Server Hosting

[malman]

I need some advice on server hosting. The requirements I have been given so far are

MS SQL 2000

ASP.NET

SSL (may be doing online payment)

Disk space requirements are small - say less than 100Gb

Bandwidth - not sure basically - register, logon, fill in couple page form and press submit. Hard to tell how many hits per day at the moment.

The ability to run our own executables on the server.

There seems to be no preference to using our own hardware or renting.

I haven't hosted anything externally before so how do things work with regards to installing software updates, backups, firewalling and general admin.

Not sure on budget but say £2.5K per year for now

Any reccomendations on who to talk to would be helpful amd on the subject of online payment one of our developers mentioned "worldpay" - good/bad?

Thanks

[JamieBeeston]

I'll drop you a mail now.

J

[JamieBeeston]

malman said:

The ability to run our own executables on the server.

If its your dedicated server, there should be no limits on what you can run / execute / install on the server. You should get 'Full Administrative Control' over the server.

malman said:

I haven't hosted anything externally before so how do things work with regards to installing software updates, backups, firewalling and general admin.

You get two type of server typically, Self Administered, and Managed, with managed servers obviously costing a lot more, as you're not only paying for the server / bandwidth / power / space etc, but you're also paying for a team of trained and qualified engineers to manage your server for you. The management costs would probably end up being more than your annual budget, so I think Self Admin is most cost effective option.

malman said:

on the subject of online payment one of our developers mentioned "worldpay" - good/bad? Thanks

Worldpay is a good system, Ted uses it for PistonHeads, we use it for Register1. It does have some downsides (by default they keep your money for 45 days iirc) and they do charge a % on all transactions.. but its simple to use, easy to setup (once you've jumped thru the hoops for them to approve you).
Its professional looking, and can be integrated into your site without anyone really noticing it.

Feel free to drop me a mail if you have any further queries.

J

[malman]

Cheers Jamie - I thought you might be along at some point. My partner already has one of your VDS pro accounts (wonder where she heard about that ). I'm new to external hosting, our other stuff is low volume so we have it here.

I will pass on the info and if they don't run away screaming I'll probably have a chat with you

[JamieBeeston]

malman said:

Cheers Jamie - I thought you might be along at some point. My partner already has one of your VDS pro accounts (wonder where she heard about that ).

So does half of the PH Memberbase at this rate.

malman said:

I'm new to external hosting, our other stuff is low volume so we have it here. I will pass on the info and if they don't run away screaming I'll probably have a chat with you

no worries. always here

J

[Baconbonce]

JamieBeeston said:

So does half of the PH Memberbase at this rate.

This one will be joining the Register1 club in the next couple of weeks also

>> Edited by Baconbonce on Friday 11th November 14:31

>> Edited by Baconbonce on Friday 11th November 14:31

[JamieBeeston]

Baconbonce said:

JamieBeeston said: So does half of the PH Memberbase at this rate. This one will be joining the Register1 club in the next couple of weeks also

The more the merrier

Helps us keep sponsoring the Forums and events like BTaP

J

[docevi1]

wasn't worldpay bought by ebay in the not-so-distant past?

[JamieBeeston]

docevi1 said:

wasn't worldpay bought by ebay in the not-so-distant past?

Paypal was AAAAAAaaaages back and Verisign Payment Gateway recently.

Not Worldpay afaik.

[docevi1]

I'm thinking of verisign

WorldPay would be the choice for payment in my eyes btw, much easier to let someone else do it for you and pay a little than have all the security worries yourself...