Your opinion on suitable bandwidth for webhosting!

[snaggle]

I'm currently running a fully legit Windows 2003 Server on a 512/256 Connection I'm hosting 7 Domains at the moment and they are considerably slow, I know it's gettin ridiculas

My Dad and I are looking to get a better connection, we are lookin towards an RADSL 4096/768 Connection or an SHDSL 1024/1024 Symmetric, two-way broadband connection.


Both are in the same price range, what should I go with?!"

I want your opinion what would be suitable for my arangement? Would the 4Mbit make up for the 256 loss in upload or am I better off with 1024/1024?

[snaggle]

[Aaron_J]

It is still going to be relatively slow on either of those connections although the SDSL would be the better choice of the 2. The 4 mbit download bandwidth of the RADSL won't make up for the ~25% slower upload capability. Upload speed is the most important feature btw.

Answer the questions below and I or someone else may be able to point you to a better solution.

How much bandwidth (per month) do these 7 domains use?

How much disk space do these sites require?

Do any of these sites have a forum with a large amount of visitors?

[snaggle]

Originally posted by Aaron_J
How much bandwidth (per month) do these 7 domains use?

How much disk space do these sites require?

Do any of these sites have a forum with a large amount of visitors?

1. Alot?!!?

2. All sites put together about 2.5 GB

3. Yes I do have 4 and coulple of them are quite Busy!.

It'd be hell transfering the sites to a remote server!

[Aaron_J]

I just can't believe you will ever see acceptable performance from a home connection with the requirements you have.

The forums are a dealbreaker as far as most webhosts are concerned. They will host you untill your forum(s) begin to utilize too much of the servers resources and then you will be required to upgrade or your acct will be suspended. (usually upgrading won't even be an option for a large forum with many active users, I have seen this time and time again)

So I believe a dedicated server is in your future. Here are two of the least expensive dedicated servers you will find.

ServerPronto Their "starter" plan has a low monthly price but there is a setup fee.
Server4You Same setup fee, slightly more expensive, and only worthwhile if you can pay the yearly advance payment but You could charge friends/others to host their sites because of all the bandwidth you have available or even split the cost with someone. I think this is the better way to go if you can do it.

Both of these require you to manage the server yourself. Managed servers cost considerably more.

Also, both of these providers get acceptable reviews on the WebHostingTalk forums which is pretty much the place to research web hosting.

If the cost of these is prohibitive then you can post your requirements on that site in the "requests" section. You are sure to get plenty of responses, just be sure to check out any host before you go with them.

Honestly, the home connection wouldn't even be a consideration to me.