Web hosting software setup

[murraybiscuit]

So I've got this host who does everything via terminal.
Which is fine, but I prefer to have control of my own piece of the server - even if it's webmin.
So I suggested he install something like ispconfig on the centos box.
Which he probably won't, but I was wondering whether webmin software overwrites your existing ftp/user/lamp config files?
Does it back your current settings up and remove them, append to them or just overwite them?

 

[JasonH]

Generally the control panels install their own set of software and rpm updates into their own specific locations. He's gonna have some issues if he just installs a control panel on the already in production use system, they are designed to be installed on clean installation of CentOS etc.

 

[guest2013-1]

+1

Hosts need to have the forethought of actually installing the CP first. Not later. Else it's a can of worms waiting to be opened.

If I were you I'd get a cheap VPS and DIY

 

[RSkeens]

It would be best to set up the control panel on a different system and then migrate the settings and accounts across after everything has been configured.

 

[murraybiscuit]

yeah, thought as much.
oh well. next time i choose the host up front.

 

[JasonH]

I've looked at an install guide for ISPConfig and it does mention installing all the services like the standard LAMP stack, then installing ISPConfig at the last step. What I'm saying is it could still be an option, but it might break a lot of things that are currently in place.

 

[SilverNodashi]

guys, Webmin is a control panel

Webmin is one of the very few non-propriatory control panels though, in that it leaves the base OS as it should. Most other control panels have their own "control panel layer" (if one can call it that?) that manages everything.

Even on cPanel I prefer to use the console more than the control panel. Simply cause it's faster if you know your way around. And, I'm an old UNIX die-hard, so I prefer the "power under the hood"

If he setup Wemin + Virtualmin properly then you should be able to access it as well, normally on port 10000 (i.e. http://www.yourwebsite.co.za:10000). I know of some hosts who run Plesk & cPanel, who also don't give their clients control panel access. Maybe he's afraid that you're going to mess-up his server?