Hi, I'm new and looking to buy.

[JayBrain]

I'm looking at buying a new server, and I want to have some kind of automated control panel. I've tested out a Plesk control pannel, and I'm not too impressed with it. I have seen many webhosts use cpanel and I'm interested in purchasing it. I'm currently running a windows 2003 server with IIS, but I don't think that's what I want to continue using. I need somthing that can monitor bandwidth, host multiple sites from one IP, be a mail server (pop & smtp), and help me out with several aministrative processes. I think cpanel is what I'm looking for, but I need to look more into this.

I curretnly only host about 20 sites on my windows server, and each site had to be manually set up and configured by me. Will cpanel assist in this process?

anyways.. I guess I better read up a bit more on this... let me know if I'm going to right way on this.

[PWSowner]

Sounds like Cpanel/WHM is what you're looking for. It's basically a system admin interface to make the more common tasks easier.

You will have to get a new server to use it though for 2 reasons. First, it doesn't work on a windows server. Second, cpanel is practically a part of the OS. It's always best to start with a fresh OS install then install cpanel, then set up accounts.

[JayBrain]

Yes, I plan on buying a new server, and I think I need Linux to run cpanel don't I?

Is there any built in billing features?

[PWSowner]

You can see which OS's they support on the front page.
http://cpanel.net/

No built in billing systems, but there are many different ones designed to work with cpanel.

[linux-image]

billing systems are available on payment at:
=========================
www.modernbill.com
www.whmautopilot.com
www.dramsystem.com
www.phpcoin.com(FREE)
=========================

[hostmedic]

I love Cpanel.

I also offer our clients a few other options,,,

Ensim (don't ask my opinion --- its not good for those who have sensitity issues)
Plesk (on windows)

I also used to offer Helm --- but refuse to offer this ... Not worth a dime in my opinion...


In any event ---

My suggestion is first to get a trial server:

I have done a little poking around:

1. Ev1 has a few plans...
2. Nocster starts at only $60
3. Enter The Matrix ...
4. The Planet

My pick would be the nocster one --- just because of cost --- try it out --- if you like it then get the best deal possible from any of the providers above.

Note --- Nocster and The Planet will provide some basic support --- EV1 is hands off
EV1 has spent money to cover their clients from the SCO lawsuits against linux users... but thats not important I dont think...

Also - look towards Fast Server Management to help you get the box locked down. They charge only $30 to do it... and they can help you move sites if needed...


Speaking of that --- CPanel has a great utility to copy and move sites from a Plesk Box !

** One last note **

If you have sites using ASP, ASP.Net --- they might not work in Linux / Cpanel.


Hope this helps you out.


:-)

[JayBrain]

Thanks for all the replies. I am seriously considering cPanel, and an automated billing script as listed above.

And yes, I'm going to run a trial with one of those service providors listed as well. I do not want to be locked into a lease with one of those servers though, just a one month trial for testing, before I purchase my new server.

Any recommendations on an OS?

[hostmedic]

Jay ---

I would suggest Redhat Enterprise ---

Nocster - I believe is the cheapest alternative to those that I listed before ---
I do some colo with them - and they are very responsive...

Call each of these provides and tell them you want to test their service for a month first...
sometimes they will give you the month for free

I have gotten it from most providers just by asking --- EV1 however never ever ever gives away the farm... but the $1.00 setup is nice


if you have questions once you get started - post them into the forum -
Also - check out www.webhostgear.com - its a great website... offers a ton of how to's and such for cpanel, redhat, and other linux flavors


:-)