Ask HN: Recommend a dedicated server provider that doesn't mind port scanning
As part of a research project I conduct internet-wide IPv4 scans (usually ports 80, 443 and ICMP). I also do DNS lookups across all .com/.net domains and reverse DNS lookups across all active IPv4s.
I'm building a daily timeseries for all of this, and I publish most of the raw data online, for example: https://mirrors.sorengard.com/zmap_scans (not a commercial link or service). It comes out to about 200GB/day. I also keep PTR records mapping each of my scanning IP addresses to a host that explains it's non-targeted research, it doesn't look for specific vulnerabilities or exploit them, etc.
Unfortunately after a couple of months of doing this my current hosting provider has asked me to stop the scans or leave the service. They're nice about it, they're just rebranding and no longer want to allow port scanning. So now I'm looking for (preferably dedicated) server providers that don't mind public scanning activity as long as it's non-threatening.
Thanks!
8 comments
[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 28.4 ms ] threadOccasional downtimes, but not terrible for scan servers.
There are much better options available if you can bring your own IPs.
> There are much better options available if you can bring your own IPs.
Like what?
https://www.nforce.com/ is a popular destination.
edit: The jabber address I posted earlier was completely wrong, correct one is "hqservers@injabber.info"