Serverplace.net ? Or Pacific Rack
Apr 14, 2008im not able to decide from where to buy dedicated .....money never matter i want good support quality server , most important reliable
serverplace.net or pacificrack.com
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Pacific Rack 7 Month Review
Jan 14, 2009I've actually had a post-it note pegged to my project board for the last two months to remind myself to write up a review of Pacific Rack. Between the holidays, life and there never being enough hours in the day...I just hadn't had a chance until now. Please allow me to apologize in advance if I go into more detail than what is needed. I have an annoying habit of over-explaining things.
Anyways - here is a bit of background:
My Industry:
A freelance designer that also provides web hosting to design clients on a dedicated server housed with Pacific Rack. My main website can be found at [url]and most of the websites displayed in my design portfolio are also hosted on the server (Caution: Those websites in my portfolio are semi-adult in nature [companionship providers], so if you are at work or have an irrational hang-up about such things, I suggest not following my portfolio links). I don't make a profit from hosting (nor do I try to) - so it's not like I'm a big, high-tech hosting company. In fact, what I know about server management is pretty pathetic and minimal - which is why I pay PSM to manage it for me. I mainly offer hosting as a convenience and extra layer of identity protection to design clients.
The websites I host are mostly smallish, semi-dynamic outfits powered by my own, mysql-based, home-brew CMS solution. I host around 60 accounts, none of which are very resource intensive. My clients typically require require between 3-12GB monthly transfer each.
Server Hardware:
The server specs and package I have with Pacific Rack are as follows:
Intel C2D (2.0Ghz)
2GB Ram
250GB SATA 16MB Cache
CentOS 5.1
cPanel/WHM
2000GB Bandwidth
100Mbps port
50GB Automated Backup
Sign-Up:
I moved to Pacific Rack from Dediwebhosting in May 2008. The initial contact and transition was handled by Alex Ferrier, who was simply phenomenal. Yes. I am aware he is actually Chris so-and-so and that there was a huge controversy about him and some shady way he handled a hosting business several years back (he was a teenager at the time, mind you). Frankly - I don't care. He was not only courteous and helpful to me during my transition, but he didn't make me feel like an idiot for being such a noob. He also had a sense of humor and communicated on a level that was very personable. Knowing what I know now about his past has not changed my opinion of him or Pacific Rack in the slightest. Ok. Getting off topic. So I signed-up/paid on 5/29 and had my server up and running by 6/1. I had some issues with the new server having an updated version of mysql that broke my CMS - but this wasn't anyone's fault but my own.
Reliability:
It hasn't been a full year yet, but I've had very little downtime with my server and none that I can even recall clearly. Far less than I'd experienced with a reseller account at H9 or with my first dedicated server with Dediwebhost (neither of which were excessive either). I also noticed a definite improvement in overall server response and performance when I moved to PR - though my hardware specs were much better than where I was coming from. I'm not sure if is due to a better network, but previously my server couldn't send/receive mail with AOL accounts (yes. I'd gone through all the troubleshooters) - but this problem was resolved after moving to PR.
Support:
So this is where I think they really shine. I'd mentioned above that I currently use PSM for my management needs. I think they're a terrific service but there are some limitations in terms of response times and how thorough they are in making sure things aren't broken after doing an update for you. There have been a few times in the last year when a server package install/update has caused problems with my client sites, which ... after waiting an hour or more for a response from PSM (while I'm stressing from clients yelling at me) - I'd get impatient and submit a ticket to Pacific Rack instead. In every single one of those cases, Pacific Rack responded to (and often resolved) my issue within 15 minutes. They're just darn quick with support requests. They have the pay-per-incident option (usually only $5), but they've only actually charged me a couple of times out of all the instances I've contacted them.
Not only that, but as touched on above - they just don't make me feel like the server idiot I know I reveal myself to be at times. WHT is intimidating for me to post on because it seems as if most of you are big shot hosting gurus (or big companies that can afford to hire your own hot shot hosting gurus). I'm just a rinky-dink freelancer, whose hosting requirements are quite modest compared to many of the people here. Yet, all things being relative - my hosting needs are still important and significant in my own little world.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'm sure PR has much larger accounts than my small little server...yet they don't project an attitude that I'm any less important to them. Support is quick, friendly and informative. In fact, I'm waiting to hear back from their sales department about what management services they offer. I really have appreciated having PSM, but because I host so many accounts that depend on me for uptime - I feel like I need to look into more reliable management options.
Actually, 'reliable' isn't the right word...as PSM has been pretty great. I just need a service with faster turn-arounds on tickets.
So all in all, I highly recommend Pacific Rack. I realize my modest server requirements may not be the proper scale from which to judge your own performance and reliablity needs...but their support and network uptime would apply to anyone ... and that I can vouch for. I just feel like I'm in good hands with them.
Initial Experiences With Pacific Rack
Jul 27, 2008I just thought I'd take a moment to share a few of my thoughts on my initial experiences getting set up with Pacific Rack...
It was finally time for me to take the plunge for a dedicated box, and after browsing through these forums and hearing a lot of good things about Pacific Rack, I decided to contact their sales department. I was immediately responded to and soon found myself talking to Alex and Jordan (both very helpful). We quickly found an appropriate solution for my company, and soon I was off to the setup queue.
Setup took longer than expected, but I think that was due to some custom configuration issues on my end (they had to wait for parts to come in). Support/sales were pretty good about keeping me up to date on what was happening though, and soon things were rolling along nicely.
(Initial experiences with the network...)
Wikipedia lists 14 Tier 1 networks on their article page (for whatever that's worth!), and I think PacificRack (and parent(?) company OC3Networks) sits on Gigabit links to 6 or 7 of those networks. So I was excited to see what the network would look like once I was set up.
Once my server was provisioned and I received a login to their client portal, I started messing around with things and was quite impressed. I signed up for a 1Gbps switch and I've seen several transfers in the 20BM/s - 60MB/s range (PM me if you would like a speed-test file link). These guys have got quite a network!
(Initial experiences with the client control panel)
Their client section is minimalistic, but has the basics. Server info, billing info, ticketing system, and a nice little graph showing you how much throughput your server is experiencing at the moment (or historically). I can't really think of anything it's missing, though it looks a bit bland.
(Initial experiences with the sales/support team)
So far I've sent in several tickets for a number of things (they don't set up rDNS by default), and from what I can tell a support/sales agent is usually on it within minutes. Once it almost felt like I was on a chat with the support rep. Everyone seems to know his/her stuff, and they have all been quite helpful, resolving each issue in (usually) a manner of minutes.
All in all I'd have to say these guys are great. I've only been around for about a week now, but I've been quite impressed. If anyone finds this post useful I'll probably write another one at the 6 month mark.
Feel free to respond here or PM me for further information/speed test links, etc.
Pacific Rack - Fails To Meet Expectations
Jun 17, 2008This is my review of my initial setup with Pacific Rack.
After the issues with the fire at TP, I decided to pickup another server at a different data center as an additional server.
I ordered a Supermicro, which is a quad core processor. The price was well within the range, the extras were all within range as well, except cpanel, which was $35.00. I'd rather see that at $25.00, but overall that was fine. Total price as $266, right around what I expected to pay.
Setup took a few days, right at around what I expected.
When it was delivered, I asked why I couldn't log into WHM. They told me everything was fine. After some communication and about an hour and a half they said that they forgot to install cpanel... That wasn't a good start.
They failed to meet expectations because of the following:
1. RDNS was not setup at all. I shouldn't have to request it be setup. This is small, but if I didn't know to check/ask, it would be a major issue in the future.
2. The box always fails to reboot and requires manual intervention. Why can't they fix that? or even address the issue?
3. cPanel was not installed properly and when I asked for help, they told me that the box was unmanaged and I choose the configuration. If it didn't work right out of the box, the fault was my own for choosing that configuration.
Alex said, "You have received a standard Fedora 64 bit install, that we downloaded just for you. What you need must not be included in the standard install, or the cPanel install.
If you want us to manage your server, then you will have to subscribe to our server management service which is $29/month with a 6 month commitment. Otherwise you can just google for the command to install an RPM, as I don't know if off hand, but I know its really simple."
Just to comment, if it turned out to be as simple as installing an RPM, then I would have just killed myself due to the shame of it.
Turns out after working with cPanel support, it was an install error, cPanel was not installed correctly. (Don't know if that is PacificRack's fault or cPanel's, but I know it's NOT my fault and I would expect the data center to get my server up and running properly so I could manage it)
My expectation was that I would be delivered a box that worked properly and if it didn't, PacificRack would help me get it working so that I could use it. It appears that PacificRack's expectation was they just install the crap, it's up to me to make it work. If the install is bad, I can just Google it.
I'm fine with managing a server, I have four years experience running serveral servers, but I am not able to debug install issues where the box NEVER worked properly in the first place.
So, in this area, they fail to meet expectations.
I also found their technical staff to be arrogant and unfriendly, though I'm personally arrogant and unfriendly, but I always am very nice to support people, no need to cut my own throat.
Overall, I'd say that my experience doesn't seem to be typical, but the fact that they were unwilling to resolve the issues really bothers me. I detest companies who hide behind "unmanaged" as a shield against providing the services that they should be providing as a data center. I also refuse to pay a $29.00 a monthly fee to get a managed server (basically a $180.00 commitment) to get them to deliver a working server, when that should be a "Free" service provided when I purchase.
The DNS servers are pacficrack work well and the connections are fast and reliable.
The server still is not working up to expectations and their support people seem to be unwilling to get it to meet expectations with out going "managed". Now, honestly, $180 would be far cheaper than any other options, but its the principle of it.
Overall, I'd rate pacificrack about average. The server is a good server and at a reasonable price. The support people where knowledgeable. The turn around on tickets was very good, no ticket sat for more than a few hours. It really seems like pacificrack is a very small operation. I think that is a big plus.
At this point, I'm not sure if I should just move on or continue to try and get this server to work properly. I'll make a decision in a week when the server is close to renewal.
Anybody Have Experience Pacific Rack's Free MYCP
Jun 1, 2008I'm interested in the free control panel from pacificrack mycp. Does anybody have any experience with it? What's it's functionality like? easy to use? many feutureS? how does it compare to plesk or cpanel?
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Browser Timing Out/ftp Issues Asia Pacific/Australia/Oceania To US
Aug 11, 2008I have a VPS located in LA, USA.
For over a week now I have had the following network issues:
- browser timing out (for me and visitors to my site)
- ftp connection issues
The server load is low so it's not server related.
Traceroute TO the server appears fine.
Traceroute FROM the server to users IP's appears to have issues over the SingTel/Optus network.
My webhost says it's an issue for SingTel/Optus.
SingTel/Optus Engineer say:
"Our testings point to a problem either within Cogent's network or on a peering link between Cogent and Singtel in LA.
I'd suggest that the owner of the domain (me!) approach his hosting provider and have them escalate to Cogent. We can't escalate to Cogent as we have no peering with them."
So I've been the meat in the sandwich for over a week with no sign of a fix.
My options appear to be to either move the VPS away from the webhost and host it locally (Australia) or to somehow wait for someone to step up and take responsiblity and get this resolved.
My heart says wait as it's not *my* responsibility but it's costing me financially and professionally.
Anyone else experiencing similiar/same issues from the Asia Pacific region to the US?
Rack 40U With 16A Is Enough
Apr 6, 2008a company gives me 40U rack with 16A by 600€ per month. It will be enough power to fill the rack with Dell servers R200/R300 with dual and quad core processors?
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Sep 27, 2007I woke up to a complaint by the ISP of spamming for one of our servers. More than 10 000 spams in a shared hosting environment. Found Steven online, thank God! PM him and he went to work looking for the culprit. He spend time monitoring and putting in scripts to catch the culprit and in no time found the faulty script causing the spams.
Really saved me a big headache on how to explain to the ISP. Thanks to the consistent excellent work done by Steven of Rack911.
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Redoing Rack
Aug 4, 2009We plan to redoing one of our rack in the next weeks
Server, switch and firewall of this rack will be move to new rack, so redoing cable and order at best.
You known any video tutorial of how to better this?
Private Rack
Mar 12, 2008Our server count with The Planet only seems to be increasing as of late and I'm now starting to drive myself nuts with bandwidth counts, costs, etc.
My main concern at the moment is our total bandwidth. While we might have a server with a 2500GB limit only use 50% we might have a 1500GB limit use 200%. I understand that any overages are our own fault, etc but there must be a way for us to combine all bandwidth across all servers!
Is it possible for The Planet or any of the other big boys to provide private racks with pooled bandwidth without going colo?
Rack Server
Feb 15, 2008I am planning on getting a server that will run Linux.
My requirements are as follows,
Should be rack server.
Can handle around 20.000 page views a day.
Should be solid.
Should I build it or should i just get HP, DEll etc.
I also would really appreciate if you guys assist me on what components should I get picking up a good server configuration.
Rack Monitors
Mar 25, 2008I honestly dont understand why does DELL, HP and others price their 1U TFT monitors at 3 times the cost of the cheapest laptop?
I mean, dont get me wrong, I am all for spending good money to get quality products but I feel very awkward spending 3 times as much for a screen and keyboard when I can get their laptops WITH OS, MEMORY AND HDD for 3 times as less and use it as the 1U TFT monitors.
I can get a powerful server from Dell and HP at that price for crying out loud.
But then again, I might be seriously overlooking something here because what justifies such high price?
Own DNS Server In Rack
Apr 26, 2008We have about 50 Cpanel servers in our own AS with two upstream providers. On the cpanel servers we use the following IPs in the /etc/resolv.conf:
1. IP of the cpanel server
2. DNS IP of the 1st upstreamprovider
3. DNS IP of the 2nd upstreamprovider
I realized, that the upstreampoviders nameserver are not answering that fast and therefore I was thinking to make my own DNS Server, which I could use additionaly after the IP of the cpanel server.
Is this a good idea or is it not necessary? If it is a good idea, which dns deamon would be recommended? If we build this server, maybe would be also nice if we could offer DNS as a single service. Is there any solution where we could create user accounts where user could manage there own dns zones?
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40 Amps In A Rack
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Rack PDUs At The Co-Lo? Zero U Never Works
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Am I just stupid and using these wrong or do other people have this issue? if you have an extra long server that sits out the back it bumps into the PDU so you got to nestle the PDUs into a corner of the cabinet.
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APC - AP7930 Switched Rack PDU
Mar 29, 2009Have an issue that I am dealing with, APC support couldn't really help me get anywhere either.
Here is the story:
I am leasing a rack at Equinix in Sunnyvale.
It came with 3 APC Switched rack PDUs.
By the looks of it, they were used by the previous customer.
APC sent me a serial to RJ11 programming cable, and I have been trying to use HyperTerminal, but I get a blank screen when I attempt to connect.
I have tried arp commands, but, again, it looks like the device was previously configured.
I downloaded this: [url] hyper terminal software.
Rack Power Consumption In The UK
Feb 23, 2008My nearest major city is Manchester, so naturally I'm looking for rackspace in the region.
Unless anyone has better suggestions, I'm thinking of going with NorthernColo. They start at £50/month but jump to £70/month if you draw more than 1A of current.
If my basic physics is anything to go by, 0.5A at our 240V means a maximum server power rating of 120 watts.
...are there any dual-core / 2GB RAM box configurations which consume less than 300W thesedays? My own USB mouse for my laptop consumes 50mA.
Otherwise I'm begining to think of their 0.5A pricing as being a bit of a scam, since the 1A price also pays for 2U worth of space.
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Mar 5, 2008where about I can get a decent 1/4 rack for a couple server's I'll be using and selling. I was thinking BlueSquare or Savvis. Blue square would be decent, although I don't see a price scheme on there website.
Poundhost, who are in the BSQ have been the most "attractive" to me. The rack is £260/month although It has a few thing's I would need more of and not sure if they offer it.
1) I will need atleast 50 IP Adress's
2) I want 20,000GB transfer on the rack, so each server get's 2000gb.
I was wondering also these question's:
1) Do I have to go to the datacenter personally, or can I send the server's down with a courier?
2) Is there a way on a rack, to limit each server to a set ammount of bandwith?
I'm asking these question's as I've never had a rack before, nor colocation, It's usually been dedicated. I've been looking to get atleast 50% of them quad core server's and hope they would sell like hotcakes.