Server specs: Size of Storage, bandwidth etc..Help

[vreynaud]

I need to select my hosting, in order to choose the right one what should I select.
I don't want to end up with a slow forum, what are the important elements: platform, ram size, processor speed etc...
and then what to expect: storage, transfer etc...
any help will be helpful
thx in advance

[eva2000]

I need to select my hosting, in order to choose the right one what should I select.
I don't want to end up with a slow forum, what are the important elements: platform, ram size, processor speed etc...
and then what to expect: storage, transfer etc...
any help will be helpful
thx in advance
it's a hard question to answer as it depends on so many factors

1. a reliable and unrestrictive host is a must - ask if they give you ssh telnet access to manage your database backup and restorations if needed. If they don't allow it, ask if they would do any mysql backup and restoring via mysqldump in ssh telnet on request.

2. adequate disk space - disk space is divided into 2 types, web disk space for php/image files and mysql disk space which is the partition of the host's drive which has the mysql data residing. Generally 500 - 750MB of web disk space and same amount of mysql disk space will give you room to grow as well as do dummy backup/restorations in a separate empty database to test things out

3. with that same, the number of mysql databases you're allowed more the merrier :)

4. if virtual host ask how many sites share the server.. you'd want to look at a host who uses dual cpu servers with at least 1 - 2GB of ram if they share 100s of sites on the same server

5. backups by host - ask them if they do backups on daily or other interval basis and whether these backups are only web files or if they include mysql databases as well. If they include mysql databases, ask them how their backup system does this - do they

a. copy the actual mysql data files *.myd, *.myi, *.frm
b. if they use mysqldump command

first method is NOT recommended as it can corrupt the data being touched if mysql server is still running

method b is best

HTH

[vreynaud]

thank you, that helps.
Can you recommend hosting companies that are catering to forums and provide these functions?
thx
vr