Real World Computing

The only problem with our server was that it ran PHP 4 and MySQL 3 (it was rented in 2005), which, while fine for passyourtheory, created a problem when we wanted to develop sites for new clients. In the end, we replaced that server and DediPower allowed us to have a few weeks during which both servers were running to give us time to transfer the sites across. This isn't a trivial job, given the slight incompatibilities between PHP 5 and PHP 4 and the fact that DediPower didn't charge us for this cross-over time was much appreciated. The firm also provided excellent technical support during that period.

Prior to moving to this new server, I'd decided a temporary solution was to rent another server for developing client sites on, before moving them to the new one. I chose Fasthosts, partly because it was able to provide the server quickly and partly because it was relatively cheap. I wish I hadn't. All was well with Fasthosts until the 18 October 2007, when an email was sent to me (and thousands of other customers) announcing that the network had been compromised and that my user names and passwords might have been stolen. And not just my FTP usernames and passwords, but those for MySQL and other services as well. I had over a dozen domains on that server, which meant upwards of 30 passwords that needed to be changed along with the corresponding change within any PHP code that connected to a database.

This first email "recommended" changing the username and passwords, but subsequent emails escalated this until, in the end, the implication was "change your passwords or the company will change them for you", at which point all my sites would stop functioning.

Of course, I changed the passwords (with a lot of grumbling), as this was the only answer, given the problem. I also recognised the apology the company gave in the initial email, but it seemed extremely unfair that I should spend several hours making these changes at my own expense. I hardly expected Fasthosts to send me a cheque, but surely to goodness it could have added the following line to the initial email "...and in recognition of the inconvenience the breach of our security has caused you, we will not be charging this month's server hosting fees".

That's all it would have taken. I'd still have been unhappy about doing the work, but would at least know that Fasthosts recognised it was going to cost me money. It was the company's mess up, so it seems totally ludicrous that I should pay for it. Network security is a fundamental part of any server host's responsibility, and my faith in Fasthosts was severely shaken.

You won't be surprised to hear that I received not a single response to any of my emails to its support staff. Shame on you, Fasthosts: my year's contract expires in April, when I will be leaving you for another provider.

DediPower is one such. I won't pretend there haven't been occasional problems - it seems to have had particular trouble with the firewall - but it's always been responsive. The online support is excellent as, unusually, is the telephone support, and the firm even responds to support queries that aren't strictly speaking within the contract, for example relating to Linux. And DediPower doesn't know that I write for PC Pro, so the service I'm getting is the same service I'd expect anyone else to get. Clearly, DediPower isn't the only provider of stable, fast hardware with excellent support, but it's the first one I've found, so I'm passing my recommendation onto you.

Continued....