Starting a web hosting company?

Three classmates and I have started our own web hosting business and, for just starting out, I think we're doing alright. Let me tell you, you'll need a lot more than just a TCP/IP course. You'd better know your way around Windows Server 2003 like the back of your hand. You should know a lot about DNS, DNS record, and patching DNS holes too. As for the Linux side of things, Apache is probably what you're gonna be using, so that's what you'll need to know.

Since we also do game hosting, PHP and My SQL are absolute essentials. We program control panels for people's servers and we use it to offer a CMS to client's websites. It's also needed for bandwidth monitoring. You really need to keep your eye on that.

As for your clients, you're gonna have to give them something else large hosting sites don't. Usually start with low price deals. You'll definitely need a professional web site designed. I would hope that you can do that yourself, because it will cost you big if you don't know how.

Basically, that's all I have to say at 1AM.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by OmagnusPrime

Much as Eleo has said you'll be hard pushed to take on the plethora of web-hosts that already exist out there unless you have some clear idea of a USP to offer, which I'll guess you don't.

Unfortunately what you're saying sounds a bit like someone saying "I've driven a car before, I reckon I can build one from scratch". Until you get experience in the area you're not going to know what you can and can not offer, you'll also be woeful unprepared for the number of things out there that you'd need to protect yourself, and your clients, from. If you're serious about this then get yourself on some networking courses and get good quickly.

Also, to rendr above, Windows Server 2003... er, no. I wouldn't trust my hosting to someone running on Windows, I'll go for the Linux hosts any day.

For game hosting, Server03 is essential. Certain games don't have a Linux server application. There's also some issues with server FPS with Linux that requires a kernel recompile (not great if you don't have physical access to the computer.) But Linux for web hosting is a definite yes. Trust me, it doesn't hurt to know both.

There's nowhere I can't reach.