Hello. What is webmin mainly for? Is it for the people who want a hosting business like cPanel, or a deticated server type thing?

Webmin is a web based control panel aimed more at the small network.

Originally posted by gimpmaster
Webmin is a web based control panel aimed more at the small network. How did you come up with that it is aimed toward the small network? :)

Anyway, taken from the http://www.webmin.com web site:
Webmin is a web-based interface for system administration for Unix. Using any browser that supports tables and forms (and Java for the File Manager module), you can setup user accounts, Apache, DNS, file sharing and so on.

Webmin consists of a simple web server, and a number of CGI programs which directly update system files like /etc/inetd.conf and /etc/passwd. The web server and all CGI programs are written in Perl version 5, and use no non-standard Perl modules.
Or in other words, its concept is similar to cPanel and other controls panel out there, it is just freely distributed under the BSD license.

You'll need more knowledge operating, and maintaining Webmin than lets say cPanel. It doesn't come with that many features right out the box like cPanel.

Webmin is a control panel system such as cPanel, Ensim and Plesk to name a few.

As far as I know is Webmin a bit more difficult to setup compared to a system like cPanel, so newbies might find cPanel easier to work with.

Webmin provides not as many features as cPanel to the end user but is an accepted system and can be used for clients.

I setup a test client to see what it would be like for the end user. It is not like cPanel, the modules you assign is for admin access. Can webmin be something like cPanel?

webmin is programmed by that jammie cameron dude as a control panel for an entire server for day to day operations in the unix enviroment

Originally posted by gilbert
webmin is programmed by that jammie cameron dude as a control panel for an entire server for day to day operations in the unix enviroment

This is the closest answer given. This program is used for system administration, and whileit does have some control over ftp and email, it isn't really meant to be used for a hosting control panel.

It provides a web based GUI for most of your commandline tasks.

Originally posted by MikeM
This program is used for system administration, and whileit does have some control over ftp and email, it isn't really meant to be used for a hosting control panel. I don't understand what makes you say that Webmin is not really meant to be used as hosting control panel... here, look at the snapshot, it has both admin interface (webmin) and end user interface (usermin). The fact that it isn't as pretty as cPanel or any other control panels out there doesn't change its concept, which is a web based hosting panel.

In fact, Webmin offers support beyond our hosting scope to services such as VPN Server, NIS Server, and even PPP Dialin Server :)

He says that because it isn't. It was designed to make the sysadmin's life and job easier. It's primarily designed to manage the server's configuration and processes. It wasn't designed to manage a particular type of server (i.e. a web server) persay, but a wide range of servers (be it database, file, web, etc.).

Originally posted by sonicgroup
It wasn't designed to manage a particular type of server (i.e. a web server) persay, but a wide range of servers (be it database, file, web, etc.). It's like having a printer that prints, make copies, and fax and say that that it wasn't designed to be a printer :)

Its extra functionallity doesn't mean it is not suitable for one type of role, such as being a web server. If it can manage Apache, MySQL, Postgres, Exim, Fetchmail, QMail, Sendmail, and PHP, then I consider it suitable to be a hosting control panel. The fact that it requires more knowledge to configure services behind the scenes doesn't change its basic concept.

I can't post a link to it due to not enough posts, but check out Virtualmin. It's geared toward virtual accounts, and from what little I've messed with it, it works well.

-Brooks

The last time I check webmin has no reseller support.
That is one of the most important aspect of a Control panel.

actually, it's a bit unclear, but I think there's a way you can modify the settings for the accounts to allow a client to resell. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending Virtualmin, 'cause it *is* pretty clunky. However, if he's in the same boat that some are (i.e. running Debian), then he doesn't have much choice unfortunately.

-Brooks