Question about Servers/Hosting...

Hey guys, I have a few questions.

I don't think I can stay on the old server I am on right now running VBSeo so, I am in the market for a new server.

A few people recommended softlayer and I went to the site and it looks pretty competitive price was. Basically, I'm interested.

Now for my questions.

Right now with my current host, my server is "managed". What exactly do they mean by that? What exactly are they doing for me?

What will I have to do for myself on the new server beign that they are not managed?

Will they come already setup with all needed software where all I need to do is ftp my site and restore my database?

What is needed to maintain the server?

Basically, I'm wondering what is my current host doing for me that I am now going to have to do for myself?

Thanks so much.

Miguel

Managed is never worth it IMO. Most the time, prices are twice as much.

If you need a manager, look into 3rd party, like totalserversolutions.com.
You can get on their montly plan for $75 i think it is, or use them one-time service (what i do) as needed for $65 (of course, this varies if the task is huge).

Basically, you will be in charge of your own php, mysql upgrades, etc etc, any monitoring, etc.

If you get cpanel on it, its a lot easier to do those things for the novice admin.
stay away from plesk. it sucks IMO.

and if your old server has cpanel on it, you can cpanel-to-cpanel move your entire old server to your new one via SSH with just a few clicks of the mouse.



I'm no linux admin, and I manage it on my own. All i can really do is read log files and restart services. everything else is over my head.

Anything i can't do, I ask brent... lol if he doesn't know, i put a ticket in with TSS and they take care of it usually within the hour.

Awesome, that's basically what I needed to know. I have cPanel and WHM now and I am familiar with all of that stuff. Restarting services and logs, etc.

I do my own backups with Secure CRT.

So I'm guessing that "managed' really isn't much more than that.

That third party company you linked, do they help with db errors and all that kinda stuff?

From the sounds of it, it's alot easier than I though.

So basically...

1)I order my server, they set it up.
2)I move my site and database.
3)I deal with any site problems and they deal with hardware problems.
4)I deal with all backups, etc.

Does that sound correct?

Thanks again for your help.

Miguel

yup.

When they 'provision' it, it will come with cpanel and all that ready to go already.

but, it won't be performance tuned. make sure you look at your php.ini settings, and your my.cnf settings files.

Since you're 'leasing' the hardware, any drives, etc that go bad is on them. just make sure you go raid 5 or 10

TSS will help with just about anything.
99% of db errors are script related though... probably won't need them.
usually all you need to do is a repair on the table through phpmyadmin if you start having serious db issues.


see this post for info on doing a seemless move:
Is it possible to do a seamless move of servers?

Sweet. I think I can do the php.ini settings. Any links to optimal .cnf settings.

I guess I'll do research on that.

This all sounds promising. I think I'll put an order in today.

Do you have an affiliate ID or something? Maybe they will throw you a free month for the referral??

Miguel

hrm, i don't think they have an affiliate program.

but if they ask, my cust # is SL56091


check vb.com for server configs. What you want will depend on your actual hardware, so try to find someone with similar procs and ram.

Cool man, I'll mention it when I order.

Thanks again!

Mgiuel

https://www.softlayer.com/specials.html

check there for some promo codes

YIPP is a good code