I am planning to move on a dedicated server for my forum, what host or company would you recommend? I need one that is satisfying in all aspects and if there is a cheap one then much better.

If you want it fully managed, Liquidweb and Servint come to mind as providers with a reputation in that department. Hostgator is the host I've been using, but only their shared hosting. I suspect that their dedicateds must be even more stable, as there would be no "bad neighbors" to overload the server.

Don't go unmanaged unless you can confidently call yourself a server admin.

Congrats for deciding to put your forums on a firm hosting solution. Many skimp on doing that. Out of curiosity, did you current host advise/warned you to do that?

I am presently hosted on a shared one, and only planning to move in the hear future. But I need to do my homework of observing and researching on good dedicated server providers.

If you're new to server management, I'd suggest going with a managed dedicated server provider, however, you're not going to find a true managed server that's cheap, so to speak.

It really depends on your definition of cheap . If you had a base budget, I'm sure I could recommend a few providers for you to check out.

Total Server Solutions rents dedicated servers now. They do great server management as well. I'd recommend them for either renting the servers or co locating.

I've heard good things about Media Temple. I don't know whether they do dedicated servers, but they use grids to handle overflow, so the end result it the same.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, if a forum like this big is what I am running, how much do i need to spend for my server?

Originally Posted by ForrestCroce

I've heard good things about Media Temple. I don't know whether they do dedicated servers, but they use grids to handle overflow, so the end result it the same.

Not sure if I'd agree with that one. Granted, they do a good job, but my grid server barely loads. I even called them earlier today about downtime with my site.

I also work with someone who uses the MediaTemple dedicated server offerings, and it's laden with problems, from consistent 500 errors to fatal memory errors and the like. The database connection is never stable either.

I really like what MediaTemple does with its model, and I think they have a good amount of potential, but I think they really need to address these problems before considering themselves as frontrunners in the "dedicated server" sphere. Heck, I say that even for their shared offerings. From what the customer service rep told me on the phone today, "someone was using too much resources on the server and we finally took care of it." Great -- but MT should have addressed it before it affected its hundreds of users.

To answer your question, ceekeigh, (and I answered it in another thread too, so sorry about the duplicate), I've been a fan of RackSpace and SuperbHosting. Both aren't cheap (though Superb is a bit cheaper). I believe Superb starts at $179 for dedicated offerings. RackSpace, on the other hand, is much more expensive but you're also paying for 24/7 "Fanatical Support."

I'll be checking that tamar, thanks for the reply.

Originally Posted by ceekeigh

I'll be checking that tamar, thanks for the reply.

Anytime. Would love to know what you end up going with.

No problem tamar, I'll be updating you.

Keep us updated too.

Check out SecuredServers They're a top tier solution for hosting servers. I know they have a limited capacity for less than a full cab but can provide space by the Rack Unit. They can receive your server at their datacenter or can custom build a Dell unit for you as well.

I've only used liquidweb's VPS's, but if their Dedicated are just as good, that'd be the way to go, imo.

Thanks for the reply guys, how about theplanet, who are hosted with them? any feedbacks?

ThePlanet aren't too concerned with who or what they host, so their servers are often hosts to content scrapers, spambots, mail spammers etc along with the good sites.

nobody using softlayer? I like softlayer. Their system and support is just great..little more than other provider but no problems at all.

First time to hear of softlayer, how about the cost?

I believe softlayer have web site with prices . I think that you need to look on quality first of all. Once you sign up for not reliable web hosting you will for other one. As result - time and money wasting. I think that you need to consider reability first of all. The solidhost.com might be the one of them for you. have a look at them certainly
I hope you will find goofв deal soon.

ceekeigh, I think that before starting search for dedicated server you need to know what do you need exactly: CPU, RAM, HDD, BW etc
And once you know that you will understand which budget do you need to rich that all.