Dedicated server queries

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

Hi Andrew

On the offchance that we should decide to upgrade to a dedicated server, can you let me know:

- what the lead time is for getting a server up and running?
- is it a single HD or a RAID mirror setup?
- do you operate any sort of server monitoring as part of your managed service?

Ta

Giles

NetHosted Staff Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 5684

Giles,

Assuming everything is in stock, lead time is usually less than a day.

It's a single HD, RAID solutions can be quoted if you desire such a setup.

In a sense, software is installed that will monitor key services and restart them if they get into difficulty, this software can be made to email you based on a lot of factors such as load, service issues etc

Hope that helps,

Andrew

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

Thanks, that's very helpful.

Would you recommend RAID? Does it make much difference to the cost? (Thinking of my other question/thread I guess the question is - the trade-off between RAID and backup ...)

If we wanted to be sure that everything was working we'd need to run some sort of external monitoring? Can you advise?

Ta

G

NetHosted Staff Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 5684

RAID is good, when it works... Again this depends on setup. Software RAID is clearly free, however you might prefer a hardware RAID solution. You will need an additional drive.

http://www.alertra.com/

is the industry standard monitoring service if you wanted a third party service to monitor your server.

Thanks,

Andrew

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

We might require some advice on a good overall RAID/backup package. I imagine s/w RAID only protects against localised data error on the drive? Doesn't look very useful to me.

>alertra.com
At that price think I might just set up a competing service! Really, I can't see it taking more than a simple script with automated email sending in case of site unavailability ...

NetHosted Staff Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 5684

It protects against hardware failure, not much else.

Andrew

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

>protects against hardware failure
But presumably if the whole drive dies then it's not much help? i.e. not all disk hardwar failures covered?

NetHosted Staff Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 5684

That's exactly what it is for? If one disk fails the other disk is there with all your data on it ready to become the main disk on the server...

Andrew

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

Sorry I was talkig about the s/w RAID!

NetHosted Staff Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 5684

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

I've slightly lost the plot then

>s/w RAID is clearly free
implies that there isn't a 2nd drive (as that would cost extra) so there isn't another one there if the 1st drive fails !!??

NetHosted Staff Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 5684

Ahhh, I see where we're getting confused. Software RAID is free compared to hardware RAID, where you need to purchase a hardware RAID card. Both types (software/hardware) of RAID need a minimum two hard drives to operate RAID1.

Andrew

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

Aha

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

RAID 101

*. Apologies for butting in, and I appreciate at least one of you is fully cognisant of all this, but I'm just itching to clock up my century post.

Regards,

Pete

* Not a new level.

NetHosted Customer Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 169

Ta Pete

I notice I have a half century in 6 weeks ... too much shouting, not enough listening doubtless

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