Weblog entry #308 for simonw

See all weblog entries made by simonw.

XML logo

#308
I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by simonw on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 11:54
Tags: none.
Okay, I want to buy a Virtual Private Server.

I want Debian.
I want root access.
I want the providers virtualisation system to be so well hidden I don't know it is there.
I want remote reboot.
I want SSH access.
I want good support 24x7, but I'm prepared to pay extra if I need it because I goofed.
I want unmetered bandwidth (I don't mind if it is only 10Mbps or even less, I just don't want the service disabled because I've served too much traffic, or unexpected bills).
Backup service - well it would be nice if they provide something good, but it isn't a deal breaker.
Ideally more than one IP address would be desirable!
UK based hosting preferred.

On top of this I want good availability, and I want consistently good performance for serving web pages, including a number of small CMS systems (probably wordpress or similar). I'll be running MySQL on the box.

Previously I've used RackForce.com, who provide most of these requirements very well. But it is RHEL, and I've found a few gaps in the virtual server implementation, and I did have to remove a load of monitoring and other tools they include (and I didn't want or need).

If you can stick RHEL and US hosting, I'd definitely recommend RackForce's VPS as a good VPS provider.

Couple of short outages, but in each case RackForce support knew what the problem was before I contacted them, and it was resolved very quickly without any support charges being incurred.

So far Gandi has been mentioned. Any experience?
[9 Comments | Add Comment | XML logo ]
<<< Previous Next >>>

 

Comments on this Entry

#
Re: What a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by Anonymous (98.194.xx.xx) on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 12:41
Try Linode.com. I've had a server there for awhile. Good support. Multiple data centers. Pick your distribution. Full root access. Use their DNS, or bring your own. Static IP by default. Good performance. Reasonable pricing.

Yes, the link below has my referral code in it. I checked out several different services before settling on Linode, and I've been very happy with my decision.

http://www.linode.com/?r=34d220dd1315caef6ac0770fc291eb1fb6500b84

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: What a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by lee (146.101.xx.xx) on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 13:13
[ Send Message | View Weblogs ]
Looked at Bytemark? There's a link to them on the bottom of this page...

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by kgfullerton (82.10.xx.xx) on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 14:19
[ Send Message | View Weblogs ]
I've been with Bytemark for a long time (probably 3+ years) and have recently moved to the KVM rather than UML platform with them and it's very fast. Running Gentoo on it at the moment with Apache/mod_rails/mod_python/MySQL and various development stuff and never had a problem with speed or bandwidth.

Also got a Linode account with Debian Lenny which I use for mail hosting (Postfix/MySQL) and as a bit of redundancy, and again, not had any issues with speed or bandwidth on the machine - both seem good bets, +1 Bytemark as UK based and they rock :)

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by Anonymous (87.238.xx.xx) on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 15:08
Clustered.net is pretty nice, and excellent service so far.

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by Anonymous (208.24.xx.xx) on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 15:40
I came to post about linode.com, but the first poster beat me :) I completely agree. I've had my Linode for over a year now, and they have always exceeded my expectations.

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by daemon (146.231.xx.xx) on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 19:42
[ Send Message | View Weblogs ]

Nobody else has mentioned BitFolk. So I will: http://www.bitfolk.co.uk/

Only heard good things about them.

Cheers.
:wq

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by Anonymous (212.119.xx.xx) on Tue 24 Feb 2009 at 14:39
try this http://www.a2hosting.com/services/vps-hosting/

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by Anonymous (78.110.xx.xx) on Tue 24 Feb 2009 at 23:47
I'm using cheapvps.co.uk, take a look. They are using openvz or xen for virtualization. I'm not sure if they have an unmetered plan, but at least they aren't very expensive.

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]

#
Re: I want a Virtual Private Server running Debian
Posted by Morsello (201.92.xx.xx) on Wed 25 Feb 2009 at 21:59
[ Send Message ]
I've tested many VPS providers.

With all your requirements I can suggest VPSLand (http://www.vpsland.com/linuxplans.html).

They have good price and premier support. And you can choose your Debian VPS with Xen or OpenVZ virtualization engines.

[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]