Agreed on all accounts. A simple cloud server from Rackspace or Amazon is miles better and cheaper than 5 years ago. FWIW—keeping mind I'm on my phone and haven't read the entire thread—I'd highly recommend Rackspace solely because of their support. If you're new to managing a server that will save you headache and money vs AWS --jk > On May 20, 2015, at 4:12 PM, Aziz Saleh <azizsaleh@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > >> On Wed, May 20, 2015 at 3:58 PM, David OBrien <dgobrien@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> >> On Wed, May 20, 2015 at 3:53 PM, Jeffry Killen <jekillen@xxxxxxxxxxx> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> On May 20, 2015, at 12:23 PM, Derek Ellison wrote: >>> >>> On Wed, May 20, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Samuel Rhoades <srhoades28@xxxxxxxxx> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi Everyone, >>>>> >>>>> I'm really new to web development and only just learning php which is >> all >>>>> very exciting, but I've hit a roadblock. I've created my first php >>>>> website >>>>> using XAMPP as a development environment, and it looks great, but now >> I'm >>>>> totally lost as to how to move it onto a remote server and actually put >>>>> it >>>>> on the web! I never thought this would be the hardest step for me! Can >>>>> someone help me with the following questions... >>>>> >>>>> 1. Which hosting company is the best bang for your buck/easiest to >>>>> configure for php applications? >>>>> >>>>> 2. Are there any good resources for learning how to get a website onto >>>>> that >>>>> server? >>>>> ...I'm totally lost on this step. >>>>> >>>>> 3. What should I be using...SSH or SFTP and why? >>>>> >>>>> 4. Anything else you think I should know about to make this step easier >>>>> in >>>>> the future? >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for all the help! >>>>> >>>>> -Sam >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Sam Rhoades >>>>> -*Life Enthusiast* >>>> >>>> All the options I mention below assume you want to use Linux as the OS. >> I >>>> cannot and will not ever recommend the use of Windows. MacOS , I've >> never >>>> used. >>>> >>>> >>>> 1. Which hosting company is the best bang for your buck/easiest to >>>> configure for php applications? >>>> >>>> That is entirely up to what resources you need and how flexible you want >>>> it >>>> to be. There are pros and cons to anything and web hosting is no >>>> different. >>>> Since you're new to the web developer world, I'll explain a few >> different >>>> types and then give you some hosts I've personally used. >>>> >>>> VPS (Virtual Private Servers) have the most flexibility and are fairly >>>> inexpensive today. The great thing about these are they are very >> flexible. >>>> They are dedicated environments that you have full control over. Usually >>>> you manage these servers by way of SSH, but some do have options to >>>> install >>>> server management software. You can install whatever services you need >> and >>>> have maximum control. The draw back is pretty much that too; you have to >>>> set up everything yourself -- usually. Some places, if you pay more, >> will >>>> setup web servers for you and even maintain them, with the ability for >> you >>>> to still manage everything yourself. This option is a lot of work, but >> has >>>> the greatest payoff in my personal opinion. Also, this can be a much >> more >>>> secure way to host your site, as long as you practice proper server >>>> management. >>>> >>>> VPS: >>>> Cons: More expensive than shared, but not too bad. Normally no >>>> assistance from the hosting company on setting up the public facing >>>> services. More involved setup process >>>> Pros: Gives the most flexibility -- assuming you are willing to learn. >>>> Can be more secure. >>>> >>>> Shared hosting would be the other beast. It's insanely cheap and fully >>>> managed, but has other people sharing the same server. Since it's >> managed >>>> by the company, they say what version of software to install usually. >> Even >>>> big hosts usually have older version of software to support there other >>>> hosts. What I mean is, you might get on a shared server that has Php >> 5.3, >>>> which is old. Not that it's bad, just you might need/want features of >>>> newer >>>> version. Most of the time the company is not able to upgrade the version >>>> for you. >>>> >>>> The other draw back of shared hosting is security. If there is even one >>>> wrong permission set, by you or the hosting company, other people on >> your >>>> server can access your files. I can tell you first hand that it's more >>>> common than you think. Now, this shouldn't just sway you from this type >> of >>>> host because, like anything, as long as you practice good management and >>>> learn about security, you'll be fine. >>>> >>>> Shared hosting: >>>> Cons: Shared with other people, which can lead to security issues. >>>> Hosting company maintains software, sometimes older version of software. >>>> Most of the time, no SSH access. >>>> Pros: Very cheap. Easier to setup, especially for newer folks. >>>> Maintained by the hosting company means you only worry about your site >>>> files. >>>> >>>> >>>> Here are a few hosting companies. >>>> >>>> ixwebhosting: Shared, VPS. Pretty cheap rates for all. Customer service >> is >>>> excellent. I'm not sure about the VPS, but shared hosting they assign a >>>> professional tech to assist you with your issues, free of cost. I found >>>> this to be very helpful in the beginning. Pretty big company that's been >>>> around a while. I used them for a few years before I started running my >>>> own >>>> server. >>>> >>>> GoDaddy: I have no actually not used them, but they are well >> established. >>>> I >>>> think you have to pay extra for certain features as well, but a lot of >>>> people use them. Their rates are pretty cheap as well. >>>> >>>> 2. Are there any good resources for learning how to get a website onto >>>> that >>>> server? >>>> ...I'm totally lost on this step. >>>> >>>> This question really depends on the type of server you choose. Shared >>>> hosts >>>> have a user control panel that lets you manage your server, which is >>>> really >>>> simple to use. You normally upload the files this way as well. VPS >> usually >>>> requires you to setup the web server and any related software such as >> PHP >>>> or MySQL. Any good company you go with should have documentation on how >> to >>>> get your files up and running. >>>> >>>> 3. What should I be using...SSH or SFTP and why? >>>> >>>> These are mostly two different things. >>>> >>>> SSH is a protocol that allows you to manage your server and files. This >> is >>>> a less common feature among shared hosting companies (personally I've >>>> never >>>> seen a shared hosting company allow it). >>>> >>>> SFTP is FTP over SSH. This is a very secure way to send/receive files >> from >>>> your server. I have seen this feature on shared hosting companies, but >> it >>>> isn't always an option. >>>> >>>> Also, I assume you are asking about this for deploying your files. What >> I >>>> suggest is if you have access to SSH, use a version control system, like >>>> GIT, to deploy your files. This turns moving files into a one or two >>>> commands and allows you to revert changes easily. >>>> >>>> So really, it depends on your host on what you have access to. If the >>>> hosting company has a server control panel, such as cPanel, Plesk, or >>>> something else, you can upload the files (usually over HTTPS) directly >>>> from >>>> the control panel. No SSH or FTP needed. >>>> >>>> >>>> 4. Anything else you think I should know about to make this step easier >> in >>>> the future? >>>> >>>> Be diligent. Web sites can and are a lot of work. Learn from mistakes >> and >>>> don't be afraid to get your feet wet. Learn a VCS, I recommend GIT. >>>> >>>> >>>> Hopefully that helps you in any future project and good luck with your >>>> site! Welcome to the world of web design and administration! >>> >>> There is one other detail I neglected ot address in my original reply: >>> access to data base servers in hosting service accounts almost always >>> cost more than a basic site account with php (without mysql or other data >>> base server >>> access) >>> So while you are using XMAMP, I presume you use it for the mysql data >>> base. Be prepared >>> to pay extra for a hosting service account with mysql or other data base. >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) >>> To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php >> If your not expecting a ton of traffic to start with you can have your own >> server for 5 bucks a month ... plus you get $10 in free credit to start >> with >> >> https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=f89732e1e117 >> >> Easy to setup a LAMP stacked server > > Personally I would never recommend Godaddy or 1and1 for hosting. There are > many other good hosts out there, but from my experience they are the worst > once push comes to shove. -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
