How much ram is recommended for dedicated hosting?

[Ted]

I am going to switch to a dedicated server. MY vbulletin consumes 50 to 70 GB per month. Tends to MAX out at 195 users, usually closer to 150.

I need managed hosting (rules out rackshack) and since I am a reseller for VO and love their support, I figured I'd go with them. One thing, the RAM they give looks VERY low compared to just about all other dedicated server options with other companies.

For example, I would like their Dedicated #2 package with 75 GB bandwidth, 41 GB hardrive, 933 MHZ Single Processor... but the memory is only 256 MB. And to add to it would boost their already high set up fee. How much is necessary to run forums smoothly? Thanks for any help!

[Steve Machol]

I'm not an expert in this category but 256 MB is definitely too low for a board with that kind of traffic. I went with VO Dedicated #1 package but boosted the ram to 640 MB. This was overkill for me, but I think that's probably the minimum you should consider.

[Ted]

Thank you for the advice!

[walter]

I recommend >=512 MB RAM.
BTW, VO don't offer managed server as far as I know.

[Ted]

I thought when a host does more than the "sorry you are on your own" support that RackShack offers, that it was, in effect managed. What is a "managed" dedicated server account then? :)

[walter]

For a managed server the host does all (or nearly all) system management, e.g. keeping the machine updated and secure (kernel/apache upgrades/recompiles), looking after log files and so on.
This usually is a bit expensive.

[nuno]

yeah but you will miss all the fun then ;)

[JamesUS]

Probably the best example of a managed host is RackSpace (http://www.rackspace.com). They are well-known as being the best for support, service, uptime, etc but their services are very overpriced. They're great to go with if you have the money, but otherwise it's not worth it.

[walter]

Originally posted by JamesUS
the best example of a managed host is RackSpace (http://www.rackspace.com).

Do they really provide managed hosting? On their website I read "kernel upgrades, OS upgrade = fee based". That sounds just like a normal host which charges for every upgrade.

[!!freebsddude]

1. Frankly, this is a very subjective answer, but with 195 users even 1 GB memory would seem too low. Also, you probably need a SCSI/RAID type of a setup, since disk I/O would add to your overhead.

2. I would suggest building your own hardware or having someone build it for you and setting it up. I would setup a dual processor type of a solution in a *nix environment. You would be able to build a better machine, and save money in the long run.

Just my $0.02!

Good Luck

[Mark Hughes]

We used to run with about 512MB RAM (on a RaQ 3, urrrrggghhhh), and our forum was unusable with a load of 120-150 odd concurrent users. We moved to a purchased dedicated server which (due to the ludicrously cheap RAM prices back in October), we put 3GB of RAM into. (1.26GHz PIII, ATA100 IDE HDD w/ 2MB cache makes up the rest of the system, room for a second processor but we've not needed it, yet).

We're now hosting our own forum, plus a separate one for another site (which we've taken on since getting the new server), and we've had the concurrent user count up over 280 on one, and 100 odd on the other, without any sort of slowdown - it still runs increadibly quickly.

So, somewhere between 512MB and 3GB would be what I would aim for - I'd imagine at least 1GB.

Mark
(p.s. we're running FreeBSD, if that makes a difference)