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VPS/Dedicated Server Advice?

by teraman
11 replies
I've recently been looking around at upgrading my hosting situation and am considering getting a VPS package or a dedicated box. Initially the server will be hosting around 50 sites but I am definitely looking to increase that number in the future. From experience, do any of you think it would be wiser and more cost effective to start out with a VPS server and upgrade to a more dedicated solution when needed? In terms of multiple site management, are there any advantages or disadvantages to either of the two?

Based on any of your opinions on the above, would you recommend companies that offer VPS/dedicated options? Thanks in advance for any advice
#advice #server #vps or dedicated
  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    One possible disadvantage can be the lack of routine management of the server. May be worth looking at 'managed' VPS and DS options if you are not tech savvy.
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    • Profile picture of the author IMmoneydeals
      A lot of VPS servers offer easy to use upgrade paths if you want to go to a dedicated host at a later time.

      I think there are a lot of good host options out there for VPS, but probably one of the deciding factors you want to go with is where you want your VPS located geographically. Considering the number of sites you suggested, you should also look carefully at the bandwidth whatever package you're purchasing is going to provide.

      Are your sites application intensive? or do they server a lot of users? I've never really even though about getting a full on hosted machine because it seemed like overkill to me.

      As for suggested sites. If you're looking in the US, there's always Rackspace, Linode, and Amazon. Which is going to suit you best really depends on your specific needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Ward
    If you aren't familiar with using a Linux console and managing everything yourself (from installing MySQL/Apache/PHP/Wordpress to securing the server and making your own backups) you're in for a world of hurt if you don't go with a managed VPS. Then again, learning to do this stuff yourself is a very good skill to have, and if you're at all technically apt it's not that hard to figure it out, and in most cases it basically halves your hosting costs. I don't know if dedicated servers ever come fully managed, but I'd imagine that if they do, they'd be expensive.

    Also, if you're using Wordpress (which I assume you are?) there is the MultiSite feature of the newer versions that allow you to easily set up multiple sites using the same installation. I'm using it right now and it works awesomely... you can have a new site going in 30 seconds with the 2010 theme. If you have pre-existing sites they can also be migrated to a MultiSite installation. I can't imagine managing 50 separate WordPress sites now that I've used the multisite feature.
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  • Profile picture of the author webairalex
    Originally Posted by teraman View Post

    I've recently been looking around at upgrading my hosting situation and am considering getting a VPS package or a dedicated box. Initially the server will be hosting around 50 sites but I am definitely looking to increase that number in the future. From experience, do any of you think it would be wiser and more cost effective to start out with a VPS server and upgrade to a more dedicated solution when needed? In terms of multiple site management, are there any advantages or disadvantages to either of the two?

    Based on any of your opinions on the above, would you recommend companies that offer VPS/dedicated options? Thanks in advance for any advice

    It depends on your numbers and potential scalability, I like having a lot of room to grow. I always like to keep the resources ample and not to capacity. If any huge traffic spikes come along I like to be prepared. VPS will give you scalability but dedicated might give you more processing power! I also agree wth mattward with going managed whatever you do. Its simple and if you have a good reliable host setting everything up should be a breeze.
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    • Profile picture of the author PatriciaJ
      I just upgraded to a managed VPS from Hostgator and they are moving my sites for me. There are several different levels, I've got one of the midway packages so there is room for growth. Then when I am ready I will change to dedicated knowing that Hostgator will sort it out for me.
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      • Profile picture of the author jasonthewebmaster
        Banned
        I have found a VPS from SiteRack.net for very cheap and they provide amazing customer service I have used them for awhile.

        I do recommend NOT getting a dedicated server until you really need it, so VPS would be the best way for now.
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  • Profile picture of the author minsight
    You can get the best of both worlds by getting a VPS with CPanel. Then you can (usually) jump to a bigger VPS package (and keep doing this until until you outgrow all the VPS packages at your vendor, at which time you can migrate your CPanel install to a dedicated server).
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    • Profile picture of the author helisell
      I use a LOT of video, both streaming and as deliverables.

      I tried a dedicated server but got much better results using hostgator but placing all my graphics and videos on amazon aws.

      I now get fast streaming and never have deliverability problems because of too many downloads.

      Just a thought as it worked very well for me.

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      • Profile picture of the author Jurrie
        hey,

        if you have problems with hosting your sites on regular shared hosting,
        i'd advice you not to go for a vps... because eventually you will face the same problems, since a vps is still a server that is shared with others.

        the best thing you could do is get a dedicated server ( managed ) and buy a cpanel/whm licence with it , once installed ( managed ) you can simply use your dedicated server like you did with your shared hosting

        and the big advantage is that you are the only one on that server.

        look around and don't go for the cheap dedicated solution ( you do have 50 sites to host )

        there are plenty good DS providers out there

        just my 2 cents

        Jurrie
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        • Profile picture of the author minsight
          Originally Posted by Reallyranting View Post

          hey,

          if you have problems with hosting your sites on regular shared hosting,
          i'd advice you not to go for a vps... because eventually you will face the same problems, since a vps is still a server that is shared with others.
          Not necessarily. VPSes will generally allocate resources in a manner which prevents a particular user from using more than their fair share of processor power and bandwidth. I generally use VPSes for this very reason.

          (more information about this can be found by googling "fair share VPS" - vendors have pages explaining how CPU resources are allotted proportionally to the users.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    I have a managed dedicated server with Verio. It's $300/month, and worth every penny for the tech support. You shouldn't need it often, but it's really nice to know it's there when you do.

    Absolutely the best tech support I've ever encountered for a hosting company. Or any other large firm, for that matter.


    Paul
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