Yes, we’ve installed EE with MSM on Rackspace Cloud Sites many times. Compared to the above described process for Rackspace Cloud Servers, installing on Cloud Sites is incredibly easy. You see, Cloud Servers are “raw” environments without Apache, MySQL, PHP, etc. at the start. You have to install all that. On the other hand, Cloud Sites have everything that you need right from the start: Apache and PHP are running, you can create MySQL databases from the web interface, etc.

Installing ExpressionEngine on Cloud Sites is clearly a lot easier. You can pretty much follow the ExpressionEngine Installation process without deviation. But with a starting price of $150/month, that fee can drive the decision. It should be noted that Cloud Sites can handle numerous ExpressionEngine websites (or WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, for which this approach would also be valid), so the price may be right if you can get enough websites on the plan.

This article was written with the purpose of documenting how to get an ExpressionEngine website installed at Rackspace for the minimal cost. I am a big fan of Rackspace (I’ve had so many bad experiences with so many other ISPs), but Rackspace doesn’t offer plans comparable to MediaTemple’s $20/month Grid service (don’t get me started on how often their Grid has issues).

As I wrote previously, this process is valid for low bandwidth sites, development environments, or when the fee for Rackspace Cloud Sites can’t be covered. It does, however, demand a technical aptitude for configuring Linux that other hosting options do not. So, consider it one more option for hosting, depending on the circumstances.

I hope that helps. If you have specific questions about your installation, feel free to post them.

Tim

Have you any experience installing Multi Site Manager, Expression Engine on Cloud Sites..?

Will it work?

Niall

You raise a good question. ExpressionEngine deployments on Cloud Sites are a lot easier to manage with their web-based tools, whereas the Cloud Servers require working in the console. However, Cloud Sites start at $149/month and Cloud Servers start at $11/month (prices as of time of writing, April 18th 2011). That’s a pretty big difference if you have a lot of sites (say 20 or more).

If you have a low bandwidth site, or you want an inexpensive development environment, Cloud Servers may be the way to go. It will cost less, but it takes a little more effort to get going. Also, if for any reason you need shell access, you need to go with Cloud Servers. It is not offered with Cloud Sites (http://www.rackspace.com/cloud/cloud_hosting_products/sites/faq/).

Ultimately, comparing the specs between Cloud Sites and Cloud Servers on the Rackspace site is the real deciding factor. That, and your comfort level working without the web-based tools.

I hope that helps!

Tim

Thanks again,
Bud