+reviews
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=897906&highlight=planet+reviews
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=882650&highlight=planet+reviews
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=726304&highlight=planet+reviews

I suggested Soft Layer because that company was founded by an ex The Planet employee and most of the "good employees" all went to Softlayer. So if you're still interested, Softlayer would be a good choice since they have 3 locations throughout the US and can help cut you a deal.

 

Sounds like putting the cart BEFORE the horse. Dedicated servers are for people who have lots of traffic and if you are that new I doubt you have enough traffic to require a dedicated server. Another reason people use them is for illegal activities like Bit Torrent hosting and such. If that is not the case, then what I would do is buy a reseller account. You get unlimited bandwidth for 50 hosted slots. Just use the entire thing for your own website and you should be fine. Much cheaper and already set up to go right to work.

If you know nothing about Apache and setting up Linux and cPanels and all of that I would wait on the dedicated idea. Unless you just have more money than you know what to do with, then I guess you can hire people to rip you off and run your server. I think my idea is better, but what do I know? Only been in the server business since 1979, so I probably don't know anything.