| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| jema |
Good UK colocationThis is a question with a long lead time!I currently colocate 3 servers in Iowa, a decision based on cheap well connected bandwidth and relatively good support. But that was three years ago and by current standards the prices are not too cheap and the support is questionable 
Next June one of the servers hits the three year mark, and I can't see letting them run more than 4 years. So it is time to start looking for options. UK based for one server would be good. For a site like downsizer probably half the odd glitches people see are related to network issues that I'd guess increase proportionally with each hop we are away from the server. http://www.poundhost.com seem to offer good prices, but I am also looking for a solid level of support. Being a part time server admin for a few years has still left me convinced that I want backup from people who deal with server issues by the minute. |
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| orangepippin |
Even with remote access control boards I still think there is no subsitute from being in front of the server yourself when it comes to fixing problems! If we could get SDSL here I would seriously consider hosting myself. | ||
| vegplot |
I'd love not to be 280 miles from our servers and have the quality connectivity in north Wales to host from here. We've looked at a number of options of relocating closer to home but none have yet been sufficiently advantageous to uproot and move. | ||
| jema |
It hasn't really bothered me not being able to get to the servers, but then I do pay good money to have engineers to do the work.
A side question to this, is how many years to you expect a server to run reliably for? |
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| vegplot |
Generally, 3 years when warranties expire and they become expensive to maintain, then I use servers for secondary non critical purposes. |
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| orangepippin |
We also plan replacements for remote co-lo servers after 3 years, we might start stretching that to 4 years though. Servers on our own network are replaced when they stop working! | ||
| jema |
I'm torn between 3&4 not least as I see new Dell support agreements can stretch to 5 years. Servers are getting pretty reliable. | ||
| jema |
Re: Good UK colocation
Found some reviews of poundhost, which might be summarised "well intentioned quick support, but lacking the needed experience/knowledge, and lacking the network infrastructure to deal with ddos attacks" I'll say one thing for where we are, it is a big team, a lot of connectivity and it really is pretty rare for that structure to have much of a problem. I think there will always be a large element of getting what you pay for. |