Managed or Unmanaged web hosting ?

[spidertrain]

I want to know how many of you guys are managing your own dedicated server ? My host require me to pay to them to manage them for me.

Do we have to sit on the com like 24/7 and see if our server are running fine if we choose to manage ourself ?

[NYCBORN]

If you get unmanaged get a good control panel. That's just my recommendation and opinion. In the 5 years I've had my unmanaged servers I have only had hardware failure once to give me downtime. One thing I do to minimize the hassle of running my own server is to run mail off Google Apps instead of my own box. Spammers are a pain in the ***.

[jeremy860]

I dunno, but I chose a managed dedicated because its one less gray hair for me.

[minnseoelite]

If you know what you are doing I would say go with an unmanaged server properly setup they shouldnt need more than basic routine checkups to keep them going...but if your like me and know nothing of apache or linux you would probably want to at least have a basic level of management

[jeremy860]

well I mean I know with my server. I have complete control of it and everything, for example I can go right ahead and edit any server file on there such as php.ini without any problems. Now with the managed package, they just basically will install modules and any other kind of software I need for me, because I dont know to do that suff. so that is nice. Plus if a hardware failure happens , they claim to have your hardware replaced and have you up and going within 2 hours.

[GreenSpeed21]

If you don't get managed, some hosting company's charge you 100+ an hour to fix problems with your server...

[spidertrain]

Yea, if i am not wrong..Steadfast.com include free manament on their packages. My host says they will semi manage them for me.

[AbdulR]

Yea, if i am not wrong..Steadfast.com include free manament on their packages. My host says they will semi manage them for me.
steadfast does include free management yes. They seem to be high recommended by everyone thats used them.

[rebel]

I don't know about you guys, but my sites get attacked on a somewhat regular basis, so unless you really know what you're doing I'd reccomend a managed server from a big name company that knows how to handle them properly and securely

[iggysick]

If you get cheap unmanaged server you can allways pay someone to manage it. There's couple of companies that manage servers for 30 to 60-70 bucks per month.
Here's one pretty good and cheap: http://www.platinumservermanagement.com/

[George]

spidertrain, don't confuse managed with monitored.

Just because you have a fully managed server doesn't mean you'll never have to submit a support ticket. Your server could be down all day and if you never submit a support ticket it could stay down.

But on the subject of managed it is almost essential to have managed service unless you have a full time employee with high level credentials in the server and OS environment you are using. Because ANYTHING can happen. And when it comes down to it if something goes wrong I want the same tech team that installed the server and have physical access to both the server and all the local network pieces that touch it, working to fix it.