Hi there Anyone got experience using both; Dedicated server and VPS? I want to know if I can use them for hosting my clients sites, and selling hosting packages? So it seems that I could but what do you recommended? What I want to offer is; unlimited space, bandwidth, email, etc, how would I choose the right server? Here is an example (VPS) now this is a VPS but this one is on linux, not sure if this matters and example (Dedicated) What exactly am I looking for between the 2 servers? Some are very costly and others are not. Lastly, would you also recommend to invest in a server that is in your own country/city? I appreciate your help. CHEERS
Firstly, how can you offer unlimited bandwidth and disk space when you are going to have a limited-size hard drive, and a set amount of bandwidth? You can offer whatever you want, I suppose, but there is no such thing as unlimited bandwidth and disk space. There are a couple schools of thought on VPS vs. Dedicated. 1) A VPS might be better if your budget is not big, because your VPS might be on hardware that you could not afford on your dedicated server. I.e. the processors on a VPS might be far more powerful than you could afford for your dedicated box, or you might get a RAID10 disk array, as opposed to a single hard drive, or RAID1. 2) Dedicated is better because everything is well...dedicated. You are not sharing the box with anyone else, like you are on a VPS. I guess it's just a matter of opinion. As far as the server location...generally speaking, you will want to get a server that is closest to your clients. Usually slightly faster for them that way. But in many cases, the difference is negligible. It sounds like you're fairly new to all this stuff. I would recommend doing some serious research before you jump into the hosting business.
Hello buckmajor, I have experience in companies that sell both VPS and Dedicated Server plans. Your best bet (in your case & in my opinion) would be a cloud environment. Now I know it isn't exactly in your list of options, but technically it is. A cloud solution is an easily scalable VPS. Basically, it's a readily available, scalable and failure redundant type of server. Below is how RackSpace defines a cloud server: I think it's best in your case because you start off small, and as you get larger you just keep on adding more and more resources to your VPS.
I believe that unlimited disk space and bandwidth hosting packages will give doubts to your customers. The majority don't trust unlimited.
Hello, It might be difficult to make backup of one arbitrary software. Security issues are more complex in VPS providers than in dedicated server providers. There are two layers of security : both physical server security and VPS security. VPS monitoring might be more difficult than dedicated server monitoring. Thanks
Reseller package should be suit your need more than dedicated server or vps type. It has been designed for people to host their websites and sell hosting account altogether from the beginning. You may consider reading this article to find out more about different between them.
Thanks guys I have a reseller account but wasn't sure if this was good for long term once the business starts to grow. Someone told me it is more safe to go with a VPS/Dedicated. But thanks to you guys, this is good enough for me to stay with my reseller account.
If the business starts to grow, a reseller account might not be the most ideal situation. Whoever told you that is correct. A VPS/Dedi will definitely give you A LOT more control. With that control, however, comes managing the server (or hiring a management company to do it for you). If you don't have all that many clients, a reseller account or small VPS is definitely the way to go. Good luck with the business!
Nice recommendation! Master reseller accounts allow your product line to grow and also bring in more business.
Good recommendation indeed Mentos. The only item of caution I have regarding master reseller accounts (at least in my limited experience with them) is that if you try moving the accounts at some point to a VPS or Dedicated Server, when you get to that point, is that it's a MAJOR hassle, at least in our experiences. Who knows...I say go for it!
Instead of taking VPS or Dedicated server, I would suggest you to start with resellers account if you do not experience managing your own VPS and Dedicated server. It is much more safe and budget worthy.
That's correct. Master reseller accounts allow you to sell both shared and reseller accounts (like yours).
If you're looking for a master reseller, my suggestion would be k-disk.net since they were top notch when I used them for overflow space.
You (hopefully) will outgrow your reseller account - for at least one of: * number of sites hostable, * total data transfer/month * disk/storage used * processing capability At that point, expect your costs to go up significantly - budget for 10-fold ! You certainly woudlnt want to downgrade to a VPS. With your own dediacted server, you'll need enough RAM, CPU, Disk etc to support the sites/clients you have and those you'll get after you upgrade. With the right provider, they'll help migrate the sites for you etc. Unless you want the responsibility/job/time to manage, adminisiter, secure and control the server every minute of every day, you'll need a managed hosting solution, and you'll also have the additional costs of the control panle licences etc (which you'd previously shared all of with N other resellers and customers on the same server. A well specified, quality dedicated hosting server on decent bandwidth in a real datacentre (not some unbranded off-ebay desktop in a shed on a piece of wet string somewhere), fully managed, with cpanel+softaculous+rkskins is likely to cost you ~$400/month