Re: [cobalt-users] [WANTED] RaQ2 Consulting

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 8/31/00 10:03 AM, Rodolfo Paiz at rpaiz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I've finally decided to take the plunge and buy one or two RaQ2's as
> cheap as I can, in order to get into the hosting business. It's my
> perception that all *basic* functionality is supported, and that a tiny
> starting company should be able to get by. (Anyone who want to comment
> on why I might need a -3 or -3i, please enlighten me...)
> 
> However, though I have little money I have even less time due to my
> other jobs. And as the list has seen I'm trying to learn but am still
> woefully wet behind the... well, everywhere. So... assuming I buy a RaQ2
> (or two):

If you don't have a much time or money, I would highly recommend
reconsidering your business plan.  Do you have the skills and the funding
necessary to run a successful hosting company?  There is very little room
(IMHO) for low-end providers, as there can only be one least cost
provider--and usually that is someone with lots of VC capital to burn.

You may still be able to make a go at it, but I would make very sure that it
fits in with your core business.

> * What is the minimum config recommended?

This depends on the type and caliber of service you are looking to provide.
A middle of the road raq 2 does not provide the availability, serviceability
and reliability features that are required for high-end hostings.  Actually,
none of the Cobalt products really do.  But if it is consistent with the
service you are looking to provide (and it probably is) then it will be
sufficient.

> * I should buy a Restore CD, right?

Having a restore cd is a pretty good idea.

> * Should I buy one decent one or two really-cheap ones? Two
> offers some sort of redundancy, but maybe not enough power.

Well, it will actually offer very little redundancy in and of itself.  It
would require a minimum of effort to have them back each other up for email,
dns, but load balancing for web is a bit trickier.  Do you have plan for how
you are going to do this?
 
> * I'll be able to get 1 (perhaps 2) static IP addresses for
> each RaQ. Good enough, right? Or does using name-based
> virtual sites rather than IP-based virtual sites impose
> some limitation I should know about?

That should be plenty.  Name-based is the de-facto standard at this point.
  
> * Would anyone be willing to contract to set them up for me
> and give me (minimal) instruction)? This implies setting
> them up and configuring them properly as well as installing
> all (stable and recommended) patches and new versions of
> software. Hopefully not a difficult undertaking. No future
> support would be expected in the asked price, other than
> perhaps a list of installed software and version numbers.

It will probably cost quite a bit (read more than the equipment cost) to
have an engineer 'properly' set you up for professional level
hosting--including security patches, remote monitoring, dns, etc.

I don't want to get you down at all, but running a hosting company is not
easy or cheap--to do it correctly.  I just want to warn you ahead of time of
the costs, time, knowledge that are involved.

-k