Which is the best dedicated Windows server?

[HarryPot]

Hi,

I'm searching for a good and easy-to-use dedicated Windows server. Currently I'm trying with LimestoneNetworks, but frankly, their service is not the best and the website is quite complicated.

Are there any other servers that are more friendly with people just getting their first dedicated server?


Thanks for any help.

 

[JoelTheSuperior]

I'm surprised that you say that - I haven't hosted on dedicated servers for quite some time now but I previously used them and they were pretty good, at least as far as unmanaged servers go.

Any reason you need the servers to run Windows? Hell, any reason you need dedicated hardware?

To be honest I think we'd need to know more about your requirements. Dedicated server companies range from Kimsufi / OVH to SingleHop to SoftLayer. It's a big market so to be honest without knowing more about your requirements it's hard to recommend someone.

 

[HarryPot]

Yesterday I had a better experience with their support team.

My needs are for hosting a web application for my business. I need to have MS SQL Server and be able to install some additional software.

This database/app will be accessed simultaneously be many people, so I felt we would see a better performance in a dedicated server. Besides the fact that I couldn't find a shared server that gave me what I needed.

But, I'm new in this. So my expertise is not much.

And the support team at Limestone seems to take for granted that you are quite an expert in setting up your server. I guess what I need is a dedicated server with a support team that can help people who are new in this.

I know it would cost more money, but right now I would be willing to pay it.

 

[Cromulent]

And the support team at Limestone seems to take for granted that you are quite an expert in setting up your server.

As far as I know Limestone Networks are an unmanaged provider. This means that they do not provide any support or help for the software configuration of the server. They will only help you with hardware issues such as a hard drive dying or with network issues for instance if you can't access your dedicated server.

If you want support to help you using Windows Server you need to pay more for managed hosting.

Remember, there is a reason some of these dedicated server companies are so cheap and that is because they cater to experts who don't need help setting up and running a server.

 

[HarryPot]

If you want support to help you using Windows Server you need to pay more for managed hosting.

Yes, I'm seeing that other companies have managed servers. Quite more expensive.

Good thing I only payed for one month right now, I'll try and learn how to set it up myself this month and if I'm unable to do so I guess I'll have to go the managed way, which is still less expensive than hiring someone to do it for me.

Which managed server provider would you recommend?

 

[Cromulent]

Which managed server provider would you recommend?

Sorry I only use unmanaged providers and Linux ones at that.

You should be able to find some good books on Amazon about Windows Server that would help you configure it as required though. I'd look there first.

Personally I always use VPS' rather than dedicated servers. They offer more flexibility and can grow as your website or application become more popular where as dedicated servers are much less flexible in that regard. It is quite likely you could make huge savings by going with a Windows VPS rather than a dedicated server. Check out Windows Azure.