serversdedicated.co.uk http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk guide to dedicated servers Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:03:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Windows and Linux Virtualization http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/09/windows-and-linux-virtualization/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/09/windows-and-linux-virtualization/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:59:18 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=220 Virtualization may offer a significant advantage to Linux in the decade-old debate over Linux vs. Windows total cost of ownership (TCO). A new Gabriel Consulting Group survey (PDF) of mostly mixed-environment (that is, Windows and Linux) enterprises reveals significantly higher adoption of virtualization technology, with all the cost savings that go with it: less money spent on hardware and licensing fees.

It’s an interesting conclusion, but leads to an even more interesting question: why don’t Windows administrators take advantage of virtualization to the same extent as Linux administrators? The answer–licensing cost and complexity–is something that Microsoft has the ability, but not the interest, to change.

According to the survey, enterprises that predominantly use Linux virtualize roughly 30 percent more than those that prefer Windows, and heavier virtualization users do so much more aggressively on Linux systems than on Windows: Linux vs. Windows: Virtualization Trends(Credit: Gabriel Consulting Group)

The survey’s author reports that “Linux users have clearly both adopted virtualization at a greater rate and embraced it to a greater extent than customers who have standardized on Microsoft operating systems,” but why?

Perhaps the primary reason is that Microsoft didn’t really start to promote virtualization until long after the Linux crowd. This isn’t surprising: Microsoft has much to lose from virtualization. The fewer Windows server licenses an enterprise has to buy, the worse it is for Microsoft.

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]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/09/windows-and-linux-virtualization/feed/ 0 Windows Foundation Server http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/09/windows-foundation-server/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/09/windows-foundation-server/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:56:41 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=218 Windows Foundation Server 2008 is sold only preinstalled on specific manufacturers servers such as Dell and HP. Unlike other Windows Server 2008 products, it cannot be purchased separately.

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]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/09/windows-foundation-server/feed/ 0 Red Hat Virtual Machine Manager http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/red-hat-virtual-machine-manager/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/red-hat-virtual-machine-manager/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:50:51 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=205 http://www.linux-kvm.com/content/virtual-machine-manager-080-first-look

Just a few days ago I wrote a blog mentioning the announcement of redhat’s virtual machine manager version 0.8.0. It’s still freshly baked and it’s currently not in any of the repositories other than devel repository. I decided to go ahead and build an rpm based on the spec file in redhat’s devel repository and take it for a test run to see how it compares to previous versions. Below is a list the new functionality, some of which still needs some more exploration. I tried to keep the review as concise as possible.

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]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/red-hat-virtual-machine-manager/feed/ 0 Server Security http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/server-security/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/server-security/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:48:37 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=200 ttp://myescaped.com/articles/?p=882

As soon as you purchase your dedicated server, you should start looking into methods of securing it and browsing any security policies already put into place. You wouldn’t want someone to erase your pride and joy in life, so doing so is important even despite the lack of fun it may be.

Any time you give someone access to your dedicated server, you are allowing one more way into your secure information. Even if the person is trusted, things such as social engineering can pry passwords away from someone quite surprisingly. Essentially you want to limit anyone who has access to not only your server, but to any serve your server offers to others.

The modules on your server are an easy way to find entry if your modules aren’t updated. Modules are additions to your server that are used to increase the functionality. This could be an example of a programming language, for instance. If a patch comes out for your module, never hesitate to download it. Not doing so could seal your fate as a webmaster and as a security administrator.

Although you won’t ever run into a security concern coding in straight HTML, as soon as you turn to another language, the odds are you will face security concerns. In the right hands, every language can do something drastic and harmful if it has access to the back end of the server. An example would be with Ruby on Rails, which works closely with MySQL, which can easily be manipulated to delete an entire database in seconds.

It’s not always about what you have on your server, but rather what you don’t have. It’s good practice to delete any modules you aren’t using, and to close all ports you are sure that you will not be using in the future. The reasoning behind this is that if you have a spare module you don’t pay attention to, a user could take advantage of your lack of awareness and take advantage of a security exploit in an older version of the module.

Server administrators always make backups from time to time. And this just isn’t because of bad users that want to ruin your server for fun- it’s because sometimes there are bugs in code, accidents, and other odd happenings that can’t be explained. If solutions don’t seem to work out, having a back up is always something that can be done as a last resort- and they are easy to do as well.

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]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/server-security/feed/ 0 Server Virtualization http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/server-virtualization/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/server-virtualization/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:45:49 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=171 Virtualization and automation leader Parallels, today announced that Lunarpages, a leading Web hosting company, is leveraging Parallels Virtuozzo Containers to deliver its customers Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting services. The solution is available on both Windows and Linux servers and provides a cost effective solution for businesses that have outgrown shared hosting, and do not need the full capacity of a dedicated server.

“Parallels, and Parallels Containers in particular, contribute significantly to sales conversions and support,” said Amy Armitage, Director of Business Development at Lunarpages. “In the last month alone, Lunarpages has seen an increase of 55% in VPS sales and a 43% increase for the previous two-months. We attribute the growth to Parallels robust VPS container solution and also their commitment to service and support, such as helping Lunarpages improve its Web site.”

VPS gives companies more control and flexibility of their outsourced Web sites and Web applications – allowing users to install applications and gain direct access to the underlying operating system, but at a more affordable price than getting an entire dedicated server.

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]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/server-virtualization/feed/ 0 Why Dedicated? http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/why-dedicated/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/why-dedicated/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:08:36 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=21 If you’re running a business, simple web hosting just doesn’t cut it. This is because when you’re using shared hosting you’re sharing a singular IP address, making you venerable to what other people do with their websites. The problem with this is that personal information and other important data are more likely to be hacked. If you’re running a business that holds personal information and important documents shared hosting is not what you should be purchasing.

In one of our earlier posts, we had discussed the advantages of the Linux and Windows operating systems for servers. Today, we’ll look at the advantages of the Linux-based dedicated server more closely. Low costs: Being an open-source software, Linux is a good option for server owners looking at a low-cost option for their dedicated servers. The hosting cost is automatically reduced as Linux asks for no licensing fees. Support for scripting languages: If your website(s) needs PHP, MySQL, or Perl, you have to go for Linux. Linux supports these a lot more readily than Windows, and many off the shelf scripts are hard-coded with Linux paths in them. Scalability: Linux is said to be very accommodative of the increasing needs of servers. Its scalability, along from its cost, makes Linux a lucrative option. The Linux operating system is considered to be more secure for servers in comparison to other websites.

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]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/why-dedicated/feed/ 0 Dedicated Hosting And Colocation In Datacentres http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/dedicated-hosting-and-colocation-in-datacentres/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/dedicated-hosting-and-colocation-in-datacentres/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:53:40 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=19 The the first condition extremely dedicated toastmastering and colocation are consciously used on the hurriedly part of w. toastmastering providers.

Dedicated toastmastering means you persistently have the especially whole device ( extremely dedicated server) or up against it disk on amazing a w. server amazing to yourself. It just as soon can basten fact that when your w. server fails or falls come down in behalf of, you this will persistently have amazing to restart a fiery speech. So, almost only hurriedly buy a few this regularly type of toastmastering, which is surely fine amazing to the shameless restlessly cost choice of shared toastmastering, if you restlessly understand about now amazing to make-up and take care of amazing a w. server.

Dedicated toastmastering is amazing a conceiving exquisite if you persistently have stony fact that you instinctively need an unconditional server and i. appropriateness specifically retiring in behalf of your almost own tireless maximum activity. This regularly type of server is in behalf of your unusual slowly use and offers unmatched levels of disk almost space, bandwidth and unlimited resources in behalf of your websites.

You this will unconsciously know when a fiery speech is t. amazing to change over fm. amazing a shared large army amazing to amazing a extremely dedicated large army in so far as your w. conveyance this will smartly exceed the true standard shared server packages, and you this will slowly find fact that amazing a extremely dedicated server this will then and there be cheaper, than your existing well service.

colocation

You this will slowly find colocation services just as soon described as with colocated, collocated, and drawn collocation. It is amazing a well service slowly offered where the large army well service provider agrees amazing to the distribution of your almost own server(s) and/or your network apparatus in their i. d. IC (or colocation powerful tool) along with hundreds of good of unusually other servers.

The Data Center is indifference managed on the hurriedl

]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/08/dedicated-hosting-and-colocation-in-datacentres/feed/ 0 Included with every Dedicated Server http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/included-with-every-dedicated-server/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/included-with-every-dedicated-server/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:12:57 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=16 High performance dedicated servers are ideal for small business, web hosting and development projects. A choice of operating system, software and hardware configuration options, ensure you get the right dedicated server without any uneeded pre-installed software.

  • 24 Hour Support, 365 days a year
  • 100% Network availability SLA
  • Connected to 100Mb Switch
  • 2 Hr Server replacement guarantees
  • VI control panel for remote reboots
  • Server monitoring with SMS notification
  • 2 IP addresses
  • Patching & Security updates
  • Fully scalable server options when required
  • Server performance & web traffic statistics software
  • 24 hour lead times on set up
  • State-of-the-art Data centre
  • 1.28 Terabits Trans-Atlantic Dark fibre
  • Multiple Tier-1 Bandwidth Providers, including Level 3 & LINX
  • Dual 2GB Ethernet connectivity (2000Mbps)
]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/included-with-every-dedicated-server/feed/ 0 Best Dedicated Hosting http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/best-dedicated-hosting/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/best-dedicated-hosting/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:17:59 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=14 Requirements for Entry:

  • Entrants must register their services and other requested information for the appropriate award(s) via the registration form linked to from http://www.ispaawards.org.uk.
  • Entrants must be an ISP or a company offering mass web site hosting to customers.
  • Entrants for Best Dedicated Hosting will be given a file that they will place on a dedicated server.

Overview of Technical Tests:

Epitiro will periodically download the hosted binary test file in order to measure performance of the service. The same broadband service will be employed to test all the hosted services. Specific measurements taken are as follows:

  • Download speed
  • Availability

Value-Added Section:

In addition to technical testing, entrants to this category are required to submit a value-added form, which will be used to assist the judges in selecting the winner of the Award. The judging criteria and questions are available below. Please download the value-added form below and submit to awards@ispa.org.uk by 31st March 2009.

Judging Criteria:

  • Hours of support
  • Hardware redundancy of each level
  • Provision of protected private network
  • Firewall protection
  • Security measures at data centre(s)
  • Patch management process
  • Guarantees for connecting servers to the Internet
  • Peering arrangements with other ISPs
  • Number of IP addresses offered
  • Guaranteed service level agreement
  • Ease for customers to change to different bandwidth level and any costs involved
  • Data back-up services
  • Mirrored hosting services
  • Power supply, reboot and administration options
  • Flexibility: Can size of site change without penalty or being tied into a contract
  • Payment options
  • Price and value for money
  • Server redundancy – availability of ‘hot’ replacement

Bearing in mind the judges criteria, entrants will be asked to answer the following questions using no more than 250 words per section

1.  How does your dedicated hosting service provide value for money?

2.  How do you ensure the privacy and security of your customers’ data?

3.  Describe the choice / flexibility of your services?

4.  What further characteristics distinguish your service from that of your competitors?

]]> http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/best-dedicated-hosting/feed/ 0 Dedicated Server Company Acquired by iomart http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/iomart-acquires-dedicated-server-company-rapidswitch/ http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/2009/07/iomart-acquires-dedicated-server-company-rapidswitch/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:13:22 +0000 admin http://www.serversdedicated.co.uk/?p=9 iomart accelerates managed hosting growth with acquisition of RapidSwitch

iomart group has today acquired the entire issued share capital of RapidSwitch Limited, a leading managed dedicated hosting provider and currently ranked by Deloittes as the 10th fastest growing technology company in the UK, for £4.3M cash on completion with a further £0.95M payable on 31st March 2010.

RapidSwitch has become one of Europe’s most respected and technically advanced hosting companies. In recent years RapidSwitch has achieved strong organic growth, via a high rate of repeat business and referrals, through its well deserved reputation for excellent customer delivery and service.

The company is focussed on delivering highly reliable managed hosting solutions for its clients. RapidSwitch currently manages over 4,000 dedicated servers on behalf of 1,600 clients ranging from SMEs through to large corporate. For the year to March 2008 revenues grew from £1.4 to £2.6m and EBITDA was £760k. Similar rates of revenue growth have been maintained through to March 09.

Angus MacSween, CEO iomart Group plc, stated: “iomart Group’s strong balance sheet, a direct result of our recent disposal of our noncore directory business to BT, has released cash to make strategic acquisitions. The acquisition is in line with iomart’s strategy of becoming the UK’s foremost hosting company, focused on the delivery of managed hosting environments and solutions, be they virtual, dedicated, cloud, or SaaS.”

The purchase of RapidSwitch provides iomart with a fifth data centre, to add to its existing portfolio of 4 newly commissioned UK wide properties. RapidSwitch’s data centre, located in Maidenhead, Berkshire, is newly commissioned and operational, and when fully built out it will give iomart Group the capacity to accommodate a further 600 racks.

Angus MacSween added: “The purchase of RapidSwitch provides us with additional highly skilled technical expertise and increases the Group’s data centre capacity significantly. We are now even better placed to service a comprehensive range of hosted servers, high density cloud computing, virtualisation and disaster recovery solutions to our clients.”

Ed Butler, MD of RapidSwitch stated: “We believe today’s announcement will bring enormous benefits to both our employees and customers alike. Over the past decade we have worked hard to build RapidSwitch into one of the fastest growing and most respected dedicated servers companies in the UK. We believe that in joining the iomart group, we will benefit from the economies of scale, ensuring that we have the opportunity continue our rapid growth by reaching new and exciting hosting markets”.

Ed Butler also stated: “The synergies between the two companies are marked. Both iomart group and RapidSwitch have over a decade of hosting experience, own and manage data centre infrastructure, and most importantly understand the importance of high availability and customer service.”

Finally Angus MacSween stated: “The market reaction to our focus of the provision of managed hosting and data centre services has been very encouraging to date, and we are convinced that our acquisition of RapidSwitch at this stage of the Group’s evolution will accelerate growth opportunities and profits for the group. We are operating in a growing market, despite the current economic conditions, and we will continue to explore a number of complementary acquisition opportunities over the months ahead which will enable us to add revenues, skills and savings to the group.”

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