I want to run a hosting company but I do not want to learn a new language. Is there a dedicated server or control panel that does everything for me? RackShack.net offers control panels but are those control panels automated or do I still have to type in commands and learn linux?

Thanks guys,
Mark

A cobalt Raq system might be the best choice for you.

However, it isn't realistic to run a hosting company without knowing something about the systems you are running. It would be like a car dealer who doesn't know how to drive.

Jim

Jim,

I will learn the basics and how everything runs I just don't want to have to sit in front of text and manually type every command in.

I need PHP4, MYSQL, CGI, SSL, EMAIL, and more though. Does RAQ have all this at rackshack.net?

What happens if your Raq (or whatever server you get) gets hacked into? Or some service stops and you can't get the control panel to bring it back up and reboots don't help? What happens when you have an abusive user on your server and you don't have a clue as to stop him (or worse, if you don't know who it is and don't know how to find out!). Come to WHT and ask? Try to contact your provider's support and hope they get to you quickly?

A control panel cannot and will not substitute for a system administrator. It is just a tool a system admin uses to do things faster. If you don't know how to admin a server without a control panel, I would advise you learn before you start hosting customers and charging them for it.

Just a tip to hopefully save you cash and frustration in the future. :)

allera, I hadn't thought of that. I didn't realize I do have to know it all. I guess I'll learn first. thanks

Perhaps a managed private server or dedicated server?

laterz..

yeah that might be better. where would i get one? rackshack.net?

I would go with http://www.remarkablehosting.com
If you have any questions, let me know..

laterz..

Rackspace.com do managed dedicated.

Optix, to me it seems like you want to run a webhosting completely off a dedicated server that is as cheap as possible, with little or no knowledge of linux, apache, control panels etc.

I'm afraid it doesn't work like this. As allera rightly pointed out, what happens when something goes wrong? What happens if you don't know how to do something?

I would have to agree that you wouldn't want to "own a car dealership without knowing how to drive"..
however, having a managed server would null these questions being asked.. you just call up your provider and ask them how or for them to do it for you..

laterz..

Originally posted by Raqworld
...however, having a managed server would null these questions being asked.. you just call up your provider and ask them how or for them to do it for you..
On the assumption that the provider's support staff is quick and knowledgable, things that are rare these days indeed.

If it were me and I were getting a managed server, I'd be sure to be shelling out plenty of cash to a company I knew would be there when I needed them and would know what to do. Managed services are never cheap, and if you find them cheap, you're likely to get cheap service.

Okay, so if I buy a server from rackshack.net.....what language will i need to know. it seems like the Plesk control gives you all the control you need.

is the Plesk control panel better than the Ensim control panel? Which one gives more control?

One more question.....what do I need to know about the servers before I go out and buy one? Can the accounts be setup automatically through the server or do I have to manually enter the accounts onto the server?

THANK YOU

The Plesk vs Ensim has been hashed out at least 3 times in the Software & Control panels forum. Either of these systems have automated account set up (though I'm not sure if you are looking for total automation, which might require programming experience or might not be available, depending on what degree you want).

As for what 'language' you need to know...

Let's take a quick step back and understand what a server is (the very very short version). It is more or less just like your computer at home, just with better connectivity and redundancy (in theory).

The OS (judging by your posts) will be Linux, often Red Hat, but not necessarily. This is like your Windows at home OS, except that just installing this doesn't really cover the web hosting aspect. So typically apache is used to serve web pages, qmail is installed to handle email, proftp to handle ftp, etc., etc. These servers are all installed on one physical machine (also called a server, just to confuse you).

Plesk and Ensim provides a nifty interface that automates much of the set up and takes care of the different parts (servers) from one place, plus other thing which you can read about on their (plesk/ensim's) respective sites. Plesk or Ensim is not a replacement for knowing what you're doing, or paying someone to oversee the server. It is simply a tool you can use to help you set things up a bit quicker.

In other words, if you don't know much about cars, it wouldn't be extremely smart to head out into the middle of the desert without a cell phone at night (where the temperatures drop quite low). Will the car die? Most likely not, but if it does, you'll be a frozen freezer treat by morning.

<<No "PM sent" posts please>>

IMO If you don't realistically have the knowledge you should start out reselling.

Originally posted by jbourke
However, it isn't realistic to run a hosting company without knowing something about the systems you are running. It would be like a car dealer who doesn't know how to drive.


Allot of hosts here don't know how to drive yet :D ..

Mark/Optix,
I have read a few of your posts, and I feel that you should probably research more on this forum by reading the archives. Once you spent some time reading and learning, all the questions that you are raising would be answered.

Peter

Wow! Thanks for all the info. I've been reselling for about 4 years now and am tired of it. I will be moving to my new server this week and will be figuring out exactly what needs to be learned.

Peter, I'll also check the archives. Thanks

optix, my advice, based on what you have just posted is to be conservative and transition a change over from your reseller arrangement to your dedicated server. I would even go so far as to recommend a 3-5 month transition plan.

Get your dedi server and get used to it. Play with it and try setting up some dummy accounts or accounts for some of your development projects, or projects of friends. Offer some friends some free accounts and move them onto the server and get used to running the show, testing out the CP, administering all the services (mail, apache, mysql, etc).

Then start moving over your paying customers. Eventually you will be up to speed and your customers and bussiness will not have suffered loss of revenue from errors you make along the learning process.

In the long run, the bottom line is that if you want to run a dedi and be a hosting provider you do need to know how to admin the server. But, it is more a matter of building up the experience and knowledge than it being some sort of unatainable secret knowledge that you need the key to unlock.

Best of luck

:)

That's a good idea and I will do that. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the setup fees right now. So if anyone wants to get rid of their rackshack server, msg me and we'll work out some sort of deal for me to take over.

Thanks,
Mark