BandWidth Providers Whose the best also advice needed

[andy68]

[andy68]

Depends on where you physically want to colocate the server, I recommend Mzima bandwidth in Los Angeles, I don't think you can do better than this....Other than that, it just depends, InterNAP is great bandwidth of course...

[rabbit85]

Papa Smurff is right, when you start off..and for that matter, forever, I think it's important that you can touch your servers anytime day or night, preferably within a 15-30 minute distance from you as well.

I can only think of one really successful host who doesn't have any sort of physical access to their server (well maybe a few)

[rabbit85]

You might be better off getting some servers from a respected dedicated provider to start out....Less money up front, panels provided for cheap, someone to complain to when there are hardware/network problems. If after a year things are cozy you might want to review your plan and maybe move to colo if the costs/benifits are there.

[rabbit85]

Originally posted by ecstatic
hmmmmm interesting will look into this though as it would seem that been close is of paramount importance...
I would intend to use similiar hardware and have a same spare set of a machine so it is fault tolerant in ways..

Does everyone use multihomed connectivity or is single provider connectivity ok??

Reason ask is that there are only 1-2 multihomed connectivity networks in my area (scotland) and they are very expensive whereas there is a large difference between multihomed prices and non multihomed prices...


Multihomed connectivity is more reliable *IF* the provider has it configured correctly. Remember, just because someone says they are multihomed does not mean you are safe. Also, you still need to ask them where the single point of failure is. There is usually a single point of network failure unless you have two mirrored machines on two seperate networks in two seperate data centers.
That being said it could very well be that you gain little benefit being with a multihomed provider if they are not setup properly. If that is the case or you have a unfavorable single point of failure within the network of the multihomed provider you might be better off going with a non multihomed provider.

[rabbit85]

Noam he says he is from Scotland.is that there are only 1-2 multihomed connectivity networks in my area (scotland)Regards,
Thomas Currie

[rabbit85]

Originally posted by ecstatic
Forgive my ignorance Noam but "colocation'ers is to go with a carrier neutral facility " can you explain exactly what you mean by carrier neutral ? Are sprint any good ?

Carrier neutral facilities are datacenters that only provide you with space and power, and allow you to manage your network totaly on your own, you would need your own router and switches and an AS number and contracts with bandwidth providors.
this obviously sounds more complicated than plugging your server directly to the providors router and getting IPs assigned to you by them, but in the long run if you grow to a certain size this way will end up being cheaper, as you can negotiate deals with many bandwidth providors and get better prices.

The other more simpler solution is getting into a building that has many providors in it but at first you go directly under a specific providor and let them manage all the network for you, but if you want to in the future you can grow out of their network and get connected to the other providors in the building.
Always think ahead is all im saying

and sprint is a "high end" providor i would say, however they must not come cheap..

[spoon84713]

If you're going for high spec machines (which is good thinking) then co-lo will give you a much better bang for your buck than dedicated servers. I'd strongly suggest keeping it local unless you can find a (very) trusted supplier to do 'remote hands' for you.

We used to have our office in Glasgow but relocated to Edinburgh just to be on-site with our equipment. So if 45 miles caused us problems I hate to think what 400 miles would be like!

Get a managed switch, a 1/4 rack maybe, with the bandwidth supplier handling routing. Go for multi-homed if you can, customers really expect it. Your bandwidth costs might be a relatively high proportion of costs to start with, but as you grow you'll have greater buying power.

Andrew

[rabbit85]

Remember you have train/cab fairs from the airport to central London, thats the part that puts the price of going to London right up

I am in Edinburgh also.

Regards,
Thomas Currie