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Comments
1
I was searching for Servint Essential VPS and came up on your blog entry. I too will be setting up several sites with Expression Engine (and Multiple Site Manager) and am looking for a good VPS. I read some good things about Servint and am checking them out. I am particularly pleased they offer off-server backup included.
I have never had a VPS, instead typical hosting accounts. Can you tell me if there is a lot of added technical maintenance I’ll need to perform? What about upgrades/updates to the OS, PHP and the like--is that my responsibility?
I was looking at MediaTemple, but I heard so many negative things about them, and they do not offer backup, that I’m unsure about them.
2
Hi Mark, I did a little research for you and here is what they manage.
-Free upgrades to OS including security patches
-Free remote-hands, including debugging problems
-PHP, MySQL, CGI, stats, and more
-Port monitoring, instant hands-on response to issues
-No charge for reboots or system troubleshooting regardless of fault
-Immediate hardware replacement (at Servint’s cost) if components fail
-Unlimited port-monitoring, pro-active response to problems
-Full 24/7 tech support including: assistance with configuration, DNS management, apache/SSHD/OpenSSL/nameserver/etc configuration, and more
Although, I have to warn you that you have to really think about which CP you want to use cPanel or Plesk. For example, if you change from Plesk to cPanel, it is like moving to a new hosting environment. It is like migrating all of your websites to a new hosting environment. So you have to really decide if cPanel or Plesk works for you in advance so you can avoid the trouble I mentioned. I hope this helps you and good luck in your web hosting service hunt!
3
Thanks for the quick response!
Can you clear something up foe me that I am having trouble understanding? I’m coming from a shared hosting with cpanel experience. How much of a transition will it be for me from the moment I log in to a new VPS account? Will I be completely lost, or will many things be familiar? I’m not going to set up extra accounts for resale, all I will need to do is set up several domain names.
I don’t know any Linux.
4
No problem. If you are familiar with cPanel, you are in great shape. Adding new domain and sub-domain, etc. should be very intuitive. I use Plesk and I figured it out in no time. Also, for any custom configuration, the staff at Servint is so knowledgeable.
5
Thanks! I checked out a Plesk demo and it looked really nice, and easy to use. Might use that.
So, it sounds like a transition to a VPS, particularly a Servint VPS, will be pretty easy.
BTW, it i really difficult to find any bad comments on Servint on the web; lots of positive comments.
I’ll use your link when I set up my Servint account. Appreciate you help very much.
6
Glad I can help! Keep me posted in how you are making out with Servint. Cheers!
7
Sorry, one more question. When you sign up at Servint, you have to sign up with a subdomain. Their example is vps.mydomain.com. Does that cause anything strange for you? Do you suggest a different naming convention for any reason?
I’m going to host several domains on the vps, so I guess I just need to choose one of them.
8
When I signed up. I signed using pdim.net as my main domain. And then I just transferred all my files over to the new server after the domain name had successfully propagated. I had to move over 8 websites and it took me about a day.
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Hi Mark, I am trying to get one of Servint person to join us here in this post. I am an affiliate and not an Servint employee. ;-)
11
I went ahead and ordered (under your affiliate account). I just made up a subdomain name. No problem.
12
Ok, I got a response from one of Servint’s staff member. Also, I just realized that my account is set up with vps.pdim.net. Anyway, Here is the reason for the sub domain usage.
“The hostname of a server basically serves two general purposes as far as the NOC is concerned. One, it gives the server a unique identity with which both parties can use for discussing a particular server… keeps us all on the “same page”. Two, with a proper DNS entry, the hostname also serves to identify the origin of any email relayed through your server. Among the many ways other mailservers can/will check the authenticity of incoming email, one is simply to try to resolve the hostname of your server. If your server’s hostname is vps.bananas.biz, but it doesn’t resolve to an IP address (an IP address that’s actually configured on the same server responsible for the delivery), email from your server could be rejected based on that alone.
Another reason we ask for a third-level hostname (a subdomain), is because cPanel installations require it. Well… they don’t actually require the use of a subdomain. BUT, if you just used bananas.biz for your hostname, cPanel won’t allow that domain to be used as a regular account. But if you used vps.bananas.biz, then bananas.biz could still be used as an account.
Plesk does not have this requirement. But rather than explain the difference between cPanel and Plesk hostname requirements and have two different ways of filling out a form, and two different this, two different that… and simply to preserve a bit of continuity within the naming conventions of VPS products, we ask that you use a subdomain for your hostname. After many years of doing this, we’ve just found it to be the best way to handle hostnames.
In the end, it really is just a name. Whether you use ‘vps’ or ‘server1’ or ‘jupiter’, the purpose is the same. Sometimes people wonder if they can have the hostname for a new server be vps2.bananas.biz, when the bananas.biz domain is currently hosted on another server (perhaps on a different network). The answer is, yes. All one has to do is make a DNS entry for ‘vps2’ on whatever nameservers are authoritative for bananas.biz and everything should be fine.”
And welcome aboard. :-)
13
I’m a fellow ServInt customer and can attest to the quality of their services… absolutely stellar.
Hyun, for comparison’s sake can I ask how many (and what sort of) sites you have on your Essential VPS, and/or what sort of traffic levels it handles for you? (I’m happy to continue this conversation via email as well if you’d rather not discuss publicly.)
Thanks!
14
Servint Hosting keeps getting better
This post is a follow-up post from the article I wrote way back in March of 2007, about finding the perfect hosting company for my needs. I had mentioned in that post that I switched to Servint's VPS hosting service after experiencing number of other hosting companies. I have to say, with Servint, I have had no problems that I can recall. Their uptime has simply been incredible and the page loading speed is always lighting fast! My website is based on database driven contents and I am never ceased to be amazed at the speed performance of my server. Zippy-dee-zip! They have been so great in letting us know about the downtime due to server upgrades or maintenance, etc.
I love working with ExpressionEngine, a powerful CMS created by Ellislab. For a good part of 2006 to early 2007, I had problems finding a good server that performs well handling heavy database driven websites. Servint and ExpressionEngine are at least for me, a marriage made in heaven. Due to virtually no bad server issues, Servint really has been invisible in my daily work routines. Invisible meaning I never think of hosting woes anymore... except when I get the monthly invoice from them. Only then is a reminder that Servint is my hosting company. I am so thrilled I found them. They simply are the best hosting company ever. I am planning to stay with them for long time to come.
Here are few reasons why Servint is getting better and better. My plan is on Essential VPS plan ($49 per month).
1) Bandwidth increased -
Old Bandwidth Rates
Essential VPS 300 GB Monthly Transfer
Signature VPS 500 GB Monthly Transfer
Ultimate VPS 750 GB Monthly Transfer
VPSpro Deuce 1000 GB Monthly Transfer
VPSpro Solo 250 GB Monthly Transfer
VPSpro Solo Plus 1500 GB Monthly Transfer
SuperVPS 2000 GB Monthly Transfer
SuperVPS 100 2000 GB Monthly Transfer
New Bandwidth Rates
Essential VPS 500 GB Monthly Transfer
Signature VPS 800 GB Monthly Transfer
Ultimate VPS 1200 GB Monthly Transfer
VPSpro Deuce 1500 GB Monthly Transfer
VPSpro Solo 1800 GB Monthly Transfer
VPSpro Solo Plus 2000 GB Monthly Transfer
SuperVPS 3000 GB Monthly Transfer
SuperVPS 100 3500 GB Monthly Transfer
2) Increased disk space -
Essential 15 GB Storage
Signature 30 GB Storage
Ultimate 40 GB Storage
3) New affiliate program - simply apply your affiliate referral code to your website and win commissions.
4) Top notch customer support via internet control panel or via phone.
I cannot recommend them any higher. Give Servint a try. You won't regret it.
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