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Forum → Web services → MapServer hosting
I am trying to set up a MapServer interface for my local Trust, to allow public display of selected data. I have MapServer running on my local PC, and I am using this to develop a workable system. Currently I am only in the very early stages.
My question is, can anyone suggest a hosting site that will operate MapServer (either already installed, or which woud allow it to be installed) so that I can try out a real web-based examples.
John Rostron
Hi John,
We use mapserver quite a lot - but on our own servers.
The issue you face (or a hosting company faces) - is that mapserver can easily consume 100% of a servers resources - especially if the data isn't configured well - so you are unlikely to find one who would be happy for you to install it that doesn't understand it.
What you need is someone who is already happy and understands mapserver - (and perhaps has implemented some throttling to stop you hogging the whole server !) - if you google mapserver hosting you will find a few
e.g. http://gishosting.net/ charges $20 a month for a basic package
I have no personal experience of any one over another I'm afraid so can't make a recommendation
Hi John,
We used Mapserver on our web site to show the species distribution maps.
I haven't use gishosting before but i don't recommend shared vps, mapserver consume a lot of cpu resources and you might run into cpu problem with the host. we recently moved to dedicated server and it's running great!
Cost is an issue with a dedicated server of course. I pay about £60 a month for a Linux server, which is about the cheapest I've been able to find within the specification I need. For higher-specced machines, or for guaranteed uptime, back-up facilities etc. - you pay more.
Cheers
Alan
Slicehost come very highly recommended: http://www.slicehost.com/
You essentially get your own dedicated server with them; it's actually a virtual server but in effect it's like having your own dedicated box. As long as you've got the Linux skills, you can setup the server exactly as you want it.
Thanks for the information. What I am looking for at the moment is somewhere to put a trial mapserver system to allow my (rather small) target audience to see what sort of things MS can do.
What I shall probably try is to see if my old university (that I have recently retired from) can provide short-term hosting.
John Rostron
Hi John
If you can't get Mapserver hosting, you can always write your own code to produce simple maps. I use PHP to produce maps which can display records but also can display Shapefile data (all of which is stored in a MySql database). I also use PHP to consume NBN's web services. So if you don't need all the bells and whistles and enjoy a challenge, this is always an option :)
Cheers
Nick
(P.S. If you need help with this sort of coding just ask)
Here is a mapserver alternative which I use a bit and will be using a lot more in the near future. It requires a java VM. I've not done any serious testing w.r.t .CPU usage, but it does not max out our internal servers.
http://mapyrus.sourceforge.net/
Cheers,
Hi Dave
Mapyrus looks really useful so I was wondering if you have played around with using Javascript to increase functionality (e.g. imagemaps or mouseovers) of the generated image?
EDIT: I just noticied that the manual does tell you how to use Javascript, PHP, Mysql, Shapefiles etc. - looks like this has real potential.
Thanks for the suggestion
Cheers
Nick
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