VPS Hosting FAQ - Virtual Private Server FAQ's

1. What are my obligations when I sign up?
2. Do you accept any other types of payment than credit cards ?
3. What happens if I use all my bandwidth, storage, or IP addresses? Can I get more?
4. Are there any charges associated with adding a domain, domain parking?
5. When will I be billed, and what does my billing period cover?
6. Do you have any prepayment options?
7. Do you offer a less expensive VPS than the Starter VPS?
8. How long should I expect my VPS setup to take?
9. Why do I need to supply a sub domain as my primary domain and why can't I use www.mydomain.com?
10. What does Managed Services mean?
11. Do eBiz Hosting's Managed Services cover software installations such as Zend, Ioncube, MySQL, Python, etc, or will we need to do this ourselves?
12. How much server management can we expect from eBiz Hosting?
13. If I put anything into the 'Special Setup Specifications' field on your sign-up form, will you do it for me?
14. Is it OK to run Tomcat on my VPS?
15. What is a VPS?
16. Can I compile my own Kernel on your VPS plans?
17. What is Virtuoso Power Panel?
18. I am currently hosted on a virtual/reseller package running cPanel. Is the cPanel/WHM you offer for VPS the same one I am currently using?
19. Can we set up our own nameservers? If so, are there any charges associated with this?
20. If I need help setting up my nameservers or any other aspect of my account, where else can I turn?
21. Do I have to use a shared MySQL server or will we have our own MySQL server on our VPS?
22. Is there anything I can't install on the VPS?
23. Can I use your name servers instead of running my own?
24. Will you back up my files?
25. Does this mean that I do not need to back up my own files?
26. What do you mean by 'burst RAM'?
27. On the VPS servers, why doesn't burst RAM equal guaranteed RAM?
28. Can we pay you extra to manage our control panel, run our nameservice and in general be our website administrator?
29. Will we always be upgraded to the latest cPanel/WHM version?
30. When cPanel supported software fails, do you proactively fix it or do we have to fix it ourselves?
31. Can you transfer my account to a eBiz Hosting VPS server?
32. What type of content am I allowed to place on the VPS?
33. What is your policy regarding server loads? Will you move VPS accounts to different servers if the original servers become overloaded? What server loads do you consider to be acceptable?
34. How many clients will you put on the same VPS server?
35. Can I resell web space on your VPS package?
36. Does the server come with dedicated IP's for each site added, and if so, how many?
37. How many IPs can I get on my VPS?
38. Can I host as many accounts as I want on my VPS?
39. Will we be able to easily upgrade to a larger VPS package at a later date?

What are my obligations when I sign up?

When you sign up for service, you agree to our Acceptable Use Policies and standard Terms of Service, found here: Acceptable Use Policy You also agree to a short Contract Term, which is written as follows:
"I understand that I am entering into a 'Month to Month' agreement, and will provide 30 days advance written notice should I elect to cancel my server contract."

Do you accept any other types of payment than credit cards?

We prefer the use of credit cards to handle activation, as it allows you to go online quickly. We also accept wire transfers, money transfers, and checks. Please note that there may be additional fees for wire transfer payments, and there will be a waiting period for payment via check until the check clears. We also accept PayPal as payment. from verified Paypal Members

What happens if I use all my bandwidth, storage, or IP addresses? Can I get more?

Fees for these upgrades are as follows: $2/month per 1 GB of additional bandwidth, $5/month per additional 1 GB of storage, and $2/month per IP address.

Are there any charges associated with adding a domain, domain parking?

As a VPS Server is effectively a Dedicated Server, you can add as many domains as you wish. You can park as many domains as you care to, and neither will cost you any additional fees.

When will I be billed, and what does my billing period cover?

Billing for our VPS Services all run from the beginning of the month through the end of the month. Since you pay your first bill in full when signing up, your second bill will be prorated so that you are not billed before your account is up. Invoices go out around the 25th of each month for the following month.

Do you have any prepayment options?

In addition to being able to select a month-to-month payment method on our VPS Order Form, you will also have the option of signing up for a 3-month, or annual prepayment. We offer a 5% discount on the entire contract value of service to individuals who prepay for 3 months, and 10% for customers who prepay for a year.

There are no prepayment discounts for add-ons such as licensing of third-party software, IPs, bandwidth overages or SSL certificates.

Do you offer a less expensive VPS than the Starter VPS?

The Starter VPS at $89/month is indeed our least-expensive VPS offering. We're well aware that some of our competitors have less expensive VPS products, but we are confident that our value justifies our pricing.

After well over a decade in business, we understand what it takes to provide great service, and feel strongly that dropping our prices would sacrifice one of quality, performance, or managed services at the very least. This is something we are unwilling to do.

How long should I expect my VPS setup to take?

VPS setups happen within 24 - 36 hours of sign-up, assuming payment is properly processed. During the normal Monday-Friday workday (9-5 EST) most VPS set-ups happen within just a 12 hours. Unlike our support departments, which never close, our order processing department, as well as our sales and billing offices, do maintain regular business office hours. Outside of normal business hours we only process setups a couple of times a day . No matter when you sign up, we are able to get you online quickly.

Why do I need to supply a sub domain as my primary domain and why can't I use www.mydomain.com?

The Control Panels used by eBiz Hosting require that a sub domain be used as the primary account name. This sub domain is used to register the Control Panel, and alternately as one way for eBiz Hosting to uniquely identify each server. cPanel in particular has documented problems when users utilize 'www' as a third level domain. Therefore, we strongly recommend alternate sub domains, such as vps.mydomain.com, server.mydomain.com, or any third level domain other than www.mydomain.com.

What does Managed Services mean?

Managed Services mean that we accept complete responsibility for everything installed and delivered with your VPS. We maintain responsibility for the integrity of your data, including free restores if you experience even a full data loss of your VPS. We can also patch and upgrade the OS, as well as primary applications such as Apache, PHP, and MySQL when necessary. We answer lots of questions, and try to help in every way.

We make sure that what you were provided works, and stays working. When it comes to what you do with it afterwards, we will do our very best to help you out if you run into trouble. We simply cannot guarantee support for third party scripts and applications added to a server. There are thousands of 3rd party applications, and when they are added, it introduces millions of variables and millions of possible issues associated with those variables. Not all of these are foreseeable or easy to fix, nor are they necessarily fixable at all.

While we support all standard server applications, we are unable to support every 3rd party application that exists. Committing to install, support, patch, upgrade, and fix everything from A to Z, including many things we have never seen or heard of, and many things that just simply may not work, is not realistic. Though we have to draw the line somewhere - when we do, we still do our best to point you in the right direction. We will never leave you hanging without anywhere to turn.

Do eBiz Hosting's Managed Services cover software installations such as Zend, Ioncube, MySQL, Python, etc, or will we need to do this ourselves?

We cover some basic software installations, and cPanel, gives you the ability to select and deselect software easily on your own. Typically, basic Linux knowledge and a willingness to learn is all that is required in order to install most software on your own. Our Network Operations Center will be happy to help you install whatever software you need, but please note that we cannot support all 3rd party software that exists.

How much server management can we expect from eBiz Hosting?

You can expect a reasonable level of server management, but we are not a replacement for your need to be involved. Our Managed Services do not keep you from having to work by day, they just let you sleep at night. We do not configure cPanel, we don't define your packages or install skins and themes. You still need to operate your business, but we will keep it running.

If I put complete the 'Special Setup Instructions' field on your sign-up form, will you do it for me?

Special setup requests are subject to approval and may cause slight delay in processing. Please be as specific as possible with your requests. If you need us to install particular software for you, we will try our best to help, however we cannot guarantee that every type of third-party software will work. Be sure to include a link to the relevant software along with a list of installation instructions

Is it OK to run Tomcat on my VPS?

You can have us install Tomcat on a eBiz Hosting VPS, and it should operate correctly as long as you have the resources of at least the advanced package. the Starter VPS does not have the available resources to run Tomcat. Please be warned that Tomcat is Java based, and Java tends to take up all available RAM and CPU resources and in almost any virtual environment, potentially making your VPS quite slow. While we do not recommend running TomCat, it is your decision, and our Advanced and Professional VPS Packages will let you use Tomcat if you so choose.

What is a VPS?

A Virtual Private Server is one of several isolated server environments that happen to exist within a large and powerful physical server. With a VPS, you get your own secure hosting environment, complete with root access, and the ability to install and configure whatever you desire within your environment. Although there is more than one virtual server on each machine, there is no way for other users to see your VPS or even know that you are there.

Can I compile my own Kernel on your VPS plans?

No. We use Virtuozzo for hosting our VPS product. Virtuoso's technology relies on a highly-tuned, vendor-supplied, customized kernel to provide vitalization services to each account. As such, each account is not running its own kernel, but seeing a visualized environment provided by the kernel of the VPS host server.

What is Virtuoso Power Panel?

Virtuoso is the technology on which the eBiz Hosting VPS is built. Every eBiz Hosting VPS client will have access to Virtuoso Power Panel, which provides the user with certain self-administration tools such as the ability to reboot the VPS on command. The Virtuoso Power Panel is an addition to, and not a substitution for any Control Panel you may choose to use.

I am currently hosted on a virtual/reseller package running cPanel. Is the cPanel/WHM you offer for VPS the same one I am currently using?

Because this is a dedicated server product and not a virtual/reseller product, there are some things to keep in mind. If you're using cPanel/WHM, you'll need to do things you wouldn't normally have to do in a reseller package, such as configure the name servers in WHM. We can certainly help, but if you have not worked with a full version of cPanel/WHM before, be prepared for a learning curve, and certainly allow yourself several days to get familiar with the functionality, and get yourself set to move in.

Many people who use reseller accounts are switching to our VPS, with an expectation that it will be the exact same environment, but it is not. On the VPS, you have a great deal more freedom and power, but with power comes responsibility. eBiz Hosting's support staff can work with customers to answer many questions,but you are still responsible for deciding what you do within cPanel/WHM, and this takes a certain amount of experience and understanding of the server environment as well as your individual needs.

Can we set up our own name servers? If so, are there any charges associated with this?

All VPS are dedicated products, unlike a reseller account. You have root access to your server, you have full administrative access (and responsibilities) to the control panel, and all the advantages those two capabilities bring. You are able to do with your server what you would like, including setting up your own name servers Our Support Staff are able to help you with the basic initial setup of your name servers if you don't know how. If you prefer to do it on your own, we can still help you as much as possible and try to make it easy for you. You are still responsible for what you do with your server and how you ultimately configure it. We are, however, always there to help.

If you're using the cPanel control panel, you will need to run your own name servers, which you will be able to configure in WHM. We can certainly help you get them set up if needed. The important thing to note is that if you have not worked with a full version of your chosen control panel before, be prepared for a learning curve.

Is there anything I can't install on the VPS?

We obviously cannot promise that every piece of known software will work on a VPS. However, you may attempt to install any piece of software as long as it is compatible and allowed by our AUP. Please note that it is not possible to install applications that require kernel modifications in order to operate.

Can I use your name servers instead of running my own?

We ask that customers run their own DNS, as it tends to make cPanel perform better.

Will you back up my files?

Your files will be backed up automatically. This will be done daily, and is completely free of charge. You are welcome to request account or individual file restoration from a previous backup at any time, this is also free of charge.

Does this mean that I do not need to back up my own files?

No. We have complete confidence in our robust and reliable backup system. Nonetheless, we always recommend that customers take additional steps to periodically back up their files locally on their own machines.

What do you mean by 'burst RAM'?

Bursting means that while you are always guaranteed a certain amount of system resources, far more is available on each box than simply these guarantees. Hence, should you require your loads to spike higher than your guarantees, as long as the resources are available on the box at that time, you can use them, up to your 'burst' level. We are constantly monitoring the loads of each server to make sure that nothing is oversold, and that customers always have their guaranteed resources.

We make sure that an ample amount of burst resources are always available on each host machine. Your burst allotment is not the same thing as your resource guarantee. You cannot count on constant, sustained utilization of your burst resources. If your VPS constantly requires greater resources than your package guarantees, we can work with you to quickly upgrade you to a package with greater guaranteed resources.

On the VPS servers, why doesn't burst RAM equal guaranteed RAM?

Because like any Dedicated Server, the system requires resources to operate. These administrative resources used by the system and by Virtuoso will be able to be used by you as burst resources when they are available.

Can we pay you extra to manage our control panel, run our name service and in general be our website administrator?

In general, if you need our help, we will do what we can. If you need something done on the control panel, we will be happy to help, and if you need us to place entries in your nameserver, we can do that as well.

Of course, there are limits to what we are able to do, but we are sure you do not expect or want us to run your entire business. We're always there to help, but at the same time we are an extension and enhancement of your knowledge and understanding of your site, we are not a replacement of it. There will be some things you will want to have control of yourself, and for those things, you will need to read the manuals and docs, familiarize yourself with your control panel if you chose one, work with it, setup the reseller accounts, define packages, and get yourself going.

Will we always be upgraded to the latest cPanel/WHM version?

We do not automatically upgrade you except in the rare circumstance when a patch simply will not do, and an upgrade is necessary from a security perspective. However, you will have the ability to upgrade yourself at any time. Our base installations are done off of the STABLE cPanel tree. With the VPS, we "template" much of the OS and cPanel to reduce your disk space overhead. It is within your power to switch to another tree, such as the more progressive RELEASE tree.

When cPanel supported software fails, do you proactively fix it or do we have to fix it ourselves?

We monitor your server, and can monitor services on the server as well. By default we monitor the server (ICMP) and the Apache web server (HTTP) to make sure that both are properly functioning at all times. You can request for us to monitor additional services such as HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP, NNTP, DNS, and there is no extra cost for this. When we see something break that we are monitoring, we login and fix it. Because cPanel technicians know their software best, we occasionally do turn to cPanel technicians for assistance in resolving problems that we are unable to.

What type of content am I allowed to place on the VPS?

We allow legal content. You're not allowed to send SPAM or host any content that would be illegal in the U.S. You may not run IRC BOTs or utilize any network unfriendly devices commonly used to attack other network users. Your network activity must fall within the scope of our Acceptable Use Policies:

What is your policy regarding server loads? Will you move VPS accounts to different servers if the original servers become overloaded? What server loads do you consider to be acceptable?

Moving VPS accounts is quick, painless, and easy. We balance customers between servers, moving as necessary, to ensure the best user experience possible. We've been in business for well over a decade, and it isn't worth our reputation to try to squeeze a few extra customers onto one server.

How many clients will you put on the same VPS server?

For our VPS Packages, we aren't setting a number for how many VPS's will go on a single server. This is for the protection of our customers. We feel that if we set a number per server" that may turn out to be too large a number on one machine, and too small a number on another. Rather than choosing a number, we rely upon the educated engineering decisions made by our Team designed to give everyone the same top-notch experience.

If there are a bunch of power-users on the machine using system resources, there will be few users on that machine. If nobody is doing anything at all, there will be more. We are fully prepared to remove VPS accounts from a busy box and place them on a new or idle box. Because we can move a VPS from one server to another in minutes, with only a brief downtime to the customer, our team can keep the loads under control so the end-user experience is always optimal. Our goal is very very long-term here, and the only way we can reach our goal is with 100% happy customers.

Can I resell web space on your VPS package?

Yes! You can certainly resell space with the VPS. In fact, many of our new customers are resellers, typically moving from a reseller package on someone else's dedicated server. Do keep in mind that if you are used to using a control panel, such as cPanel/WHM or Plesk in a reseller environment, you will have a few extra things to configure. This is because our VPS is just like a physical dedicated server.

Does the server come with dedicated IPs for each site added, and if so, how many?

The product comes with 4 IPs. If you're using cPanel, for example, this gives you a primary IP, 2 nameserver IPs, and another IP you can use to setup your virtual hosts. Alternately, you can set your host IP, their primary DNS server, and your shared hosting IP to be the same, your 2nd DNS server as the 2nd IP, and have 2 free.

We suggest you do name-based virtual hosting, which allows you to use one IP for many domains. There's no quality advantage to using multiple IPs, and it makes administration easier. However, should you require more IPs, extra IPs are available for $2/month each.

Can I host as many accounts as I want on my VPS?

The short answer is yes, but the long answer is a bit more complex. If you choose to use a control panel, you will be granted an unlimited software license and can set up as many accounts as you wish. However, that does not mean that every package has the physical resources capable of hosting infinite accounts. We grant you enough resources to set up an ample number of accounts at each package level, but you will find that once you reach a certain level, you will require more resources in order to add further accounts. The types of resources you need will depend on the types of sites you are hosting, and the individual resource requirements of those sites. Because of this, it is difficult to arrive at a specific number of sites you can expect to host. That being said, if an upgrade is ever required, we make the process quick and easy.

Will we be able to easily upgrade to a larger VPS package at a later date?

Upgrading requires no effort on your part. We can retain your IP numbers and it won't actually cost anything except the change in the package price beginning the day of the upgrade.