Becoming a Web Host

HostKido · 01-30-2003, 08:32 AM

Can anyone offer advise on what my next steps should be?

Currently, I have a domain name, website(pages), and server at home. My previous provider (connectivity to the internet) went out of business. I want become my own host and sell space to others.

I have done lots of research, but need assist to help me focus...

Logic · 02-01-2003, 01:48 AM

Well, unless you're rich, I wouldn't expect to get much "business"-clients. Because a professional site wants a fast connection. I don't even discuss being hosted by someone with anything less than a T3-line... My current host has an OC3, and my other host will have an OC12!! And fiber(OC*) is expensive, especially when it is used to connect to a DC(DataCenter)... which gets to my 2nd statement...
Get a job at a Data Center(most ISP's are located in DataCenters)... if you have a job there, that is where you should set up your server. You will have an extremely fast connection....
3rd, get more than 1 server!!!! You get one server for your own site, and another for your hosted sites... That way there is less of a chance that one of your clients does something malicious to your comp....

Ryan · 02-02-2003, 04:41 AM

I will recommend you to co-locate your servers. because you will need lot of monet if you want to get OC 3 or OC 12 connections. You can;t afford that for now.So think about co-locating your servers. you can get that service for really cheap nowadays.

northwind · 02-08-2003, 05:02 AM

running a server off your home connection is probably the worst you can do.

It is possible, but it will be incrediably slow and if your isp decides to do some maintainence, all your websites being hosted will be down and you can't do anything about it.

Either you purchase a resellers account (easiest option)
or you purchase a dedicated server, co-locate.

Only problem with owning a dedicated server is that you need to know how to administer it.

Mack Daddy · 02-08-2003, 01:16 PM

Northwind is correct. You can run a server with your home internet connection but you will have lot of difficulties

1) Extremly slow speed
2) Your ISP won;t allow you soo much bandwidth

You can find good reseller plans on the web . Try hostrocket they have good reseller plans i guess. or otherwise get a Dedicated server and Try.

northwind · 02-09-2003, 01:10 AM

Here it is on another perspective.

Let say you host about 20 webpages.
Suddenly a power line gets hit by lightning and your power goes out. What happens???
All your sites our now down due to the fact that you dont have a backup generator.
Also if you dont have a surge protector, chances are your server is fried as well.
Then you cannot answer the 20 questions your clients might have.

Or let say your hd crashed. No daily back-up has occured so everyone lost their information.

Get what Im saying? It is very difficult to run a server at home and un-advised to do so. There is always a risk starting up a new business. It might be even bigger starting it from a home server =).

Brazil-Dude · 02-09-2003, 08:19 AM

its all depends on the knowladge you have in hosting field. what i suggest you is co-locate your sever for a certain period of time and get a good knowladge about managing your server and daily backups and stuffs then when you think you can manage a server by your self get a OC 3 line to your house ( Can u afford that

h34r: ) and run your own servers.

northwind · 02-09-2003, 11:25 PM

co-locating is the same as having it at home.

It is unmanaged.

Brazil-Dude · 02-10-2003, 05:05 AM

Well if he colocate he won;t have Bandwidth problems from his internet providers, NO power failure problems ... AND his Connection speed will be high..thats wht i told him to colocate before he host from his home.