Re: [cobalt-users] FP 2002 ISP Advice

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scrub Supply wrote:

> I also have a couple of questions.  We currently lease a RaQ3 and are
> looking at changing companies when the lease is up in Feb.  I noticed that
> www.rackshack.com

Rackshack.com is the leader in warm-water paddling; they don't offer any
kind of hosting.  I presume you mean rackshack.net <smile>.

> has AMD boxes with Ensim web management and the RaQ's too.
> What are the things we should consider in deciding whether to migrate from
> one RaQ to another or go to a non Raq server (still Linux)  running the
> Ensim web management (we do not use FP extensions).

Make sure you like the Ensim functionality.  It's NOT the same as the
RaQ.  By "functionality", I do NOT mean the interface.  I mean things
like...

1. Sun/Cobalt has their own distribution of Linux, based on Red Hat
Linux 6.2 distribution.  Ensim requires installation on a pre-existing
Red Hat 6.2 installation.  Both are kept reasonably up-to-date with
patches.

2. Ensim includes a cgi-bin directory for each site; Sun/Cobalt allows
users to run their cgi scripts anywhere.

3. Sun/Cobalt allows you to offer Telnet access to any user.  Ensim only
allows Telnet access to site-admins of IP-based domains.

4. Sun/Cobalt allows you to offer your customers a complete host-like
solution, including their own users each of which has their own control
over their own personal website and email.  Ensim allows you to set up a
main website and mailboxes, as far as I can see.

5. Sun/Cobalt allows you to mix and match IP#s.  You can host multiple
IP#s, each hosting multiple sites.  The Ensim interface only allows you
to do shared hosting with one IP#.

And there are probably lots more differences I haven't discovered yet
<wry grin>.

Then there's the interface itself.  How does it work for you compared to
the Sun/Cobalt interface?  Do you like it better?

> seems to be pretty nice.  I am trying to learn more about Linux but I am
> still in diapers!  Thanks for any input you guy can share with us.

"Pretty nice" is not a reason <smile>.  I didn't like Ensim's
limitations when I studied them, but most of them were about how to buy
it, how to install it, how to offer it to customers, etc., etc.

I didn't like that no one could tell me whether I could add things like
I do to the RaQ and not break the interface.  I probably could, and you
probably could, too, but it's another learning process to go through.

I didn't like the fact that the salesrep tried to get me to buy their
$10,000+ solution, but that's not a problem for you, RackShack most
likely already has <wry grin>.

While the ensim software makes the hardware look like an appliance, it's
really a specific machine.  That $99 offer looks pretty good, but if you
ever become dissatisfied with RackShack, will you have someplace else to
go?

That said, I think I will get in touch with the Ensim people again and
try the software out for a week or so.

On another note, I'm not to sure I'm going to trust RackShack.  They're
offering 300 gigs of transfer per month AND a system for $99/month. 
Three hundred gigs is 60% of a T-1 line's entire capacity... they can't
really keep that up if a lot of customers actually use it <wry grin>. 
Their connection seems pretty slow this (Sunday) morning.

They offer the same server with Plesk's control panel, and at the same
price; personally I prefer Plesk.

Don't forget there's a $299 setup fee, and if you look at their terms of
service you'll find that all payments are non-refundable.

We're currently offering rental RaQs; Our prices are significantly
higher.
-- 
Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Linux and Cobalt/Sun/RaQ Consulting
nobaloney.net
P. O. Box 52672, Riverside, CA  92517
voice: (909) 778-9980  *  fax: (702) 548-9484