cPanel Shared Reseller to HSPc?

[Chessie]

I have one of older BR3000 accounts and am considering whether to move to a VPS.  I host several smaller websites but handle all of the administration myself for all of them and wondered if the low end HSPc VX2 account would satisfy my needs.  I use less than 0.5 Gb of disk space and my total bandwidth usage is in the 2 Gb/month range.  I have several specific questions:

1. How difficult would the site move be from a cPanel system to HSPc?
2. I understand I would no longer have separate control panels for each site, but that doesn't matter to me.  What other functionality would I lose?
3. Would I still have my own nameservers as I currently do?
4. Would I expect similar performance with such things as forums?
5. Who is responsible for keeping PHP, MySQL, etc. updated and patched?  Looks like Web HSP but just want to be sure since I wouldn't get around to it in a very timely fashion.
6. On the VPS would I be able to set the "server" timezone to US east coast even though the physical location is Colorado?  It would remove some glitches with 3rd party software.

Perhaps I'm best off to stay with the BR3000 for now, but please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks!

[Pat]

Hi Chessie,

I'll give this a try...

1. How difficult would the site move be from a cPanel system to HSPc?

 
It depends on the complexity of your site. There is no script for a cPanel to HSPc move, so the only option is to move the data in your home directory OR re-upload the site and move only your database(s).  Either way you will need to re-setup your emails, mailing lists and ftp accounts.  Also, if your site is using any modules on the server, you'll want to make sure they are added to your new server.  Once the data is moved, you will want to test the best you can via the IP before asking us to redirect your dns.  We'll leave your old account up for a few weeks while you make the dns changes and pull email off both servers for a few days using the IP address.

You will need to set up your own nameservers on the server and change the nameserver IP's with your registrar. If your site uses your own nameservers (as it appears it does), then you don't need to make any changes to your domain nameservers.

2. I understand I would no longer have separate control panels for each site, but that doesn't matter to me. What other functionality would I lose?

You won't lose much basic functionality, (you can see a list of the features to the right of the plans at http://webhsp.com/web-hosting-solutions/vp...b-hosting.html), as well as several pre-installed scripts.  The biggest difference is that you manage all your sites through one control panel, although the add-on scripts are different than with cPanel or Plesk. Again, those are listed on the product page.

3. Would I still have my own nameservers as I currently do?

Yes, you would need to set those up on the server (or our technicans can do this for you). In fact, you would have to use your own nameservers because it's your server.

Would I expect similar performance with such things as forums?

Assuming you have adequate resources within the VPS, yes you should. If your forums exceed the minimum guaranteed resources AND the resources are also being used up on the server (e.g. memory), you may begin having performance issues...at that time, an upgrade may be needed.  This VPS would be good for small forums, but would not be adequate for a busy forums. Busy forums require higher end VPS with adequate resources.

5. Who is responsible for keeping PHP, MySQL, etc. updated and patched? Looks like Web HSP but just want to be sure since I wouldn't get around to it in a very timely fashion.

Web HSP manages the physical server and OS, e.g. kernel and security OS updates.  You would be responsible for managing the application level updates, such as the services, e.g. POP, SMTP, MySQL, Bind, FTP, etc. etc.  However, when you sign up, you can put these on auto update or manual update and update them via your control panel.  We do provide monitoring and will page or email you if any of them should go down. Other fee based monitoring services are available.
 

6. On the VPS would I be able to set the "server" timezone to US east coast even though the physical location is Colorado? It would remove some glitches with 3rd party software.

I am 99% sure you can.  I've not actually used HSPc, I've spent most of my time testing and doing usability on Plesk and cPanel. But, again, it's your server, you should have the ability to do all of the server settings...including setting the time zones.

I would always recommend a VPS over a shared server...there is less impact by other users, but of course budget is always a considering factor.

Hope this helps!

Pat

[Chessie]

Thanks for the info Pat.  I've got to think about this a bit.  A couple more questions:

7. I assume I would need to "create" each of my sites on the new server before moving the files.  Once that's done is there a way to do a server-to-server move of the files/directories/permissions?  From your response to 1 it seems that may be doable.
8. Do database names created using HSPc follow the same naming convention as in cPanel (same prefix)?  Though not a big deal, that would reduce my need to modify configurations.

Since I don't actually resell I like the idea of being able to manage all of the sites through one control panel, and I really don't use any cPanel add-on scripts since I just install whatever scripts I want myself.  The VX2 price is actually slightly lower than what I paid for my BR3000 and appears to have more diskspace and bandwidth than I will need for awhile (I don't really know how to determine memory needs).  Other than the pain of moving it's beginning to look like a no-brainer!  

[Pat]

Hi Chessie,

7. I assume I would need to "create" each of my sites on the new server before moving the files. Once that's done is there a way to do a server-to-server move of the files/directories/permissions? From your response to 1 it seems that may be doable.

Once your server is setup and you've done the initial configuration, you will want to create the sites on the new servers, setup the emails and if you have them, additional ftp accounts and mail lists.

Although I suspect the permissions would come over the same. We have not done a cPanel to HSPc move, so I'm assuming that is the case, but if not they are easy to change in HSPc.  If you want to sign up for an HSPc VPS, we'll waive the first month on it so you can give it a try...if you run into any problems, we can cancel and leave your site as is.  I don't know how complex your site is, it might be a piece of cake.  I've talked to customers moving from cPanel to Plesk...some have gone really well, others have been a disaster and been aborted, so until we do some of these, I may not be able to answer all the questions. Email us at sales@... if you are interested in doing a free month trial.

8. Do database names created using HSPc follow the same naming convention as in cPanel (same prefix)? Though not a big deal, that would reduce my need to modify configurations.

No, although you can set your database up and call it the same as what it is called in cPanel.  cPanel adds "username_" in front of what the user calls the database).  This is because cPanel is designed for many domain users. If a  user naming a database 'vbulletin' for example, a second user would not be able to use that name, so it adds the username to the db name.  HSPc you don't have other users creating databases because you only have one control panel....so you can call them whatever you want and I am pretty sure the system does not add anything to what you've named them.  

I hope this helps, maybe other users can pop in and add their 2 cents worth...feedback and information is welcome.

Pat

[Chessie]

Thanks for your patient replies Pat.  I expect to contact sales in a couple of weeks when I have time to focus on this.  I'm anxious to get it done!