RackAlley Introduction

Rack Alley, located in West Los Angeles, was founded in 2011 and provides hosting and colocation services designed to suit the needs of hosting companies, high-traffic websites, and web applications with intense resource requirements.

Services and Specializations

There are different hosting categories are available:

• Cloud hosting;
• Dedicate servers;
• Colocation space.

Cloud hosting customers select from a wide range of operating systems such as CentOS, CloudLinux, Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, several other Linux flavors, and a range of Windows 2008 and 2012 operating systems. Accounts are sized based on CPU, RAM, disk space, and monthly transfer bandwidth allocations. All cloud hosting accounts include one dedicated IPv4 address. Optional add-on services include off-server backups and additional dedicated IP addresses.

Dedicated servers are also available. Operating system options include any flavor of Linux and a variety of Windows 2008 and 2012 options. Dedicated server accounts vary based on the CPU, RAM, and hard drive installed in the server, and network bandwidth allocated to the account.

All dedicated server customers have root access to a Dell or HP server without restrictions, and are provided with one dedicated IPv4 address. Optional add-ons include off-server backups, hardware firewalls, additional IP addresses, and DirectAdmin control panel for customers who wish to use their dedicated server(s) to run a hosting company.

Colocation services, including shared partial cabinets and complete private cabinets, are available for lease. Power supplies vary from 1 to 20 amps with between 5 to 29 IPv4 addresses, depending on the space selected. Each colocation cabinet communicates over a 100 MB network uplink and each slot is allocated 20 Mbps bandwidth speed.

Additional services available from Rack Alley include:

• Cross connects: Select from 300 network providers and carriers and connect directly from your server to the network provider of your choice.
• Server management: Use Rack Alley to manage your dedicated server or colocated equipment.
• Microsoft hosted exchange: Enterprise email service fully managed by Windows Admins.
• Networking and security: Hardware firewalls, load balancers, virtual private networks, server backups, and disaster recovery assistance.
• Domain name registration.

Finally, while shared hosting is not advertised on Rack Alley’s website, it can be selected from the shopping cart portion of the site. Two levels of shared hosting are offered. The entry level account is suitable for hosting one website and the upgraded shared hosting account is suitable for hosting up to 10 websites.

Infrastructure

Rack Alley’s servers and colocation space are located in Coresite’s worldclass iconic data center located as One Wilshire in downtown Los Angeles. The data center is a Tier III facility, SSAE 16 Type II compliant, staffed 24/7, and secured with manned security and biometric scanners. Rack Alley maintains technical staff onsite 24/7 to handle remote-hands requests and technical issues round-the-clock.

Support and Customer Service

Technical support is available 24/7 via phone, email, and ticketing system. Use of the ticketing system is recommended.

Billing and Payment Policies

All services are offered on a monthly basis. Discounted rates are offered to dedicated server and cloud hosting customers who select an annual billing cycle. All major credit cards are accepted.

Money-Back Guarantee and Cancellations

A money-back guarantee is extended to new customers during the first 30 days of service. The refund covers the prorated remainder of fees paid excluding setup fees, domain registration fees, and other non-refundable fees.

Accounts can be canceled at any time and cancellation requests must be submitted using the support ticketing system. Cancellations must be submitted at least 30 days prior to account renewal or the customer will be responsible for the full renewal term amount.

Uptime Guarantee

Rack Alley boasts 99.9999% historical uptime and guarantees 99.99% network uptime every month. If 99.99% uptime is not maintained customers are offered account credit. Securing credit for downtime is complicated and you may want to discuss it with the company before signing up.

A Hardware Guarantee is also extended and covers all Rack Alley equipment. Equipment installation is also covered by an Installation Guarantee ensuring that all installation will be completed within 7 days of order approval.

Summary

Rack Alley offers powerful hosting and colocation products which will be attractive to technically-knowledgeable small business and enterprise customers. Rack Alley should be on the radar of anyone launching a web hosting company, high-traffic website, or web application with heavy resource demands.