However, and unfortunately, Pair Networks hasn’t kept their hardware up with the times. Their current server offerings are simply too outdated for the premium pricing. C’mon, Core2Duo E6700 + 6 GB RAM + single 7,200 rpm hard-disk for $800 monthly? To their credit, as a long term customer, they did offer me a discount on the QS-5, but we quickly outgrew that as well 
. I’d say Pair is still a good choice for shared hosting, maybe even entry level dedicated boxes, but their high-end dedicated server offerings need a massive overhaul. I am pretty sure that Team-BHP wasn’t the only website which outgrew them. Hopefully the management brings in new hardware and takes Pair back to the top.
This is when a Senior Vbulletin official recommended WiredTree to me. I came back to webhostingtalk and searched for some more WT reviews. After seeing a ton of positive comments, especially from senior webhostingtalk members, I started visiting WiredTree’s website to price-compare different configs.
I dashed off an email to Zac, stating my requirements and received a prompt reply. His quote was straight-forward and included the discounts currently being offered on this forum. I zeroed in on Dual Xeons, 16 GB of RAM and 4×147 GB 15k hard disks.
www.Team-BHP.com is not simply a forum. We have several softwares installed (vbull, subdreamer etc. etc.) and most sections hold a sizeable database. Further, some of them are customised as well. I’m not exactly a techie and had made it clear to WiredTree that any migrations would be entirely handled by them. We agreed on a reasonable migration charge (since Pair doesn’t have CPanel).
Special mention to Joe Doss for his exemplary handling of my migration. This is the kind of a guy who makes a company great. Joe led the show on Team-BHP’s migration, kept me updated of the progress at each stage and, on one occasion, even replied from his house late at night to my NOT-so-urgent query. Expectly, there were about 10 – 12 bugs that cropped up (different paths, tables gone corrupt etc.), yet Joe & his excellent team handled all of them with precision. No problem that was solved by them at the first shot has reappeared. Team-BHP’s running like a well-oiled website at the moment.
What I like about WiredTree:
- Outstanding support: Quick response, first-attempt resolution and a friendly tone that seems to communicate “Please take our help, it’s what we are here for”. Crystal clear direct approach (no beating around the bush). A very motivated bunch of fellas.
- Reasonable pricing (more so with the current offers).
- Fast network. Pages loading quickly from our end in India.
- Emails : Less spam. I’ve complained before on Pair’s handling of spam (in my ‘05 review). My 5 different email accounts would get about 40 – 50 spam mails coming through on a daily basis. With wiredtree, its down to 5% or less of that.
- CPanel : Simply put, I can’t figure why any web hosting organisation (including Pair) won’t use it. Amazing server management software.
- Scalability : V. IMP considering that we outgrew our previous host + moving home is not something one looks forward to. WT seems to have a long list of upgrades to keep up with our potential growth (SSD’s, litespeed etc. etc.).
Wishlist : One central login to manage everything to do with my WT account. Right now, there is grove, WHM and Cpanel. I don’t see the point of 3, when 1 could do the job. No biggie though.
That’s pretty much my initial impression with WiredTree and I do intend to update this review on a periodic basis (to help others who are considering). Am not one to change my hosts too often, as long as the network, reliability, uptime & support are strong. If the early days are anything to go by, Team-BHP’s gonna stick it out with WiredTree for a long time.
Thanks for reading.