Okay, i have a website and its growing pretty fast. I also realize that my site is getting slow. I have shared hosting right now with go daddy and planning to upgrade to VIRTUAL DEDICATED server. I asked them how different virtual compared to shared hosting and they said ITS HARD. YOU HAVE TO KNOW IT PRETTY WELL, WE DONT GIVE MUCH SUPPORT ON VIRTUAL DEDICATED SERVERS. That thing got me scared.

So guys please tell me all the things i should know before i start using virtual dedicated server? how does it work? how do you manage it? where do you go?

it might sound dumb, but please help me out..

You need to be fluent in how to use linux, at least the basics such as securing your server, checking log files, updating software, etc. You also need to know what to do if something breaks.

Does your hosting company offer a control panel on their VDS's? This will help make things easier as you won't have to work completly from the command line.

If you know nothing about server administration, you may be better off going with a company that offers a fully managed VDS. That way, you will still have full control but also have somebody there to help you if things go wrong. Again, look for a host that offers cPanel/WHM on their servers as this will makes things alot easier for you.

Another option is to get a VDS, but hire a server admin to take care of it for you. A server admin isn't needed however if you get a fully managed server.

the lady from go daddy.com says theres plesk control panel. is that like cpanel from shared hosting? cuz if plesk and cpanel are almost the same or similar functions, then i guess ill be fine. I really cant afford much at the moment, the farthest i can go is about $50 a month, thats it. I just want my website to load faster.**** it.. by the way im running a community website (dating) i started last week and i already got 300+ members. Im looking at GOdaddy's virtual dedicated server..guys any suggestion? or help?

anyone?

Plesk is similar, but if you know nothing about running a server then I think your going to be in over your head. Better get a managed VPS from a company like servint.com or powervps.com

Out of curiosity, what kind of space and bandwidth is your site using now. It's very possible that shared hosting will still meet your requirements. GoDaddy is not the best for hosting, perhaps swicthing to a new provider will speed things up for you a bit. Of course GoDaddy will tell you to upgrade if you ask them, they want your $$$.

well my website is going to be big. around 4000 users online at the same time expected in 1 year or so..right now when i have 300 members online its really slow. yeah powervps is everywhere when i searched around forums..

i dont need much space..small pictures files only and mostly text.. but bandwidth might kill me. i will need around 500gb + i think ill go for powervps. what do you guys think?

is 256 mb ram fast enough???

With 4000 users on at onetime, you've now stepped out of the scope of a virtual server and stepped into a full dedicated server... or 2. A VPS will help you along for a little while, but if your site will be as big as you say, you will soon outgrow a VPS.

Take a look at servint.net, they have an excellant upgrade path to suit you as your site grows. I would look for at least 512 MB ram burstable to at least 1Gb. With that much traffic, CPU might be an issue for you as well.

You may want to contact somebody from powervps or servint and tell them your needs. They know about VDS's better then anybody and will be able to match one specificly to your needs.

hmm.. let me think

Originally Posted by playkid

well my website is going to be big. around 4000 users online at the same time expected in 1 year or so..right now when i have 300 members online its really slow. yeah powervps is everywhere when i searched around forums..

i dont need much space..small pictures files only and mostly text.. but bandwidth might kill me. i will need around 500gb + i think ill go for powervps. what do you guys think?

is 256 mb ram fast enough???

With those type of expectations i do not recommend you even attempt a VPS. You need to go dedicated. You said you already have 300 members online at the same time, that is more than most VPS handles efficiently. You need a dedicated server now. Godaddy will not help you at all with VPS or Dedicated servers. They are expecting you to know how to configure your own. If you need any more help, I am available by pm.

With 4000 users on at onetime, you've now stepped out of the scope of a virtual server and stepped into a full dedicated server... or 2.

Or even more.

I would have to agree if you want to be on the safe side try to go with a dedicated server.