Setting up a web hosting server

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 15:34

I am looking to start a Web Development business and as I am quite tech savvy, I would like a crack at setting up a web hosting server. Does anyone know where I could get help/advice from?

Would I be better off paying to hire a server from a hosting company?

What would be the limitations on my broadband connection?

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 15:49

Thanks daz. What are the main differences between the above?

My main requirement is the ability to be able to change configurations such as the PHP upload limits, etc.

Previously I have used one.com for my clients and while they are great as they allow me to change MX Records for the Email Servers, etc, they do not offer the ability to change the config files. My main reason for looking into doing my own hosting is I have 2 clients that have requested the ability to upload 20MB+ files using a PHP form - while I have managed to write the code for them, the server doesn't allow this and therefore I'm stuck.

Any other suggestions, such as better hosters would be fab.

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 16:01

Ok, wow! Thanks Alex L. Will send you an email if you don't mind.

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 16:07

Ok, briefly skimming through the link from Alex_L, I feel way out of my depth.

Although I am fairly computer savvy (my full time job is an IT Technician), I don't really know a lot about servers. How much would I need to learn before hiring a dedicated server or reseller package?

If I went for a managed dedicated server, I am guessing I'd have less to learn....right? But how much flexibility would I lose? Would I still be able to remote access the server and change limits on stuff like the PHP Upload limits?

Thanks

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 16:53

Thanks guys. Majority of my clients will be in the UK yes.

I will be doing all the admin stuff for my clients but would like to find a way of them setting up their own email accounts - with my clients who are hosted on one.com I have changed the MX Records and set up the mail accounts with google apps which also gives the flexibility of IMAP and an easy way for the client to set up email addresses. As for everything else, I sell my websites one a subscription bases so anything else that needs doing (apart from editing) is done by myself.

Live support would be good - not something I had thought about, but would set me apart from the rest of the companies in the area - thanks

I am currently working on my own website but it is taking longer than expected

I have just found out that one of the guys at church hires a web hosting server and charges £40 per year per account - may go with him as it will save a lot of hassle. My only concern is that if I lose touch with him or he decides to cancel his server account, I am back to square one.

citycm · 24 May 2009 at 14:40

Beansprout said:
Exactly - I'd advise against this for that reason. You could always start simply with buying a shared hosting account for each client that needs one and then passing the cost onto them, or recommending they sign up directly with a company and give you the login details (first option is probably easier, but second gives them more peace of mind should you disappear for any reason.)

Yeah I know what you mean. I would preferrably go with your advice and use a company such as one.com but it's this PHP Upload limit that's bugging me - I don't want to end up getting a customer saying they need to upload 20, 30, 40, 50MB files and having to turn around and say "sorry it's not possible". I have looked into the php.ini solution and I don't think one.com supports it

citycm · 24 May 2009 at 15:49

I've just found a company that offer a Reseller package (5GB disk space) for £40 per year. Would you advise going for something like this to try my hand?