WordPress MU

Hi all,

My hosts (1and1) have come back to me to say that WPMU MUST be run on a virtual server rather than a shared server.

A poster here - http://mu.wordpress.org/forums/topic.php?id=10063 - suggests it's not adviseable, however, as a statement that is not a definitive or firm 'can't be done', or 'it's not possible.

So do we have or can we set a definitive answer to this point? Is it actually possible at all, or is it really a case that Mu always requires to be done on something more senior than a shared server?

Thanks

B.

Definitive answer? Not going to happen. I have just under a hundred mu installs on shared boxes that work fine but I have very good servers with very low client counts on each server. On the other hand, I do have a large 30k+ blog install and they're on a pair of those boxes.

Your host is telling you that they won't do it for whatever reason they have. To be honest, any answer you're going to get here is moot because of what your host has told you. Part of that reason may be legal instead of usage. I know other hosts require at the very least reseller accounts because, even if you're doing it for free, you're still giving out accounts and providing a service.

With a virtual server, you;re also going to have more access to the account which is always a plus.

If you plan on any growth what so ever, stay away from the shared accounts and start with at least a virtual server.

In other words, yes it's possible, but not advisable. Your host has every right to tell you to get an account with more resources.

or, find another host.

Thanks, both.

I don't want to NOT plan for growth, so will go with my own virtual server. And noting the other reasons listed, too.

In essence, then, the 'definitve' answer is that it is possible but generally/realistically unadvisable.

Steep learning curve, this, up from basic hardcoded sites to using all this gear for content management sites and shops.

Cheers,

B.

In essence, then, the 'definitve' answer is that it is possible but generally/realistically unadvisable.

Pretty much. I know my clients and I keep batting around moving our mu installs onto their own set of servers but that's more for duplication of effort over anything else. (I run a managed hosting company. We handle installs and upgrades for our clients.)

Steep learning curve

Pretty much. One of things we try to get across is this is server level software. It's not something like regular wordpress or gallery that is catered to the enduser. It's for running your own blogger.com or something along those lines. If you haven't read it yet, please read through the "Is Mu for me?" sticky at the top of the forums. Just so you know what you're getting yourself into. Some of us here have years of hosting experience in addition to wordpress experience.

You could try DreamHost.com who I'm using on a virtual shared server with 50 blogs I have on one install of MU.

They have unlimited bandwidth + storage so all you need to worry about is php memory usage.

If your resources start to consume too much php memory usage they allow on the fly increases to memory limits (via control panel) so you will never have any issues (but more memory will cost more!). I'm still on the default 90MB basic limit.

They allow wildcards on the DNS if you ask them (default account is set to no wildcards). This is all you need to change in order to run WPMU at Dream Host.

N.

They have "unlimited bandwidth and storage" until you start using it, then you are likely to find yourself "removed" from the shared server because you are affecting other users resources.

Just make sure you keep regular back-ups because if they shut you down you may find it difficult to get access to them again.

@cafespain. Thanks for the tip.

UPDATE ON DREAMHOST.COM:

THEY NO LONGER PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WORDPRESS MU AS THEY DON'T ALLOW WILDCARDS ANYMORE.

http://mu.wordpress.org/forums/topic/12501

N.

Further to this, (I got myself a Virtual Server and it's all going okay so far), but on a second, much smaller project for a friend of about 7 sites of a similar nature I'm looking at the idea of running a WPMU on a subFOLDERS basis on a shared server he has with 1and1. Any thoughts on whether this is a reasonably okay proposition?

Thanks,

B.

Make sure he checks 1&1's TOS. Some don't allow giving away free blog space.
Also check for usage restrictions. If he stays small, he might get away with it.

Thank you Andrea