Windows 2000/2003 in UK/Europe

malcernie · 14th March 2004

Greetings,

We currently host a number of our own web sites on a dedicated server provisioned by Server Matrix in Texas. However, the recent poor performance over the Above.Net network (predominantly at the UK/US entry point) is making our hosting in the US untenable.

Our requirements are:

OS: Windows 2003 (Server not Web) or Windows 2000.
CPU: Preferable a P4, but a Celeron is sufficient.
Memory: Min 512MB RAM (we run SQL Server locally)
HDD: Any, we currently use about 20GB. Must be IDE 7200rpm or above.
Bandwidth: We currently average 60-70GB per month and are growing.
Location: Server must be hosted in UK or Europe, preferably somewhere like RedBus or similar.
Budget: Current $:£ rate means we currently pay about £70 pm. Willing to pay up to £100.

Alternatively, colocation can be considered (UK Only). What would be your requirements for burstable bandwidth giving 100GB pm (e.g. server physical size).

robk · 14th March 2004

Hi,

I wasn't aware that Server Matrix had such poor performance, maybe they're trying to use the cheaper transit routes.

Although you'll never get a server at the same price as SM here in UK, your best bet will probably be with http://www.webhosts.co.uk/ which Mark @ SecuraHosting runs. It's the lowest cost UK Windows host I know of with the all important MS Service Provider approval. You will get some people on here try to offer you an Xbox running Windows 2003 for £30 a month, although it's best to go with a company who is Microsoft Certified and has MCSE's on their staff rota.

HTH

malcernie · 14th March 2004

Thanks. The SM network is fine, its the Above.Net network at the entry point in the US that I am having issues with: At the following hops:

so-0-0-0.cr1.lhr3.uk.above.net
so-7-0-0.cr1.dca2.us.above.net
so-0-0-0.cr2.dca2.us.above.net

Monitoring other servers, such as EV1, generates the same results.

4dhosting · 14th March 2004

We can certainally help you out with the server but the price would be in the £160 per month area.

malcernie · 14th March 2004

Ouch, why the difference? Bandwidth?

4dhosting · 14th March 2004

Even that price was with a bit of a discount

The main factor is our bandwidth costs but then there are other things to consider like we have to pay for staffing, etc and so it's impossible to run a service where we only make £10/month on a server.

The price also includes things like an APC socket and backup space on our NAS.

Maff · 14th March 2004

Hello,

From Thursday onwards we can provide the following from our new range:

Pentium 4, 2.8Ghz
512MB DDR RAM
80GB HDD (7200rpm)
200GB Monthly bandwidth
Windows 2000 Server
Based in our own UK data centre
True multihomed BGP connectivity
24h Support
16 IP Numbers

£0 Setup
£99 per Month, inclusive.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information.
We can also offer full server management for an extra £69 per month.

Best Regards,

Matthew.

samtam · 14th March 2004

OS: Windows 2003 Standard Edition
CPU: AMD 2.5 GHz
Memory:512MB DDR RAM
HDD: 40GB (But I can do you a free upgrade to 80GB if you buy from us within 7 days)
Bandwidth: 300GB
Location: RedBus 2 located in London
Budget: £99 per month ( £0 setup cost)

The port will be a 100mb burstable and bandwidth is charge at 50p extra per mb

Please contact me via mobile Mob: +44 (0)7813 659 725
or drop me a email at admin@infinity-hosting.net for more info.

robk · 14th March 2004

Quote:

50p extra per mb

50p per Megabit sounds expensive

samtam · 14th March 2004

well that is for over usage charge.
And if client expect their usage to go up they should in advanced contact us and purchase more bandwidth. And the price for that is £25 per mb/s CDR which give around extra 300gb per month if it is used 24/7.