Windows Server

[wood1e2]

Hi,

Has anyone ever been able to decipher Amazon's server pricing?

What is an instance? EC2 seems to offer 'Micro Instances'?

If anyone can help I vote for them to be nominated for a Noble Physics Award!!

Or better still point me in the direction of a good cost effective hosting company

OS:- Windows Server (2008)
Microsoft .NET Framework:- 4.0
IIS:- IIS 7(Url rewriting)
Database:- SQL Server 2008 R2 - I think the Web Edition is fine.
Maling Server:- POP3 Email Accounts with SMTP (details)
Note:- Server must be support rdlc reports.

Database currently at 40Mb, there will only be 3 to 5 users initially.

Although this is website based with a WinApp connected, it is a admin solution for a client not a public site.

Many thanks in advance

 

[200host_Steve]

So an instance is a single VPS.

With amazon if you go with a micro instance you can have that free for a year.

An amazon small windows box with sql web will cost around £116.25 a month

£0.115 an hour * 750 hours.

Another choice is Windows Azure.

There shared windows VPS start at around $15 a month.

http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-machines/

I have used Azures small to host the above type of application with no issues.

If you would prefer a dedicated server, please PM me, I should be able to work out a deal for you.

Rgds
Steve.

 

[wood1e2]

Hi,

Thanks for that, completely confusing in my mind!!!

The Microsoft options seems the cheaper, but does it include a MSSQL?

It seems not?

As it seems it is $48 per month? Making a total of $63

Have I got that right?

Why do they make things soooo confusing!!?!?!

 

[200host_Steve]

O.k. This has changed since I last used it.

So if you choose the SQL Server option in the pricing calculator it includes the underlying VPS cost.

That way the cost comes to around $48.36 for an XS server

Then when you deploy your VPS, make sure you select "SQL Server 20XX Web on Windows Server XXXX" Then select the size as XS or what ever size you want.

Does that make sense?

Rgds
Steve.

 

[wood1e2]

It makes no sense at all...When I just want to buy some hosting...

But if that is MS and Amazons business model then I have to go along with it.!!

But at $48.36 for extra small it seems fairly cheap!

Although there is a Pricing Calculator, which makes it even cheaper...so just in case the Bandwidth is going to be higher than I think it is, I will just buy the Windows XS server.

There appears to be support thrown in, do they provide daily back ups in this? Do you know?

As this is business critical, and this will be needed.

What about SSL?

Sorry for the questions, I have just noticed a phone number, which is an improvement on Amazon!!! So I will give them a call.


Regards

Rob

 

[200host_Steve]

SSL will need to be purchased separably then deployed onto IIS.

Bandwidth you get 5Gb free transfer.

There is no support, you have to pay extra for this.

Backup you get the first 5gb free.

Dont forget this is going to be a live windows server, so will need to be maintained and patched.

Rgds
Steve.

 

[wood1e2]

Many thanks for that.

I think I will dump the idea of Amazon and MS and go with a £100pa shared server.

Seems there is less hassle and it is managed.

As this site with a 40Mb database, 2 or 3 users/visitors per day and the whole site will not be used to it full capacity for 5 months of the year, I think a small shared server with a company that offers telephone support, would be a better idea.

I really don't want to get into learning about managing/setting up/configuring a server!!

I can always go into Control Panel and take a back up.

So many thanks for the advice and help, any ideas on a good shared solution that meets my requirements?

OS:- Windows Server (2008)
Microsoft .NET Framework:- 4.0
IIS:- IIS 7(Url rewriting)
Database:- SQL Server 2008 R2 - I think the Web Edition is fine.
Maling Server:- POP3 Email Accounts with SMTP (details)
Note:- Server must be support rdlc reports.

 

[200host_Steve]

I would love to say I would be able to provide you with what you need. But I don't currently offer shared windows hosting

Could i recommend that you pop over to webhostingtalk.com and ask for some advice on windows hosting. They are a really friendly bunch.

Rgds
Steve.

 

[wood1e2]

Many thanks for that. I will go there, but any thoughts on recommendations?

 

[200host_Steve]

Honestly no. Im a little out of touch with the windows shared hosting.

 

[200host_Steve]

Hey wood1e2

any luck locating a host?

Rgds
Steve.

 

[wood1e2]

Trying out discountasp in the states. Good price, although there pricing structure is almost as hard to understand as Azzure and Amazon...but their support service although by email is about 100 times better than either MS or Amazon.

I only asked Amazon what an instance was and they never got back to me...although they did ask me via email if I wanted to become a partner!!

I told them the fact they can't seem to be bothered to deal with someone who needs questions answer before he spends money, that perhaps it was not a partnership I would be interested in!!

 

[Scritty]

Amazon's server and cloud support seem deliberately obtuse and positioned marketing wise to answer questions only a tiny fraction of their potential audience might be asking.
Price per minute?
What I suggest the vast majority want to know is price per month, speed, resources and the contract commitment of both parties. But that's the very info Amazon bury.

 

[soundengineeruk]

Trying out discountasp in the states. !

Used these guys previously, was very impressed as quality of service and support left a bad taste in my mouth...

 

[wood1e2]

I agree...I think the idea of per minute is just to make them sound cheap. Whereas they are no different in pricing, from what I can work out.

I think, they think they are being clever!! But in fact they must be driving business away, unless I am unique...possibly not!!

As the internet has grown, selling has been around price, but I think more so now as the internet has matured, it is about service and not to be allowed to speak to a human and ask 'how much per month'

is the wrong way forward

 

[wood1e2]

Used these guys previously, was very impressed as quality of service and support left a bad taste in my mouth...

Really, even though you were impressed!??!?!?!

Been with them for 5 years, stupid email support only, and no phone number BUT emails answered very quickly, and all for less than £50 per quarter.

In fact because we had never had any issues, I completely forgot we were using them!!

Anyway, for that amount of money the site on the server never going down, email support is answered quickish...I cannot complain.

 

[soundengineeruk]

TYPO error on last post... NOT IMPRESSED


Smarterasp.net using them for Hosting MVC and WFC applications.. Never had to contact them once as it works...