Hi

I have a website that I’m having a bit of trouble with, it’s installed on a really good server. However, the site has a number of flash files which are regularly downloaded and this is draining all my bandwidth. Now the cost for the hosting is growing as the bandwidth of the site increases purely because of these files.

I don’t want to go to cheaper hosting because I went through three hosting service to find this one and I don’t want to move all the backend and domain name again.

What I was thinking was maybe I could get another cheap hosting to just put these flash files on, maybe one of these unlimited bandwidth deals (not sure how fast they would be).

Can anyone see any problems with this idea? Is anyone else doing something like this? Does anyone suggest a really cheap reliable high bandwidth deal?

I don't see it as being a problem other than the fact the high bandwidth will probably result in your account being suspended with most of the low budget hosts.
Of course this will be more of an inconvenience than a serious problem.

Molly,

It depends on how important these flash files are towards your visitor. For the most part, any hosting company would allow you to place them on their servers and do a simple download links. from your current site. Any hosts would work for this. Unlimited bandwidth I would stay away from. You have a chance on having your account suspended or deleted.

How much bandwidth are you using on the flash files?

Most such providers won't allow you to use your account in the manner you plan to.

Sure, this is easy. Just create a subdomain on your main hosting account called "flash.yourdomain.com". The point it to whatever is the IP address of your account on the "high bandwidth" budget host... and you're good to go.

Couple of note:

1) You would signup your hosting account with the budget provider as "flash.yourdomain.com".

2) Set a very low TTL value for your subdomain A record, so that you can change it within 5 minutes in case your budget host boots you off.

Cheers!

I'd suggest you to buy dedicated low end Celeron or VPS and put your flash files there. If there is a lot of traffic 100mbit NIC is a must.

I guess it would be a good test to know how "unlimited" are all these offers....
BUT please, post your feedback here to let us know how "unlimited" they were

Anyway, depending on how much bandwidth you are burning each month, i'll also suggest to go for a dedicated server.

If it is just .swf files then all you have to do is put them on another server and then directly link to them from your webpages.

That's if your server will allow that of course.

I would not go for an unlimited bandwidth accont as you will not get unlimited bandwidth. There will always be some sort of restriction other wise the hosting provider will loose money over it.