the planet

Which web hosting companies and related businesses operate the largest number of servers? Rackspace announced they had hit the 50,000 mark recently, and DatacenterKnowledge took the opportunity to determine who is in the same league. Three web hosting companies lead the pack: 1&1 Internet (55,000), Rackspace (50,038), and The Planet (48,500). They are followed by Akamai Technologies, OVH, SBC Communications, Verizon, Time Warner Cable, and SoftLayer.

Ever looking for insightful views on the topics of internet technology and business, HostReview conducted an exclusive head-to-head interview with executives from two major web hosting companies. Our topic was web hosting trends 2009: what does the year hold for the web hosting industry and its clients? We talk to John Lee, Senior Vice President of Small Business Hosting, with Hostway, and Urvish Vashi, General Manager, Dedicated Hosting, with The Planet. Both companies have strong, and well deserved, presence in our Annual Web Hosting Awards listings.

The Planet's Houston datacenter went offline late Saturday afternoon, after an explosion knocked down walls at an electric equipment room. Reports are that approximately 9,000 servers and 7,500 clients are affected. The company expects to have operations on the second floor of the facility restored today; the first floor has sustained more serious damage.