VPS Advice (Vanity/Question)

Self | 12/12/11 | StonyMan451

[StonyMan451]

I'm considering getting a virtual private server for some minor stuff I want to do. More messing around than anything substantial. I want to have a Windows server, rather than Linux, at least for now.

I'm NOT particularly concerned with super fast performance, huge storage space, or unlimited bandwidth.

I AM interested in availability. That is to say, I rely pretty heavily on my iPad with 3G and I want to be able to get to the virtual server from wherever I can get onto the Internet. For example, I am the advancement chair for our Boy Scout troop and I want to be able to run the Windows-based advancement software (Troopmaster) from our Boy Scout meetings without lugging my laptop there. I already have an app for the iPad that does an excellent job of remote desktopping into Windows computers.

My needs are pretty modest. I'm more interested in a reasonable price, because I don't plan on using it too much.

Does anyone have any experience with reputable vendors for VPS services?

Can you tell me about any vendors you recommend I avoid?

Thanks in advance.

[jpsb]

bump for later, will be curious to read replies

[BuckyKat]

Bump for me too.

[smokingfrog]

Doesn't Apple have that iCloud thingy?

[Vermont Lt]

Why not just get a web site that allow unlimited storage and bandwidth.

I have a site I use just for clients to access photos, and I have FTP accounts for my photographers to upload images from their shoot. That way no one is dealing with CDs and mail.

Working through the iPad connection should be pretty simple.

Photos on a site are not really that different from documents.

Is it as secure as it ciould be? Probably could be better, but is all password protected and seems to be working fine for everyone involved.

[StonyMan451]

You ask “Why not just get a web site that allow unlimited storage and bandwidth.”

Because I want to run Windows based programs such as Troopmaster and other stuff in a native Windows environment.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I think you’re likely to find the price a bit high for what you’re looking to do and the performance lacking. Hosting happens to be my line of work, but we never touch Windows I’m afraid. The licensing costs keep the barrier pretty high for entry level.

I’ve always found decent Windows hosts to be few and far between. Of the ones I know, I’d recommend Lunarpages, as I’ve dealt with them in the past a few times and they’re good folks. Still, you’re looking at $60 a month minimum on it and that seems nuts for what you’re talking about. Or maybe I’m just cheap...lol

Troopmaster seems to make some software that might work as an alternative. They have Troopmaster DotNet which seems to give some mobility and then there’s an iphone app as well.

[expat1000]

I don’t know the Troopmaster software, but generally speaking, running a Windows application remotely over the internet does not work very well.

You could easily try it out yourself. Sign up for a free DDNS service - most routers/gateways support them - for your home system. Access it remotely and see what it’s like running Troopmaster that way. That’ll be the best you can expect.

Actually you could simply use that instead of a commercial service, especially if you are the only user.

[Vermont Lt]

I re read your post, and I get it now. You will want to create a web server, that is not that tough. I used to do that as well. I will go through some old notes and see if I can freepmail how we did it. It was not tough, and we used the built in remote management tools native to windows.

It was several years ago...so I bet all of the technology is really cheap now.

[Ramius]

Why not just remote desktop to your own machine? Virtualizing that in the cloud, especially if you’re the only user, is a very expensive way to go.

If your RDP app can’t be let through your firewall, then how about something like GoToMyPC.com?

[PieterCasparzen]

I found this a while back, I would really recommend checking out the reviews that appear on this site.

http://www.web-hosting-top.com/

Apparently there are a lot of low cost services, but you would want to select carefully.

Of course, if you google a little you'll find plenty of them out there as well as reviews. Sounds like the difficulting is in finding one that's good.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

lol. If you ever find your notes how about forwarding a copy to my freepmail as well. Ideally I'd like to be able to host wordpress blogs on a linux virtualization. I did work an apache server for about 6 months but that was a few years back now.....

TYVM :)

[Haddit]

http://www.ehow.com/how_4840997_windows-web-server.html

This is for Windows Vista.
At the bottom of the page is a link for Windows 7.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Do you want to do that in your home or have it in a datacenter?

If you just want to virtualize a Linux server at home, try Virtualbox:

https://www.virtualbox.org/

It’s free, it’s cross platform, and is feature rich.

If you’re looking to house one in a datacenter, you can get a Linux VPS very cheaply, but you’ll get what you pay for when it comes to reliability and speed.