Team with extensive storage and virtualization expertise delivers a new approach to virtual server storage

Most data storage technologies deployed with virtual servers today were not designed specifically for server virtualization, and were designed based on assumptions that are true for physical servers, but are false for a virtual data center. Virtualization exposes new challenges for storage, creating a barrier to the full virtualization of data centers. These challenges include virtual machine (VM) sprawl which can consume 30% more storage than physical servers, storage performance problems that can reduce server I/O throughput by up to 80%, an increase in storage management complexity that leads to increases in administrative headcount and application performance issues, and excessive storage capital and operating costs.

"We're well past the 'try it' stage for virtualization, but still haven't made it truly mainstream yet. One of the biggest remaining obstacles is the imbalance between what server virtualization technologies enable and their associated I/O requirements," said Mark Bowker, senior analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). "Virsto was built to take on these challenges directly at the hypervisor - where the issues are created. This combination creates a much more complete and effective solution for the datacenter."

Continue reading "Virsto Introduces First Hypervisor-Based Storage Virtualization Software Designed to Meet the Evolving Demands of Virtual Servers" »

Posted by Hatem at 8:59 AM to Press Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you use exclusively IIS in your web development and want to implement something that run under apache, or if you want to migrate a solution from linux to windows, there is a product called Helicon Ape which provides apache emulation on windows environment.

Helicon Ape is a software solution that emulates Apache execution environment on Microsoft IIS. It literally implements Apache configuration model (like .htaccess and httpd.conf files) and all most demanded Apache modules in a single IIS add-on, not only making IIS compatible with Apache, but also extending its functionality by a number of essential features.

Benefits of Helicon Ape :

• Users can move their Apache web sites to IIS without modifications;
• Current PHP and other Unix oriented web applications can be easily configured for IIS;
• Flexible user permissions control (as they implemented in Apache world);
• Powerful URL rewriting compatible with Apache does not require rule redesign;
• Reverse and forward proxy features available for a web server;
• Low level controls over web site behavior open extended abilities for optimization, security and performance;
• Comprehensive protection from site attacks;
• Flexible compression and cache functions to speed up a server;
• All-round HTTP-level web developer toolset.

You can find many interesting usage of Helicon Ape over their blog. Helicon Ape is available for download as a 45 days trial, server license start from $175. The company have a similar product ISAPI_Rewrite which provides Apache .htaccess mod_rewrite compatible URL rewriter for Microsoft IIS.

Posted by Hatem at 11:16 PM to Windows Hosting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many of us use online services to monitor web server status, if it goes down, if all services are up and running fine, which send back notification by sms, email or others... Such tools help making server administrator's life easier, but what about taking an action even before that your service goes down ? To be able to take such actions you will need to be informed in-time about your services status, actual server load, ... etc. A solution is System Integrity Monitor (SIM), a system and services monitor for 'SysVinit' systems.

SIM is designed to be intuitive and modular in nature, and to provide a clean and informative status system. It does this by consistently verifying that services are online, load averages are in check, and log files are at reasonable sizes. Many other SIM modules sport different and in-depth features to bring a well rounded tool to your disposal to stop otherwise common issues daunting internet hosts.

SIM Features include :

• Service monitoring of HTTP, FTP, DNS, SSH, MYSQL & more
• Event tracking and alert system
• Auto restart ability for downed services
• Checks against network sockets & process list to ensure services are online
• Advanced HTTP service monitoring, to prevent commonly encountered issues
• System load monitor with customizable warnings & actions
• Ability to auto restart system with definable critical load level
• Priority change configurable for services, at warning or critical load level
• Informative command line status display
• Easily customizable configuration file
• Auto configuration script
• Auto cronjob setup feature
• Simple & Informative installation script
• Integrated auto-update feature

Continue reading "System Integrity Monitor, Track Your Production Server" »

Posted by Hatem at 10:38 AM to System Integrity | Permalink | Comments (0)

Four days ago I ordered a VPS from modVPS, a division of HostingZoom. I was an old unhappy customer of HostingZoom and then switched to another company that fit much better with my needs. I was also following recent changes when Landis Holdings acquired the company last year, and thought about giving their services another try … maybe, who knows, things could change ! But I was wrong.

When I received a confirmation email with login and password, I said that account is ready to go, but nothing were accessible, domain name return some ads (ok I'm crossing fingers until dns bla bla) but even IP is not working. No whm/Cpanel, no SSH, only VPS control panel and their customer's CP were working. Finally, I sent today a support request to find a solution and still waiting.

When you have issues since account registration with a new webhosting company you say that they are new in the business and that could happen, but for a company in the webhosting business since 2004 seriously you can talk about power and speed, but not about reliability.

Update : From 12/7/2009 to 19/7/2009, seven days to get a VPS working correctly. No comment.

Posted by Hatem at 8:33 PM to VPS Hosting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sponsored Post: Many web hosting comparison websites are available today and if you were having hard time before to find the most suitable web hosting for your business, today you will be confused about comparison websites available and which one could you trust. FindMyHosting is not only a web hosting comparison website but also a search engine for web hosting plans. The website list in the home page an updated top 10 web hosting plans with best plans that have been rated by users so you can choose directly, in addition to an easy shared web hosting search tool where you can find the hosting plan the better suit your needs.

Another interesting feature is the Hosting Directories, you can find web hosting plans organized in different categories such e-Commerce, Windows, Frontpage, PHP/MySQL, ASP, Linux, JSP, ColdFusion, Cheap web hosting ...etc. Result could be ordered by rating score or price, I just wish if there was more filtering options here in results - something like amazon filters - to make it easier to see only plans with interests.

FindMyHosting came also with an advanced web hosting search form, where you can check on different features that you need then get results. The comparison feature is a little confusing because it's called also My stored plans on some page and compare plans on others, to add plan for comparison simply use the save button under the plan details. The check host reliability feature seems not working when we check it and return a blank page, but overall the FindMyHosting's rating is more than enough to give you better idea on how different user experienced different hosting plans.

If you are actually looking for web hosting, I think you can find very reliable web hosting plans that goes from budget To e-commerce. Visit FindMyHosting.com

Posted by Hatem at 5:48 PM to Cheap Hosting | General | Shared Hosting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Netcraft released table list of most relable hosting company sites in May 2009. Most notable in this month's rating that top list is headed by FreeBSD operating system.

New York Internet, pair Networks and INetU had the most reliable hosting company sites in May 2009. Each of these sites responded resiliently to Netcraft's performance collectors throughout the month, with not a single failed request.

The New York Internet's got its second consecutive appearance at the top. Established in 1996, the company's core services now include dedicated servers, colocation and virtual web hosting - all backed with a 99.999% uptime guarantee.

pair Networks also started off in 1996, with a $10,000 family loan funding a single employee and a partial T-1 line. The company has since grown to offer dedicated servers, virtual private servers and high volume hosting from its own datacentres in Pennsylvania, which use GigE connections to five diverse backbone networks.

INetU is an enterprise managed hosting company, also located in Pennsylvania. They stand by their network performance by offering a 100% uptime service level agreement. Managed services provided by INetU include MySQL and MS SQL database clusters, Exchange servers, virtualization and firewalls. Their clients include Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Intel and Northrop Grumman.

Full table is available here

Posted by Hatem at 9:37 AM to Awarded Hosting Providers | Permalink | Comments (1)