You have my upvote every time, blind or not :)

OK, this time it is not blind because I read it all through. I did undestand most of it, too :)

I know it is out of the scope of this guide but ... any suggestions on where is the best to host the server(s)?

I was a sysadmin but I am out of it for several years now. Maybe it is time to start relearning the old knowledge and adding new stuff :)