I am looking for the best dedicate server hosting package for php/mysql web sites.

[bpat1434]

I don't know of any of those types of companies. But I use ManageMyBox and they're great. I've upgraded my server with them, and I've also had support requests answered in less than 4 hours time. The longest support request was when my server went down (the only time so far) and it took almost 6 hours to come back up. But that was on a weekend (a national holiday no less) so it took longer than usual.

Overall, I've been extremely happy with them. They're extremely helpful and extremely quick. So there's a 4th. ManageMyBox to me has been great. I can't complain too much.

I do know someone that works for LayeredTech. He set up my box on ManageMyBox secured it for me. Knows exactly what he's doing (30+ years experience), and it's been serving me well for a few months now. So they're another service to look at.

Hope that helps.

[piersk]

The best? I'd suggest someone like Rackspace. Be prepared to pay quite a lot of money for it.

Just another thought (and this may be like the 1&1 root access server that you mentioned above) but have you thought of a Virtual Private Server? That would mean you get memory and HD space that you and only you have access to, without paying the large bills that would come with co-locating or a dedicated machine.

[blackhorse]

Right now, the physical or dedicated server doesn't cost too much. My biggest problem is not the cost of 1&1. Actually they are relatively cheap.

My problems are

1) root access server: I am not comfortable that 1&1 will not have tech support for me even if my root access server under hackers attack, and I am willing to pay for that service. I cannot sleep well that knowing if my system crashes that I have to call for 3rd party linux/unix expert to help me.

2) managed server: since 1&1 tries to keep it to the simplest set up that they would be easy to manage. basically it is designed to one client (that client can have several domains, etc.) not for shared hosting. I will not have the easy to use plesk user interface. I will have to manage all my clients emails etc. by myself. And all the extra set up and updates I have no rights to request. I am on their mercy, i will get what they give. Now, the system is new. I may be able to run all my sites on the server with minor fixes. But how about future, I am sure that I might run into some problems their set up cannot work.

I know there is no perfect solution, but I am looking for either

1) more like my current local hosting now but the traffic will not be so expensive. and the machine could be newer.

or

2) more like 1&1 root access server but at least with some emergency software/system support (it could be at 100 dollars an hour etc.) that i can depend on.

or

3) more like 1&1 managed server but design for shared hosting environment. (they manage the server for me, but at least the server was designed support shared hosting, such as plesk and other shared hosting features.)

[blackhorse]

thanks bpat1434, I checked out managedbox. it seems they have cheaper traffic than my local hosting guys offer. Others, they might be the same. I know my local hosting guys and trusted their skills, just like you know them personally.

managedbox doesn't have a phone number on their web site? You got to know them personally like you said so you knew they are good, before you sign up to host with them. still thanks!

[bpat1434]

Yeah, no phone numbers, but through email and IM I've gotten to know them a bit. The guy I know personally works for LayeredTech. But he also is a pretty big guy for cPanel as well.

I took a chance (after doing plenty of homework) and it worked out.

[schwim]

I've used GoDaddy for my last two ded servers, one FC 4 and one CentOS. They offer managed service, like you speak of, and their service has been a-ok in my book. The one time I had a problem is when I ended up with a bad stick of memory on a new server and it took me a month to find the problem. The tech guys weren't much help. They just kept saying that the file system was a mess and I should reinstall the system. It was brand new and other than updating php/cpanel/mysql, it had not been messed with. You can get ignorant techs anywhere though.

I pay about 230 a month for my latest one with them P4 3Ghz dual core/2Gb memory/dual 120Gb raid array/unlimited remote backup/500Gb transfer as well as some other options I wanted. The only two things I don't get from them when ordering a new server is the hardware firewall and the management system.

thanks,
json

[stolzyboy]

I've heard good things about hostgator's managed dedicated servers.

http://www.hostgator.com/dedicated.shtml

[bpat1434]

That must be night and day compared to their shared servers.......

[piersk]

Is it just me, or is it a really stupid thing to show "sold out" on something like a dedicated server? That says to me "they haven't thought enough about expansion".

[bpat1434]

Possibly, or it could be that "it's so high in demand, we've got more on order"... Kind of like being sold out of particular Dell's. It happens. Just means it's more popular than they expected.

[blackhorse]

So any bad words about their shared servers?

I talked to them. It looks like I was talking to an IT guy, professional with technology, casual at answering sales calls. How big are they? That guy told me they host 1% of internet, that couldn't be for real. But how big really are they?

If they are realtively a big company, how can they afford to have a real IT professional to answer the regular sales calls instead of an outsourced foreign salesman on the phone?

Well, you want a big hosting company with a human face when you look for a hosting server, right?

Thanks!

[stolzyboy]

Their shared servers have gotten MUCH better in the past few months... they are expanding more every day.

Their dedicated servers are exceptional and yes, they are sold out as they are in high demand. A dedicated server is just that, one dedicated server all to yourself with which you can do whatever you want with, legally, of course, and you can rely on them for support if there is anything you can't figure out.

And yes, they are relatively large, and yes, the 1% hosted is correct. I can't find the page where it shows that at the moment, but it is true.

If you go to their site, I think it shows their company history and statistics about them.

Yes, you can view some company information here: http://www.hostgator.com/company.shtml

[stolzyboy]

FYI, I have NO stake or anything in Hostgator, I just use and like their services.

I previously used OLM.net but found them to be lacking in support and uptime.

[blackhorse]

when I talked with the sales guy from hostgator, he seemed more like an IT professioanl, not a trained salesman. he even answered the phone by "yeah!" I like this part. More like the guys from my local hosting company. But I cannot stop wondering if they are so big, how can they afford to put an IT guy on the sales line? I know I am picky here. oursourced guy in the other side of the world knowing nothing except something you already found on the web page drove me made, but an IT professioanl on the sale line makes me think, how did they afford that? thanks! I will definately check them out again.

If anyone has experiece with them, please share with me here.

Also if anyone has experiece with 1&1 managed server, also I would like to hear about it. Even it may not be fitting my own requirements. If the managed server of 1&1 is stable and if the update and support are in time, I could recommend it to some of my projects' clients. Thanks!

[cgraz]

Have you looked at mediatemple? I have used them for years and loved them. Their tech support actually knows what they are doing - they know Linux quite well and can work the command line. I've never waited more than 2 minutes when calling in, and usually get through within 0-10 seconds.

They also can migrate you from one server to another as you grow with very little downtime if any.

[blackhorse]

I called mediatemple. Their offers are more like 1&1 root access, after I get the server, I am on my own totally.

So far only the hostgator offers the root access and tech support if i want.

[blackhorse]

About hostgator, 1 small thing was missing. They don't offer backup services for dedicate server. But they said I could buy an extra hard driver from them. And I can back up my server to that hard driver through a cron work. But that hard drive may be installed at the same machine. So I am covered from the major hard drive failure but not some other physical disasters if it knocks the machine or both hard drives down. I guess I can also use ftp download the database everyday and maybe ftp download the all web sites every week just to be at the safe side.

[stolzyboy]

yeah, they say to get the 2 HD package, then just copy your cpanel/whm over to the backup server... as far as catastrophic failure, there is always that chance... but you take that chance anywhere, regardless what the hosting service says.

[bpat1434]

For shared space (or maybe more like VPS) I personally really like Mosso. It's an interesting concept having Linux and Windows available to any site and still give you "dedicated" space and bandwidth at an affordable price.

If I have to give up my dedicated box, or I can't find a better deal than my current one, I may go to them soon.

[blackhorse]

bpat1434, do you go to Mosso yet? or find better ones?