VPS Hosting
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- ********
Okay, I'm looking into getting a VPS hosting account.
I've been using webfaction for my hosting up until now. I like webfaction a lot, and if you need shared hosting, I'd recommend them - but I think I might need to start considering getting more bang for my buck.
Does anyone here have any recommendations for a VPS provider?
At the moment I'm considering either Linode (http://www.linode.com/) or Slicehost (http://www.slicehost.com/)
- vaxorcist0
I've used linode on a project, but I wasn't the system admin....great so far... I've gathered that Linode is more for command-line geeks and slicehost is slightly less do-it-yourself.... both are quite good if you don't mind doing much more of your own admin/setup than you're used to with shared hosting.... prepare to spend a day or two learning how to setup things....
- hey thx for the info - which plan did you go for? I'm wondering if a Linode 360 account would be enough to get me started.********
- hey thx for the info - which plan did you go for? I'm wondering if a Linode 360 account would be enough to get me started.
- ETM0
I'd find out not only the RAM you are getting allocated, but the server processor and how many VPS accounts they have per box. Makes a big difference, especially at peak times.
Also, remember, PHP safe_mode on at all times where possible!
- Mimio0
Yep, check is there is a threshold on server processes as well. Might process intensive applications etc.
- ********0
Thanks for the info guys. I'm okay with the command line - but I'm not so experienced in terms of optimisation. I'll make sure I check out the things you've mentioned.
- ETM0
I hate to say, but Media Temple has a nice DV setup. Much, much more stable that their shared crap. Lots of nice pre-installed apps and lots of control with a user friendly interface.
I have 17 sites running on their entry level one and I rarely ever max out any resources.
- yes... I've had stable DV with them, an option if you don't want to do as much system adminvaxorcist
- vaxorcist0
Are you intending to run Django? Rails? anything with CPU usage requirements that are known? What are you planning to do, and what exactly is causing you to outgrow webfaction?
- Mimio0
NTT/Verio is good.
- ********0
I'd be running sites built using Drupal - so I'd mainly need a LAMP stack, but I'd also initially use it as a dev sandbox to try out other packages.
I'm eventually going to start offering hosting for a small group of clients and would hope that the VPS could provide a decent way of allowing for this.
I've found webfaction are great for flexibility, and the service they offer is very good. Unfortunately I've found my account occasionally suffers from 'bad neighbour' syndrome. The solution has been to set up my own PHP stack, which goes some way to solving the problem - but I wouldn't feel happy reselling hosting from one shared hosting account.
- jpea0
I've used slicehost for a bit, and I still use Linode for my backup nameserver, but I've moved my main things from slicehost to wiredtree.com about a year ago and haven't looked back. their datacenter is in chicago so it's a close hop to my connection and their service is stellar. I think they're a bit cheaper than slicehost and linode too...
- ernexbcn0
I have Linode and I'm happy, you need to set-up everything from scratch but for me that's part of the fun/advantage
- vaxorcist0
Do you want to do a lot yourself? Do you want to be in charge of backups and system updates and patches? Or do you want somebody else to do that, beware of course the time involved and what happens if you mess up...
I like to roll my own dev server, but have somebody else babysit a live deployment....
so far, it looks like:
linode, slicehost = mostly roll your own
MT DV, wiredtree and others = let others manage it...
- ukit0
Linode and Slicehost are pretty similar in that they just give you server access and you'll need to log in via command line and configure the rest.
Take a look at this page and if it doesn't scare you then you should be good to go:
http://library.linode.com/web-se…
I've actually run sites on both, but running a feature by feature comparison of the two, Linode wins out in that it gives you more RAM and bandwidth for cheaper. There is also some talk by people who have run tests that Linode's performance is better (faster) than Slicehost, although it would probably be a somewhat marginal difference. Slicehost has the advantage of offering automated backups of your site for an additional fee, which Linode does not.
- ********0
Hey again, thanks for this information - it's really helpful.
I like the idea of a managed server, but while I'm still small, I think adding extra chains in the link might actually be asking for trouble. At least if I'm looking after the server, I only have myself to blame if things go wrong.
In terms of backups and updates. I'm actually okay to do this myself I think - as long as I have access to something like aptitude (apt-get) or something similar.. I'm not sure I'd have time to regularly patch and recompile software by hand.
So, I'm thinking about Linode. I read one difference between Linode and Slicehost is that Slicehost only makes use of a 64bit kernel, which means that memory is consumed at a much higher rate. Being able to use a 32bit kernel has an advantage when dealing with lower amounts of ram - so I think I've made my choice.
Backup is now my main concern. I'm thinking Amazon S3 could be a good, cheap, solution, and I could also maintain a local rync-ed copy if I was feeling super-paranoid. I suppose the main issue is how to restore efficiently in the event of a catastrophe.
- vaxorcist0
Amazon S3 can be cool.... I had some more latency than expected on a project a few months ago.... otherwise very nice...
- ********0
Right I'm finally sorting out a VPS. Going to go with linode -> if anyone here uses them and has a referral code, let me know ASAP and I'll use it.