Rackspace provides three types of cloud servers: open, private, and hybrid cloud. The choice of services you get with cloud servers is just stunning. They have decent hardware, 15+ operation systems, image backups, Raid 10, impressive scalability, and many other services.
Their Open Cloud lets you install and work with various types of web applications: e-commerce sites, mobile apps, rich media sites, SaaS, Enterprise applications, SharePoint deployments, and a lot more. The management of your web app will be simple since Rackspace provides you with a convenient control panel.
Uptime & Reliability
100% Uptime and 100% Comfort
The SLAs offered by Rackspace give you a commitment of 100% uptime and severe control of data center infrastructure. The analysis provided by specialized websites shows that the homepage of Rackspace has been 99.99% online since 2005. That number is not just amazing, it’s almost impossible! With these scores, you can believe the uptime guarantee at Rackspace.
In order to ensure stable server work and perfect uptime, Rackspace has many important services, starting with solid RAID 10 hard disks and ending with server image backups. If you are searching for top-level solutions with the ability to create isolated networks, then this is the service for you. This web host places no restrictions on them, so you’ll get an abundance of new opportunities (such as server clustering).
Features
Nice Racks With Many Extra Features
Rackspace provides great hardware if you have an advanced plan. You get an extremely flexible system allowing you to get as many relevant servers as you need.
The stuffing of some basic offers, however, is not as good. The cheapest plan includes only 512MB RAM, 20GB disk space and 1 vCPU (though the price is also low – the maximum of $16/mo). Also, it’s not quite clear which processors are used in Rackspace servers.
Still, small disadvantages of this cloud host are easily leveled by numerous additional features you get: new API, 15+ operation systems, improved geography adjustments, RAID 10, isolated networking, and a lot more. It is also possible to extend some important options by purchasing Rackspace’s additional services Cloud Files, Cloud Databases, Cloud DNS, etc.
If you’re not hosting professionals, this web host offers you a nice Managed Cloud service. It will cost you additional $100 monthly. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to do your own fine-tuning or have your hands free.
Along with Open Cloud solutions, Rackspace also offers Private and Hybrid Clouds. These services will give you even more possibilities, as these clouds are developed specifically for you. Still, Private and Hybrid solutions will require bigger investments.
Feature | Description |
---|
Disk Space | Different plans have 20 to 1200GB per server. And all hard disks are protected by RAID 10. |
CPU | Grab from 1 to 8 vCPUs depending on the package you choose. |
Public Bandwidth | Send and get cloud files at 20-300Mbps. |
Internal Bandwidth | The internal transfer speed varies between 40Mbps in the cheapest plan to 600Mbps in the most expensive one. |
RAM | Different plans have 512MB-30GB RAM, which is a really good choice. |
Control Panel | They provide you with their own control panel – it’s easy to use, gives you lots of convenient tools, and has nice design. |
Operation System | A total of 16 options including Linux, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012 systems. Definitely, this is one of the best offers on the market. |
Mobile App | If you have an iOS, Android or Windows Phone device, install Rackspace app to manage your servers remotely. |
Support
Dedicated Support for Every Cloud
Rackspace does their best to provide top-notch support to every client. The support teams work 24/7/365 and is accessible via phone, live chat and phone numbers. They also promise an immediate response to emergency support tickets. However, there are multiple complaints registered in user forums about the inconsistency of helpfulness and knowledge from customer support.
If you want to discover the world of cloud hosting, check the extensive knowledge center at Rackspace – it contains loads of helpful articles and several exciting videos. You will also like the Open Cloud Community designed that will keep you in touch with many other people like you.
24x7x365 live chat, phone and email- Huge knowledgebase
- Open Cloud community
- Few tutorial videos
- No free phone number
Pricing
Fair Use-Based Fees
Rackspace uses one of the best pricing systems: you only pay for the time you spent on the virtual server management. If you think that their hourly prices are high, the truth is that they are above average— but that’s the price you pay for extra-class service.
They take into account the hardware and operation system you need and provide you with a reasonable per-hour price. Remember that the prices stated in the table are for only one server, so don’t forget to multiply them by the number of servers you need.
Rackspace has almost 30 cloud hosting plans, so in this table I will only show some of their middle plans – both managed and unmanaged. For full information about Rackspace cloud pricing please visit the Rackspace website.
User Friendly
Extra-Class Control Panel
The website of Rackspace comes across as messy because they provide a wide array of services. It takes you some time to navigate through and understand all of the features that will be included into your cloud server package.
Be aware that if you want to make a purchase, you have to sign-up first—which means you may get bombarded with future unwanted promotional emails.
The updside is that the control panel designed by Rackspace specialists puts unbelievable power into your hands. For instance, it will take you just a couple of minutes to spin up servers as well as to take them down, which is great if you need to make some serious improvements. You pay only for what you use, so with their control panel you can take the maximum advantage of open cloud.
As a smart bonus, you’ll get a mobile app for iOS, Android, or Windows Phone, which allows you to complete important management tasks wherever you’re connected. The easy-to-use server calculator helps you count the resources that you need for stable project performance.
+ Smart server management
+ Customized control panel
+ Mobile app
+ Servers calculator
– Messy site
– Promotional emails
Summary
Rackspace provides extra-high security, stable performance and use-based pricing with disadvantages like complicated website navigation and high prices.
Pros
- 100% uptime SLAs
- Tier-1 network
- RAID 10
- Dedicated non-stop support
- Fast and intuitive control panel
Cons
- Prices above average
- No hardware details
- Complicated website navigation
- Poor upload speeds
- More training and education needed in customer support