I just got a new Windows 2003 server at ThePlanet. This server is meant to replace my aging Windwos 2003 server at Rackspace.

Now that I have a fresh install and I have to load new software on this box, I want to make sure I pick a good combination. Here is what i used to use:

Serv-U ftp ver 4.1 for FTP
MDaemon 7 for Email
AWStats for Statistics
No Control Panel
MySql
MSDE with Sql Server tools

I've never advertised my hosting services, mainly because i used the box specifically for clients that i've created a website for. However, now I am going to start taking clients who just want hosting, and I want to be able to offer as much as I can.

There are so many different choices out there, so what I really want to hear about are some provider's setups that work really smoothly together.

If i were to get no advice, this is the configuration that I'd setup:
Serv-U FTP 5
MDaemon 7
Plesk 7
MySql
MSDE with Sql Server tools

Let me know what works for you. Thanks!

Yeah to be fair I cant see that being a bad configure - plesk 7 from my understanding is pretty safe with a number of apps like serv-u and mySQL.

The only issue Plesk might have is with Mdaemon - thats something you need to check on the swsoft site.

BUt at the end of the day the most important thing is getting ur CP to work with and alongside all those apps like mail, db and ftp. Plesk is meant to be good at that!

Originally posted by sologroup.net

BUt at the end of the day the most important thing is getting ur CP to work with and alongside all those apps like mail, db and ftp. Plesk is meant to be good at that!

Yeah I've checked and I don't think that MDaemon is too compatible with any CPs. Next to mail server stability, webmail is the most important thing i look for, and i really like MDaemons webmail. In fact, I've tried mailenable, kerio, merak, and none of them come close IMO.

Plus, MDaemon catches so much spam......i don't see how i can give this up just cause it doesnt work with plesk.

merak is meant to be one of the best, and i think the newest version does have a really good webmail service i think - similar to the exchange outlook web client. But merak is also one of the most expensive, and is only worth it if u have high volumes of mail accounts.

To be fair my friend if your just starting to offer hosting, your best bet is to set your self up with plesk and Mailenable - as its free and does the job pretty well until you get a bigger client base and then its worth investing in new, better software such as merak of MDaemon (not that i have used that one!)

But if you really want to work with Mdaemon then well, I am not sure how your going to intergrate it at all - who will it work when your client wants to add a mail account at 2.30 in the morning? Not easy for you to administer manually?

Yeap I also strongly suggest Merak, mailenable is also easy to setup and use. But standard edition dun have the admin function web based which is a prob

i never use that web based admin control thingy in PRO, its no use i find - i have helm for adding and editing certain parts of mailboxes and thats all i really need in the web based form.

Any major admin stuff i have to do to mailboxes i just do through terminal services - i dont really find it that handy.

but i certainly agree ME is soo easy to setup and use and it works pretty well. Merak is a big dog solution, i like that to though :D

I've never used plesk or helm. But I go to their websites, and on helm right here (http://www.webhostautomation.com/helm/compatibility.asp) and they are compatible with everything on the planet.

Then I'm checking out plesk, and it says nothing about being compatible with Merak Mail Server or Serv-U ftp, the programs i have chosen.

Is helm my only option if i want to use this software?

not completely, but the good thing with HELM in my honest opinion is that you do get a good level or WORKING functionality - as in yes those above software items DO ACTUALLY work. I have been using HELM for a good year or so now, and have changed a number of services like FTP and MAIL - currently using serv-u 5 and mailenable pro, but i do have a friend that uses merak on a number of servers using HELM and it works great!

Over plesk, helm doesnt have all the actual functionality as i said, but it wins hands down on add on support! And there are alot of plans to get it intergrated with a number of other software packages!

But - its not your only option, I am not sure with plesk 100% but i think it does intergrate with merak somehow, but i am not sure on serv-u.

Has anyone got that setup with plesk?