Is it a server that I need?

[jstutman]

Im looking to run Teamspeak/Ventrillo servers as well as possibly host a couple game servers (game servers not needed as I bet it would require a kick ass server) and host my website/websites for my clan mates and etc. What kind of server do I need to rent and does anyone have any reccomendations?

Another option is to run my own server from my house, can I still use my .com website this way?

[thideras]

Well, you can buy slots for game servers and TS/Vent. You can also get a separate server for a website.

I would highly NOT recommend having the server in your house. The ones that you pay for are (most likely) on some type of "battery" backup or generator. They also have staff to troubleshoot problems and replace hardware on the spot. Most will also set it up and maintain it for you which removes some issues/headaches. If you don't mind sacrificing reliability for cash, then do your own. Just notify people that it may go down and take awhile to get back up (if you are away, don't have parts, need to troubleshoot, etc).

You can have a .com to your external IP, but the only problem is if you have a dynamic external IP address. If so, you would have to be constantly changing it (which may take up to 24hrs to take affect).

In the end, it is much easier to get someone else to manage it since they have the hardware, people and resources to do it better ;)

[smokie mcpott]

actually, its not too hard to just use a service like no-ip.com to get a dynamic dns. you can point your real .com to the no-ip dynamic dns and it will route straight through to your server you are hosting locally

this is what i do with my son's website

[jstutman]

I see that the cheapest server runs like $99 I hope I am just looking at the wrong place. I would need not a powerful CPU. Something weak and slow would be fine. If they do indeed cost that much, I need to see whatelse a server can do cause thats alot of money for something so simple.

[thideras]

actually, its not too hard to just use a service like no-ip.com to get a dynamic dns. you can point your real .com to the no-ip dynamic dns and it will route straight through to your server you are hosting locally

this is what i do with my son's websiteHehe, forgot about no-ip :). Very good point.

[=ACID RAIN=]

I ran a server from home for years. Had whatever I could afford for the gameserver, and el cheapo parts for web and database server. You gotta pay for the upload though, and if you want to run more than one GAMEserver, I'd say 2mbit upload at the least.

I'd rent out the game portion, and while you're at it, most guys have awesome deals on web/game/TS/vent as a package. www.killerpings.com comes to mind. 99 for how many slots, or is this a dedicated rental rig? If it's dedicated, that's CHEAP.

Anyways, if you have a domain, you can easily point it to your IP. You'll need a static IP though, or get a dyndns account and forward your purchased domain to the name dyndns gives you, which will be updated every time the IP changes as long as you have a router or program to update it.

Check out gameserver.com, killerpings.com and a few others that I can't think of at the moment (avoid escaped turkey at all costs, if he's still in business) and see what you think of them.

If you want to do the home thing, I can help you out there since like I said, I did it for years, and across several games. If you are good with linux, that's cool, but if you want windows, it's even easier IMO.

edit: I get nothing on killerpings. Wow. I wonder if they tanked.... Try www.gameserver.com.