Tag Archives | dedicated

Uptime Monitoring with HyperSpin

phone_sms Do you want downtime to ruin your business?  Neither do I.  This is why I want to tell you about another great uptime server monitoring service, I am sure you are going to love.  HyperSpin does web site and web server monitoring from worldwide locations.

If your web site goes down, they can give you alerts via e-mail and SMS.  They have multi-protocol support for ping, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, SMTP, DNS, POP3, IMAP, MySQL, and any arbitrary services running on TCP/IP.  You can also user their service to automatically send email to your provider during downtime, to request for a reboot or any additional investigation.

Not to sound like a game show host, but really – that is no all.  They also provide:

  • Add “Live Status Report” to Your Site
  • False Alarm Elimination
  • Uptime & Performance Reports
  • Maintenance Scheduling

If you want to become your own uptime monitoring service, they also have reselling options for their services too.  Just slap your logo and domain on, and set your prices.

To learn more about HyperSpin’s services, be sure to go check out HyperSpin.com.

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

3 FAQs about SSL

SSL is like the cone of silence!I get a lot of similar questions sent into me about SSL certificates.  So, I thought it might be a good idea to tackle three of the SSL related questions that I get sent to me the most in order to help you all know a little more about the web hosting term.

What does SSL stand for and what does it do?

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer, and it is a set of rules uses in exchanging information between two computers (or in web hosting, the visitor’s computer and the web hosting server).  Think of it as the Cone of Silence on the old Get Smart TV show.  You have a secure communication between the server and the client.

What is the job of the SSL certificate?

The best way I know how to describe it is to think of it as an electronic key that the web browser checks for that will encrypt transmissions between two computers, or in the world of web hosting – the connection between the web site visitor and the web hosting server.  The secondary job of the SSL certificate is to confirm that a message that you received actually came from the person identified.  In most cases, SSL certificates are used to protect person information such as passwords, credit card numbers and other personal data, when you are transmitting them over the Web.

What is the difference between the shared SSL certificate my web host provides, and the dedicated SSL certificate they are offering as an additional service?

Most web hosts give you two options when it comes to SSL certificates.  They are often referred to as shared SSL certificates and dedicated SSL certificates.

  • Shared SSL Certificates – These are the ones provided by the web host and their server setup.  The use of them is often limited, and when somebody check out the SSL certificate via the browser, they will see your web host’s information and not your own.  That may not seem very professional to people wishing to login to use your services or send their encrypted information to you.  Good thing is it is free with most web hosts.
  • Dedicated SSL Certificates – These are SSL certificates that are setup just for you.  Often sold with a dedicated IP address included (or for an extra fee), these will include your own business information, and will be able to be used with more services.  The dedicated SSL certificate is less limited that the shared SSL certificate.  You will need to pay for it though.

So you can used the shared SSL for your web site, if needed.  However, if you want a more professional look and feel, and want to do more with it – you might want to look into getting a dedicated SSL certificate.

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Problem Finding FFmpeg Web Hosts?

youtube_logo Why would you have problems finding a web host that supports FFmpeg?  Well, first let us tackle what FFmpeg is.

It is a server side software library that concerts video and audio files into a preferred audio or video format to play them or embed them from a web site.  YouTube is a good example of this type of technology at work.  In turn, FFmpeg hosting is a term used to cover the assortment of FFmpeg and other server side technologies that help with converting digital video or audio.

So let’s say you go to your web host and tell them you want to start up a YouTube clone.  While there are many web hosts out there that can host your normal web site, only a small amount of web hosts will be willing to accommodate your needs for your YouTube clone script.

The reason this is so, is that these types of scripts can be unfriendly to the server.

They use up a lot of disk space for storing the videos.  They use a lot of bandwidth, with the embedding and streaming of the videos too. Then count in the CPU and RAM usage with converting the videos from one format to another on the server side and you have a real big mess.

The solution, in most situations, is to turn towards Virtual Private Servers (VPS) or dedicated hosting accounts.  Right now, if you want to be any kind of success, shared hosting can not support YouTube clone scripts and everything you need from what was earlier defined as a FFmpeg hosting.

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

A Web Hosting Blast – Episode 171

Like an unlit firework on the 4th of July, the Web Hosting Show is back and ready to burst with excitement anytime now. All we need is for you to ignite the flame, tune in, and we will have a web hosting blast like the world has never seen. The Web Hosting Show is back on the air.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 171!
Running Time: 10 minutes | File Size: 4.26 MB

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Here are just a few topics from this week’s episode:

  • Where is the Good in Clustered Web Hosting?
  • An Online Tool to Clean up Your CSS!
  • Problem Finding FFmpeg Web Hosts?
  • Multi-column CSS Layouts with YAMAL Builder

Here are this week’s web hosting news headlines:

Sorry I missed you last week, but I had a bit of a lingering cold, and didn’t think you’d be able to stand a show I was sniffling all the way through. I promise you this is a sniffle-free zone now!

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

October 2008 Podcast Recap

We had a great round up of show for this past month.  From interviews to bad references to James Bond movies, if anything else you can say I am at least unique at what I do.  Missed a podcast from October 2008?  Here is a recap of what you might have missed…

The Magnificent Fantastico – Episode 168 – From the first time I ever heard about Fantastico, I always thought about the traditional magician pulling rabbits from his hat.  Who would have a clue that a few years later on down the road I would have a chance to speak with one of men behind it.

Web Hosting to Go – Episode 169 – What would I like to have today?  Lets see.  I will have a large data center mashup map, a side of hosting tools (just remember to hold the tomatoes), a HP performance-optimized datacenter and a definition on what domaining is all about?  For here or to go?

Hostfinger – Episode 170 – James Bond’s rival Goldfinger was obsessed with gold. I am a man obsessed with web hosting. So does that make me Hostfinger? I am sure of two things. Yes, there will be a web host by that name soon if there isn’t already and I think I’ll stick with my own name for now.

Hope you enjoyed this past month as much as I did.  Got any ideas on what you’d like to hear about next?  I am all ears!

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Outsourced Hosting Support with CliffSupport.com

Are you a web host looking for a cheap and effective way to expand your support services?  Although some of us don’t like the phrase, “outsourced support”, the truth is it can be a very effective way to cheaply expand your hosting support team.  CliffSupport is a technical support company that provides technical support, server administration, server security and remote server management for linux servers.

They offer plans covering the following services:

  • Complete Server Solutions
  • Server Monitoring and Response
  • Per Ticket Plan
  • Server Hardening and Setup
  • Dedicated Admins
  • Hourly Server Administration

To speak for how great their service is, they promise a response in 20 minutes or less and also have a 15 day money back guarantee.  They have been in the support field for over two years too, so they are not a fly by night operation.

If you are looking for another alternative to outsourcing support, you might also check out BobCares.  I did an interview with them a few weeks back on their business and support.  Of course I welcome the CliffSupport team on the show as well if they would like to talk with me too.  To learn more about CliffSupport be sure to go check out CliffSupport.com.

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Peer 1 Server Admins go Behind the Wheel

How fast is your hosting support? Well Peer 1 has recently brought that challenge to a whole new level. They recently sponsored two of their system administrators in the 24 Hour LeMons race.

For more information on the race, and to check out some gallery pictures, check out this link: The 24 Hours Of LeMons South 2008 Uber Gallery

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Why Not Host it From Home?

uptime I am not the one to tell you how to turn your basement into a datacenter.  In my opinion, that is the last thing you really want to do.  Sure it sounds like a fun geeky projects, and yes – maybe somewhere down the line you might be cutting a few percentages off your overall costs.

Is it all worth it though?

Services You Can’t Provide with Home Hosting

Looking at the services that a datacenter could provide that you may have trouble with, some of the most important aspects of hosting may be missing from your host it from home server.  People like having redundancy.  Are you going to be able to provide backup generator power, diesel generators, redundant routing and multiple carriers?

More Work for YOU!  (and explosive diarrhea)

Now not only are you managing your own hosting company, you are also in charge of keeping that machine updated, secure and running around the clock, 24/7, 365 days a year. Think of it as having to baby sit a child that you can’t take anywhere because it has unpredictable explosive diarrhea.   You never know when it might strike, and as far as taking care of a server goes – you never know when the worst might happen.

Professionalism: Who Would You Rather Do Business With?

The last point I would like to bring up is that people don’t feel comfortable with it, so don’t expect to get many customers to sign onto the deal.  If company A told me they were hosting out of their basement and company B told me they hosted out of a real datacenter.  I’m going with company B, and you know you would too.

The moral of the story is that people often greatly under estimate the time, devotion, costs and more that it takes to get this type or project up and going.  Between server security, updating the server, and administering it too your not going to have much time for anything else.  Best to go out and find a good data center or dedicated hosting partner to help you with that side of the web hosting business.

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

How is a Data Center Built?

Ever wonder how a web hosting data center is put together?  Sure, with love and care – but what else? Here is an interesting video that goes through the step by step process of building a server farm (very quickly!).

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Don’t Backup There! – Episode 154

From web site launches to why you shouldn’t backup your PC to your digital hosting home.  This podcast has been in production for two weeks thanks to a slew of interruptions but I am happy to say finally the Web Hosting Show is back on the air.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 154!
Running Time: 16 minutes | File Size: 7.17 MB

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Here are just a few topics from this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

  • What is Your IP and Why Do You Need It?
  • Don’t Backup My Documents on Your Hosting Account!
  • Checking Web Popularity with URLmetrix?
  • Gawkwire, a new Internet and Hosting News Site Launches!

Podcast Exclusive – Part 2 of Our “How to Purchase a Web Hosting Business” Series with Web Strategist Errett Cord. Download the podcast to check it out!

Ever have one of those periods of time where it seems like nothing is going right?  Two weeks ago my main podcasting powerhouse of a machine was fried and I was still waiting to get it back from HP.  Last weekend, I had no power due to a line of wicked weather.  This week I am knocking on wood and tossing spill salt over my shoulder because thus far, nothing has interupted me.

Read full story · Comments { 0 }