Linode Virtual Private Servers
May 07, 2021

Linode Virtual Private Servers

David Chmelik | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Linode

I use Linode to be able to use Unix or strictly Unix-like operating systems (OS) on a powerful server for Internet sites. I am the 'organization' so is used by 'all.' Linode addresses the problem of access to powerful (yet affordable) servers usable for all normal Internet protocols, with high bandwidth, and with some protection against DDoS, supported by a team of experts in POSIX-based OS.

Pros

  • Offers GNU/Linux distributions for servers.
  • Offers loading your own .ISO for servers (such as *BSD Unix).
  • High-technology (powerful system resources and network services/bandwidth).
  • Helpful/friendly customer support.

Cons

  • Should consider allowing/supporting *BSD & OpenSolaris/IllumOS Unixes in their choices of .ISOs.
  • Should be a little more speedy updating non-systemd (real server) GNU/Linux .ISOs
  • For the number of servers they administer, might consider enlarging their team, but their current customer support team is more than adequate.
  • Increased server uptime.
  • Probably increased viewers (higher bandwidth).
  • Increased server efficiency (less space needed for non-graphical-user-interface, non-GUI, .ISO) than running my own hardware server (though you could run X Window System remotely on Linode.).
In terms and conditions, Linode has the most Constitutional terms on speech. The other simply didn't, especially if in Europe. If I wanted to criticize ideas, even if not criticizing people, then non-Constitutional terms of services simply weren't satisfactory. I did use one or two others for different reasons, like a friend's project (needed me to use that one) or connecting to software hosted there, but speech wasn't much an issue in those cases. Ease of use and accessibility were similar and not a serious issue.
Linode technical support is very friendly & helpful, and goes out of their way to take enough time and sometimes even go more in-depth than expected, for all problems. They usually respond fast. While they can't login to your VPS unless you pay for more support, they do still take time to detail possible problems & solutions to an utmost extent.
Total cost of ownership isn't an issue/goal. I link shops on some websites and make small amount of income, but as they aren't for popular things (maybe even unpopular,) I put in more money than I make, which was expected beforehand. If I was doing it primarily to make money, and had popular subjects, good design, better ways of selling, I'm sure things would be going great because of sufficient server space, professional-level uptime (I've had fewer reboots than the number of years I've used Linode, even if I include personally-done system upgrades) and high bandwidth.
Infrastructure uptime is critical: I always want my Internet sites to be available, because I have thousands or more of interested people. People get directed to some of the sites anytime during the day/night, so there must be uptime at all hours. Whenever I had downtime because of hardware upgrades, it was something like a mere minute (projected) if not just few seconds (or whatever particular OS boot time is).
Linode is well-suited to running mid-to-high-range servers (managed by the customer or also by them) and perhaps other services (I don't use yet) for a good price among independent virtual private server (VPS) companies, and seems to be the one that most respects the First Amendment of The Constitution of The United States of America (in contrast to three major mid-to-high-range VPS competitors, some of which are in Europe so have more speech restrictions.) If someone could do okay with even lower-range VPS than Linode's nanode (smallest,) there are more affordable options but the VPS might have system resources like a server from the mid-1990s.

Using Linode

1 - owner/sysadmin/webmaster/scientist/designer
1 - computer science, possibly POSIX-based
  • virtual private server
  • webserver
  • FTP server
good value, best terms of service among similar companies

Evaluating Linode and Competitors

Yes - home server. Heat issues, low bandwidth, not professional uptime.
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
Uptime/bandwidth.
Might use low-range instead of mid-range VPS, but low-range might not be powerful enough.

Linode Implementation

It's easy for GNU/Linux but if you want *BSD or Open Solaris/IllumOS Unix, you'll have to load your own .ISO
  • Implemented in-house
Yes - 1. Setup OS.
2. Setup firewall.
3. Setup webserver.
4. Setup FTP server.
5. Setup chat software.
6. (in-progress) Setup more world wide web (WWW) software.
Change management was minimal
  • Operating systems available from .ISOs already there.

Linode Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
No. I'm already a higher academic computer scientist so can be my own sysadmin, and can't afford premium support.
Yes - It was more a configuration bug with the particular operating system (OS) I chose from Linode's .ISOs. The bugs were resolved to my satisfaction, and in a timely fashion.
Once it seemed my server was attacked/DDoSed. Linode seemed to take extra time to write extra detail of all options of what I could/should do and how, until the problem was resolved. Later I ended up also deciding to reinstall (for extra security) and add a firewall to prevent the same happening but they had already summarized how to do that without too much inconvenience, then were also available to give more detail before/at the time of the reinstall, and they have an article on firewall setup.

Using Linode

It's pretty easy for me, but I preferred their old interface before it was called 'cloud' (not a computer science term.) The new interface looks easier but I had to ask for help for things I used to be able to find myself. If someone was new to it--without having used their old interface--it might be easier for them than it originally was for me.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Difficult to use
  • Install virtual private servers (VPS).
  • Setup VPS security.
  • Manage account & VPSs.
  • Find where you assign IP addresses to domains you have setup those IP addresses in DNS (at least was originally hard after the change).

Comments

More Reviews of Akamai Connected Cloud

  1. Home
  2. Infrastructure-as-a-Service Solutions
  3. Akamai Connected Cloud Reviews
  4. User Review of Akamai Connected Cloud