Hi guys - I am preparing to purchase a dedicated server, but, I am having some confusion (I know, imagine that!). I was hoping that I could get a couple of short responses from some professionals who have worked with both to some degree.

I guess mainly what I am looking for is which one you would choose if you were purchasing a dedicated server today and why.

Some additional info.

1. Im a Senior Linux System Administrator.
2. I will not be running a hosting company on it - just a few midsized websites.


One other quick, related question -
I am looking at two seperate hosting setups; one at rackshack.net and the other on Cogent as primary and Yipes! as secondary.

Any comments or help from those who know would be most appreciated.

Thank you in advance for you participation.

Maximux!

Sorry for throwing the off-topic discussion up it this forum. I would still love to hear from this group on their thoughts about the two -

Moderator - please move this thread as appropriate.

my apologies.

I love Plesk

Plesk

I tried the plesk demo on their website and was frankly unimpressed. I would give ensim a try if you haven't already, it might be better (haven't tried it yet)

I've tried both and I liked the plesk servers better.

Besides plesk sales and support staff is always there. I have tried calling ensim and they take a week or two to get back to you.

Just tried setting up Ensim. Only thing that pisses me off about this webppliance is that it gives you no painless way to uninstall it or do a reinstall.
So if you made a mistake and want to go back to status quo ..bummer..you are on your own. With Plesk you want to go back you just type 'deinstall' from the command line, or from the GUI you click on uninstall.

Beats me why Ensim has not responded to any of the people wanting to uninstall the software. Its costing me two reformats. Aside from this quark, I really like the interface though its not as clean as Plesk. Personally, am thinking of hosing both and going with an opensource CP like web.cp :D unless I find an easy way to uninstall it Ensim.

Plesk. Much easier to admin, a few cool hacks or addons are developed, better support and a lively forum. Simple install process too.

I have tried the demo of Plesk and Ensim. I like Ensim colorful interface, but it's too basic (reminds me of CobaltRaQ admin interface). In the end, I prefer Plesk over Ensim.

Originally posted by queensoul
Just tried setting up Ensim. Only thing that pisses me off about this webppliance is that it gives you no painless way to uninstall it or do a reinstall.

I would have to say that is a problem is the LS version (one that rackshack.net uses)
If you run off of ServerXchange, then its a breeze to uninstall and reinstall..

I would also have to say that the "ensim control panel" also has different versions.. before you say you don't like ensim, explain what product you don't like and why. Their enterprise products have more control than their stand alone products..

laterz.. :D

One of the biggest things that Ensim offers that Plesk does not is virtual private servers. This allows you to sell "virtual' dedicated servers, which the customers can install programs, SSH in, etc, and do most things as if it was their own dedicated server. It also secures each server away from the others. So giving SSH/telnet/etc is not the same security issue it is normally, since they are in control of their "private server".

Another option to consider is H-Sphere, they're about to release a new version that gives it a new user interface and some other stuff. It doesn't do private servers, but it does have billing built in.

Neofree

If you're a senior linux system administrator and you won't be running a web hosting company, I'd say use neither. Also, the Ensim WEBppliance doesn't offer virtual dedicated servers.

Originally posted by ToastyX
Also, the Ensim WEBppliance doesn't offer virtual dedicated servers.

I believe you may be thinking about something else cause this is partly not true.

Ensim is the leader in Virtual Private Servers but you need to be running the ServerXchange platform.

laterz..

I'm not thinking about something else. I'm talking about Ensim WEBppliance here, not Ensim the company or Ensim ServerXchange. Ensim WEBppliance by itself doesn't provide virtual dedicated servers.

Originally posted by Maximux
1. Im a Senior Linux System Administrator.
2. I will not be running a hosting company on it - just a few midsized websites.
Since you know Linux and you're not going to be running a hosting company, why don't you look in to Webmin? It's free and powerful.

The major downsides are: a) it's not the easiest thing in the world to understand (but being as you're a Linux Admin, you shouldn't have a problem), and b) there's no "end user" control panel (but as your not running a hosting company, this shouldn't matter either).

The upsides are: a) you get a lot more control over the server directly from the control panel than either Plesk or Ensmin will give you, and b) IT'S FREE!

http://www.webmin.com

Originally posted by palmtree
[B]

I would also have to say that the "ensim control panel" also has different versions.. before you say you don't like ensim, explain what product you don't like and why. Their enterprise products have more control than their stand alone products..

B]

The most current Sir: webappliance 3.0 LS. Thats the one. And am not just ranting. Even $5 shareware products have uninstall, why not this hefty prized product?
:) Why must the enterprise products have uninstall and not the others? Why do they ignore posts asking for help to uninstall? Am not dismissing it as an unusable product, all am saying is that if I make a mistake, I'd like an opportunity to uninstall and start over. Or remove it and return to status quo.

I would figure because webppliance is more than just a program you add to the machine. Webppliance assumes the role of being 'part of' your operating system- not just some control panel that allows you to control stuff, say like webmin..

I would think that is why webppliance doesn't have an "uninstall" feature, cause if you uninstall it, you are going back to a basic system.. From the standpoint of Ensim, why make your product easy to uninstall? That just makes it so people can stop using your software.... ;)

laterz..

I have to agree with Chris here.
Why bother wasting space and time with a web hosting control panel if you are using it for web hosting, and know your way around a system? I personally use plesk for hosting, because of what it provides my clients. As an admin though, I spend more time trying to work around plesk rather than in it.

If all you are looking for is a way to do some quick web based management, webmin is probably all you'll need.

-Dan

Originally posted by palmtree
I would figure because webppliance is more than just a program you add to the machine. Webppliance assumes the role of being 'part of' your operating system- not just some control panel that allows you to control stuff, say like webmin..

I would think that is why webppliance doesn't have an "uninstall" feature, cause if you uninstall it, you are going back to a basic system..


This is part of the issue. Ensim's RPM's not only contain the Control Panel but also system services specifically designed for Ensim. So by just removing the Ensim RPM's you are just left with a broken OS because of the way Ensim chose to create their product (which the reason for this is because it is needed in order to do the Virtual Private Servers). The other problem with this is you are basically stuck with the package versions that Ensim chooses to use because you have to be very careful what you attempt to upgrade as it may BREAK the Ensim install and upgrade packages.

The reason why ServerXchange comes with an uninstall is mainly due to the VPS capability, you can add and subtract them at will. One thing to note is that the VPS's are using Webppliance so it is possible to uninstall it, it's just the script is not provided on its own in the LS version.

Rackshack is using ServerXchange so I dont understand why they just dont hit the button and uninstall it for you, but I guess that would be considered a Managed Server and that is not offered with their cheaper packages.

As for Ensim's lack of response to this issue, if you are actually an Ensim customer who purchased the CP, contact your sales rep and I am sure they will help you this. Unfortunately for those that have Ensim on one of their dedicated boxes, you are basically at the hosts mercy because they hold the license.

Originally posted by DigitalXWeb
Rackshack is using ServerXchange so I dont understand why they just dont hit the button and uninstall it for you, but I guess that would be considered a Managed Server and that is not offered with their cheaper packages.

Just an observation, I've been told RackShack uses the LS version, not ServerXchange.. thus this is probably why they cannot do this. Even on the Ensim site where RackShack is quoted, it doesn't say anything about them using ServerXchange- only Webppliance, where both of the other companies listed mention it (ServerXchange) by name..

As for addressing WHY anyone would want to use a box or private server powered by ServerXchange is because of what it powers you to do- complete billing and customer management with instant account setup availability, same control panels for different operating systems (windows, linux, solaris...), and the management capabilities of ServerXchange on the per account/server/vps level.. Thats why people are selecting ServerXchange.

Although some people might be linux admin's, that doesn't mean your customers are- thus the need for a good control panel.. What is good? Well, that is the debate.. ;) It depends on your needs as a hosting business and what kind of services you want to offer your clients.

laterz,
palmtree

Originally posted by palmtree


Just an observation, I've been told RackShack uses the LS version, not ServerXchange.. thus this is probably why they cannot do this. Even on the Ensim site where RackShack is quoted, it doesn't say anything about them using ServerXchange- only Webppliance, where both of the other companies listed mention it (ServerXchange) by name..



I thought I saw that RackShack was using ServerXchange somewhere, but you are correct it only mentions LS. Perhaps this would also explain why they have such a hard time supporting it, as they need to log into each and every single box just to admin them.

Well, look at that! They (Ensim) are now advertising on WHT.. hmm.. interesting..

Anyway, yes I would have to agree.. If they were using ServerXchange, it would greatly reduce their support overhead.

laterz,
palmtree