Manage, manage, manage..
So whats that mean exactly?
I log into my server and install apache updates with one command line. I install modules with a push of a button. I just logged in a few days ago and it told me to update my kernal due to security problems, which I will do in the morning.
What am I missing? That doesnt seem to be much and to hear some guys talk about it, you would think its rocket science.

So what would you do if someone installed a rootkit on your server ?

Keeping the os up to date and keeping the system running efficiently/securely are two different things.

dont think its the actual management, but more the Tweaking and optimization of apache, mysql etc. that scares ppl.
Also, if (when) things fuck up its nice to have someone next to the box that can actually fix your stuff, and get you up again.

I manage my own servers as well, and with the cpanel/up2date combo its really a walk in the park. However, I do understand why someone would prefer to have someone else handling their servers.

We have over 40 servers (that I know of) at multiple facilities on multiple backbones running five different operating systems with multiple versions. We have several switches and routers. We have firewalls. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't discover new security holes and we are at constant war with hackers. Even the routers have security holes.

I am planning on buying parts for another six more servers this week so we'll have them as soon as I get back from Miami. I build most of them myself, and have finger scars and arctic silver stains to prove it.

There is NO way I could manage these things. We have a full time sysadmin and he's overworked. This is NOT an easy business. And there's no way we'd put up with a second rate host.

i can handle my own affairs so by reading the above posts they seem like a good option

Format and reinstall.
I'm reading up on rootkits now. They seem interestingly fun. Maybe I'll go hide some things from myself.

Boy I can remember when it was actually work to find this stuff out and when I did find it much of it was wrong. But that was before www when we were still using gopher and archie.

Well apparently darksoul is the man to ask about that. He's our self-appointed expert on "managed server" definitions. But in my humble (and allegedly limited) experience I've seen that the definition vary from host-to-host. Some contracts are extremely flexible and generous, while others have more exclusions than a dodgy insurance contract. So it pays to read the fineprint before ordering your server.

As for whether management represents good value to you, that depends on your level of technical expertise and what you're attempting to do with your server. Some admin tasks like running Rehat's up2date are exrtremely easy, whereas others such as doing a security audit, configuring a firewall, modifying a database, or installing some types of software can be extremely complicated and/or potentially hazardous. Anyone who thinks that server admin is always simple should probably opt for managed because they clearly don't know much about servers.

As for the whole managed verses unmanaged debate, I think that hosts should offer BOTH and let the customer choose. Some customers simply don't want management or need it, so why pay for it? As for bandwidth, potentially the largest expense -- I think that hosts should offer a range of pricing models for bandwidth eg tiered average use, per gig, capped pipes, 95th percentile etc and let the customer decide what model best suits their needs.

I've never had any issues with rackshack whatsoever. They recently upped the included bandwidth on a bunch of their packages. When they had a transformer blow up on June 2nd and kept everything together I gained a good deal of respect for them.

Managed is usefull considering many managed hosting places will get on their knees to solve your issues when they occur, and get things squared away fast. The time it may save you can make up for the management fee (depending on what your time is worth) pretty fast :)

darksoul: I didn't know rackshack had FreeBSD boxes. Could you link me to some info on that?

we use rackshack a longer time, all what i can say: Good stuff, good price

Managed services include:

· 24/7 managed support
· Full server setup and testing
· Managed services include: reboots, software installs, server builds & rebuilds
· Hardware & software diagnostics & monitoring
· Server Performance Evaluations
· 24/7 remote monitoring provided to client
· 24/7 On-site monitoring webair.com personnel
· IP Provisioning if required
· DNS Administration
· PDU access reboot (remote reboots)
· Bandwidth monitoring & calculation tools including MRTG charts

plus so much more...if you dont know how to admin a server managed is the way to go in my opinion...

piece of mind

I can go on for days about rackshack. A company where the bottom line takes precidence over all else.

Did you know that you share an uplink with 24 to 48 other servers? That they so non-ISO compliant with hardware, it would be laughable if it wasn't so sad?

Check it out for yourselves. See that little black box on top of all the servers? That's a "rackmount" switch or a hub, and yes that's you and 48 of your closest friends pluged into it.

http://www.jupiterhosting.com/truth/2.jpg

Desktops as servers? Have they never heard of propper ISO cooling and ventilation? I wonder why we here the number one complaint is hardware failure.. this is where your hosting your business?

Please explain how hosting your business at the above location is good for your business?

I think I speak for other hosts when I say that this is a joke. I'm not pissed that rackshack undercuts pricing, with 1000s of competitors, you cant, but I do feel bad for customers who don't know enough about IT and trust a business to this infrastructure.