Pre-sales information re semi-dedicated server

[xina_s]

I am the owner of a website that uses .Net 2.0 and an SQL database, managed through ODBC/ SQL manager Express. I have been testing a couple of third party components for use on the site but am experiencing problems with them due to the security levels at my existing ISP. The components I am looking at are Chilkat Email and QuickPDFLibrary Quick PDF Library. Chilkat provide advice on setting the trust levels to allow use of their component but since this is my first post I can't provide the URL.

On the assumption that we are not in a position to go to dedicated hosting can you tell me whether you would be able to host our site on your semi-dedicated level and modify the default medium trust level by allowing DLLs from these established component vendors to run at full trust?

I also have an executable that needs to run when customers request licence codes for one of our products – at present I have to do this on a scheduler in the office as my current ISP will not permit it – is it possible this would be permitted? We would be happy for it to be checked if necessary.

Thanks for any advice you can give

Christina

[Jack]

Hello Christina,

to the forums.

If you consider a semi-dedicated server, you will get all the privileges of a Dedicated Server. You will get full administrator access to the server. As you have full admin access, you can install any 3rd application/component as per your requirements.

You can modify DLL's , run .exe files as per your requirements.

You may order our semi dedicated server online.

Please feel free to post if you have any questions

[xina_s]

Sounds good - thank you - one more question - I thing SQL express should be sufficient but if we do need to go full SQL is that a possibility and what would the cost be? ( it's not a large or heavily used database so we are probobly OK , just checking in case!)

Christina

[Jack]

Originally Posted by xina_s

Sounds good - thank you - one more question - I thing SQL express should be sufficient but if we do need to go full SQL is that a possibility and what would the cost be? ( it's not a large or heavily used database so we are probobly OK , just checking in case!)

Christina

You may upgrade to full SQL anytime you wish. I have sent you a PM with pricing details.

[xina_s]

Most helpful - thanks - will probobly be placing order today
Christina

[Jack]

You are welcome

[xina_s]

One month in and I am both impressed and dissapointed all at the same time: The help service has been good: generally reasonably fast and the online chat has been useful (although I suspect agents are trying to deal with too many queries at the same time as it can be a rather long drawn out converation). The overall plan is good; Plesk is easy to use, it's good having remote desktop and full control and the support staff patient at revisiting repeated instances of queries.


Where I am dissapointed is that it now seems clear that a 1GB memory vps running windows is really only sufficient for basic sites: we use SQL and, as it's offered went for the smartertools set to at least see what they offer as it looked like they could replace soemthings we run on our local office server. ... so within two weeks of going live I am being recommended to upgrade to dedicated server which involves dowwnlime plus re-installation of everything non standard, which will inevitably result in more confusion and support calls.

It would have been so much more helpful if there was some sort of guidance as to memory use before I made this step or if I had at least been warned that the things I was suggesting running might have pushed my memory requirements a bit high for a windows VPS. If you want a VPS I suggest that you try to estimate the memory usage of your various non standard apps and WHUK please advise of base load for the standard setup

I appreciate this is quite tricky but if people are new to VPS hosting it can be a bit of a leap from fully hosted services and a bit more of a helping hand at identifying the correct plan could save a lot of support time further down the line, on both sides!

Christina

[xina_s]

One month in and I am both impressed and dissapointed all at the same time: The help service has been good: generally reasonably fast and the online chat has been useful (although I suspect agents are trying to deal with too many queries at the same time as it can be a rather long drawn out converation). The overall plan is good; Plesk is easy to use, it's good having remote desktop and fill control and the support staff patient at revisiting repeated instances of queries.


Where I am dissapointed is that it now seems clear that a 1GB memory vps running windows is really only sufficient for basic sites: we use SQL and, as it's offered went for the smartertools set to at least see what they offer as it looked like they could replace some things we run on our local office server. ... so within two weeks of going live I am being recommended to upgrade to dedicated server which involves downtime plus re-installation of everything non standard, which will inevitably result in more confusion and support calls. Will revisit actual use on VPD before taking this step.

It would have been so much more helpful if there was some sort of guidance as to memory use before I made this step or if I had at least been warned that the things I was suggesting running might have pushed my memory requirements a bit high for a windows VPS. If you want a VPS I suggest that you try to estimate the memory usage of your various non standard apps and WHUK please advise of base load for the standard setup

I appreciate this is quite tricky but if people are new to VPS hosting it can be a bit of a leap from fully hosted services and a bit more of a helping hand at identifying the correct plan could save a lot of support time further down the line, on both sides!

Christina