Typically, in a VPS environment, it would be a SAN. A big storage array plugged into the network that is essentially doing nothing but hosting a bunch of disk images. The client computers connect using iSCSI, which carries SCSI commands over IP. Once you get past the driver in the kernel, I believe that an iSCSI volume should appear identical to a regular SCSI volume.

There are advantages and disadvantages to such a setup. Usually, performance is a disadvantage. There's overhead routing everything over a network (even if you have dedicated NICs), and added latency. There is also typically more contention, since there are a larger number of users sharing the disks. But there are advantages when it comes to cost and expandability (it's easier to expand your SAN infrastructure and resize a virtual disk than it is to replace the drives in all the computers). It also enables live migrations, where a Xen virtual guest can be moved to a different physical host without being turned off; the live system is migrated to another computer with only a few milliseconds of downtime when the switchover itself is made.

Personally, I'd be in favour of a hybrid approach, where the primary storage is local, and affordable additional storage is available on a SAN, or even just storage linodes that use bigger cheaper slower disks with limited resources, intended just to act as a file server over the private network. But I'm already way off-topic here...

I'll just quickly state my opinion.
BTW, sorry about my previous thread.
Someone helped me on IRC last night get the situation cleared up.
I was primarily confused; believing that Caker was going to perhaps take out Linode's entire core fucntionality, so I apologize for that crazy thread, sorry for lashing out unattendingly at anyone.
But what I think that could be kind of cool would be to have folks who are good at managing Apache configurations or Nginx configurations for those who might quickly want a web server up and online.
Then as someone else suggested monitor those services.
Of course, for us experienced folks who like control to run our own server we can do what we want-with no monitoring.
I now understand that Linode won't be forcing this on anyone per say.
I do have one questiont aht I think Chris, or another member of Linode staff may be able to help me with though.
Does Caker here or anyone else working for Linode.com know if the managed service will increase the price point of Linode's current unmanaged services on a monthly cost?
The $19.95 is about all most of my blind firneds concidering a Linod ein it's unmanaged current form can aford, and I believe they're intending to sign up in June.
Just thought I'd ask if anyone officially from Linode.com itself could comment on that reqlly qquickly.
But I do like the idea Chris; keep up the good work please with your services as you always have, and I suppose for the less techncial, unmanaged would actually not be as bad as I primarily feared it omight be; since for one horrible thought I was thinking well..allkinds of crazy possibilities.
Thanks , and God Bless.

_________________
Regards, --Keith.
Primary Email:
keithint1234@gmail.com
Skype: skypedude1234
Twitter: @keithint1234
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/keith.hinton1

I'm late to this forum, and late jumping ship from Slicehost!

I can only speak for myself.

I love being able to manage my Linode. I have a background in graphic design, it's fun learning - and I like control of my web.

Things I would pay for are

- Security Updates. IP Tables.
- Ubuntu LTS upgrade, eg when apt-update no longer works for me.
- Fee for service when there is something clearly outside my realm. (eg Posfix routing, and funnelling bounces to my SaaS app!)

I prefer ad/hoc fee for service.

That said, I would be happy to pay a surcharge on my Linode monthly if it allowed for an ad/hoc service rate.

This is a good idea. The Rackspace model is failing as they want cloud dominance.

From what I can tell Linode remains highly focused.

Hello,

The first thing I would like to know it what kind of managed service are we talking about?

Do we need to have a control panel to have a managed service?
Will you give us managed service with a custom setup?

Managed service will give Linode an new niche that they can reach now and in a business perspective this is a goo move.

I would like to see something different like monitoring or custom intervention, but I don't mind having managed service as long has you just continue with the good service you provide.

Keith- since you missed it, pparadis verified on the first page csmith is a staff member. Lets read before we toss out accusations

And let's not be an idiot; he can't read, per his username he's blind. He uses a screen reader, and somethings he misses some stuff. Cut him some slack.

EDIT: Or learn to read yourself, since mnordhoff corrected Keith already last week.

Exactly. I had already received a correction, and at one point I did get around to noticing that he was a Linode staff member compared to what I thought previously.
Thanks.
Who wants to bet since Linode's birthday is coming up that maybe part of that will include the announcement of managed services in addition to what they offer?
I wonder if the self-managed plans that already exist will receive any upgrades this year?
Last year was RAM upgrades. Maybe this year diskspace?
Anyhow that's kind of geting off-topic, but that will be cool to see.

_________________
Regards, --Keith.

Primary Email:

keithint1234@gmail.com

Skype: skypedude1234

Twitter: @keithint1234

Facebook:

http://facebook.com/keith.hinton1

I think their should be two options

1. Fully-Managed
2. Semi-Managed

_________________
Anand Kumar,
Blog: http://www.netrival.com

I've got two different web servers hosted with y'all and need http monitored and server rebooted / issue troubleshooting done.

I'm currently planning to migrate way from linode but after seeing this thread I'm jumping for joy!

When are y'all going to offer a service / port monitoring service / auto reboot option? I'm ready right now and am wiling to pay!

Thanks

I don't understand what the auto-reboot option is...why is this different to Lassie?

Lassie reboots if your SERVER shuts down unexpectedly..

But what if you run apache? or SQL? and that service and or port becomes unresponsive? Many companies offer monitoring of these ports so if they go down the hosting company will reboot server and make repairs if the logs indicate an issue.

monit will reboot your daemon if you tell him to do.

I'lll give that a try.. once every month or two the servers (both of them) will "lock up" and http and ssh are all inaccessible, perhaps this will still work in an event like this.. worth a try, thank you for the tip! can't figure out why the lock ups take place. I can't find anything I can decipher in the logs (im no guru) but the IO does show large spikes during these events.

Would you mind explaining what your running specs wise on the Linode?
What plan, etc?
(Though I suggest private messaging me) sicne this isn't exactly on topic, but perhaps I can help?
I have never ever ran a Linode and had it ver "lock up" where http, ssh and so on become inaccessible.
Perhaps it might be a kernel related issue?
Feel free to message me directly here on the forum for help if you want.
I find that interesting.
If I can help just let me know.
And of course, if I can't, you always have Linode support and others as well!
Thanks.

_________________
Regards, --Keith.

Primary Email:

keithint1234@gmail.com

Skype: skypedude1234

Twitter: @keithint1234

Facebook:

http://facebook.com/keith.hinton1

Maybe that is the point, and there lies the opportunity for additional Linode services.