Hello,
I am posting in hopes of getting some advice on selecting an ISP for hosting MySource Matrix 3.18 GPL?
I am aware of the specifications (http://matrix.squiz.net/resources/requirements) and am wondering most about:
(1) The OS requirement. Many ISP providers offer CENTOS 5 but not Debian Linux 4 (etch) - 32/64 bit or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 - 32/64 bit. How difficult is it to setup MSM 3.18 GPL on CENTOS 5? Other things to consider with the OS?
(2) Does shared hosting offer any special challenges that I need to watch out for? I have come across VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting (http://vpslink.com/vps-hosting/) for Debian Linux 4 (etch). It sounds relevant but I am not sure if it is a benefit for hosting MSM 3.18 GPL.
(3) Also, recommendations on affordable ISPs that are well suited for hosting MSM 3.18 GPL would be great. I expect to eventually need a fair amount of storage but not right away.
Other advice on key things to watch out for in selecting an ISP for hosting MSM 3.18 GPL would be great.
Thanks and best regards.
Bjorn.
I really have never heard of anyone having success installing Matrix on Shared Hosting. I think there are just too many requirements, such as the pear modules, shell access, etc.
What I use is a VPS called Slice Host, which I would recommend to anyone. It is only $20US a month for a pretty fast server. I have been very pleased so far. 
[quote]Hello,
I am posting in hopes of getting some advice on selecting an ISP for hosting MySource Matrix 3.18 GPL?
I am aware of the specifications (http://matrix.squiz.net/resources/requirements) and am wondering most about:
(1) The OS requirement. Many ISP providers offer CENTOS 5 but not Debian Linux 4 (etch) - 32/64 bit or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 - 32/64 bit. How difficult is it to setup MSM 3.18 GPL on CENTOS 5? Other things to consider with the OS?
(2) Does shared hosting offer any special challenges that I need to watch out for? I have come across VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting (http://vpslink.com/vps-hosting/) for Debian Linux 4 (etch). It sounds relevant but I am not sure if it is a benefit for hosting MSM 3.18 GPL.
(3) Also, recommendations on affordable ISPs that are well suited for hosting MSM 3.18 GPL would be great. I expect to eventually need a fair amount of storage but not right away.
Other advice on key things to watch out for in selecting an ISP for hosting MSM 3.18 GPL would be great.
Thanks and best regards.
Bjorn.[/quote]
Redhat/Centos 5 is absolutely fine, there are probably more people using that than any other platform for 3.18.
What country do you want to host in?
Although you can run Matrix under cgi, mod-php is the supported method, so you need a provider that will provide this ideally.
[quote]Redhat/Centos 5 is absolutely fine, there are probably more people using that than any other platform for 3.18.
What country do you want to host in?
Although you can run Matrix under cgi, mod-php is the supported method, so you need a provider that will provide this ideally.[/quote]
Thanks for the information.
I am writing from Canada and ideally would like to host here. However, I would be fine with hosting in the US, Australia, UK, Germany.
VPS Link is the best i've found so far but any other recommendations would be great.
[quote]I really have never heard of anyone having success installing Matrix on Shared Hosting. I think there are just too many requirements, such as the pear modules, shell access, etc.
What I use is a VPS called Slice Host, which I would recommend to anyone. It is only $20US a month for a pretty fast server. I have been very pleased so far. :)[/quote]
Thanks, i'll check into this provider.
Again, I would recommend Slicehost, as I have had a great experience with them. It does look like if you pay for the 1 year plan with VPS Link the prices are comparable though.
In terms of Memory, is the 256mb of dedicated RAM you have with SliceHost the minimum that you would recommend or can one run Matrix GPL 3.18 with less (I have seen a couple of cheaper VPS plans with 64 or 128mb of dedicated memory).
Thanks.
[quote]In terms of Memory, is the 256mb of dedicated RAM you have with SliceHost the minimum that you would recommend or can one run Matrix GPL 3.18 with less (I have seen a couple of cheaper VPS plans with 64 or 128mb of dedicated memory).
Thanks.[/quote]
I am not sure technically speaking. But 512 provides the amount of speed that I feel is acceptable for what I am doing. Anything less would not be. But, this would definitely depend on what you are doing with your Matrix install. If you are going to be running a huge site, you are going to need a separate VPS just to host the database with tons of RAM.
OK, great, I'll make sure to go with at least 512 then at the outset. Initially this will be a small site but I am aiming to build it up over time. Thanks.
I'm using slicehost too and I've been really happy with them. I'm on the 256MB ram version which works fine.
Duncan, are you using the latest version of MSM 3.18 GPL, including PostGre 8.3 (this is what I am looking to use)? I was told that PostGre 8.3 on its own needs 256RAM and so wasn't sure if the whole CMS could run on 256. Thanks.
I’m running 3.18.2. This probably will answer most of your questions about my specific environment http://forums.matrix.squiz.net/index.php?showtopic=5288&st=30.
Great! I'll go with 256 for now then and upgrade if needed.
I'm too using Slicehost… 512mb plan here
Thanks for the info.
By the way, are there any other things to watch out for with regards to selecting a VPS provider for running MSM GPL? The site that I plan to implement will be fairly streamlined and not too complicated, but I do need to use MSM for certain features.
(1) Virtualization Technology: what's better for running MSM GPL, Zen or OpenVZ? Is this even important in my case?
(2) Admin Control Panels: Webmin; LXAdmin; HyperVM; cPanel, Plesk, InterWorx, etc. Not even sure if the ones i've listed are comparable / do the same thing. I just need one that I can use to administer my VPS from anywhere via the web, nothing too fancy or complicated, just very user friendly. I only plan to run a single implementation of MSM, nothing else.
(3) Any other key requirements that spring to mind regarding hosting MSM GPL using a VPS provider.
Thanks and best regards.
Bjorn.