Pen testing a off-site web server

[Franklin DeMatto <franklin () qDefense com>]

Anyone know how to handle the legal/bueracratic aspects of pen-testing a web server which is not in-house, but property 
of a hosting company??

The hosting company may not take lightly to suggestions that it may be vulnerable, and may be afraid of damage caused 
by a test.  Worse, if the server is not dedicated, but rather uses virtual hosts, other clients could be affected by 
the testing.

Any real-world advice, forms, paperwork, or legal info. would be appreciated.

Franklin DeMatto
franklin () qDefense com
qDefense - DEFENDING THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER