How do I provide my own web hosting?

I have provided a number of companies with websites and am currently constructing one or two and would like to provide my own hosting to keep costs down for them and for myself.





How would i go about this? I believe i would need to purchase a server, which is no problem, but what else would i need to do?

How do I provide my own web hosting?
Ignore the rest ¬¬


You would be best off either going for a dedicated server package or getting a reseller package. Both will let you have control over your clients.


You would probably not want to host a server on your home computer network due to your internet connection. I am guessing that you do not have 100/10 or more.


You may need someone to maintain your server if you choose dedicated %26amp; are not too sure what you are doing. This is usually provided on all packages (at extra cost)





I hope this helps you.
Reply:Personally, you couldn't do it cheaper yourself as far as I'm concerned. Remember "economies of scale" in economics? Plus the downside is any machine you attach directly to the internet you have you worry about attacks and whether that machine is on the same network as your other machines - it should not be. You should have a DMZ as part of your network and makes everything more complicated and risky.


So that means you have to have good firewalls, good anti-virus, server license of Windows or a Linux variant. What ever software you may run on the machine, etc. Costwise it doesn't make sense. Even for businesses, I don't know of anyone other than someone huge like Yahoo that host their own servers - it's too risky - let the pros do it.





I use 1and1.com for economical sites - as low as $2.99/month and you can either use their development tools, or FTP your own files onto the site using a package of your own choice. They have developer packages you can pick as well.
Reply:Figure out a way to make your pricing competitive yet profitable would be the next step.
Reply:wow


you want to be a hoster


that is a tough job


first you have to make a company.....
Reply:Depends how good you are and how much you are prepared to spend.





Over the years I've tried a several in the UK and overseas and can only really recommend a dedicated, managed server with Rackspace..





They (Rackspace) are ridiculously expensive and I have several issues with their pricing vis-a-vis upgrades, but if your livelihood and reputation are at stake, then I don't think there is a second choice.





I've tried Fasthosts and will never use them again and if you want my opinion on Pipex/Webfusion/HostEurope just Google "pipex downtime" ...





I have a decent server with GoDaddy in the States, great price, but in a family site you really don't want to know what I think about their technical support...





Seriously - in this game you get what you pay for and it shows. Gods does it show!





Rackspace are at least - at least - 4x the price of a similarly configured dedicated server in the States but for reliabilty and sheer peace of mind, they are worth it, I reckon.





addenda: If you had to ask you REALLY aren't ready for co-location hosting or, heavens forbid, running a server from home or the office. *Shudders*

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