Do you reguarly restart your servers?

davidt · 13th August 2005, 04:45 PM

Hi,

I'm seriously thinking now about moving my hosting to UH. I just have two questions.

The first is do you allow php to open remote URLs. I asked this a couple of days ago here, I was told by a few non UH people "yes" and "it depends on the server". Since then it seems the thread has gone missing! I do hope this is just a simple glitch rather than anything else.

The second is: my current host has the bizarre habit of resetting hte server every hour, thus meaning i get serious downtime - about 10 secounds every hour. It doesn't sound like much but it's awful. I'm told this isn't normal - does UH resort to this or is your server resetting a bit more sane?

Thank alot in advance. I hope this thread doesn't 'disappear' lie the last one...

UH-Simon · 13th August 2005, 04:59 PM

Yes, our PHP does allow you to open remote URL's.

No, we do not reset our servers every hour. We do occasionally have to reboot a server for kernel updates and similar but we always try to minimise reboots.

davidt · 13th August 2005, 05:21 PM

Thanks alot! That sound fantastic. I don't mind about the occasional reboot, but every hour does get a little taxing.

Once I sort out how my current host will refund unused month's hosting I will be transferring for sure

Thanks.

ChrisEvans · 13th August 2005, 05:22 PM

You'll be pleased here.

It's run well.

Andy · 13th August 2005, 05:38 PM

It might be worthwhile you getting an account setup here before you cancel with the other host. Not all hosts will be so forthcoming on support etc if your leaving them. If you plan ahead a little you should be able to transfer with no noticeable downtime. If you were to order some hosting with UH a short while before your next monthly billing date at your old host, you could get all your files setup here then when your ready to terminate hosting at the old place just repoint the namservers for your domain to the server your put on at UH and hopefully all should work ok.

I'm sure UH will be able to advise you more if you need it to help make the move smooth for you.

Good luck with your move!

Andy

davidt · 13th August 2005, 05:48 PM

Thanks

Thing is SN charge you up front - in my case around £200.

I don't want to commit to another host before I know for sure that I'm going to get the rest of the money back, otherise i'll just be left even more out of pocket. The SN web site does say something about hassle free transfer, in fact their words are:

Quote:

No charge for cancellation and no charge to transfer to any other ISP

If you decide, for whatever reason, to cancel your contract or move your domain name away from SupaNames whilst we will be very sorry to see you go we'll not charge you administration or release fees.

Once I know I'm going to get a refund for the remaining months I'll sign up for UH, transfer over then request SN close my account

I won't be transferring in the next few weeks as I'm a bit busy - and an operation like this requires some time - but I hope to be on soon!

Andy · 13th August 2005, 06:14 PM

Not sure what package you are on at your old host but from looking at most of their terms and conditions (in very small print) it looks very much like you may not get a refund unless you can prove a problem with their service. They appear to have different terms for different packages though.

Doesn't help you much now i know...but always best to avoid hosts who want to try lock you in like that. If your not sure about a host never pay more than monthly if you can help it. You'll be fine at UH though as if you pay yearly and did ever choose to leave they will "issue a pro-rata refund for months not used".
If a host has terms in such small print i always wonder what they are hiding.

Andy

davidt · 13th August 2005, 06:49 PM

I'm on the 'premier' package.

Supanames are quite a big host actually oddly enough, which baffles me considering there are several shortcoming of service. I've been with them for years though and the cracks are only beginning to show now. Hence I'm moving to a more advanced service

Andy · 13th August 2005, 07:15 PM

SN's terms for that package say:

Quote:

If you make a cancellation of this contract during the length of the contract there is no refund available to you unless cancellation is made in response to a valid fault with the service or the account within 30 days from the date of ordering. Refunds made within the 30 day period will exclude any domain name charges or fees and refunds will only be made if we are unable to resolve the fault or problem in question. After 30 days from the date of order no refunds can be made.

(NOTE to ensure noone gets confused ....these are NOT UH's Terms!)

So legally they don't have to give you a refund at all for months unused

Your only real way out looks like waiting until the end of the contract or else writing-off months unused. I guess they might still give you a refund even if they don't have to legally but you'll have to take it up with them to see where you stand.

Andy

UH-Matt · 13th August 2005, 10:32 PM

You can see when servers were last rebooted on our network page at:

http://unitedhosting.co.uk/network.php, the uptime next to each server is when that particular server was last restarted. Also you can see the % uptime for each server on that page.

davidt · 13th August 2005, 10:33 PM

Yes, tomorrow I plan to send a very polite email

Also on the T&C it states they may give refunds at their discretion - probably so they can give them to their mates

I've been a customer with them for years so I hope that doesn't count for nothing...

I will report back any developments, as I hope to switch quickly. Their server restarts are playing havoc with my cron jobs!

@Matt - those figures are pretty awe inspiring!

Andy · 13th August 2005, 10:55 PM

Was just wondering if you could try get a refund from them on the grounds of not meeting their 99.9% uptime service level agreement.

Those 10 seconds downtime an hour would mean about 2 hours per month which by my calculations makes 99.72% uptime.

Unfortunately from closer inspection of the SLA it is pretty much worthless because you could only claim for the extra 76mins of downtime per month on a per hour basis. So basically you could claim approximately 2 pence !!!!

Andy