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The Web Hosting Forum > Reviews > 5 Month Review on ServerMatrix

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IncognitoNet



Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 69
5 Month Review on ServerMatrix  Reply with quote  

Source: http://www.webhostingzine.com

To begin with on this review of ServerMatrix I'll start with the network uptime. Network uptime and speed in general has been outstanding throughout my 5 months service with them. I have used several other datacenters similar to price as ServerMatrix and none come close. You would expect to pay nearly twice as much for this uptime; they are virtually always above their 99.9% uptime SLA. Any mishaps that come along are always addressed and resolved prompty. Overall, no complaints I can make about uptime and availability.

Second comes the value of the servers, which again I can make no complaints again. Putting aside their great uptime, there is hardly a datacenter out there that can match the prices ServerMatrix posts for their servers. The specials SM frequently puts on make the deal even sweeter. I have been extremely satisfied with the fees I have been paying.

My only complaints come when we get to support. Although 24/7 phone and sales support is offered, all too frequently we've had server issues that must be addressed by the SM staff that get ignored for long periods of time and I'm eventually forced to call in to get reviewed. This can cause a bit of stress and many times we've just turned to server administration resources such as Steve from Rack911.com (brilliant admin that I whole-heartedly reccommend). Support could be improved.

Overall, I have been quite satisfied with ServerMatrix; I've gone through many datacenters in the past, but ServerMatrix is one that I have choosen to stick with.


Post Fri Aug 27, 2004 7:58 pm
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Thermit
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 272
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The 2 ring phone support is pretty nice, although best results seem to come from using the support ticket system. All my issues seem to be addressed pretty quickly so far, but followup questions are sometimes needed to explain details of answer.


Post Fri Oct 15, 2004 3:40 pm
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Euler



Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 109
Flex *strut*  Reply with quote  

the DIY NOC

I run all my own boxen. They're modest, reflecting my tight budgets, but I built them all. They range from the seven year old P2:333's still running strong alla way up to my most recent build: a P4 1.8 Ghz 512 meggaramz rambus 'chine. It's all older equipment rebuilt, retired to a better life on a humble server farm with no soundcards, no modems, VGA cards (yes - VGA). Just power and net... and video/keybd when needed (which ain't often).

I installed FreeBSD 4.10 on all of them. They all run headless so there's no X, no gui nuffin. You guys would be APPALLED to learn how little machine it takes to run a profitable website. I know exactly why hosting margins are so thin.

I rent an office in the same bldg as my ISP. I spent a Sunday afternoon back in 2001 workin with the guys running cat6 through ducts and walls through 2 floors to get a nice position right on their main switch. I personally labeled my cable at that switch sitting on an OC12. Of course they still throttle me as stated on our contract, guess I can't have everything.

I rent a number of fixed IPs directly from my ISP. Dotster let's me admin my own DNS recs and so I get more control and accountability than I can stand.

I live 2 thirds of a mile from my office. In between? State owned woods. I mtn.bike to work when I don't need to see clients (unfortunately not so often). I am my own support, VPNing into my NOC at whim. I love my tech support because it's me. There are fewer problems than I budgeted for in the beginning. I resolve most issues faster than the time it would take for any hosting company to pick up the phone.

There are drawbacks, as with anything. But I'll save those for another post because complaining kills the strut. I have been extremely fortunate, blessed, even. But it's not just me. I'm just a regular guy. These sorts of options are available to anyone with the confidence, passion and will to get wet feet and dirty hands.


Post Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:16 pm
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Thermit
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 272
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That is pretty cool, running your own boxes and stuff, I'm not that brave yet, maybe one day. Very Happy


Post Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:59 am
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UnXpected



Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 58
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Is Cool but not easy.

I think of getting into hosting.


How should I started?
Any guide that show you a step by step way? Rolling Eyes

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Post Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:50 pm
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Euler



Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 109
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First you need a machine with a network card. Even a 486 can run FreeBSD/apache/sendmail and serve webpages. Can you find an old machine to dedicate as a server?


Post Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:56 pm
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