Offsite Hosted Domains Available??

[AndyCan]

Does anyone know if anyone offers the following...

 

Basically a windows hosted domain that the server is stored offsite in a data centre. So basically all the same functionality of a usual Windows network domain but the hardware is not stored on site.

 

I'm looking to see if a company can basically say, 'here is your server and then let you add users into AD, install applications like anti-virus management consoles, basically have control of a server just like you would in your office but access it through the internet remotely.

[twin--turbo]

Finding server hosting is easy.

 

Finding one that comes with a site to site VPN is a lot more difficult, I was breifly looking at it for a customer but the cost and risk outweighed the benefit ( if there was any! )

 

Unless there is a stagering compelling reason to do it, I would avoid it.

 

Rob

[AndyCan]

i do want to avoid it but i've been told to do due diligence on it and basically provide some facts, figures and prices from someone who can provide to then present it to my boss. do you know of companies that do it and specifically what the name for the service is termed as so that i could google it a bit more successfully than i have been doing?

[twin--turbo]

rackspace may do it,

 

your looking for a hosted remote active directory domain. The big problem will be the project management costs will mount up and outweigh the cost of doin it properly in house.

 

You will need cast Iron SLA.

You will need proof of a cast iorn backup stratergy.

24/7 Support with 4 hr fix

1Gb Leased Line MPLS between the hoster and yourself , of 1Gb VPN link. ( With SLA)

If your using WDS/Alteris/Zenworks/other deployment sevice then your still goign to need onsite servers.

You will need access to the server ILO/Drac via seperate internet connection.

UPS

 

Etc Etc...

 

All you do is move the asset, increase the cost and degrade the manageability.

 

And... There are all the data protection policies you will need to review.

 

 

Total minefield which if you want it right will require lots of investment in time and legal services.

 

TT

[AndyCan]

i am fully aware that its a terrible idea. the problem is my boss wants to 'explore' it and doesnt want to just forget about it because i dont think its a good idea. he wants to get actual costs from companies that provide this kind of service and compare it side by side with my preferred and sane solution on host everything on site. He is worried about security as we are in a particularly rough area so i need to show him that its not financially viable among a host of other reasons

[twin--turbo]

Ok,

 

Look up hosted servers.

 

prepair an email

 

 

we need,

 

A Fully private switch network with remote management. Initialy with 2 Vlans with Layer 3 routing ability.

2 Vlans need creating, 1 for ILO/Drac traffic and one for normal network traffic. Connection to the ILO vlan should be via ADSL, connection to the network vlan should be by a vendor provided MPLS at 1Gb at the data centre and customer site.

 

 

1 Physical Windows 2K8r2 domain controler should be provided with ILO/Drac type facility

1 ESXi host should be provisioned with capacity for 4 Guest OS's, 1 Secondary DC to be provisioned. (ESXi to have ILO)

 

Storage server for XYZ GB to be provisioned.

 

Microsoft DPM to be provisoned for Near Line Disk storage

 

4hr fix SLA to be agreed.

 

UPS to be supplied to cover all equipment for 1hr, so in event of data center power failure all servers and comms equipment will stay up.

 

 

 

Continue to add/adapt this and once your happy.. Ask the boss to check the requirement (be prepaird to explain it) then compy him into the email you send to prospective bidders.

 

You will get a lot of pushy hosters trying to fob off low quality service.

 

The cost of the 1Gb MPLS/VPN is going to eat hugh chunks of budget.

 

 

 

Build a concaret serve room.

 

Rob

[AndyCan]

thats brilliant thanks! just 1 question, where are you picking the 1gb line from? we are a business with 35 employees but all our work is through offsite hosted systems through acessed through a browser. It just he will ask why do we need a 1gb line when we have a 50 mb line currently?

[twin--turbo]

Was assuming you were a EDU of some sort,

 

You need to assess you bandwidth need and size appropriately.

 

Rob

[twin--turbo]

Let me put it another way.

 

I/we

 

could put equipment in our rackspace in TelehouseNorth in London to do this ( Ok THN is a bit more expensive so we would use our regional DC) ..

 

We could do what you need, we could take your money.

 

 

But for us to meet at a reasonable SLA and to provide what I/we would be happy with would be a huge cost that makes no sense..

 

Rob