By peterx on

Who uses an ISP offering managed PHP hosting where they take care of Unix/Apache/PHP/MySQL and give you control at the php.ini/.htaccess level?
What I look for:

  • PHP as a module
  • A PHP accelerator
  • Unique IP address so I can use SSL.
  • Unique IP address so the site will not be blackballed.
  • php.ini control
  • .htaccess
  • Unlimited sites/email/etc as many of the sites are just a couple of pages
  • Drupal for major sites
  • Multiple sites from one code base
  • Latest PHP 5
  • Latest MySQL
  • ISP maintains Unix/Apache/PHP
  • Option of SSL
  • Unlimited site aliases

This is half way between ISPs that give you a preconfigured server and a VPS.

Comments

Duplika’s picture

Duplika commented

I'd go for a VPS and configure it that way. Most of the big hosting companies have PHP as cgi as a precaution, and not many run latest PHP and MySQL (there are a lot of apps that don't work well yet with PHP 5.2 or MySQL 5).

If you really need that config, then go for a VPS or a dedicated server.
--
Duplika | Web Hosting

peterx’s picture

peterx commented

Hello Juanzo,
I want the ISP to install and maintain the OS, Apache, PHP, MySQL, mail server, etc. I am happy to change php.ini, httpd.conf, .htaccess.

Peter

petermoulding.com/web_architect

petermoulding.com/web_architect

cburschka’s picture

cburschka
they
commented

I'd recommend Dreamhost, but SSL and a unique IP costs extra with them.

php.ini access isn't standard, but they allow you to compile your own version of PHP which can be customized and extended the way you want. I switched to them a few months ago and didn't regret it.

--
Arancaytar

peterx’s picture

peterx commented

Hello Arancaytar,
I am trying to stay away from compiling stuff and just change php.ini. If PHP is compiled with everything that is in the Windows binary, plus the stuff for Drupal and XSL, then all my sites will work.

Perhaps I will have to get a VPS and pay someone to configure it.

petermoulding.com/web_architect

petermoulding.com/web_architect

Street-1’s picture

Street-1 commented

I expect that you will find that they in reality do offer everything that you actually need. I am developing several Drupal based sites and have not come across any hosting related issues with them.

estebandido’s picture

estebandido commented

They're the only web host I've been happy with after two years. In fact they're the only web host I've still been at all with after two years, and I've been at this for nine years now.

voipfc’s picture

voipfc commented

The CGI approach is much better as it allows you to test different configurations of php before you deploy them.

Unless you are sure your needs are fixed you are much better going down that path.

peterx’s picture

peterx commented

All my sites are developed on workstations prior to loading onto servers. I know what parts of PHP are used in each site. CGI is not needed or used anywhere.

; For reading Web pages direct.
extension=php_curl.dll
extension=php_sockets.dll
; For Drupal
extension=php_mbstring.dll
extension=php_exif.dll
extension=php_gd2.dll
; For everything
extension=php_mysql.dll
extension=php_mysqli.dll
extension=php_xsl.dll

I have one tutorial site where almost everything PHP is turned on. I might look at one compilation of PHP for the tutorial site and another for the Drupal sites. All the non Drupal sites, other than the tutorial site, can use the Drupal version of PHP.

petermoulding.com/web_architect

petermoulding.com/web_architect

kbrune’s picture

kbrune commented

I kind of like HostGator. I switched to them recently (a few months ago). You might want to look at the reseller accounts... that gives you access to something called Web Host Manager, which I've found to be the easiest way to do multiple Drupal sites via the /sites folder.

The default install is PHP 4, with PHP 5 as an option. .htaccess, php.ini, mod_rewrite, and cron (via cPanel) all available, though NOT shell access unless you get a dedicated host. as is PHPMyAdmin.

http://tinyurl.com/y7ta5x

voipfc’s picture

voipfc commented

though NOT shell access unless you get a dedicated host.

This is where Dreamhost comes in. If you are not familiar with scripting you can use FTP to manage your sites and when the going gets tougher get someone who knows about the command line to log in and improve things for you.

It can be easier for you to develop there first and move things to stronger host when the development phase ends.

cburschka’s picture

cburschka
they
commented

Well, the shell access and the fact that they have PHP 5 and MySQL 5, but that's getting more common now. As far as I know, Drupal still runs on PHP 4, but it's best to plan ahead.

Even for people who've never used a command line before, it's worth getting a host with SSH access and picking up a few standard commands: It gets infinitely more convenient once you can unzip downloads directly on the server.

peterx’s picture

peterx commented

I started a thread on HostGator at http://drupal.org/node/107478. Their reseller account is of interest and I would like to know more before I bite or am bitten.

petermoulding.com/web_architect

petermoulding.com/web_architect

.carey’s picture

.carey commented

I don't know about php.ini control but you might want to look at Network Redux. I think they just upgraded some of their reseller servers to PHP 5. They also offer 20 GB of disk space and 250 GB bandwidth for as low as $19.95/month. You can contact them and ask if they meet your requirements.

I have a reseller account with them, and can tell you their support service is excellent. And I know they are very diligent about spam.

Carey