Hosting For a Forum

[Purple Rain]

Hi Peepz

I currently have my forum hosted with an unlimited resseller account which I have used for sometime which provides unlimited webspace and unlimited bandwidth for all accounts. I have had no problems or any downtime ever, but recently I noticed an advert for 1and1 which offered a years free hosting on their business plan.

I decided to pay the 9.99 setup fee to take a look at what they offer. They have some great features and looks very interesting, but I noticed they only allow 100Mb databases on all of their shared hosting packages, and im sure it wouldn't take long for a forum database to get to this size.

My dilemma is whether to switch to them and use this account and then upgrade to a VPS with them when the database reaches its limit or just carry on with the perfect service that my current provider has.

Whats other peoples thoughts on 1and1 ? I should also add that when I tried to cancel my current hosting which is 37GBP (74USD) a month they gave me 2 months absolutely free to stay with them.

Just would like to get some idea's and advice.

[Zap]

Why not just go to a VPS now?
VPS packages start at lower than what you're currently paying.

[Hostlayer]

With what your paying for shared hosting you could definitely look into VPS hosting as Zap recommended. This would give you a lot more resources to run your applications, root access to the server, freedom to install whatever software you want.

[Purple Rain]

I thought about that. But I'm looking for someone who offers HyperVM with CentOS Host=in-a-box with lxadmin and there does not seem to be many around who offer this.

[Hostlayer]

A lot of the lower tier providers will offer this as they are running off of Xen based virtualization software since it is a lot cheaper to running. Providers running Virtuozzo will more often then no offer cPanel, Plesk, Ensim, Direct Admin, HSPHERE etc.

[Purple Rain]

ooh direct admin. I know that one. I dont get on well with cPanel but im okay with direct admin so may look for a package with this.

[grim]

I thought about that. But I'm looking for someone who offers HyperVM with CentOS Host=in-a-box with lxadmin and there does not seem to be many around who offer this.

There is a reason for that, lxadmin from my experience is not very stable...

Cpanel IMHO is the best out there, well worth the $$

[Purple Rain]

So many people say that. Its not cPanel that I have the problems with, its WHM. I must admit I only briefly tried it out but I was just a bit overwhelmed by it. I suppose really it just boils down to laziness. I had been using lxadmin for a long time and suppose I was just to busy/lazy to try something else. Thanks for the comments though I think I will try it again.

[grim]

So many people say that. Its not cPanel that I have the problems with, its WHM. I must admit I only briefly tried it out but I was just a bit overwhelmed by it. I suppose really it just boils down to laziness. I had been using lxadmin for a long time and suppose I was just to busy/lazy to try something else. Thanks for the comments though I think I will try it again.

Change always sucks in the beginning when it comes to software

I have tried almost all of them, cpanel/whm, plesk, directadmin, lxadmin 'and I know a few others' some were ok, some had some nice features, however cpanel is where I always go back to.

[Hostlayer]

I would agree with GRIM here, cPanel/WHM is the industry standard right now due to its features and functionality.

[unr]

STAY AWAY FROM 1AND1.

[Purple Rain]

[MENTAL]Well that's pretty loud and clear [/MENTAL]

[JetWash]

For one, There have been many bad reviews on 1&1 my best advice to you is too look elsewhere. Can I ask what current Bandwidth and Space Usage you have with your current host?

Firstly, To save some money start low and grow, After you start hitting over limits then you should upgrade. With forums they use alot of CPU Power so on a shared environment a small forum would be great. Overtime as your grow you will use more CPU and then a shared environment would not be suitable so you would need to upgrade. I would recommend a Semi-Dedicated and not VPS.

[Purple Rain]

What is the difference between semi dedicated and a VPS? I thought these were the same thing. My bandwidth is quite low as my forums are still in their early stages, but I am on the look out now for a decent vps package.

[megamoose]

Why are you changing hosts if everything is running fine for you mate?

If it ain't broke, don't change it :P That's my motto.

However in answer to your question, I have no experiance with 1and1, but I have always found that some of the smaller companies can be better for support, as they can spend more time on their customers and because they're small they'll do more to keep you as a customer.

For the big companies, you're just a needle in a haystack!

Mark

[Andr3w]

I would stay away from 1and1. Why would you leave a company that gave you 2 months free just to keep you as a customer ? Nobody gave me something like that when I canceled my account with any of them

[Purple Rain]

Purely because I don't like their control panel. Its some weird custom control panel and I don't like it much. I found some great hosting in the end though.

[Andr3w]

maybe they have a good reason to use that specific control panel. when I moved to clustered hosting solutions I had to accommodate with a new control panel, h-sphere, which I love it now and could not live without it.

What control panel they are using ? just curious..

[Purple Rain]

eXtend Control panel. And it's part of a reseller package. People want cPanel or directadmin. It was impossible to sell hosting using this control panel which is why I eventually ended this.

[dbbrock1]

Forget about your unlimited reseller plan. You are just waiting to get burnt on that one. Here is an article that uncovers the dirt on unlimited web space and bandwidth
http://blog.readysetconnect.com/2008...ted-bandwidth/

[Purple Rain]

dbrock I agree totally, thats why I quit this plan.

[weblytallar]

Drive place and bandwith are those element, which need to consider before selecting any web host bundle. As we know the web host market is real very competitive these days, therefore these days you can see the cost of hard drive place and bandwith decreased as much as before.

[simplyamazing12]

I think with your current usage, I would suggest you future proof yourself and go with a VPS. The speed and power gains will be noticeable and you will grow into it very nicely in the coming months.