just moved from shared server to VPS - help needed - Web Hosting Forums Web Discussions on Hosting Webmaster forums Web Hosting Forums Domain Name Forums Web Hosting

carphone · 04-24-2008, 07:31 PM

Hi All,

I am in desperate need of some professional and impartial help.

I was recently contacted by my current host as they felt my site was too busy for a shared server. They advised i was slowing down other peoples websites on the same server. They recommended i move to one of their VPS packages or take my business else where. This surprised me as i have not updated my site in over 12 months and its less popular now than it has ever been.

My site consumes about 2GB of bandwidth per day with approx 2000 visitors a day.

Even though their prices seemed high, for convience sake i opted to move to their value VPS - see the VPS package I moved onto here
http://www.supanames.co.uk/virtual-p...rs/linux/value

Immediately after moving to this VPS i noticed my site was incredibly slow. To the point it would not load at all. On looking in my Virtuozzo Control Panel i noticed the system usage had increased to 98% and was in the "black zone". restarting the VPS temporarily fixes the problem but it is only a matter of time before it slips back into the black zone again. See pic below:

System usuage capacity usually sits at 60 - 65% for a while and then slowly increases to black zone 98%. Is 60 - 65% normal for quiet times?

On chasing this with my host they decided my forum database may be the cause. I disabled my forum but still the black zone problem kept on occuring. (forum has been disabled for 48 hrs now)

After numerous emails to them i have just recieved the follwing back:

Thank you for your patience.

Our engineers have looked into this and have underestimated the popularity of your website. Unforunately our VPS Value only supports 166 connections at one time and your website is maxing this. Our VPS Mid and VPS Premier both offer up to 500 connections simutanously and offer more memory. We recommend that you upgrade to our VPS Mid and we will refund you the cost of the time left for your VPS Value.

The mid package they are talking of is here:
http://www.supanames.co.uk/virtual-p...vers/linux/mid

Now the value VPS i have just moved to was £211 for 1 year which i have already paid. The package they are suggesting i move to is another £211 ontop. So that would be a total of £422 !!

My site is little more than a hobby - which i have not updated in over 1 year. I do plan to revamp it soon so this is why i would like the hosting issues resolved. But does 2GB a day and 2000 vistors really need a £400 hosting soloution.

So my question to you all is, should i upgrade to their mid package and hope that is it (even if does seem like crazy overkill). Or can anyone else recommend a shared or VPS package that would be happy to accomadate my traffic. Or are their any other soloutions i havent though of.

Ideally i would like to stay with a UK host - as I have heard rumors this may help y google uk rankings. (google really like like my site already for some reason)

My site for anyone that is interested is www.unlockme.co.uk (you will see it is very basic - does not use ay databases to run)

Any help much appreciated.

Many Thanks

Dan

ephasenetworks · 04-25-2008, 05:25 AM

how many people are on the forum at one time?

Honestly, you'd be better off with going with a dedicated server.

WebHoster · 04-25-2008, 06:26 PM

I would recommend that you check with Server Intellect. We've been with them for several years. Their tech support will most likely be able to recommend the best service to handle your website so that it doesn't drag like that. They also have a very responsive customer service system in place, by both email and phone. I'd be interested in knowing what you found out. Good luck!

carphone · 04-26-2008, 05:53 PM

Hi all,

my forum really is not very busy approx 30 posts a day with no more than 10 people on line at any one time. (used to be busier). I have swithced this off currently.

I have emailed server intellect - lets see what they can offer.

many thanks so far - i would love to here from of other recommended hosting companies.

Thanks again

Dan

wht-dis · 04-28-2008, 02:45 PM

Dedicated might be too much especially at the beginning, I'd say.

warriorhost · 05-02-2008, 03:37 AM

Typically a VPS can be very slow. I've heard of many people saying that they have very slow loads times with VPS however I am not to sure.

2GB of bandwidth/day is actually alot of traffic. But I think that a semi-dedicated server would do the trick. I know that your web host says taht they can offer you so much bandwidth and so much disc space but those are just empty promises.

So I hope that you don't get tricked because of the tempting offers again.

needsupport · 05-05-2008, 01:49 PM

Dedicated server will be a definite overkill for a site like this, I think you will feel quite comfortable on a managed vps solution like the one offered by GlobalTap.com or Jaguarpc.com, by getting a steady provider you will spare yourself headaches in the future.

nodem · 05-08-2008, 01:22 PM

I think that you need to start with VPS. Have a look at http://santrex.net/vps.php. They are doing cheap and very quality solutions for Virtual servers.

rustik · 05-08-2008, 02:28 PM

I second GlobalTap.com. This company provides Excellent connectivity to the Internet backbone via several bandwidth providers
Redundant power with UPSes and diesel generators
High security data center
Remote reboot
Remote console
24/7 1 hour response guaranteed on trouble tickets, etc.