VPS Setup

[mtysocks]

Hi All

I wanted some help and advice. At the moment, I have a spreadsheet that I use for trading horses (UK win market) with Gruss BA. I have 20Mb Broadband with Sky. I am interested in setting up a VPS (I think this is what its called). However, I am completely clueless and was wondering if anyone could help with some points/information and clarification. Some of the questions I have are:

1. I am interested in the packages offered by 1and1.co.uk. What is the difference between a Virtual Server, and a Dedicated Server?

2. Which option would be the best from the following:

Virtual Server @ £39.99pm: Windows, Upto 8192Mb RAM, 80GB Space, Unlimited 100MB Traffic. OR

Dedicated Server @ £39.99pm: Windows, 2GB RAM, 2.2GHz Processor, 250GB Space, Unlimited 100MB Traffic.

3. Would I be able to install Gruss BA & Excel on to this server AND my Excel File that I use for trading on this server?

4. Would I be able to load Gruss, Excel and this file before I set off for work and leave it to run?

5. How easy would it be for a complete beginner like me to get this set up going?

6. Is there anything else that I need or should be aware of?

All help is appreciated.

[GaryRussell]

Check out this thread http://gruss-software.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3491

1) Think of a very powerful computer running multiple virtual instances of Windows. Your VPS account would give you access to one of these virtual instances. A dedicated server is just one computer running one instance of Windows just like you have at home.

2) The dedicated server option is probably better as you are not sharing hardware and network resources.

3) Yes if you have a licensed copy of Office to install.

4) Yes.

5) Not too difficult. You access the server through remote desktop and it's just like using your own PC.

6) Not that I can think of. If I missed anything it's probably mentioned in the thread I mentioned.

[doris_day]

Where can you get a dedicated server for £39.99 ?

[GaryRussell]

Where can you get a dedicated server for £39.99 ?

https://order.1and1.co.uk

[mtysocks]

Hi

I may have it wrong, but these are links to what I found at 1and1:

Virtual Server: https://order.1and1.co.uk/xml/order/Vir ... ernow=true

Dedicated Server: https://order.1and1.co.uk/xml/order/Ser ... ernow=true

On both, I clicked the Windows Option

Also, this may be a silly question, but how would I install Gruss and Excel on the server? And how would I access these two programs, would it be like a PC where I find the gruss icon and click on it, and then go tot he excel tab...

[doris_day]

Thanks Gary. I'm investigating now. I currently pay £69 pm, so this looks good.

[doris_day]

I might give them a trial but the downside is that they are located in Germany, so I might not get the speed to Betfair that I need.

[DFK]

Can I ask who you currently use for £69 Doris?

[doris_day]

Fasthosts. Their customer service is crap and they come across as quite rude but their system is good and everything works as it should, though my server has been accessed by others which is a little disturbing.

[doris_day]

Also, this may be a silly question, but how would I install Gruss and Excel on the server? And how would I access these two programs, would it be like a PC where I find the gruss icon and click on it, and then go tot he excel tab...

You should have IE installed on your Windows server, so use that to download Gruss as normal and either upload a copy of Office that you already have to a known site or go to the Microsoft site and download their Office trial. You have 3 months to play with it for free.

[mak]

The last 2 months i am trying with the following company
http://www.thrustvps.com/

i can't recommend them, just because i believe that i am an average user and i don't know a lot about vps yet..

But they have servers in the UK, and their cheapest vps "plan" with 512 memory windows 2008 server is at 11€ !!! when the previous one i used tagatab for the same specs was at 30€ and i was happy with that

I haven't got for the time being any complains appart from a time-issue in my server where i believe it was mine, their service is fast i cab say and they are helpfull..Not so professional as taga but acceptable...

Finally the tricky part for me it was the installation of the server, because it was done by me manual, almost as if i have a new pc....

[RJM]

@doris_day

You could try the following:-

http://www.tsohost.co.uk/virtual-dedicated-hosting.php

I use them for hosting my company web site and there are relly first class and based in Bray.

Any, problems you virtually get an instant reply on the "forum" or by email; also, you can actually speak to somebody in the Uk if you prefer to ring them.

[mtysocks]

Hi All

I thought I would post this up, in case someone else is thinking about VPS and doesn't know much like me. I hope it helps.

* VPS is stands for Virtual Private Server..think of it as an extra computer.

* You access your VPS via a Remote Connection from your PC, and will be looking at a computer that you control with your mouse.

* You install Gruss, and Excel onto it (if you want to) via Internet Explorer download.

* The main benefit I have found is that you get a faster internet connection and your "ping" times are faster. I think it can work out cheaper than upgrading to faster broadband connection and without the lengthy contracts and upheaval.

* Dedicated Servers are more expensive.

These are good deals that I have found either through this thread or google.

Easyspace MetaTrader VPS @ £19.99 http://www.easyspace.com/virtual_servers/metatrader_vps

Windows VPS ULtra @ £40.00
http://www.serverchoice.com/vps/windows_ultra

Global Gold VPS Rapide @ £34.99
http://www.globalgold.co.uk/virtual-pri ... pide-linux

Thrust VPS Metropolis Package @ £29.95
https://clients.thrustvps.com/cart.php?gid=21

I hope this helps anyone looking into it.

[Shaun]

The only thing i can add to this is be sure if you are going with a dedicated server rather than a shared server that they will give all support.

With a dedicated server you may have to do all the installs yourself, you may also need to maintain the server with security patches and updates.

With a shared server these things are normally done for you.

[Fixador]

To overcome the time limit problem with MS office - you can upload the .cab files from your Office cd upto the vps.

Stick the cd in the drive bay - use windows explorer to navigate down the the cd directories to find the folders for Excel - and copy these to your harddrive.

Connect to your vps -and upload the cab files ( from the harddrive) - best done last thing in the day - as it will take most of the night ! ( alas 20mb is download speed - upload is still probably ownly 0.5 mb )

When you have the folder on your server - use these to install Excel - and use the security code off the cd

This works for Excel 2003.

Any problems with acceptance of the security code - there are 'certian' codes that can be googled