CCNPRecertification.com, and some other sites, have run off my cable modem since inception. The server started to become bogged down after time, so I thought it time to pay for some off site hosting.
Dedicated servers were in the $100US/month range, and the $5/mo cheapie hosting deals didn’t have the features I needed. Virtual Private Servers (VPS) caught my eye. The idea here is that the provider has one physical machine, which is split up into several virtual machines (much like VMWare). You get root on your own VPS and are isolated from other people, but don’t have to pay for your own box.
Whenever you get into a shared services arrangement you want to know how many people you’re sharing with. It’s quite possible to load several hundred people on a server and get pitiful performance all around. So I searched around for VPS providers and reviews of them.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find any decent VPS reviews (a big reason I’m writing this one). However I did manage to find a handful of people offering the service. Some had prices that were too good to be true ($10/month), which led me to think that they’d be loading the heck out of the servers. A couple refused to answer questions about their service (ie how much memory is in your server, how many people are on it). My favourite was Dot5 Hosting, who responded:
virtual server is also a sort of shared server and we do not disclose the specs of virtual server. And we assure that
you get equal resource of your share of server resources
I’m sure I’ll get my share, but what is that?
Finally, I came across www.GoDaddy.com , which is also the place I’ve been registering domain names for the past several years. The specs on the servers are currently:
- Dual Intel Xeon 2.4GHz w/HyperThreading
- 12GB DDR RAM (shared among all virtual machines)
- 5 x 146GB Ultra 320 SCSI Hard Drives, RAID-5 (shared)
In addition, the server is limited to 60 people.
$35US/mo gets you 10G disk and 500GB transfer. Though you can pay a year in advance and get a 20% discount, I figured I’d give it a try for a couple of months and see how it goes.
After signing up, I was able to access my system through the control panel on GoDaddy.com. Total time from me submitting the form to logging in to my server was around 4 hours. Had I waited for the emails to prompt me for the next steps, though, it would have taken around a day.
The system itself runs RedHat 9, which is somewhat dated. However, the kernel is a specially compiled one for the VPS. It seems the VPS software is Virtuozzo, which looks fairly advanced. It’s possible to seamlessly migrate instances from one server to another and reallocate resources between the servers. Pretty slick when compared to VMWare and such.
Upon logging into the system, it looks just like a regular dedicated server except for some devices:
# mount
/dev/vzfs on / type reiserfs (rw,usrquota,grpquota)
# ifconfig
venet0 Link encap:UNSPEC HWaddr 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
inet addr:127.0.0.1 P-t-P:127.0.0.1 Bcast:0.0.0.0 Mask:255.255.255.0
UP BROADCAST POINTOPOINT RUNNING NOARP MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:4393338 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:4632432 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:540461382 (515.4 Mb) TX bytes:1799679322 (1716.3 Mb)
venet0:0 Link encap:UNSPEC HWaddr 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
inet addr:x.x.x.188 P-t-P:x.x.x.188 Bcast:x.x.x.188 Mask:255.255.255.255
UP BROADCAST POINTOPOINT RUNNING NOARP MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:4393338 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:4632432 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:540461382 (515.4 Mb) TX bytes:1799679322 (1716.3 Mb)
venet0:1 Link encap:UNSPEC HWaddr 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
inet addr:x.x.x.204 P-t-P:x.x.x.204 Bcast:x.x.x.204 Mask:255.255.255.255
UP BROADCAST POINTOPOINT RUNNING NOARP MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:4393338 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:4632432 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:540461382 (515.4 Mb) TX bytes:1799679322 (1716.3 Mb)
You might note I have two IP addresses… After signing up and logging in to your server, you can request more addresses through the control panel at GoDaddy. I’m not sure how many you can get, I got one extra and there is still a link saying “ask for more IP addresses”.
In addition, I’ve got access to some 6 gigs of memory:
# free
total used free shared buffers cached
Mem: 6196656 6183684 12972 0 2203932 700208
-/+ buffers/cache: 3279544 2917112
Swap: 12586916 5256936 7329980
So, after a month I’m pretty happy. Performance is good, I’ve seen no downtime, and I’m satisfied with the price. That said, there are a few things that aren’t perfect.
- The Plesk control panel is a pain to remove. I wanted to remove it because I don’t need it, and it was causing some dependency problems. The problem was that when I tried to remove the “psa” package, it tried to delete some rows from the MySQL database and some files seemed to be missing. I ended up downloading the Plesk RPMs, extracting the .sql file, running that, and removing the packages. Perhaps it was the order that I did things, maybe not.
- You must use their relay server for email. I didn’t immediately notice this, and had wiped out their qmail install in favour of sendmail.
- They do relay checks on you. I was seeing email from “emailsupport AT godaddy DOT com” being bounced due to relay, so I allowed relaying for the godaddy domain. A few hours later connections to their relay server were denied for me. After stopping the relaying, my access was restored in a few hours.
- The Red Hat 9 is a bit of a pain due to its age. However, I set up yum at Fedora Legacy, who still support it (I’m downloading the recent PHP errata as I type this. The only trick is that you have to exclude both the kernel and iptables packages with exclude=kernel*,iptables in /etc/yum.conf.
- The kernel has statically compiled modules in, and the list of iptables modules is limited. This means that some of the advanced iptables rules I’m used to (TCP state matching) weren’t available
In summary, I’d recommend GoDaddy’s Virtual Private Servers, and will continue to subscribe to mine.
BTW, if you decide to buy anything from GoDaddy, I’d appreciate you clicking through the link below which gives me a small cut and helps support this site.
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3 users commented in " "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackBest. diagram. ever.
Glad you like it!
Sean
http://www.cisco.prv.pl
Assuming they are adjacent wouldnt just using CEF and per packet distribution on both end accomplish this as well?
Assuming they are adjacent wouldnt just using CEF and per packet distribution on both end accomplish this as well?
Testing comments.
You can also modify the T0 through T5 EIGRP parameters to get rid of the delay multiplier – saves a lot of aggravation when trying to match the metrics.
P.
I used a free blogger account before stumbling on Wordpress, so that’s the only blogging app that I can make a comparison with… but I really like Wordpress. Very easy to use and flexible.
neteng
Please confirm if it is a typo??
In the topology table, C will have two possibilities to get to network D:
Via D, with an AD of 1
Via C, with an AD of 4+1 = 5
**** Should this be “Via E, “
Yes, you’re right. Good catch! I’ve updated the text.
Thanks!
Sean
Has anyone 802.1q tunneling working successfully in IOS?
I have been trying and continually get the error:
Command rejected: Gi1/48 doesn’t support 802.1q tunneling.
Hi,
The support and community behind Cisco is vast compared to the non existance of a Nortel community. Ironically they just don’t exist
I am also looking to do a similiar project to what you are using. PRI-> IP
I have said the same thing in relation to Nortel
I have had my fair share of poor technical support from TAC, but I usually have little problem getting the case re-queued with a competent tech. When I do get one, they are usually super-knowledgable and like you say, have no hesitation to logging into your equipment remotely. I also like the fact that you’re given a direct line to the support person you’ve been dealing with. This helps keep things simple when you’re dealing with a complex issue as you don’t need to re-explain certain things to the next engineer you get on the phone.
I have had horrible experience with SonicWall’s support team. No matter what the issue, they always tell you to upgrade to the latest firmware before they even hear your problem.
What book would you suggest to take the ccnp recertification exam? I can’t find anything that just focuses on this. Thanks
Nice review. Finally some sanity. Anyways, bein g that this post is about 8 months old, how is the service so far with go daddy?
It’s been pretty good. I’ve been seeing some high disk latency in the
past few months which I took up with support, their answer was “everything
is good”. I’m not thrilled about that, but for what I’m paying and the
hassle of moving, I’m still a happy camper.
Thanks for the reminder, I’ve been meaning to write an update including
some graphs on the latency and some other stats I’ve been keeping.
can we use with in single peer-group to put multiple out route map..if yes then what is the configuration
If it is a Cisco device, some models only support the Cisco proprietary ISL (Inter-Switch-Link) trunking protocol…..I know the 2900XL, and the 3500XL do not do 802.1q trunking…..whereas the 2950 only does 802.1q, and not ISL…
I would say you definitely are a Cisco customer evangelist : )
Thanks for sharing the story.
Jackie Huba
Co-author, “Creating Customer Evangelists”
Love the comments and I want to add one thing as to the career counselling thing.
I am a tech instructor and teach Cisco and MS. I get asked quite often to talk with prospective students who are looking at career changes and wondering if they should pursue generic certs like CompTia A+, Net+, etc…, MCSA/MCSE or CCNA. Every time, without fail I will tell them to get the generic certs and then move to MS.
While CCNA is defined as Cisco’s “entry level” certification, it is not designed to be pursued by nubies.
Someone with a CCNA is supposed to be the guy who can rebuild the Unix/Linux box, understand why the MS DHCP server is not doing its job right, troubleshoot the Unix DNS and rebuild the packet filters on the Firewall. And then maybe she can get some lunch before that 1:00 Desktop migration meeting she has to go to.
I very clearly lay out for my students in class the fact that they are expected to be Network gurus “From the Start”. This is not a cert you should study for if you are changing careers.
Please don’t water down our credentials any more with testers who can pass this test and then go into the real world and say to me things like a fellow instructor said the other day. “I am amazed at how much Microsoft stole from Unix. Did you know that Unix had the NSLOOKUP command before Microsoft”?
A complete lack of understanding of the OSI model is not what we need from our fellow cert holders.
Sorry to get off on a rant there but the point I am trying to make is to let them know that CCNA is not a place to start into the field but rather, a long term goal.
Thanks for listening.
Hi,
I just came across your website somehow on Google and was reading some of your entries; I noticed you seem to be very knowledgable on a variety of topics. I’m leaving this comment because I would like to pose a question. I passed my CCNA in 2003, and it just expired in Jan, 06. I haven’t renewed it yet, but I am scheduled to take the test very soon. I have a fair amount of experience, since I have been working as a network administrator. I’m also scheduled to start a 10 day CCNP bootcamp at the beginning of May. Any suggestions for the CCNA and the CCNP? I’ve heard that the CCNA has gotten exponentially more difficult these days…
A reply via email would be good if you have time, if not, I understand.
Thanks for the help,
Chris
Congrats! I’m looking at tackling the CCDA next…now if only I could devise a way to add more time to the day.
neteng
Dude
You are better then me, but i played a trick . I did my CCNA in 2000 and i was such a lame that i completed my CCNP in 4 years
. I gave 1 exam each year. Once you are in a job you hardly think of certifications but i think its a high time for me to go for CCIE.
-Sikandar
That’s a great idea! I’d like to submit my article on redundancy that can be found here: http://blog.humanmodem.com/?p=10
Looking forward to hopefully getting some new visitors!
Great thought!
Count me in.
-Sikandar
My new blog with Cisco topics (in french).
I started publishing a blog as I started preparing for my CCNP and CCIE. (I recently got my CCNP after I started the blog.) The blog is at http://ciscostudy.blogspot.com and one recent article that I would like you to link to is
http://ciscostudy.blogspot.com/2006/03/understanding-ospf-default-route.html
The main format of my blog is that I try and frame questions around concepts that I think are important in the topic I happen to be studying and let the readers come up with the solutions. If people post comments, I engage in the dsicussion to learn more and provide my solution if necessary.
Once you have a number of Cisco blog links in this thread, I will put up a post with the links on my blog.
UP.
Have a nice day !
I have to respect your point of view – there are too many paper gurus in this field. But, I have to disagree with your recommendations to your students. I have been in the networking field for about 8 years now. I began out of the blue – decided I wanted a career change. Picked up a book and started reading – and started taking cert exams. I also ambitiously found an avenue into the field and ended up getting a cisco class and MCSE track out of the deal. But my real education has been self taught by reading manuals, or cisco press books, or … blogs even. I’m constantly searching online for answers to questions – referencing RFCs etc. etc. Regardless, if certifications are the impetus and measuring stick one needs to dig into the material and learn it – so be it. But one should not necessarily expect to get a job with large responsibiltiy and pay check based on just certifications – unless of course they hold a CCIE – that helps. And that, is what I am currently pursuing – as soon as I recert my CCNP next month. Point is – to do well in this field the important thing is to dig in and start learning – it is a constant process – the field changes to quickly. Get hands on through simulators, or, if you can afford it, buying used equipment. Start with your CCNA if you want – but that is just the tip of the ice berg. Move right into your CCNP – read read read and practice practice practice – you will learn it.
3750s are also queue 1, and use srr-queues.
Your explanation of feasible distance and advertised distance with regard to choosing feasible successors is incorrect.
If the advertised distance of a non-successor route is less than the feasible distance of the successor, then it can be a feasible successor.
I’ve been reading this blog for sometime, but am just now catching up on some much needed reading, and found this old post.
If still interested, and looking for articles, I put up a quick Policy-Based Routing on my blog:
http://aaron.thepaxson5.org/blojsom/blog/default/Networking/2006/03/14/Two-ISPs-with-one-Pix.html
Thanks for the correction, I got it backward in this article.
Sean
I have been running a Tech Link of the Day site for a while. I try to (but don’t always) get the updates up each day. It isn’t quite a blog but it tends to link to sites/articles I find interesting and they are almost always technical. There is an archive and an RSS feed for it, too.
May be an idea of saving operational cost using 1Mbps back up site to site VPN in regards to frame relay,leased lines and ATM’s.
Idea of operational costs using different smartnet contracts
congratulations dude!
I like to have a general translation of kilobits to kilobytes and vice versa
Great site. I’m working on my ccnp currently and ran across your site. Love the articles posted on multicast. Especially since I’m scheduled to take the composite exam on friday. I’ve got some notes that I’ve put into a pdf on OSPF areas that I’d like to share, and this looks like the appropriate place to share.
Got an address I can forward the document to you for your review/possible post?
Luckily I finished mine back in May! Yay! I’m pondering a CCIE, but the return on an IE in this area is very little; hell no one really wants to pay an NP around here…
Chris
can we change the administartive distance of dynamic protocol ????
Great review!
I decided to check this video out before I sat for my ccna and I must say it did help. Probably not to be used as a sole source of study, but definatley a help. As you said, I’d like to see more releases for more advanced topics in the future.
Cheers
I think your website is great. I printed off this scenario and tried in my lab at work. There is 1 small type that was driving us nuts, your line to redistribute isis routes should redistribute level 1 routes, your command only says level 2.
Keep up the good work.
I am a bit confused, about Via C, with an AD of 4+1 = 5
I understand the 4 bit which is the AD between the next-hop to the destination.
Why +1 instead of +2 which is the cost of between local router C and the next-hop router which is E?
maybe I got it wrong because I thought
FD= AD of next-hop router + cost between local router and the next-hop router
Thanks for the example on the selection of successor and feasible successor routes. It really helped me to understand the process.
I’m using a godaddy virtual private server but don’t seem to have access to iptable. Did you do anything special?
Hello,
I am very satisfied for this summary.
Thanks, because it is very interrest but the Layout is not draw very well.
Kindest Regard;
Johnny
How much RAM does dynamips use on your box when you’re simulating all of these routers? I’ve been thinking of selling my CCIE rack to off some of my CCIE debt…
Thanks,
Chris
Hello,
For other useful commands on NetFlow and sFlow check out:
http://www.plixer.com/products/scrutinizer_activate-netflow.php
Please consider the free version of Scrutinizer.
Mike
[...] Note: Sean suggested I blog about my CCNA studies on his website. This post was originally posted there, and I might be doing some cross posting for the next little [...]
It’s even easier: “show ip port-map”.
This works on a 2960 too.
e-
Hi,
The Campus Infrastructure module only contains the Building Access, the Building Distribution and the Building Core/Campus Backbone. The Network Management and the Server Farm submodules aren’t part of it. However, they are part of Entreprise Campus Functional Area.
Performance:
We can configure each module independently and add up the hierarchical approach with the core access and distribution layers approach within each module. This gives independency of functions such as pushing the security outwards at the access layer then implementing intelligence at the distribution ex: QOS load balancing…
We now have explicit boundaries to actually define the interaction between modules and applications, note that we now have a building distribution and an edge distribution.
general note
From a global point of view it looks like core distribution and access yet in details in is small blocks of core distribution and access.
awesome reply
Just wanted to introduce myself, been a lurker on here for a while. Are there any subjects that we can’t talk about on here?
I think that I found a typo in R2’s router eigrp 1’s configuration. Should the statement ‘network 0.0.0.0′ be [network 10.0.0.0]?
What is the NET of the IS-IS router? Am I missing something?
Thanks
stteng
your blog is awesome.
I believe that MTU is not a metric in EIGRP
Hi,
Have a look at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk365/technologies_white_paper09186a0080094cb7.shtml
Minimum MTU along the path is an EIGRP metric, with the default K values it’s not calculated though. It’s there, look at the show ip eigrp top output.
Sean