Re: [cobalt-users] What would you do

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 7/21/00 9:39 AM, Robert C. Betzel at rbetzel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I have been working with a Cobalt Raq2 for a customer of my for about a year
> and now I am looking to get one for myself.  I have several people that
> would like to get web pages and web databases up but do not want their own
> box and do not want to host with some one they do not know.  I am getting an
> ADSL line installed and want to use that to host these sites.  What RAQ
> would you get.  Would you get the new RAQ4 or stick with a Raq2 or 3.

If it is a single machine (i.e. not part of a load balanced cluster) you
really need to be able to survive a single disk failure.  For that reason a
machine with RAID is important--the Raq4 is what I would get.

Additionally you benefit with PHP4 being pre-installed.  However, I would
junk the Interbase database and go with MySQL or PostgreSQL.

> biggest site will be a small car dealer that wants to put up the inventory
> that they have.  The money is not the issue just what is best for my case.
> Also are there any issues with using a RAQ on a ADSl line that any one has
> seen?  Right now they are wanting me to use a Cisco ADLS modem with PAT.  I
> am trying to get them to allow me to install a better router with NAT on it.
> If this can not be done please let me know.

You can certainly host with a ADSL connection--however you won't be
necessarily guaranteed quality of service or reliability.  It is very rare
that co-location isn't the best option for most server applications.

In addition to getting better quality bandwidth, you get redundant routes
(BGP, etc.), power protection (UPS and Generators), fire suppression,
climate control, etc.  Often it is more affordable than doing your own
hosting (especially when you take into account the cost of UPSes, etc.).

But if you are going to host on a DSL connection, I would suggest the Cisco
675.  It is fairly configurable, supports NAT, etc.  Just make sure it has
adequate ventilation, as they tend to heat up (and they used to keel over
after operating at high temps for a long period of time--but perhaps this
has been fixed with later revs).

-k