• What does starting a server business take?
    43 replies, posted
I'm thinking about making a dedicated server business for games. Like hosting Minecraft servers and whatnot. What would I need to begin this?
A good server, a website, advertising. The last one is the most important, but good luck with that- there are already a very large number of hosting services, and at least one will always be better than yours in every way.
Well I'm not looking to be the best, I'm looking to make a little money.
ask JWJ, he runs BroHoster.
To colocate one box requires a decent sum of money a month on top of the money necessary to buy the box itself. You need a good financial backing before you should even try. Running a GSP out of your home isn't a great idea either.
[QUOTE=Protocol7;27536189]To colocate one box requires a decent sum of money a month on top of the money necessary to buy the box itself. You need a good financial backing before you should even try. Running a GSP out of your home isn't a great idea either.[/QUOTE] Renting is usually more cost effective way to start, that's how we do it.
Network engineering, Virtualization Engineering and a high skill level of the services you are running. and money
If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't.
You first need and expanded knowledge of what you'll be selling. Next you'll need the capital to get started up. And lastly, you'll need to dedicate a ton of time to it. It will become your life until you can hire/con other people into helping you.
[QUOTE=Dr Nick;27535498]ask JWJ, he runs BroHoster.[/QUOTE] brohoster is a piece of shit.
[QUOTE=Subwayy;27537389]If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't.[/QUOTE] A universal rule for practically everything.
[QUOTE=Inacio;27535811]"Hey dude how do I start a company to be your competitor in the same market"[/QUOTE] Actually JWJ is very helpful getting something started. He won't help getting you on the market though.
So this is a pretty advanced thing to do? I didn't think it'd be so involved.
[QUOTE=BluFox;27540903]So this is a pretty advanced thing to do? I didn't think it'd be so involved.[/QUOTE] How didn't you? Have you even ran a Minecraft server on Linux before?
It depends on how advanced you make it. If you rent 1U in a rack in some datacenter, and put a pretty good server in there that you can rent out for more than the 1U costs, then you could already there start making small profit. Say the 1U spot costs €40 a month, and you rent out the server for €75, that's a €35 profit for barely anything.
[QUOTE=Wayword;27539074]brohoster is a piece of shit.[/QUOTE] who are you again and why does your opinion matter [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=BluFox;27535321]I'm thinking about making a dedicated server business for games. Like hosting Minecraft servers and whatnot. What would I need to begin this?[/QUOTE] My thread about starting your own hosting company: [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1005380-The-Adventures-of-Starting-a-Hosting-Company[/url] [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Inacio;27535811]"Hey dude how do I start a company to be your competitor in the same market"[/QUOTE] There's already thousands of competitors, why would I care about one more?
[QUOTE=JWJ;27541205]who are you again and why does your opinion matter [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] My thread about starting your own hosting company: [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1005380-The-Adventures-of-Starting-a-Hosting-Company[/url] [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] There's already thousands of competitors, why would I care about one more?[/QUOTE] I'm still waiting for Brohoster VPS.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;27541303]I'm still waiting for Brohoster VPS.[/QUOTE] You, me, and a lot of other people. I'm working on it though, it's mainly just financial reasons that we haven't done anything.
[QUOTE=JWJ;27541205]who are you again and why does your opinion matter [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] My thread about starting your own hosting company: [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1005380-The-Adventures-of-Starting-a-Hosting-Company[/url] [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] There's already thousands of competitors, why would I care about one more?[/QUOTE] [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] Oh ok awesome. Thank you very much. [QUOTE=Shadaez;27541118]How didn't you? Have you even ran a Minecraft server on Linux before?[/QUOTE] Never touched a Linux.
[QUOTE=BluFox;27541493]Never touched a Linux.[/QUOTE] You should really get to know it. For a game server I would prefer Linux over Windows and others would too, so it's best to get familiar with it.
How complicated is it?
[QUOTE=BluFox;27541602]How complicated is it?[/QUOTE] Only one way to find out. Wanna start gentle and smooth, or go straight to the cold, hard, emotionless but highly efficient CLI??
The second one sounds a little scary... [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] First one.
[QUOTE=BluFox;27541719]The second one sounds a little scary... [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] First one.[/QUOTE] Use a lightweight Linux distro. You'll get more out of your server and less crashing.
So what materials do I need for this? Another computer? What else?
I'll help you out, check your PMs.
[QUOTE=BluFox;27541854]So what materials do I need for this? Another computer? What else?[/QUOTE] Minecraft servers require a lot of RAM and CPU. You're going to need some starting money for this, you can't just host it off your home internet connection. I'd say you need to gather at least 3 months worth of money for one box at a provider of your choice. Honestly, unless you're well experienced in even hosting your own server you shouldn't attempt it. Not to mention handling billing and automation.
I mostly just want to make some money and have something to do. I love business. How much money do you think?
[QUOTE=BluFox;27542757]I mostly just want to make some money and have something to do. I love business. How much money do you think?[/QUOTE] You'd be lucky to even have any profit in the start. It takes money, time and dedication to start up a business, no matter what.
[QUOTE=BluFox;27542757]I mostly just want to make some money and have something to do. I love business. How much money do you think?[/QUOTE] If you can't do something on the small-scale for yourself, don't expect to be very successful in large-scale hosting for others. Like I said, three months worth for one box at the provider of your choice. Any box worth it's salt is gonna cost at least $200/month, the average box at Brohoster costs upwards of $450/month.
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