Ok,
If you really want different IP's, you have to decide how far you will go with that.
If you want to go to the extreme, and go with different class c's, or say maybe different class c's for each set of say 10 domains, then you will have to be on 3 different servers (counting 30 domains).
Although it is somewhat possible to have more than one class c on a server, it's not very practical. (they must be on different network cards, and due to routing issues will normally be on different switches, or at least different vlan's on the same switch.
For ease of use, you could either learn how to manage a windows server, or make sure your server had cpanel on it.
Also Steve, (I know you, and following your criteria you asked for - keeping it simple for you) taking on a bit more of the management slice can be a frustrating task so be sure you go with a host that you can TALK to. Support that answers the questions you ask, not answers that have nothing to do with what you are asking...
Email support is certainly needed, but I personally like talking to tech's on the phone in some situations so if you want that, be sure that phone support is offered.
If you don't do SQL and don't think you will within the year, don't let anyone upsell that to you, but it doesn't hurt to have MySql support and should not cost additional and if so the charge should be next to nothing.
Also, look at your sites, are some done with php, asp or cfm extensions? If so then you will need to make sure that is supported.
What about email? Is email gonna be on the same server, or will you be accessing a different email server? If this is a dedicated server and email is not provided on a different server, is the mail server license and software included or must you purchase separately?
What about dns? Is dns on the same server? How will you access dns? Is it controlled by cpanel or is there a different interface?
How much bandwith is included in the packages?
And a big question to ask, "Who manages the dedicated server?" Who runs updates, patches etc? What about antivirus?
What about securuty?
This scratches the surface a bit as to some of the things to consider when looking at virtual servers and dedicated servers.
Rick
PS: I had actually started creating part of this post recently for a page for a site as well as a tech section in a different forum, and have edited it a bit to fit in with Steve's questions so you may see parts of this post elsewhere as well.
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