Setting up a Windows 2008 Server. Colocation or Rental?

Question

I am what you'd call a "complete noob" when it comes to setting up a web server, and I need some advice.

I am creating a database-driven website using ASP.Net MVC, and I am trying to figure out the most cost-effective and practical means to deploy the website when it's ready. I have four Mac Minis with Intel Core Duos on which I can install Windows Server 2008, and there exists a 2U rack tray that can house 4 Mac Minis. I figure that it might be both cost-effective and educational to create my own server cluster and use a colocation center rather than rent a shared or dedicated server. Is this a good idea or are there complicating factors I'm not considering? Would I need to provide additional hardware to the colocation center, like a switch to link the servers together and rack space for the power bricks?

Answer 1

Here's the downside of colocation: when the servers go down, it's your responsibility. If that's OK, you can probably save money by doing that. But if uptime is important, it may be worth the extra expense to have staff take care of server problems for you.

Answer 2

Chances are you would have to run these minis as failover units. If so, I would question whether it was enough hardware to accomplish what you want.

I am in a similar situation at OP. I plan on renting dedicated hardware so I don't have to fix it -- it also should makes taxes easier.

You know about Biz Spark right?