Buying a server for domain drop catching

Matthew Bent · May 15, 2015

Hi,

I am new to domain drop catching. I need a server to run a domain drop catching script.

What server should I buy...? What criteria are required? Can someone please provide a few links to decent servers and (briefly) explain why they are suitable for the job?

Thanks,

Matt.

monaghan · May 15, 2015

Buying a server or renting?

Buying your own will also require renting of datacenter space and network connectivity and require you to manage both the hardware and software elements. Renting will only require you to manage the software (although you could go for a managed option if you have no server management skills)

As for server spec, speak to the script author for guidance as we've got no idea what the script requires! No point in someone suggesting the nice Windows 2012R2 server they use if your script requires Linux!

Adam H · May 15, 2015

What what i understand its best to find a host which is close to nominets datacentres , going by some of the pings timings being posted yesterday my 2.25ms ping is horrible from Leeds and Reading.

I could be wrong through, im considering starting drop catching myself but in two minds whether i would do it enough to make it worth while after initial expenses.

monaghan · May 15, 2015

Network response times are 1 part of the picture. Remember that network topology does not necessarily follow geography and 1 provider may go Leeds to Reading via London, another may go via Manchester, another may go direct.

If you are writing your own system, then understanding of low level network programming is essential as is database/file IO

Remember that you are competing with people like domainlore and dropsystem and countless private individuals who've been doing it for years, so not an easy target, although a very nice programming challenge if you feel up to it. Getting the "not registered" response is the easy part, it's getting the EPP Create 1st across the line that gets the prize and there's no silver medal in this race

RobM · May 15, 2015

First past the post is not necessarily a guarantee of a catch either

A few times I've had response available - sent out requests and had the second or third request accepted.

monaghan · May 15, 2015

RobM said:
First past the post is not necessarily a guarantee of a catch either

There are "funnies", but generally it's the quickest to the line who wins, but of course, you really need to build the code and evaluate the results your code is showing to know how your particular solution is working and then followed (hopefully) by a successful registration of the domain you were after.

Matthew Bent · May 16, 2015

Does anyone have any idea what you get for your money with servers?

£400 server a lot slower than a £1500 server?? Is that right?

monaghan · May 16, 2015

matthewonline said:
Does anyone have any idea what you get for your money with servers?

£400 server a lot slower than a £1500 server?? Is that right?

Until you define what you want to do with it, how can anyone help you? A high spec server for web hosting or databases will have different requirements than a server for file sharing or running heavy CPU based work. So to answer your question, a £400 server may be faster than the £1500 depending on the workload you choose to put through it. Do you need a fast disk subsystem if you are mainly doing network IO? What other workload do you have planned for the server?

You've still not answered my original question of whether you are purchasing and renting DC space or wanting to rent a complete package.

Do you have the skills to manage an Internet connected server? You seem to be asking a lot of quite basic questions, so on this basis, perhaps you need to do a bit more homework so you can ensure you don't get duff answers and spend a lot of money on the wrong thing.

Speak to whoever is writing / supplying your catch script and see what they suggest is needed to run it on and then start to look for suitable hardware.