Has anyone else on this board purchased a Ensim server from rackshack in the last 2-3 weeks.

We have had nothing but trouble with the server from day 1, and support just downright SUCKS big time. everytime we need something the answer is always "tomorrow we may look into it".

We have been trying to get our own name servers on the box for about 11 days now.

If anyone has the courage to try and help us get this box working correctly and if you have owned,supported,looked at, or otherwise had more than a confrence call with Ensim telling you the functions of how it works like the Rackshack support team has please reply to this thread or pm me.

The box has webppliance 3.0 LS RedHat 7.1.

I really don't like to bash any company....but.......................
Here I go,
&^%(*&%&^%(^%(%%(%$%$##@%$#Rackshack&^%%#%$#@^#@^@^$#&^%$*%$&$#&%$#&#&%$$#@&$*&$&%$#&^%$there support^%^%$#&%$###%&^(*&)(&^%#$#&^%$&^^%#&^%$#&^%$&^%#^%$#&^%.

ok there I've got it out not can someone shed some light with ensim 3.0 LS

Oh and before anyone else says it
YES you do get what you pay for "99.00 a month"
1. a GUI they know nothing about
2. a server that has been down more than up ( 11 days total with the box and 4 of thoses days the server has been down.)
3. if you need more IP's well then you need to move your server to a new subnet cause there is no more IP's avaliable.
4. expect to spend at least half your day on the non toll free support number only to be hung up on about 7 times per call and then to have the tech put you on hold for most of the call cause he is asking his supervisor what to do next. and then the supervisor does not even know what to tell him to tell you.
5. And if your not happy with the service, don't expect a refund
cause as they say if they plug in your box there is no refunds
6. all most forgot this one, you also get a server that needs to have the kernal upgraded as soon as you get the box cause it is running the old kernal that has some need security patches among other patches that need to be done.
Oh yes you get what you pay for.
7. this really belongs with the support call answer but it does justify it's own number, you also get to spend 39.40 for support in only 11 days.
8. you can't put your own control panel on the server cause when you try to uninstall Ensim it uses virtual file server and wont let you uninstall the RPM's.

If you can help please either PM, Reply or email to
admin@inwebhost.com

I personally feel Rackshack made the wrong move by introducing Enism servers. Yes, they knew they did it wrong. That's why they incresed the price of Intel & AMD systems from $99.

Some other nice features.

1. Your Hostname is used to setup Named Virtual Sites and resolves to the DNS IP. So in my case it used a IP from my current host. Wonder if it binds with the NIC - server down couldn't check.

2. gcc or other C Compiler not installed.

3. I don't think you can uninstall any RPM's.

4. Perl does not have MySQL support.

5. Techs Close your trouble tickets before you open them (of course no resolving them).

6. Running linuxconf screws it up.

7. No useful documentation.

Since my server didn't work from the start then quit completely once on was on the phone with a tech trying to actually get it usable. So I got it wednesday - haven't been able to use and I have to request a restore. They told me that the first one was free.

How does a tech close a ticket before you open it?

-Brendan

It's unfortunate you are experiencing these problems with your hosting provider. We like the Ensim software, thats why we offer it, especially the 3.0 upgrade. You don't have to use their control panel anymore you can use plesk according to their documentation, although we haven't tried this yet :)

I guess my only question would be why would want to get an Ensim server (a VPS? or dedicated?) then want to uninstall the control panel software? Thats really the reason you want an Ensim platform.

They already decided that I was the problem.


Rackshack TicketStatus: Closed 12/28/01 - 1:44:05 PM
Resolved: No
Category: RackShack - RS - Other
Problem Description: 12/28/01 1:44:05 PM
I see on the forums that there are other customers with the same problem. Basically Ensim is configured incorrectly.
Named Sites should be created with a RackShack IP not RackSpace IP.

If this sixth request to resolve this problem I request it not be closed without my approval.


Resolution Description:
12/28/01 1:47:17 PM
This is a duplicate ticket. I have stated the problem repeatedly. I am closing this ticket, we are aware of the customers issues and have offered solutions and cannot correct anything until the customer corrects the dns.

Changing DNS had no Effect.

I have been thinking about getting one of these servers but maybe I won't after the experiences you've had.

Sorry to hear about all your problems. I know you've probably already done this, but have you tried using their forums as a means of communication with them. From my readings they at least seem to respond to negative comments within their own forum, it may be worth a go.

Originally posted by webarama
I have been thinking about getting one of these servers but maybe I won't after the experiences you've had.

Sorry to hear about all your problems. I know you've probably already done this, but have you tried using their forums as a means of communication with them. From my readings they at least seem to respond to negative comments within their own forum, it may be worth a go.

I've just signed up for an Ensim Server with Rackshack (on the 27th), so far their have been a few bumps along the way - mostly because Rackshack's staff is still learning it themselves.

I've been able to find answers to all my questions by the following methods:
- Chatting with other Ensim owners in the Rackshack chatroom
- Chatting with rackshack techs in the chatroom
- Opening a trouble ticket
- Searching on Google
- Reviewing the many pdf files that Ensim has put out
- Searching the knowledgebase on Ensim's site
- Search the forum on Ensim's site
- Posting to Ensim's Forum
- Posting to the Rackshack Forum

It sure isn't as easy as just asking for some help and getting the answer right then and there, but you shouldn't expect that with a dedicated server. If you don't know how to operate a server, or aren't resourceful enough to learn, DONT GET ONE!

Brandonk, I too recently got a server from them with Ensim and have a question. Have you tried to use your own DNS? If so where exactly do I change some settings? I went to primary master and put ns1.mydomain.net, will that add the DNS entry I need. I have already created ns1.mydomain.net with my registrar and put my machines ip with it.

Will I instead have to add a DNS record by going to the "Zones" area in the control panel?

Update: I haven't tried to and a secondary nameserver because I only have access to one IP at the moment. Already asked two days ago for more IPS.

Well

I have been using ensim for about 2 years now, and if you have some questions I will try to help

email me at joseff@intenseinfo.com

Joe

This issue is simple. Rackshack now has three hosting operating systems to support. Each has its own quirks and annoyances. How do you expect level 1 techs to educate themselves enough to support all these OS's?

Just because you are a Linux guru, doesn't mean you can easily manage three OS's. No sooner the poor Rackshack techs are drying off their feet with Cobalt, Robert throws Plesk at them. He doesn't even give them a change to start drying off before he throws Ensim at them.



You don't have to use their control panel anymore you can use plesk according to their documentation, although we haven't tried this yet

1) RS uses LS, not SX.
2) SX only registers Cobalts and Plesk into SX form management and monitoring purposes. SX doesn't create Plesk servers.

If you don't know how to operate a server, or aren't resourceful enough to learn, DONT GET ONE!

Couldn't have said it better. Seems like some people (no one inparticular) who can't even operate a Win98 PC are trying to be web host and can't understand why things like DNS are so hard.

I have been using ensim for about 2 years now, and if you have some questions I will try to help

Do you have ServerXchange? Because LS just came out earlier this year.

Note that I am not quitting but also note that I do have Linux/Windows/Mac OS X server configuration experience. All worked perfectly well but I actually had time then to figure things out and didn't need to configure DNS.

Now I need to for my own business... The reason I am pressed for time is because I also manage websites which I have founded/created that get over 14,000 pageviews and like 300,000 hits a day. I am also on another deadline as I have to teach myself basic php/mysql in the next five days. So usually I write these posts in less then 30-40 seconds and have some odd grammatical errors but that should not mean i don't know how to use WIN98SE.

If your not talking about me, it doesn't matter... Just as rude from I believe an above 18 adult.

Originally posted by web_res
Brandonk, I too recently got a server from them with Ensim and have a question. Have you tried to use your own DNS? If so where exactly do I change some settings? I went to primary master and put ns1.mydomain.net, will that add the DNS entry I need. I have already created ns1.mydomain.net with my registrar and put my machines ip with it.

Will I instead have to add a DNS record by going to the "Zones" area in the control panel?

Update: I haven't tried to and a secondary nameserver because I only have access to one IP at the moment. Already asked two days ago for more IPS.

I have not a clue... I run DNS off a seperate machine so I don't even fuss with the DNS side of Ensim...

I have used both

Originally posted by IWH

1. a GUI they know nothing about


They're learning, it may be good to take up learning about the GUI on yourself.


2. a server that has been down more than up ( 11 days total with the box and 4 of thoses days the server has been down.)


I've talked to some people who use rackshack and are experiened users, and they said rackshack has had good uptime. One thing to consider is that rackshack blew their power lines a in the last 8 days I think. This means that uptime will be flakey for a bit.


3. if you need more IP's well then you need to move your server to a new subnet cause there is no more IP's avaliable.


So move it to a new subnet. Ask a rackshack tech to do that for you.


4. expect to spend at least half your day on the non toll free support number only to be hung up on about 7 times per call and then to have the tech put you on hold for most of the call cause he is asking his supervisor what to do next. and then the supervisor does not even know what to tell him to tell you.


Owning a dedicated server is an option that generally is for the more experienced user. If you want to practice admining a dedicated server I would reccomend tera-byte's virtual servers.


5. And if your not happy with the service, don't expect a refund
cause as they say if they plug in your box there is no refunds.


What are they going to refund you? You're paying $100/month.


6. all most forgot this one, you also get a server that needs to have the kernal upgraded as soon as you get the box cause it is running the old kernal that has some need security patches among other patches that need to be done.


Upgrade the kernel or get somebody to upgrade it. If you aren't a good nix admin, then don't buy a dedicated server.


7. this really belongs with the support call answer but it does justify it's own number, you also get to spend 39.40 for support in only 11 days.


Sucks....


8. you can't put your own control panel on the server cause when you try to uninstall Ensim it uses virtual file server and wont let you uninstall the RPM's.


I would advise going with plesk ;)

For your other post:

mySQL runs as a C application, so a C compiler should be installed.

Try using cpan to install dbi, the perl/mySQL interface module. (google:cpan)

I'd advise running my own name servers.