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On Sun, 27 Dec 2009, Edwin Rhodes wrote:
hi gordon i have a physical server i would like to use but do not have a datacenter place to set it up, are you able to offer a datacenter place where i can install the physical server? thanks ed.
Yes. Not cheap though, mostly depending on bandwidth, but if it's an old power guzzler, there may be a power surcharge too.
Other things to put you off - The facility I use is in Sheffield, so it's a 5 hour drive from Devon. (Each way) I can provide remote serial console and remote power cycling. "Remote Hands" (i.e. a human on-site at the end of a phone using a local screen, keyboard, mouse and screwdriver) costs extra and I have no remote KVM facilitiy unless you supply your own - e.g. a separate IP KVM unit, or a server with a remote access card fitted. (usually £xpensive)
So if you can live with that, let me know...But what I'd suggest is to think about your application(s) and do a lot of googling for other places, prices, etc. Also note that some co-lo's include Internet bandwidth and some are "carrier neutral" - you need to provide your own - this may be an Ethernet line to the rack next you yours, or another bandwidth provider in the same building, or you may need to run expensive wan links to other places to get bandwidth. (unusual these days though)
If you've never co-located a server before, don't underestimate the issues you may have with it not being in the same location as you - practice first by locking a server in a room (with adequate ventilation!) and seeing if you can do everything with it remotely, including reboot, and fixing a (simulated) broken disk, applying software patches and upgrading the kernel. Find out what the co-lo's provide in the way of remote access - serial console/kvm/nothing ... If serial console (probably not that common these days though, but it works for me), then get a serial console on your server, and see if your BIOS supports serial console (unlikely unless it's a bit posh), and get LILO (or GRUB) to use the serial console too. (I know LILO can use it, as that's what I use) You may need to compile a custom Linux kernel to make it use serial console too - depending on how your distro leaves it. Monitor everything - every fan, processor and disk temperature, etc. Think about backup - what will you do when the PSU blows up, and you have paying customers wanting their applications running...
If it's just for you as an experiment, and maybe a small application or 2 for a client on an experimental basis, I'd suggest starting off with a business-quality ADSL line at home (static IP, 800Kb or better upload speed) and running it there before moving into a co-lo. That would certinaly be a lot cheaper in the short-term! Unless you're shipping a huge amount of data, (big videos, photos, etc.) then most applications will run fine behind 800Kb - http://watertower.drogon.net/notes/ is behind my home firewall at 832Kb/sec if you want an example... (and one of these days, I might even update it!!!)
Cheers Gordon
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