I have stated previously that I was looking for a virtual private server in Australia. I have 2-3 sites that are targeting the Aussies, and I want low network latency and better search engine optimisation for Google Australia (see why hosting in Australia). However, finding an Australian VPS that is “economical” (read: cheap) has proved to be very difficult.
I thought, maybe I’ll post my requirements here on HostingFu. Maybe someone knows a better deal than me.
What do I need?
Basically I need an unmanaged Linux VPS that runs Lighttpd, PHP and Python. Here’s the requirement:
- Gentoo or Ubuntu Linux. No CentOS. Nor Fedora. Nor Suse thanks. This is just my personal preference. I prefer Gentoo, but don’t mind trying Ubuntu.
- Memory. If Xen, I’ll need 192Mb. If OpenVZ or Virtuozzo, then maybe 128Mb if burstable, or 256Mb if not.
- Data Transfer. 20Gb per month will do. I’ll be hosting large media files overseas (probably in my DreamHost account).
- Storage. 5Gb shall be big enough, and that’s including the OS.
- Unmanaged. I’ll manage this VPS with my own set of tools. That also implies no control panel or other memory wasters.
- East Coast Preferred. Best if the VPS is located in either Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne of Brisbane, to keep round trip time under 50ms.
- Monthly Budget. Now that’s the hard one. The maximum I’m willing to pay is AUD$50 for this unmanaged, low data transfer, low storage VPS. That’s roughly $38 US dollar.
Possible? There are a few close ones, but getting VPS for under 50 bucks a month seems to be impossible.
Maybe I should stop for being that cheap.
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you get what you pay for. if you’re a cheap bastard, you’re going to get some subpar hosting. beggars can’t be choosers.
Ugh, so lame!
Not necessary.
There are quite a few expensive plans due to their level of management, or bundled control panel software. I need neither, and I do expect cheaper price if the hosting service I get is unmanaged and without a control panel.
On the other hand, many Australian hosts can just be greedy and want to rip their customers off. I am more than happy with the VPS I had and am currently having here in US - Unixshell, VPSLink and SliceHost, and they are all on the lower-end of pricing scale.
RimuHosting have Brisbane-based XEN VPS available. http://rimuhosting.com/order/startorder1.jsp?type=6
Looks like it’s a bit out of the price range at US$60 for 192MB, and a bit low on the data.
As soon as you find one that meets those requirements, I’m in too ;)
Dan — sure, not a problem :) Except the reason I am posting here is because VPS in AU is so much more expensive than the equivalent in US, even if I discount the expensive bandwidth that we have here.
The closest I get is GPLHost (which I looked at here). They are not Australian company (so no need to pay GST :) but just in case you want to support locals. RimuHosting is New Zealand based and I’ve heard lots of good things about them, but it is a bit expensive.
After all I am going to use this new VPS to launch one site (hopefully this month), and I guess the cost does not really matter in the end if the performance is good, and the site brings enough visitors (i.e. revenue) to pay for my hosting.
However, just in case the new site is a flop…
Sigh.
If you find one, let me know. Web hosting in Australia seems to be stuck in 1998.
Yeah I agree. Australian VPS hosting options are pitiful. I’m with rimu hosting in the US and they’re a good bunch, but seriously the pricing for Australian VPSs is out of the question.
As for those commenting that you get what you pay for, duh, that’s the point. If you don’t need fancy extras and just want a bare Linux installation and do all administration through SSH, then why strap the consumer with your overhead costs. It’s called being competitive….
I guess I’ll keep looking. I did find a company in Seattle that offers a good deal. Seattle has good pipes through to Asia and Australia (still thinking about it). http://www.vpslink.com/
I also have a VPS with VPSLink. They are not bad, but I am also spoiled by SliceHost :)
However, even US East Coast VPS is NOT Australian VPS. I even have a VPS at LA, with only 160ms round trip to Sydney, but it still does not make it an Australian VPS. What I really need is an Australian IP to make the sites I am hosting on it (with .com not .au domains) classified as Australian sites from SE point of view.
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