When is it time for a dedicated server?

I'm just wondering when you think it's time to move from a shared host to a dedicated server. Is there a particular point in the running of your website/forum when you should make the switch? E.g Amount of users/traffic/bandwidth etc.

Talkfreelance has a huge database (our adrotator is 500mbs!) and the board is approaching around 50mbs now, I think. I spoke with a representitive from site5 and they said a shared plan should be fine until we have around 50 members online at anyone time.

Just wanted some input from any hosts here, do you think there is a particular point in a websites life when you need to make the switch? Or does it vary from site to site.

I think it the Site5 rep is about correct. A dedicated server will help mainly if there are many users on the site at once. The only other reason to move is if you have a bandwidth problem as most shared accounts have more than enough space for a large site.

1. when your host starts bitching
2. when you begin to see issues in peformance thus effecting the comunity.

1.) when you want to setup new sites within 2 mins.
2.) if you have plans for more and bigger sites.
3.) you want more control over the software and security
4.) You dont feel secure with anyone else(me).

Originally Posted by Adam 1. when your host starts bitching 2. when you begin to see issues in peformance thus effecting the comunity.

That pretty much sums it up.

Issue 2; when you begin to see issues in peformance thus effecting the comunity. Sums it up.

Your database of forums and ads is fairly small. If you need more bandwidth than your host can supply or if you see performance hits, then and only then do you need to switch.

I don't think a database that is 500mbs is "fairly small" that's very large for a mysql database, infact site5 have restrictions at 200mbs on their databases.

the reason the adroatator is so large the images are stored in the database. it would be alot less resource intensive imho if they where stored in the filesystem and not in the database.

but 500mb for a db is pretty large. vbull database i have, with 5 extra tables with little content is 3.6mb at the moment

the reason the adroatator is so large the images are stored in the database. it would be alot less resource intensive imho if they where stored in the filesystem and not in the database.

The reason the adrotator is large was because it was logging every impression served in a table, this was 470mbs. I have emptied that table now and it's only about 270kb

Originally Posted by Robson The reason the adrotator is large was because it was logging every impression served in a table, this was 470mbs. I have emptied that table now and it's only about 270kb

See . A lot of unneccessary extras can be shaved off with a database. Mine currently spans well over 400MB. With the forthcoming release of several features it'll be interesting to see how it increases.

But when you consider such forums as [h]ardOCP and GenMayhem have your amount of threads/members 100x over then the size of your forums are very small.