FAQs - HostDrive Hosting - Since 1997

How long does it take to set up my server?

Our typical lead time is 3 business days for custom build to order servers. Our in stock servers, bargain servers and overstock servers can be ready same day if ordered by 1PM US CST. How long it takes to set up a server really depends on what you order and when you ordered it. More custom applications may require additional set up time and or set up fees.

What kind of connection do you have to the Internet?

HostDrive’s network infrastructure consists of fiber connections to the Internet Backbone. Our network is powered by Cisco Routers running the BGP4(Border Gateway Protocol) for redundancy. We do load balancing to ensure all traffic is equally balanced among the networks we are connected to.

Will HostDrive manage my server?

No. You will need to manage your own server. If you have questions or support needs not related to managing your server, you can contact HostDrive’s Technical Support Staff who will be ready to help. If you are interested in managed services, please contact a sales representative at 262-248-6759.

Do you support IPv6?

Yes. HostDrive was an early adopter of IPv6 and provide you with IPv6 address space upon request.

How is my server secured?

HostDrive’s facilities are under constant surveillance during manned hours of operation and monitored via ADT Security and Cameras after hours. Our network consists of fully redundant and diverse connections to the Internet backbone through multiple connections to each of our providers.

HostDrive’s offices are under constant watch by our dedicated systems and network engineering team members who work together to ensure smooth and hassle-free 24×7 operation of our customers’ sites.

Who is responsible for handling hardware components if they fail?

HostDrive is responsible for all of your hardware. In the event of malfunction or failure, we will replace them at no cost to you. All our servers are guaranteed for life! Colocated Servers and their components are the responsibility of the server owner. We can replace parts either provided to us or provided by you for a small fee. Please contact support@mia.net for full details and pricing.

Does HostDrive monitor my server?

HostDrive’s systems monitor your server 24 hours a day, via our advance paging system. Our Technical Staff are notified immediately in the event of problems. We have optional auto-reboot systems in place to restart your server in the event of a crash. On call technicians are also available 24/7 to reboot your server in the event of an emergency.

Are there any bandwidth limitations?

The amount of bandwidth available to you depends upon your initial server customizing selections. If you anticipate needing additional bandwidth, you can request this by contacting us at sales@mia.net or calling your sales representative at 262-248-6759.

Does HostDrive provide backup services?

We have a number of backup solutions available. For more information on these services, please contact our sales team at 262-248-6759.

Can I manage my own DNS information and records?

HostDrive’s dedicated servers include BIND and a DNS Manager that makes it simple for you to set up multiple DNS zones and to create and manage individual resource records for each zone. However if you require us to do your DNS, we can provide Primary and Secondary DNS service at no additional charge.

What Control Panels do you offer?

We do not offer control panels with our servers by default. However you are free to either bring your own, or we can install the Control Panel of your choice at an extra charge. We can also provide you with WebMin for free. For details and pricing on cPanel add-ons, please contact our sales department. We can install Control Panels for colocation customers by request. Please contact support@mia.net for full pricing.

What are your regular business hours?

Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM US CST, excluding holidays. Special access or after hours access may be granted by appointment only. Emergency access is available as well. We have after hours paging/numbers available to our customers upon request. We can be contacted ANY TIME after hours via email at support@mia.net

How can I manage my servers remotely?

You can perform system administration using SSH access on Linux servers or RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) for Microsoft servers.

Do you monitor my bandwidth usage?

Yes, use a custom bandwidth management system and standard MRTG tracking at your server’s switch port level. You can also view your stats online in real time.

What brand of server hardware do you use?

HostDrive provides only the highest quality components for all of our server hardware. All servers are custom built and tested in house by our trained technicians.

If my hardware fails who is responsible for replacing it?

HostDrive owns the physical server so HostDrive maintains that server should there be a failure in any component. We will replace failed hardware at no cost to you.

Can I upgrade my server?

Yes. We offer hardware upgrades including RAM, Hard Drives, etc., on our website or by emailing support@mia.net

Can I have physical access to my dedicated server?

No. Dedicated servers are housed in private area of our facility. We do not allow any physical access to dedicated servers. Only authorized personnel from HostDrive are allowed access to dedicated servers.

Do I get root access to my dedicated server?

Yes. You have full root or administrative privileges.

Where can I find your TOS and AUP?

Our Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Police are available on our website or by emailing support@mia.net and requesting TOS/AUP.

Can I purchase additional bandwidth?

Yes. Additional bandwidth is available upon request. Please email sales@mia.net for more information.

How much do you charge for support?

A complete list of charges for support can be found on our website at http://www.hostdrive/pdf/techservicerates.pdf

Are there other server guidelines I should be aware of?

In order to properly deliver HostDrive’s full suite of managed products and services, HostDrive’s Technical Staff requires continuous administrative access to dedicated servers. You should ensure that while working with your server that you do not interrupt HostDrive’s anonymous SSH or Terminal Service access to your server. If this connection is disrupted, HostDrive may not be able to properly manage and maintain your server.

Because of the complexity of server configurations, HostDrive requests that you keep good records of work performed by you or those whom you have granted access to your system. Should any problems arise and you require our assistance, maintaining a good history of the server will enable HostDrive technicians to better troubleshoot and repair problems.

We strongly recommend you maintain a text file that lists the date and description of modifications to your system. You should place these files in the following locations:

Linux Servers: /var/logs/HostDrive/servicelog.txt
BSD Servers: /var/logs/HostDrive/servicelog.txt

If you have any other questions or require some other special attention with regards to your servers & shipment, please call us at 262-248-6759 Thank you!

Q. What Kind of computers do you use for web servers?
A. We currently employ a wide array of dual processor based Quad Core Linux Servers running cPanel Control Panel and WHM. We custom build each server ourselves to ensure the highest quality.

Q. How reliable are your servers?
A. We do not have major downtime on a regular basis, and very rarely have any outages during prime-time. We use SuperMicro Servers and only the best hardware and software available including cPanel control panel.  Maintenance if necessary is only done in off peak hours. On call technicians are always on call 24/7 for any after hours emergency.

Q. Do you provide statistics?
A. Yes. Your web site logs can be parsed and viewed using your cPanel and Analog, Webalizer, Awstats, etc.

Q. How long does it take to setup an account?
A. Same Day

Q. Do you take credit cards?
A.We accept all major credit cards including, Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express. We also accept Paypal.

Q. What Internet backbones do you use?
A. HostDrive’s network infrastructure consists of multiple fiber connections to multiple providers. Our network is powered by Cisco Routers running the BGP4(Border Gateway Protocol) for redundancy. We do load balancing to ensure all traffic is equally balanced among the networks we are connected to.

Q. How fast is are your Internet connections?
A. We continually monitor & and upgrade our network to handle increasing traffic. Our entire network is load balanced and redundant to ensure the shortest possible route. A current real time Aggregate Traffic example can be seen here.

Q. Where are you located?
A. Our Data Center is located between Milwaukee and Chicago. Our offices are located in Lake Geneva.

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. We have been in been in business for over 20 years. (Since 1997)

Q. How can I contact you?
A. The best way to contact us is through eMail.

In addition to bandwidth, HostDrive provides:

Why should I colocate instead of getting my own connection?

Why should I colocate instead of getting my own connection and server?

The main reason to opt for colocation is cost. It can be very expensive to maintain your own connection.

For example a dedicated business cable modem connection could cost $200 a month or more. Your connection speed is often limited and there is no guarantee against service interruptions.

What about wireless, or DSL? While the costs may be low for a Wireless or DSL connection reliability and security is greatly diminished.

Aside from being more costly, limited bandwidth, low reliability and low security the cost of support can be just as cost prohibitive.

When you colocate your server or servers with HostDrive, you pay one flat rate. Add to it all of the other benefits HostDrive provides to clients:

Full-time UPS
IP addresses and DNS services
multiple redundant connections to the Internet
unlimited access to your server
24 hour/365 day technical support
climate controlled environment
crisis verification and notification
Real time web based traffic utilization graphs.

The choice is pretty clear! Find our more about our Colocation Services at http://hostdrive/colocation.html

What kind of connection do you have to the Internet?

HostDrive’s network infrastructure consists of fiber connections to the Internet Backbone. Our network is powered by Cisco Routers running the BGP4(Border Gateway Protocol) for redundancy. We do load balancing to ensure all traffic is equally balanced among the networks we are connected to.

My local ISP offers the same service. Why should I use HostDrive?

Does your ISP know the first thing about Colocation? That’s our specialty.

Consider, also: does your ISP offer any of the added benefits which HostDrive can provide?

For the increased value added benefits which HostDrive offers with its Colocation services, there is no comparison.

What do I get for my setup fee?

You get:

This still seems like a lot of money, can you do better than that?

Anything is possible. We want your business, but we still have to make money. Call us, or email us, we have custom plans and can tailor our services to fit your particular need or budget.

You are in Rome and I am not. Won’t access to my server be a problem?

Not in the least bit!

With Remote Admin, Timbuktu, PC Anywhere, VNC, Telnet, SSH, etc., you have complete access to your server from anywhere on the Internet. This capability is available 24 hours a day. For minor items which a remote access program can not handle for you (hardware upgrades, restarting crashed servers, etc.), our technical support staff is available 24 hours a day. For most common problems, there is no charge for our technical support services and our Web Based Crisis Response System; for difficult, time consuming problems or hardware upgrades we charge only $50.00 per hour.

HostDrive provides trained hardware and software technicians to handle all of your upgrade needs. For technical support issues and hardware/software upgrades, we charge only $50.00 per hour.

Begin by setting up your server how you want it. Once done, unplug it and pack it securely in a box (preferably, using the original manufacturer’s box and packing materials). Call Federal Express, the United States Postal Service or UPS and have it shipped to HostDrive. Immediately upon receipt of your server, HostDrive’s technical support team will install and connect your server to our lines, and notify you of your servers location and how to gain complete access to it.

What about insurance?

HostDrive requires that you insure your system before you send it to us. Full coverage will only cost you under $100/year for most systems. You may already be covered with your current insurance policy, so check with your insurance company to be sure. It may also be possible to take out a “rider” on your current insurance policy to cover your server in case of damage.

Although HostDrive takes every precaution to protect your investment (and ours), unforeseen accidents do happen.

HostDrive suggests that you take the necessary precaution of installing a backup system on your server. We can provide backup services upon request for an additional fee.

We highly recommend that you backup your entire server before you ship it.

What if my server crashes?

24 hour a day, 365 days a year technical support is available to handle this, and other, issues. When you sign up, HostDrive will give you a technical support phone number, pager number, e-mail address and a username/password to our Web Based Crisis Center. All of the aforementioned are 24 hours a day 365 days a year. You may also consider using an optional auto restart outlet.

Software which is needed to run your HTTP server, FTP server, E-Mail server, etc. will be necessary. Many software packages are available for these, and other, servers.  Also, we do not manage your server for you. We can provide remote hands for trouble shooting or fixing hardware issues, but we do not set up and support your clients for you.

Additional IP addresses are available upon request and per ARIN’s guidelines for additional IP address space.

We support IPv6 and can provide you with IPv6 address space upon request.

Any external devices connected which require a separate power source must be connected to our UPS. This requires that we charge an additional monthly service charge per device.

What kind of servers can I Colocate, or do you support?

Linux based systems are our primary focus we currently host a wide array of servers from Windows servers to OSX servers.  To order visit: http://hostdrive/colocation.html