Can I start my own datacentre for �10,000

**spoon84713** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

How big a DC are you planning ? if you're talking about a small opeartion to house all your *own* kit in one place, maybe

I'd start by reading some specs of existing DataCentres ...
n+2 redundant power, generators, building wide filtered ups, major contracts with power suppliers
cabinets/racks
security, 24/7 acess, biometric systems, keyfobs/pac tags
light, heat, aircon, filtration units
fm2000 firesuppression, fire/flood damage insurance
etc etc etc

then convincing carriers to put in kit so they can seel transit to your customers ...

10,000 *might* be enough to get some consultancy to build the business plan for your DC

**rabbit85** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

I donno. IF you get a BMW in the USA, you will be charged a Luxary Car Tax every year of your ownership...

Maybe buy some racks (not girls... ) and start up from there?

**spoon84713** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

With that type of capital, I would reccomend getting in touch with some of the Tier 1s (Above.net for example) and inquiring about cage space.

That should be enough to sustain you for about four months.

**spoon84713** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by whynot
I just got �10,000 pounds, I am thinking about that I use it for a BMW car or start my datacentre, so I can sell dedicated servers. Is that enough?

To be honest and upfront with you I would say got with the BMW; however if you really are interested in your own datacenter and having a lot of sleepless nights then I would say fine go with the datacenter. See the thing here is going with the BMW is not risky compared to the datacenter because things could go wrong and if they do then you lose everything and you would wise you went with the BMW.

Just my 0.02�

**andy68** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

Invest it in stocks.

I'm not sure on the Pound-to-US$ conversion rate, but I believe it's not more than 2:1. I tend to think big, but if I were to be seeking funding for a data center, I'd go for about a million -- you want a good quantity of servers, a redundant architecture, 24/7 staffing, and multiple, redundant connections coming in. But you could probably save a good deal if you didn't get GigE lines coming in.

The 745i is a SWEET car, though.

**andy68** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

One that does not start in the winter

**andy68** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

a 1996 BMW Z3 is around 10K

**andy68** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

�10k would be ambitious :-)

Here goes as an academic exercise...

Firstly, rent a small light industrial unit. That might cost you �5-10 per square foot a year (+business rates).
Look for a location served by more than one telco (e.g. ntl, c&w, telewest, thus etc) to give you a wider choice of bandwidth options down the track.
Used UPS and a small generator would be the other priority.
On bandwidth a leased line (2Mbps? urgh!) is going to be quite a bit more expensive than the same bandwidth in a colo building. That also leaves you with a single upstream and at the mercy of JCB diggers and the vagaries of BT.

It is smarter to go the colo route. That way you've got all the benefits (security, redundant bandwidth, power backup etc) that customers expect, but utiling *someone elses capital*. A cheap rack, managed switch, routed ethernet bandwidth and a firewall off ebay will get you going.

Once you have 10 racks revisit the economics of your own building.

Andrew

**andy68** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by amard
RedBus 1 is based on Floor 8 of this office block, if you get a small office there, you can use the suppliers based in their facility. Instead of paying out for leased lines, you'll just be paying for cabling within the same building.

*and* associated transit costs, and it's likely that for more than a couple of servers the upgrade to teh aircon, floor supports etc will be more than simply getting a rack and colo'ing it @ RB !

**andy68** · 12-21-2008, 08:02 AM

Hi,

Firstly, congratulation! At least you have ?0,000 pound to start your own business. This is not a small amount. You can use it to make a lot of money if you are lucky.

Many rich people to-day even do not have 1,000 pound when they started their business.

You should plan carefully how to use the money. I advise you NOT to use the money to buy a car except you can use the car to make money.

Web hosting is a good business. However, don't expect to have a quick return. This business need to have steady growth year by year. If you can accumulate your customers for over five years, you may expect to have some good return.

Good luck and work hard

Best regards