Dedicated Server

[craigp]

I am almost ready to go live with my Actinic site. I have used quite a few different ecommerce packages always on shared hosting. I am seriously thinking about a dedicated server this time around. I would like to get some input from the group. Here's a few of the issues.

1. I am considering FreeBSD as the operating system. Are any of you Actinic users running FreeBSD. Comments on FreeBSD vs Linux vs Windows appreciated.

2. I believe I am ready to run a dedicated server. How much maintainance is there with one's own server.

3. I would also like some recommendations on hardware. There are quite a few hosts offering dedicated servers with Celeron chips. Is this recommended. Also how much memory should I go with.

Thanks for your input.

Craig Peterson

[Bob Isaac]

1. I am considering FreeBSD as the operating system. Are any of you Actinic users running FreeBSD. Comments on FreeBSD vs Linux vs Windows appreciated.

2. I believe I am ready to run a dedicated server. How much maintainance is there with one's own server.

3. I would also like some recommendations on hardware. There are quite a few hosts offering dedicated servers with Celeron chips. Is this recommended. Also how much memory should I go with.

I looked at changing from our current leased Sun (Linux OS) server to a different one with a different ISP, and that used FreeBSD. Some programs may not run well in their native configuration, and need some changes. I don't know about Actinic, but several of the other apps I run would need quite a lot of changes, and even then may not run correctly. These are mostly open source apps such as htdig (web site search engine) awstats (web log analyser).

A server needs to be kept up-to-date with security patches, especially a Windows based one. That is where a Linux OS is better. Visit http://www.webhostingtalk.com/index.php and you will get a lot of help and info there.

If you are running only one web site then you won't need a very fast CPU. I have a 1.0Ghz chip and 768Mb RAM and it is very responsive. If you use a Linux/Unix box then it will use all the RAM you install and keep a lot of stuff in memory to aid a smooth and responsive server.

Bob

[pinbrook]

A server needs to be kept up-to-date with security patches, especially a Windows based one. That is where a Linux OS is better. Visit http://www.webhostingtalk.com/index.php and you will get a lot of help and info there.

most time is spent on security patches. Have you considered a virtual server?

[Bob Isaac]

Yes I did, but a number of considerations were, I enjoy it, it's another challenge, it was the most flexible choice for our needs.

Bob