Need New Host: PHP 5.2.5, Mysql 5, APC & SSH

[Revolution Yes]

Hi,

I have a reseller account with Hostgator - I have 11 sites on this account, a couple being vBulletin. With the recommendation that vB works best with PHP 5.2.5 and Mysql 5 and that APC improves the performance of vB, i'm looking for a new host - as Hostgator are unable to provide all of these features to me at this time.

I also require a host that offers SSH/Telnet, so that I have reliable back-ups and quick upgrades.

So here are my requirments:

PHP 5.2.5
Mysql 5
APC
SSH/Telnet
A host which will transfer all 11 sites on one payment package (i.e. I don't want to have to pay for each site to be hosted - I want to continue with my current reseller format, if that makes sense.
I'm also thinking of going for a VPS, if that helps.

So far i've been impressed with hostican.com and liquidweb.com, but I need some opnions on the above two hosts and any other hosts which offer my above requirements.

Thanks for any opinions:)

[Floris]

You could get a VPS from bitfolk.com perhaps, and see if they have a reseller package for you. I run the recommended LAMP setup + APC without problems on it

[royo]

What kind of budget do you have, and do you require a fully managed service?

[olie122333]

HostMonster.com is a good host, my brother uses them for his 2 websites on 1 account!

[yogesh]

Best option for you would be to go for a VPS, as that would provide you the flaxability of choosing what you want to run.

[kevinrstruck]

knownhost has rocked for me. They have a very reasonable VPS packaage. Servers are rocket fast.

[Revolution Yes]

Thanks for the advise everyone,

royo, what do you mean by 'fully managed'? I've come across the term but it's quite difficult to pin down exactly what it means:p I guess i'm competent and have run/setup my own sites on a shared host using WHM and CPanel without any problems at my end. What I would like from my next host is support when/if I need it (like Hostgator offers) and for them to assist me in transferring my reseller account/sites over to their servers. I basically want what I had at Hostgator but with the specs mentioned in my original post, and a better performing server (although PHP 5.2.5 might improve performance of my sites anyway..). As a budget, I don't want to go crazy, I hope to pay no more than £30 p/m for a VPS which has SSH, APC etc.

Floris, I've checked out bitfolks and they might be what i'm looking for. They do seem a bit lacking in 'support' (but I could be wrong), and that would be a worry, especially as I would like help in transferring my sites across smoothly, but other than that i'll certainly consider them - thanks for the tip!

OS, olie122333, thanks for the recommendations - Webhostingbuzz look promising, although they don't seem to offer APC, which is unfortunate. So does HostMonster, but again, they don't seem to offer APC.

Knownhost is another interesting one - I like that their servers are fast kevin. I'll have to enquire about APC (same with the two above).

Yogesh, I agree - after doing a bit more research, I feel that VPS is the way forward for me at this point.

Thanks again folks:) at the moment i'm leaning towards either hostican or bitfolks. I want to make a decision in the next day or two so that I can leave hostagator after my next bill. If anyone has anymore suggestions/advise please let me know.

[kevinrstruck]

I am not sure what APC is. Can you explain?

[TonyTheGreat]

I'd like to point out APC is a cache mechanism and most shared web hosting providers run suPHP, phpsuexec or similar where caching such as this provide no gain or doesn't work at all. The host needs to be running php as an apache module or running fastcgi which very few run due to the increased security risk associated with doing so.

So if APC is a must you're most likely looking at a VPS.

[Revolution Yes]

I am not sure what APC is. Can you explain?
My understanding is that APC Cache boosts server performacing by caching PHP pages. vB recommend having it on a server which is running vBulletin software.

I'd like to point out APC is a cache mechanism and most shared web hosting providers run suPHP, phpsuexec or similar where caching such as this provide no gain or doesn't work at all. The host needs to be running php as an apache module or running fastcgi which very few run due to the increased security risk associated with doing so.

So if APC is a must you're most likely looking at a VPS.
Yup, I've decided to go with a VPS. In the end it was the best fit for what I was looking for.

Thanks again everyone who offered their advice - in the end I went for http://knownhost.com (Cheers Kevin!:D), they handled the transfer for me and have installed APC on my VPS server. They also provide SSH via WHM, and of course run PHP 5.2.5 and mysql 5 - all of the aspects that I needed. Whats more their support service is brilliant, I know it's early days, but my experience has been very good so far.

:)

[yogesh]

Good to know you went with knownhost, they are fantastic. I had a reseller account for over a year before moving to their vps, which is fantastic.

[Revolution Yes]

Yeah, i'm very impressed so far. Their response times are incredible (compared to what i was used to), and they are very accomodating in providing help and assistence.

Good to hear more positive feedback on them. Hopefully i've made the right choice!