to admin a dedicated server

whoahh · July 29th, 2004, 9:02 AM

I've been researching for a few months now, reading hundreds of posts on many forums. I've looked over tutorials, etc. I am a reseller with my current host. Web Hosting is not my full time job and will never be, but it is something that I plan to do my whole life.
I've come across 2 viewpoints on resellers moving to dedicated:
-The first is that it will be easy to make the switch. There is lots of info online to help you learn and managed solutions will have staff to do things for you that you are not comfortable doing.
-The second side is the people who say that if you don't know how to administer a linux server then get the $^&% out of here.

I want to know how realisitc it is that someone who does not do this full time can successfully manage a server. I've worked in SSH before. I practiced doing things like installing APF on a box at home. I can follow instructions well. I'm worried that I don't know how to solve any problems that may arise. I wouldn't know if the server was being attacked. I don't know the locations of config files or logs that I may have to view on a regular basis.

Will all of the services (HTTP HTTPS FTP MYSQL IMAP POP SMTP ) be monitored for me and fixed proactively if they are down?

I'm pretty excited about the possiblity of getting a server in a data center that is actually located in my state, and city even!

Thoughts from anyone are welcome
Thanks

snide · July 29th, 2004, 2:05 PM

I would build a test server at my home with a software config. that is close to what your "real" server will use. I would put a couple sites on it and see how comfortable you are changing configs, settings, etc.

Find some people that could help you by trying to break into it to find the holes.

Get familiar with server admin software. Introduce yourself to unleashed.

Surpass servers are semi managed. So, they will help you succeed. If you get into a jam they can help you out of it. That is SEMI-managed. It is your box.

There are lots of server management software out there that you can use to monitor the services.

Introduce yourself to unleashed. There are other users that would be eager and willing to help youwithyour conversion.

Caution is the key.

Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself.

**Travis** · July 29th, 2004, 2:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snide

I would build a test server at my home with a software config. that is close to what your "real" server will use. I would put a couple sites on it and see how comfortable you are changing configs, settings, etc.

Find some people that could help you by trying to break into it to find the holes.

Get familiar with server admin software. Introduce yourself to unleashed.

Surpass servers are semi managed. So, they will help you succeed. If you get into a jam they can help you out of it. That is SEMI-managed. It is your box.

There are lots of server management software out there that you can use to monitor the services.

Introduce yourself to unleashed. There are other users that would be eager and willing to help youwithyour conversion.

Caution is the key.

Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself.

LOL, can i introduce myself to unleashed?

Quote:

-The second side is the people who say that if you don't know how to administer a linux server then get the $^&% out of here.

At one point they did not know how to administer linux

Quote:

I want to know how realisitc it is that someone who does not do this full time can successfully manage a server.

Extremely realistic, i know alot who just do it part time

Quote:

I've worked in SSH before .

Awsome

Quote:

I can follow instructions well

Ok then you'll have no problems it you look up the answers!

Quote:

I wouldn't know if the server was being attacked

Huge server load could be one of the indicators

Quote:

I don't know the locations of config files or logs that I may have to view on a regular basis.

Just a point and click in WHM

Quote:

Will all of the services (HTTP HTTPS FTP MYSQL IMAP POP SMTP ) be monitored for me and fixed proactively if they are down?

WHM/cPanel does that

Quote:

I'm pretty excited about the possiblity of getting a server in a data center that is actually located in my state, and city even

I wish mine was in the same country

snide · July 29th, 2004, 2:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unleashed

LOL, can i introduce myself to unleashed?

No, unleased doesn't want to hear from you.

You'll help the new guy, right? (I sound like a matchmaker)

**Travis** · July 29th, 2004, 2:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snide

No, unleased doesn't want to hear from you.

You'll help the new guy, right? (I sound like a matchmaker)

:cry3:

whoahh · July 29th, 2004, 3:28 PM

Awesome, thanks for the feedback.

Another question: what kind of backup strategy do you both use? Did you add another hard drive or do a remote FTP backup, etc.?

Many servers at the different hosting companies are 1 hard drive by default so I was wondering if most people stick with that setup or not.

Coming from a resller, this can start getting expensive.

**Travis** · July 29th, 2004, 3:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoahh

Awesome, thanks for the feedback.

Another question: what kind of backup strategy do you both use? Did you add another hard drive or do a remote FTP backup, etc.?

Many servers at the different hosting companies are 1 hard drive by default so I was wondering if most people stick with that setup or not.

Coming from a resller, this can start getting expensive.

I backup to another harddrive its faster uses less transfer (even though surpass gives you almost infinite) and quicker with more options, its also better for your clients in my opinion.

I know it can get expencive i only have a few clients (not even 10) and i have the best server option and one and a half gigs of memory upgrade and a extra hard drive

**Brian** · July 29th, 2004, 3:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unleashed

:cry3:

lol :lol3: :lol3: :lol3:

whoahh · July 29th, 2004, 4:30 PM

The surpass website is not loading for me now so I can't check the price, but I do believe that adding a 2nd drive and cPanel puts it up to $150/mo. Hostdime also charges $150/mo for the same setup, but with a lil less bandwidth.
I am thinking that if the rates are the same I should go with the parent company. Any good reasons against this way of thinking?

July 29th, 2004, 9:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
whoahh Registered User Fresh Surpasser Joined in Jul 2004 5 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 0 times	to admin a dedicated server I've been researching for a few months now, reading hundreds of posts on many forums. I've looked over tutorials, etc. I am a reseller with my current host. Web Hosting is not my full time job and will never be, but it is something that I plan to do my whole life. I've come across 2 viewpoints on resellers moving to dedicated: -The first is that it will be easy to make the switch. There is lots of info online to help you learn and managed solutions will have staff to do things for you that you are not comfortable doing. -The second side is the people who say that if you don't know how to administer a linux server then get the $^&% out of here. I want to know how realisitc it is that someone who does not do this full time can successfully manage a server. I've worked in SSH before. I practiced doing things like installing APF on a box at home. I can follow instructions well. I'm worried that I don't know how to solve any problems that may arise. I wouldn't know if the server was being attacked. I don't know the locations of config files or logs that I may have to view on a regular basis. Will all of the services (HTTP HTTPS FTP MYSQL IMAP POP SMTP ) be monitored for me and fixed proactively if they are down? I'm pretty excited about the possiblity of getting a server in a data center that is actually located in my state, and city even! Thoughts from anyone are welcome Thanks

July 29th, 2004, 2:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
snide Registered User Super #1 Joined in Jul 2003 Lives in So. NJ 1,557 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 9 times	I would build a test server at my home with a software config. that is close to what your "real" server will use. I would put a couple sites on it and see how comfortable you are changing configs, settings, etc. Find some people that could help you by trying to break into it to find the holes. Get familiar with server admin software. Introduce yourself to unleashed. Surpass servers are semi managed. So, they will help you succeed. If you get into a jam they can help you out of it. That is SEMI-managed. It is your box. There are lots of server management software out there that you can use to monitor the services. Introduce yourself to unleashed. There are other users that would be eager and willing to help youwithyour conversion. Caution is the key. Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself. __________________ Dime13 \| Pass17

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July 29th, 2004, 3:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
whoahh Registered User Fresh Surpasser Joined in Jul 2004 5 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 0 times	Awesome, thanks for the feedback. Another question: what kind of backup strategy do you both use? Did you add another hard drive or do a remote FTP backup, etc.? Many servers at the different hosting companies are 1 hard drive by default so I was wondering if most people stick with that setup or not. Coming from a resller, this can start getting expensive.

July 29th, 2004, 4:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
whoahh Registered User Fresh Surpasser Joined in Jul 2004 5 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 0 times	The surpass website is not loading for me now so I can't check the price, but I do believe that adding a 2nd drive and cPanel puts it up to $150/mo. Hostdime also charges $150/mo for the same setup, but with a lil less bandwidth. I am thinking that if the rates are the same I should go with the parent company. Any good reasons against this way of thinking?

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