The most common way to host a RoR app is through a Mongrel and Apache setup. This article sums up some different hosting providers that use this setup.

For the record: Hosting your RoR app in a Mongrel/ Apache setup is most effective when your website is attracting more than 1000 visitors a day or when you want faster page loads. (more than 100 visitors a day).

Mongrel is a fast server for Ruby that is intended for hosting Ruby web applications of any kind. You can run several mongrel servers next to each other. The more servers you are running, the more queues you have and the more web traffic you can handle. That makes it very easy to upgrade your system when you for instance get slash dotted. (Find out more on Mongrol at mongrel.rubyforge.org.)

A lot of people use Apache for load balancing. In a perfect setup you have Apache sending requests to several mongrel servers (2 – 3) and the Apache server serves the static files directly. (javascript/images/stylesheets)

A great introduction tutorial for this setup can be found on http://www.webmasterwords.com. or a more detailed version in Deploying Ruby on Rails applications.

What hosting provider can i use?

Virtual Private Server

Brightbox

Brightbox is one of the easiest VPS setups you will find. They automated the entire deploying process, providing you with a pre-installed rails stack, a separate MySQL cluster and easy deployment gem.

“Brightbox provides Virtual Dedicated Servers optimised for hosting Ruby on Rails applications. Each box comes with our Ruby on Rails stack pre-installed, Managed MySQL database servers and is based on the Xenvirtualisation platform.”

visit brightbox

Slicehost

Slicehost is a great host for developers. They provide several “slices” letting you choose your own OS and rails stack. Slicehost open ups the market with cheap prices but high quality hosting specs.

“Build for developers. We took matters into our own hands. We built a hosting company for people who know their stuff. Give us a box, give us bandwidth, give us performance and we get to work.”

visit slicehost

Railshosting

Railshosting has a lot of the same features as slicehost, but in addition they also provide a extra deployment service. For 79$ per application they can release you of all the hassle and setup a fully configured and tuned rails stack for you.

“VPS Hosting gives you more control over every aspect of your OS environment, enabling you to install custom software and protecting you from other users who may otherwise hog resources on a shared server. ”

visit railshosting

Railsmachine

Railsmachine is one of the big players. A lot of high profile Ruby on Rails applications are hosted with Railsmachine. They are a bit expensive, but they bring in a lot of technical knowledge and support. They also provide you with a easy deployment gem.

“Rails Machine provides software, services and support for commercial Ruby on Rails application deployments. Our primary customers are professional Ruby on Rails developers that need simple and high quality solutions for deploying their applications either in a hosted environment or internal corporate environment. ”

visit railsmachine

Managed Servers

Rails Playground

Rails Playground has been around for a long time now. They provide several packages varying from development hosting to private servers. There second level development package also provides mongrel processes.

“RailsPlayground is an advanced hosting provider geared toward developers. RailsPlayground believes in providing the absolute best service possible to its customers.”

visit Rails Playground

Hosting Cloud

Hosting Clouds allow you to rapidly expand your hosting capabilities and provide you with easy deployment methods. They usually run on Amazon’s EC2 network. It is the latest hype in Ruby on Rails hosting.

Joyent

Joyent started as one of the first RoR hosting providers. They now provide fast cloud computing and several other on-demand services.

“Joyent provides Cloud Computing infrastructure and services to Web 2.0 developers and Fortune 500 companies. We make it possible for our clients to quickly move from idea to a web application with millions of users – without the pain of large capital outlays and long-term vendor contracts, and while still getting all the stability, security, and quality of a a dedicated private data-center.”

visit Joyent

Engine Yard

Engine Yard is a here-to-stay hosting provider. With a 3.5 mil starup fund they created a solid Cloud hosting product, serving more than 100.000 users.

“On-demand deployment and management of your Ruby on Rails application on Amazon EC2. You get Engine Yard’s battle-tested Ruby on Rails stack and Rails hosting deployment expertise in an easy-to-use interface.”

visit Engine Yard

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