Uh Hosting review

General Impression

UH Hosting was launched in May 2002 by James Smith, with the intention of specialising in UK based Windows Web Hosting. Shortly after the launch, we were able to launch other services, shell hosting and then Linux Shared Web Hosting.

In November 2003 UH Hosting became UH Hosting Ltd and VAT registered. By this time we were able to provide Unix Reseller Hosting, Co-location and Dedicated Servers. All the time we are expanding our client base and our target audience along with improving existing services to better suit changing client needs.

In November 2005 UH Hosting Ltd was acquired by Open Hosting Ltd. In an increasingly competitive market, the sale of the business provides improved service to clients and better position the business for growth.

In March 2009, Open Hosting Ltd, the parent company of UH Hosting Ltd, opened a datacentre in Stretford, Manchester. The majority of UH Hosting's equipment is moved from London to utilise the new facility in Manchester.

In June 2009, in a rebranding exercise, Open Hosting Ltd changed its company name to M247 Ltd.
In September 2009, due to accounting consolidation and rebranding, UH Hosting becomes a brand of M247 Ltd.

The future for UH Hosting and M247 Ltd is bright, there is a strong management team in place ready and able to provide individuals and businesses hosting solutions.

Web Servers
The servers running all services on our Web Hosting platform are purpose-built, rack-mounted SuperMicro servers with either 1 or 2 Intel Xeon 3.0Ghz Processors or Dual Dual Core AMD Opterons, atleast 2GB of RAM and 2 SATA Hard Drives in a redundant RAID configuration. All Web Hosting servers are uplinked to our network twice at 100Mbps FDX; once to the external and once to our separate private internal VLAN which is completely segregated from the external network.

Backup Locations
Secondary DNS name-server, mail handling (MX) and backup data storage is located in our Amsterdam facility. We also connect to Level3 (2x 1Gbps), GlobalCrossing (1Gbps) and Teleglobe (1Gbps) and Cogent Communications in Amsterdam, NL. In Amsterdam, we have 1gbps of connectivity back to our primary site in London, UK.

Why host with UH Hosting?
Because we believe a web presence doesn't have to be expensive. We provide web services for less and still have phone support, still have high uptime, still have a stable network and still care about the clients.

Data Center

Since monitoring began 18 months ago, we have maintained 100% availablilty to our core network. This has mainly been due to the careful selection of upstream carriers, peering connections and investment of the equivalent of nearly thalf a million dollars in the very best core networking appliances avaiable.

Network Hardware

Core routing is performed by Cisco GSR 12000 series routers, configured in a fully redudent manner with dual power supplies, dual GRP-B route processors and atleast 2 gigabit ethernet interface modules. Also configured in full redundency mode, our multiple inferno-series Extreme BlackDiamond 6800 core switches sub-distribute 2x 1Gbps feeds to the switches in each of our 35 secure 47u Knurr server cabinets where all servers connect at 100Mbps Full Duplex. Core applications such as Database and Backup services are connected to the network at 1Gbps. The average list price of each appliance of which our core switching and routing infrastructure comprises of is $85,000.

Our shared hosting infrastructure is protected by multiple Cisco PIX 515e firewall appliances, which offer the most comprehensive security capabilities available in the industry.

External Connectivity
We are full members of the London Internet Exchange (LINX), over which 90% of our UK traffic is distributed. Our membership to LINX results in next-hop connectivity to the majority of UK ISPs and a significant number of international providers. Our connection to LINX operates over 1Gbps fibre, with an additional 100mpbs connection to the connect to the few members only present LINX '224 peering lan'.

All external carrier and peering connections operate at a minimum of 1,000Mbps. Our primary global connectivity is provided by Level3 (2x 1Gbps), GlobalCrossing (1Gbps) and Teleglobe (1Gbps) , with a further back-up connection to Cogent Communications (1Gbps). Partial routing tables are also accepted from EntaNet and EuroConnex; connections to both of which operate at 1Gbps. We provide an uncontended service and always maintain atleast 4Gbps of spare capacity in order to maintain a high quality of service during peak usage times.