Semi-Dedicated server? ECommerce & SSL? And other questions..

[drifter]

Hi,

I am thinking of moving to a new host like eukhost. Here's our business scenario. Until now we have developed and hosted simple websites for local small businesses and organisations. We are currently on a shared hosting package with 1and1 which has worked out OK so far. However, some of our clients are wanting to add ecommerce features to their websites and we are finding too many limitations with the current host and need to move to something bigger and better.

1) The clients do not need their own control panel, etc, so I don't think I need a reseller package. From the packages you offer, I believe the Semi-Dedicated Server would be the best option for us, but perhaps you can advise?

2) The big deal breaker for us is the ability to reliably host multiple ecommerce websites. Our existing shared hosting isn't working out because they only permit one dedicated SSL, or one use of their shared SSL.
We will need to be able to purchase multiple dedicated SSL certificates which will be applied to the domains being transferred. Can this be done? And can you let me know the cost per SSL?

3) Also, does anyone have any experience of successfully using Google Checkout with the SSL certificates that you provide? It's just that I know Google Checkout can be a bit fussy - not all SSL certificates are created equal in their eyes! See at groups.google.com/group/google-checkout-developers-forum/web/google-checkout-and-ssl-certificates

4) I am still new to the idea of semi-dedicated server hosting but I understand it will mean that I can install whatever applications I require. However, is there a standard build of applications that comes with semi-dedicated servers, eg, ASPUpload, ASPMail, etc, and if so can you point me to a list of these. If there is an additional application required, does this mean that I pay for a licence, download from the supplier and install on the server?

Thanks for any help you can provide! And by the way, I think it is fantastic that you provide a means of open communication through this forum, especially for people who are not yet customers. Nice one!

[Ryan]

Hello,

Welcome to eUKhost forum

You have not mentioned the number of clients you host at the moment and how many new clients will be added up (if any) so I cannot really say whether a semi dedicated server is the right solution for you. Perhaps you may also consider a dedicated server to have complete control and flexibility to host more number of clients in future.

You can purchase a separate SSL certificate for each of your domain name hosted with us. We offer SSL Certificate from Certificate Authorities such as SBS and Rapid SSL. SBS certificates won't work with Google Checkout however RapidSSL certificate does. We can provide you SSL certificates from RapidSSL to use them with Google Checkout. Each certificate costs £25.00 per year which also includes a dedicated IP required for installation of the certificate.

You can install any third party applications on semi-dedicated server. Generally we don't install any modules with plain server however you can provide us the list of the applications you would like to install. If you opt for Plesk control panel then you will get following applications pre-installed :

Web Server: IIS
Scripting: ASP.NET 1.x, 2.x and 3.x, ASP, Perl, Python, SSI, SSL, CGI, Mod_Perl
More: MS FrontPage, Skeleton Directory
Mail : MailEnable
Web-based: IMP, MailEnable
AntiSpam: SpamAssassin
AntiVirus: DrWeb, Kaspersky
Mailing List: Mailman
DB's: MySQL 4.x and 5.x, MSSQL (Local or Remote), MSDE
DB Management: PhpMyAdmin, ASP.NET Enterprise Mgr
FTP Servers: MSFTP
Features: Anonymous FTP, Upload Directory, FTP Throttling
DNS Servers: Bind, MSDNS
Features: Master/Slave Management, Load Balancing, Automated File Matching
Stats Apps: AWStats, Smarter Stats, Urchin, Webalizer, Plesk Traffic Manager
Features: Real Time Bandwidth, Custom Reports, Graphical User Breakdowns
More : Integrated Sitebuilder Software, Backup and Migration Utilities, Configurable Firewall, International characters (UTF, System Monitoring tools (Watchdog) and much more.

You have to purchase Plesk power pack for few modules.

Please feel free to post if you need any more information.

[jc8654]

Just to follow this up (I'm not sure how much you know about these things) but each SSL needs a separate IP address. eUK changes £2 a month per extra IP (you get 2 as standard) so your SSL is in theory only costing £1 a year on top of the IP cost. I've got my own RapidSSL certificate on a Semi-Ded and that works fine with Google.

From what you've said, it sounds like you will need Windows hosting. I'm currently running Linux on my server (unless you desparately need any Windows features I would recommend Linux as it's generally more stable) so I can't go into all the features but a semi-dedicated is basically a fully configurable machine which you can install anything on.

Depending on the numbers you are hosting/will be hosting, a VPS may be sufficient for your needs so if you can come back with a bit more info I'm sure someone else will be able to give you a more in depth answer.

[drifter]

Thank you both for your input. You're right, I am looking for Windows hosting rather than Linux, partly because I have some ASP.Net code with MS SQL server, and I'm already on Windows hosting with my current host and I've found it meets my needs.

At the moment I am hosting around 20 sites. Some of them are small, but there are a few bigger ones, and I'm adding a new site every few weeks. To be honest, my pockets won't stretch to a good fully-dedicated server, well not yet anyway. I considered the VPS as an option, but I'm thinking the semi-dedicated will give us more room to flex over time.

Thanks for letting me know your experience with Rapid SSL certificate and Google Checkout. That just lets me tick another box!

Ryan,
In relation to installed applications, you mentioned that I can provide a list of applications I would like to install. Can I double-check what you meant by that. Say just for example, I wanted ASPEncryt or ASPUpload, do I send you guys a message and ask for it to be installed, and you can take care of that? Is there a cost for this?
And then for any other apps that you don't have in your arsenal, it's up to me to purchase and install manually?
Sorry if I've misunderstood, just trying to work out how it all works and what options will be available to me!

Thanks,
David

[jc8654]

Sounds like a good plan. A semi-ded should be able to handle that load fine.

Now, I would assume this to be the same for Windows as linux but if you need a hand installing an app, support are usually more than happy to help. If it's freeware then they'll do if for you or if it's licensed, you would need to purchase the license and get the software and then they would help get it installed if you get stuck.

[drifter]

OK. Thanks for that. I think that's about everything I need to know.

Just need to persuade the boss-lady now, a.k.a. the missus, to get the credit card out.