Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

09 Jun 2008, 19:48

#1

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Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

So I have shared hosting right now and it works OK but I am getting "blips" that I am not happy with. Just to take it off the table I am thinking of going to virtual private server hosting at the same hoster.

They have 3 options:

256 MB RAM
512 MB RAM
1024 MB RAM

What's the recommendation from the ZC experts? Is the low-end enough or do I need to go up to the 512MB plan?

The only other differences are SSH in the middle and higher plan and root access...

So it it worth the extra bucks to go for the 512 plan that also gives me SSH and root access?

10 Jun 2008, 00:55

#2

vger

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

256 or 512 Mbs of Ram isn't even enough to run a PC these days. 1Gb should suffice for a VPS system.

The real question is - is the Virtual Private Server Managed or Unmanaged?

If it is Unmanaged then you need to read up on how to become a Server Administrator or you'll end up completely out of your depth and unable to manage your VPS system. Unmanaged VPS is not for the feint hearted!

Vger

10 Jun 2008, 01:08

#3

ungarod

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

Vger:
256 or 512 Mbs of Ram isn't even enough to run a PC these days. 1Gb should suffice for a VPS system.

The real question is - is the Virtual Private Server Managed or Unmanaged?

If it is Unmanaged then you need to read up on how to become a Server Administrator or you'll end up completely out of your depth and unable to manage your VPS system. Unmanaged VPS is not for the feint hearted!

Vger

When comparing VPS offerings out there it seems like these options are "normal"... I wonder what I am missing.

Most of the time PHP has a memory limit (mine's currently 32 Meg). So at 256 that would be 8 concurrent PHP sessions *maxing out*. I have a hard time believing that it ever hits that 32 Meg under normal conditions...

Anyone with more information?

11 Jun 2008, 01:22

#4

vger

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

A server has 3 main components - the http service, ftp and pop3.

In addition to PHP you have the following running - apache, mysql, virus scanning, anti-spam software, web statistics, dns server, logs, log rotation, mail queue, a webmail service etc. etc. etc.

All of them use CPU resources - so if you think that 256 Mbs of RAM is sufficient to run a VPS then good luck - you're going to need it.

I suggest you only get a fully managed VPS.

Vger

11 Jun 2008, 10:15

#5

ungarod

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

Vger:
A server has 3 main components - the http service, ftp and pop3.

In addition to PHP you have the following running - apache, mysql, virus scanning, anti-spam software, web statistics, dns server, logs, log rotation, mail queue, a webmail service etc. etc. etc.

All of them use CPU resources - so if you think that 256 Mbs of RAM is sufficient to run a VPS then good luck - you're going to need it.

I suggest you only get a fully managed VPS.

Vger

Of course the what not to do is not quite as helpful as what TO do... So anyone what are the recommendations for VPS for ZenCart?

11 Jun 2008, 10:31

#6

crazycucumber

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

I too would be interested to know what the zen-cart team deem to be recommended specs for a VPS , im not ready to full dedicated server yet , but VPS is the order of the day.

I read it as the 256mb Ram etc is available to you after all the other stuff is running, as you can usually burst up to 1 to 2 GB , your whole server is not running on 256mb.

thanks

11 Jun 2008, 10:42

#7

ungarod

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

crazycucumber:
I too would be interested to know what the zen-cart team deem to be recommended specs for a VPS , im not ready to full dedicated server yet , but VPS is the order of the day.

I read it as the 256mb Ram etc is available to you after all the other stuff is running, as you can usually burst up to 1 to 2 GB , your whole server is not running on 256mb.

thanks

yes exactly. but all i've gotten from this post so far is the basic internet "you can't do that (you dummy)"...

zen-cart team? Any thoughts?

12 Jun 2008, 01:15

#8

vger

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

but all i've gotten from this post so far is the basic internet "you can't do that (you dummy)"...

No one has said anything like that to you, but maybe the reason you haven't had any more responses to your post is because your attitude is so off.

All that I was trying to do was to advise against having an unmanaged VPS unless you do know how to administrate a server yourself. I based this on a great deal of experience of answering posts from people who buy unmanaged VPS systems and then can't even get them in basic working order afterwards.

The previous post is incorrect. If you have a VPS with 256 Mbs of RAM then that's what you get allocated to you to run everything. A VPS is a sectioned off part of the server with a finite amount of resources allocated to it and often with root access to allow you to install whatever you want on it.

If you need root access then you'll have to go for an unmanaged server, but if you don't need root access then a fully managed VPS is a better option - even though it's much more expensive.

There really isn't anything else to offer by way of advice. You'll know yourself to shop around for what seems to be the right deal for you.

Vger

12 Jun 2008, 11:50

#9

stevesh

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

I haven't responded because vger does this stuff for a living, and I would expect his advice to be right on.

12 Jun 2008, 12:02

#10

ungarod

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

stevesh:
I haven't responded because vger does this stuff for a living, and I would expect his advice to be right on.

Well that's just great. I am fine with deferring that however I've not gotten what I really need which is what TO do. Just what NOT to do (don't use 256MB, etc).

So truly what are the requirements? I've got to believe on a shared plan I have access to smaller amounts of memory on average than on these Virtual Private plans.

12 Jun 2008, 12:56

#11

vger

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

what I really need which is what TO do. Just what NOT to do

1. DO buy one with more than 256 Mbs of RAM
2. DO buy a fully managed VPS
3. DO surf to find a deal that is suitable for your needs.

I don't know what else you're hoping that people will say.

Vger

12 Jun 2008, 12:58

#12

ungarod

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

Vger:
1. DO buy one with more than 256 Mbs of RAM
2. DO buy a fully managed VPS
3. DO surf to find a deal that is suitable for your needs.

I don't know what else you're hoping that people will say.

Vger

Thanks! So more than 256MB. 512? 1GB? 2GB?

If you look at my first email I was asking about 256 vs 512 vs 1024... Just looking for assistance on where to land...

12 Jun 2008, 13:07

#13

website_rob

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

256 MB - your site doesn't have a lot of products or attributes

512 MB - should be able to run the same Zen Cart you are now but with less problems than a Shared account

1 GB - at this level better you can do a lot but now getting into VPS vs Dedicated situation

If your pocketbook/budget allows for it, a Dedicated Server is always best; don't have to share anything with anyone. :wink:

With all of the above and unless familiar with Server Admin, make sure to get Managed!

For the most part, a Shared or Reseller account should handle all your Hosting needs. If your current Hosting account is having problems then it might be best to just change Hosters.

12 Jun 2008, 21:53

#14

crazycucumber

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

Website Rob:
256 MB - your site doesn't have a lot of products or attributes

512 MB - should be able to run the same Zen Cart you are now but with less problems than a Shared account

1 GB - at this level better you can do a lot but now getting into VPS vs Dedicated situation

Thanks , a straight forward answer which covers all the bases . at last ! thanks again

12 Jun 2008, 22:00

#15

vger

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

a straight forward answer which covers all the bases . at last

The next time you ask for advice I'll remind myself not to respond to your posts. It's a complete waste of effort and a totally thankless endeavour.

Vger

12 Jun 2008, 22:11

#16

crazycucumber

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

Vger:
The next time you ask for advice I'll remind myself not to respond to your posts. It's a complete waste of effort and a totally thankless endeavour.

Vger

I have been using Zen for many years on and off , and have had great faith in this forum to provide me with answers , at the same time I have helped out many people too, politely ,and helping them on their way.

Never have I seen so much negativity directed towards posters.
Just because you think you know everything about a subject , it doesn't mean you can communicate it well. Giving users clear , concise directions , helps them to learn at the same time, so maybe they can pass this info on , and save you the task next time. OR indeed can come back to a post , and not have to read through pages before they get the answer.

Still , I know where to go for hosting now , so thank you all ....click...

12 Jun 2008, 22:21

#17

svakanda

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

I have a few things to say about this.

First and Foremost, I want to re-iterate what Vger said about managed servers. If you purchase an unmanaged VPS, you will need to know basically how to install a fully functional (and secure) linux webserver. If you have not done this before, definitely definitely definitely get a Managed VPS...preferably one with cpanel.
Cpanel is a great / robust interface for managing a server.

Secondly, Most VPS these days are 'burst-able'. They will have two numbers...for example it might be a 256m vps, burstable to 1024m. This means you will NEVER have BELOW 256m of ram....and you get to *fight* the other vps' on the server for the remaining 756 megs or so.

Thirdly, 256m of ram is MORE then enough to run a zencart(and much faster then shared too!). The key here is in how you configure your httpd.conf in apache. Your system, once installed, will take a certain amount of memory to keep it's day to day services running. This is likely to be about 10-60megs for operating system overhead.

What really takes up memory past that is apache. Any open web connection may take anywhere from between 5 -> 20 megs of server memory. You can check on this with the 'top' command in linux. Apache by default accepts up to 256 connections at one time. Obviously if you accept 256 connections at a cost of 5-20 megs, it's going to drop your VPS down to a crippling speed. At anyrate...if you set your apache MaxClients directive to like 30 or 40, a 256 vps can TOTALLY handle traffic.

Mine right now has 8 sites on it, and takes about 4000-5000 people a day without a hitch.

13 Jun 2008, 10:31

#18

ungarod

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

Vger:
The next time you ask for advice I'll remind myself not to respond to your posts. It's a complete waste of effort and a totally thankless endeavour.

Vger

Vger - one of the frustrating things is the lack of a true answer to the initial question until recently in the thread.

Your direction was to get a managed server if we don't have the experience to manage a server. Great information but it didn't answer the initial question.

You appear to be quite knowledgable about this subject which is great. You appear willing to help out people on this forum which is great. Thank You. But please see that you never clearly answered the memory question to a level that the people interested could get what they needed.

08 Jul 2008, 16:56

#19

pdxdoug

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Re: Virtual Private Server - System Requirements

So any thoughts on an unmanaged server with cPanel, Virtuozzo and Fantasico?

PDXDoug