Given the laughable quotes I've been getting for hosted servers (£10K/yr from rackspace), been wondering whether getting an SDSL line makes more sense.

The primary need is for a low volume web site, hence 2Mb up-stream would be adequate.

Any thoughts ?

Erm.. for just a low volume website, do you even need a full hosted server?

Surely you just need a hosting package?

http://www.fasthosts.co.uk/web-hosting/?t=panel-hosting

Even a virtual server will set you back less than 5-6% of that figure!

Yep, need full server

The system uses an Oracle 10g database, and incorporates a DMS (document management system)

The rackspace quotes are for virtual servers

I'm finding options that look cheap to start with ramp in cost when you want 4CPU's + 4-8Gb + 1Tb

If anybody can recommend any decent cheap hosting outfits I'd be grateful

The fasthosts type options don't meet my requires - thanks for the info though

using poxy small screen at mo, hadn't seen fasthosts virtual servers

-bit more reasonable than rackspace £2.5K / yr

ps

no wonder I can't find virtual servers - spam filter on firewall has just emailed to tell me I'm searching for banned keywords

Haha! Those pesky filters

Do you actually need that spec?

CPU + RAM wise, basically yes

Cut disk space to 500Gb, 1/2 price

Think the bosses are going to happier with that

Like idea of SDSL though - started looking at EFM (Ethernet in the first mile) - 20Mb synchronous would be handy

10meg leased line for about 5k a year, 5k install (based on one we've just done), use that as your primary internet as well, swap your business lines to SIP (VoiP) trunks and bin the landlines.

All your eggs in one basket but the SLAs are good with these types of products.

^ Good idea

If you're hosting it yourself a leased line is probably the most reliable of the connectivity solutions and prices are really starting to fall. Assuming you have the kit yourself have you thought about colocation? I work for Zen Internet. Not widely known as a host, but sure the guys could talk you through all the options (connectivity and hosting).

Just regarding EFM, talking to the lads in the office here who support our EFM circuits, don't bother!

They aren't the best for reliability especially as you are looking at near Leased line costs, we have it as our primary internet access here and the router requires frequent reboots, not what you want for hosting.

If your hosting, then you seriously need to consider SLAs on your connectivity. What is the cost to the business if the webserver is down? Customer expectations, etc....

Try Krystal, they do all my hosting for me: http://krystal.co.uk/dedicated-servers/

I like the sounds of their underground bunker too (but I do work for the MOD!)