I think it may be time for an hosting upgrade soon.

There are currently 7 websites. Approx. 60-70,000,000 connections a month in total (PHP, images and downloads) and using about 130 GB bandwidth.

Everything is written in PHP and using MySQL. One website is using a PHP script that generates an image (and it's used 90-100 times on one page). My current host (the cheap, overselling type) took it down for taking too much resources. They also limited the number of simultaneous connections on one of the sites, they claimed the number of connections affected the other customers hosted on that server.

I am planning to expand with a file hosting service and a free image host.

My maximum budget is $100-120 a month.

So, what do you think?

With that budget I don't think you'd get a particularly useful dedicated server - I'd recommend a high-end VPS is more likely to suit your needs.

However, the most important thing I would stress in your case is to look for a provider who will be able to migrate you through their range easily (i.e. no downtime) if there becomes a need - which seems possible/likely with your new projects that you wish to add.

Ideally, this should include dedicated servers - not just VPS's. Whilst it may limit your choice a bit, it ought to make things a lot smoother for you in the longer term.

As part of your search (and it shouldn't be the only plan you consider!), you may wish to take a look at our managed VPS plans which may suit your needs... feel free to ask if you have any questions.

However, I recommend that you also have a look around at a few providers and see what's out there for you. Given that you sound to be making extensive use of MySQL, you may also want your provider to tune MySQL for you, and work with you to identify any slow queries etc.

You may have VPS from gowebsite.com for just $32.50 per month or

$29.25 per 2 months ( 10GB disk space, 500GB bandwidth).

Originally Posted by delighted

I think it may be time for an hosting upgrade soon.

There are currently 7 websites. Approx. 60-70,000,000 connections a month in total (PHP, images and downloads) and using about 130 GB bandwidth.

Everything is written in PHP and using MySQL. One website is using a PHP script that generates an image (and it's used 90-100 times on one page). My current host (the cheap, overselling type) took it down for taking too much resources. They also limited the number of simultaneous connections on one of the sites, they claimed the number of connections affected the other customers hosted on that server.

I am planning to expand with a file hosting service and a free image host.

My maximum budget is $100-120 a month.

So, what do you think?

definately you will need dedicated server for that 70millions pageview.
consider lunarpages server... or hostgator(174... on promo now)..

I realize after doing a little research that I may have to may a little more than $120.
I did, however, find a package at Cari.net with Celeron D, 1GB RAM, 300GB HD, 1300GB Bandwidth and Plesk for $105 a month, or with P4 processor for $125 a month. Is this a reasonable offer you think? Any experiences with Cari.net?

Your budget is good for what you need, however, I do think a high-end VPS would suite the attire.

I believe that you can spend half your budget on a suitable VPS for what you need. I would be happy to discuss some offers with you, but only at your will, i won't spam offers here. In any event, best of luck!

Originally Posted by delighted

I think it may be time for an hosting upgrade soon.

There are currently 7 websites. Approx. 60-70,000,000 connections a month in total (PHP, images and downloads) and using about 130 GB bandwidth.

Everything is written in PHP and using MySQL. One website is using a PHP script that generates an image (and it's used 90-100 times on one page). My current host (the cheap, overselling type) took it down for taking too much resources. They also limited the number of simultaneous connections on one of the sites, they claimed the number of connections affected the other customers hosted on that server.

I am planning to expand with a file hosting service and a free image host.

My maximum budget is $100-120 a month.

So, what do you think?

check out www.cpwebhosting.net they provides reliable web hosting services at affordable cost

Hello. I think that you need a provider, which give you possibility to construct youtк own server (according to your needs).
I've looked through suggested companies and iа I'm not mistaken GoWebsite do it:
http://gowebsite.com/virtual_dedicated_servers.html http://gowebsite.com/dedicated_servers.html
You may continuoue searching, but also you may stop at Gowebsite.
Good luck.

I have heard many nice feedbacks about Myriadnetwork.com's activity and they offer VDS for $44.95 per month. I think it'll be O'k for you.

I think a VPS or a semi dedicated package is the way to go for you at the moment and it is a must for your hosting to get upgraded with that amount of traffic and views. Choose wisely, get the best.

You could also go for hostgator's semi dedicated. I've heard they are quite good with those

Consider hostgator.com or myriadnetwork.com VPS offers, it will allow you to cut down your expenses.

For 7 websites VPS will be fine. Look through suggested companies:
www.hostgator.com
www.myriadnetwork.com
and my suggestion is www.vpsland.com
or semi-dedicated http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/websit...icated-hosting
I'm sure that you need a VPS no dedicted server.

As far as I know Valuhost.com provides fully managed dedicated servers for just $195 per month. Quite nice offer I believe.

I second myriadnetwork.com VPS plans, they have extremely good reviews. Support is their priority.
Bhw, what's semi-dedicated plans are?

Semi-dedicated is the shared plan with the limited number of accounts per server, usually there are about 2-6 accounts per server. The client doesn't get root access, the good thing is that he isn't restricted to limited RAM or CPU usage. So, if the root access is your need, and it looks like it is, go for VPS or dedicated.
valuhost.com provides fully managed dedicated, I'd go for them.
Edited.
Oops, I have overlooked, OP's words about maximum budget, then definitely VPS, you may try to look for myriadnetworl.com coupons.

The other important point about semi-dedicated vs. VPS is that with semi-dedicated you're restricted in exactly the same ways as a shared hosting plan - just you're likely to have a higher spec plan (more resources available, including a bigger "hypothetical slice" of the server hardware); however, you're still stuck using the "common denominator" versions of PHP, MySQL, control panel software, etc. that other users of the server want to use - if they want to upgrade before you do (or the other way around) this can be a problem.

With a VPS you get full control (with the right provider) of what software you run on there, so you can do whatever you want. If you want to run a legacy PHP 3 application that isn't a issue to anybody, and if you want to run the latest incarnation of PHP 5 no PHP 4 loving scripts belonging to another customer will scream...

A VPS is a decent alternative to shared hosting - semi-dedicated might as well be shared hosting in most cases.

If you can't afford a VPS, shared will do (and is perfectly fine for some purposes) - if you need more resources than a VPS offers, then full dedicated is the way to go.

Usually low spec dedicated servers aren't worth considering since a high spec VPS works out better value (similar price, but high spec VPS will run on a much higher spec server, so you'll see the benefits of that in most cases).

There are some applications where a dedicated server is more appropriate simply because of the characteristics of how that application uses its resources etc. (e.g. games servers).

I recommand you a VPS server. Is less expensive and works great.

Anyway it depends on what traffic do you have on your websites.

Originally Posted by cabron

You could also go for hostgator's semi dedicated. I've heard they are quite good with those

just a little note. hostgator semi-dedicated is a very high end shared hosting, using cpanel only. No whm, and its not a vps.

only 4 account per server. So, its going to be a powerful shared hosting you can find in market

Yeah, dedicated server will be better.