About HomeNetHelp.com - The HomeNetHelp.com rig

On November 28rd 2001, HomeNetHelp moved from a 'shared' environment at CIHOST.COM to a dedicated server environment at superb.net.  On one hand, it was a good and needed move because of CIHOST's reliability issues and the speed issues that were starting to appear - especially in the forums.  On the other hand, it was an expensive move for me.  I always knew that the site would need to be moved to a dedicated server, I just thought that the site would be able to at least pay for itself by the time the move was needed!

This server is located at Superb.net.  It hosts the primary HomeNetHelp web site.  Details about superb.net and a picture of the server are located below...

* 1U Rackmount server

* 2GB PC133 memory

* 2 1Ghz Pentium III processors

* 2 40Gb 7200rpm IDE hard drives (mirrored)

Cost: $2800 with OS & Install

 

(80-100GB/Month bandwidth)

This server is used to serve some of the graphics and downloads for HomeNetHelp along with some small static sites.  The server and bandwidth is VERY inexpensive from rackshack.net but you can only get Linux machines.... (more about rackshack.net below)

* Cobalt RAQ 4i server (linux)

* 256Mb Memory

* 10Gb hard drive

$99 / month

300Gb / month bandiwdth max

I just wanted a hosting company that would sell me inexpensive bandwidth and give me a little bit of rack space for my own server.  Co-Location services are often very expensive but Suberb.net was a prefect fit for me.  For $200 per month, you can place a 1u or 2u server at their Wash DC location with 50GB of traffic per month.  Less coloco plans are available that have less bandwidth.  The most impressive thing about superb was it's policy on extra bandwith.  Many places charge you $5-$20 / GB extra over your plan.  Superb just charges you $135 for 50GB increments.  Also, I was able to reach their tech support people within minutes of making a call.

Great CoLoco service

$200 / month 50GB traffic

many other plans available

For linux hosting, you can't go wrong with rackshack.net .  They are a small company out of texas that deals mostly in Cobalt RAQ servers.  Their basic dedicated server package includes 300GB of traffic per month on your very own RAQ based linux server.  Even if you dont know linux (like me) the web based admin interface makes setting up web sites a snap.  The servers come installed with front page extentions and ChiliSoft! so you can run .ASP (or php or whatever). 

$99 / month 300Gb traffic

Dedicated Linux server

Price includes hardware rental

other packages available

 

This server is now in Washington DC at Superb.net.