Hi ,

Our question might be asked earlier by someone. But couldn't able to find exact answer. So, I am asking it to

What all things we need to configure/install to become a webhosting company? We will only provide hosting on linux box instially. So, please provide answers with respect to linux enviornment only

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

are you only asking the technical side? or also all that is needed in order to stablish a webhosting company?

majorly i need info on technical side, but would be gr8 if you could provide me everything that is required for a webhosting company. and i am not interested in reseller a/c or something i need to setup every of my own.

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

majorly i need info on technical side, but would be gr8 if you could provide me everything that is required for a webhosting company. and i am not interested in reseller a/c or something i need to setup every of my own.

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

wow.

no offense, but if you need to ask this, do you think you should be providing services to clients?

wow.

no offense, but if you need to ask this, do you think you should be providing services to clients?

That's is all right. Basically we only need to configure a linux webhosting server for our client.

It would gr8 if could guide us.

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

That's is all right. Basically we only need to configure a linux webhosting server for our client.

It would gr8 if could guide us.

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

My advice is to find someone else to provide you services, then resell services to your client. Based on your replies, there is far too much knowledge(technical) you are lacking to provide quality services.

A quick tip: delegate. Work with people that are excellent at what they do so you can be excellent at what you do.



Regards,

Karl's advice is sound. Also, my competition is the last folks I would personally ask for help on setting up my business. ;)

Thanks all, as we don't have much time we can't look for other service provider to configure the server. we need to provide the list of things to be installed ASAP.

Anyone would like to help us:

What all things we need to configure/install to become a webhosting company? We will only provide hosting on linux box instially. So, please provide answers with respect to linux enviornment only


Thanks
CentronicsSupport

Thanks all, as we don't have much time we can't look for other service provider to configure the server. we need to provide the list of things to be installed ASAP.

Anyone would like to help us:

What all things we need to configure/install to become a webhosting company? We will only provide hosting on linux box instially. So, please provide answers with respect to linux enviornment only


Thanks
CentronicsSupport

It will take you longer to assemble the list and do things yourself then it would to find someone that already has everything set up.

How can someone give you the list, when there are 100s of items to install/config.

And even if you have the list, will you be able to do it yourself?

Why don't you just buy a pre-configured server targetting hosting industries.

He's asking a question, why is no one answering him? Well I'll answer your question, although you might not understand fully:

To start with, you will need a server. Don't go low spec, the more you pay the better the server, go mid-range. Make sure you have a decent processor, at least 1GB of ram and a decent amount of bandwidth / hdd space.

You'll then need to install Apache, PHP, MySQL, Perl, FTP server and any other service you want to provide. These might come preinstalled with the linux box you choose.

From there, you'll need a control panel so people can modify their hosting accounts from the internet. The leaders in the industry are Plesk, Cpanel and DirectAdmin. I'd reccomend Cpanel for a newbie, but I've not had experience with DirectAdmin.

Now, if you want to sell the hosting via the internet you're going to need a website and a billing system. << removed >> And a decent billing system is ClientExec (which can be used for support tickets too).

<< removed >>

Regards,

wow.

no offense, but if you need to ask this, do you think you should be providing services to clients?

I agree completly. If you do not know how to start a web hosting company that how will you be able to run one?

I agree completly. If you do not know how to start a web hosting company that how will you be able to run one?


Please read all posts.

You'll then need to install Apache, PHP, MySQL, Perl, FTP server and any other service you want to provide. These might come preinstalled with the linux box you choose.

Skip this above step and go straight to the below step;

From there, you'll need a control panel so people can modify their hosting accounts from the internet. The leaders in the industry are Plesk, Cpanel and DirectAdmin. I'd reccomend Cpanel for a newbie, but I've not had experience with DirectAdmin.


Most control panels will install everything you need. You will still need to hire someone to SECURE the server for you. I dont recommend doing it yourself if you dont have the experience, it will come back to haunt you in the end.

He's asking a question, why is no one answering him? Well I'll answer your question, although you might not understand fully:

To start with, you will need a server. Don't go low spec, the more you pay the better the server, go mid-range. Make sure you have a decent processor, at least 1GB of ram and a decent amount of bandwidth / hdd space.

You'll then need to install Apache, PHP, MySQL, Perl, FTP server and any other service you want to provide. These might come preinstalled with the linux box you choose.

From there, you'll need a control panel so people can modify their hosting accounts from the internet. The leaders in the industry are Plesk, Cpanel and DirectAdmin. I'd reccomend Cpanel for a newbie, but I've not had experience with DirectAdmin.

Now, if you want to sell the hosting via the internet you're going to need a website and a billing system. For a website, I'd offer you my services ;) And a decent billing system is ClientExec (which can be used for support tickets too).

If this looks a bit complicated, I'd be obliged to offer you my services in setting all of this up for you. If you're interested in that, contact me on MSN ( encore2k6@googlemail.com ).

Regards,

Thanks very much reply in such a good manner. I will definatel consider you whenever we start planning for website. I have added you to my gmail messenger list. :)

Can you guide us more on technically things, like list of things needs be installed with all what you mentioned in your post. if you know few links then provide us.

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

Skip this above step and go straight to the below step;




Most control panels will install everything you need. You will still need to hire someone to SECURE the server for you. I dont recommend doing it yourself if you dont have the experience, it will come back to haunt you in the end.

Thanks for providing the tip on security. Can you please list down the techinical things needs to be installed.

FYI: I know linux administration very well.

Thanks,
CentronicsSupport

It will take you longer to assemble the list and do things yourself then it would to find someone that already has everything set up.


Thanks karl, you are replying to all my posts. As you are from webhosting company (http://utropicmedia.net/), I would request you to do a favour to me, please please please provide the list of things needs to be done for configuring webhosting server.

Thanks,
CentornicsSupport

Centronic,

I really suggest just paying X a month for a managed server, As although I am sure you are very competent, that way everything is done for you at the beginning and the servers is kept running and optimized. You make a profit without worrying about all that goes along with a server.

I wish you luck in the future with your server. Please feel free to <ask here on WHT>

What you do to secure the box will depend somewhat on the control panel you use. Some things are the same for every setup, but I dont have the time to go into detail. This forum offers a great feature called the "Search" function. I would start searching the forum, you will find more info than you can take in at once.

What you do to secure the box will depend somewhat on the control panel you use. Some things are the same for every setup, but I dont have the time to go into detail. This forum offers a great feature called the "Search" function. I would start searching the forum, you will find more info than you can take in at once.
thanks, i will use search facility.

Thanks karl, you are replying to all my posts. As you are from webhosting company (http://utropicmedia.net/) (http://utropicmedia.net/%29), I would request you to do a favour to me, please please please provide the list of things needs to be done for configuring webhosting server.

Thanks,
CentornicsSupport

Network Provider
Hardware
OS
Management software(Control Panel. Should also have monitoring software bundled. )
IDS
Security Audit

Have you even decided on what control panel you want yet? I mean, to be honest, think about it this way - you're going through a list of: "oh I need this, I need that" when you could have had your hosting up 10 minutes after your post. Some resellers will even provide your billing system that integrates with your control panel with the reseller account, so you have everything you need.

Reseller Pros:
Don't worry about server security
Don't worry about uptime guarantee's
Focus on customer-interaction
Billing System CAN be provided
Control Panel provided
Around $20/month

Cons:
Smaller Space, no "root access/features"
However, for that, you could go with a VPS that has the billing system provided and if they have a community (like ServInt did), you could have guides to securing it yourself. After all, you said you're familiar with linux administration :)


Just my 2 cents.

Have you even decided on what control panel you want yet? I mean, to be honest, think about it this way - you're going through a list of: "oh I need this, I need that" when you could have had your hosting up 10 minutes after your post. Some resellers will even provide your billing system that integrates with your control panel with the reseller account, so you have everything you need.

Reseller Pros:
Don't worry about server security
Don't worry about uptime guarantee's
Focus on customer-interaction
Billing System CAN be provided
Control Panel provided
Around $20/month

Cons:
Smaller Space, no "root access/features"
However, for that, you could go with a VPS that has the billing system provided and if they have a community (like ServInt did), you could have guides to securing it yourself. After all, you said you're familiar with linux administration :)


Just my 2 cents.

Thanks, i think i will not earn anything , will tell my client that to go to somehosting company and buy reseller a/c. i will not setup any webhosting server for you.

Thanks all

Thanks, i think i will not earn anything , will tell my client that to go to somehosting company and buy reseller a/c. i will not setup any webhosting server for you.

Thanks all

Why don't YOU purchase a reseller, and then give them cPanel accounts? That way you can profit?

Why are you even trying to venture into one of the most saturated industries that there is without a business plan and a niche focus.

It's like trying to sell your own faeces, you won't make any cash with your current plans. Do some market research first, find out who your competitors are and what niche you wish to target.

Then you can think about becoming successfull.

Why don't YOU purchase a reseller, and then give them cPanel accounts? That way you can profit?


Thanks for reply. You might not have read my all post. Basically, i have client for which i need to configure all this. and if i suggest him to buy a resller then i will not earn anything :) suggest something.

Thanks,Basically, i have client for which i need to configure all this.

Why are you even trying to venture into one of the most saturated industries that there is without a business plan and a niche focus.

It's like trying to sell your own faeces, you won't make any cash with your current plans. Do some market research first, find out who your competitors are and what niche you wish to target.

Then you can think about becoming successfull.

Thanks,Basically, i have client for which i need to configure all this.

Where is your client going to have this server? Their own facility, hosted at a data center? If their own facility what type of infrastructure do they have (internet connectivity, power, cooling, physical security, firewalls, data backup, backup power)? If your client is going into the webhosting business what does their business plan call for in terms hardware/software investment? Who are they going to have maintain the servers? No offense intended but if you are asking these basic questions surely you will not be providing the day to day administration.

I think that what some people are trying to say is that you could purchase a reseller account, then give your client access to that reseller account, without them ever knowing that you purchased it as a reseller.

We allow all clients to access their control panel https://www.theirdomain.com:8443 (Plesk) and most hosts do the same. If you have a dedicated IP and private nameservers it would be quite difficult for them to track down the actually reseller.

So set up a reseller account, then give them control panel access and say "here you go!".

Thread moved to Running a Web Hosting Business. :)

What's your new hosting company called? ;)

You shouldn't be asking these kinds of questions if your providing a hosting service to customers.

Also i would advise that you make sure your grammar is right - obviously if English is not your first language then it is understandable but if it is then i think you need to look at this first!

Cheers Guy

He's asking a question, why is no one answering him? Well I'll answer your question, although you might not understand fully:

Regards,

Because it's like giving a loaded gun to a toddler and feeling you can forget all responsibility when things go bad simply because, "he asked for it."

Yes, it certainly doesn't help him telling him, "No," but the added harm to the hosting industry from having another "clueless webhosting company" in my mind is enough of an offset.

I mean... If there was a doctors forum... and Someone went on there saying that their brother has a tumor in his head that he needs it removed... and 1) They hear being a doctor makes mad money, 2) They want to help their brother out, 3) They are too poor/lazy to pay for normal training services/experiences... that They want to learn how to do brain surgery them self, please give them all instructions. Everyone would just look and laugh. Telling him, "ok, you should start with a sharp knife, then find some alcohol to use as a disinfectant" is NOT a helpful answer. Because, you have to know in the back of your head... he's going to fark something up.

To me... it's partly that I feel bad for anyone who would be suckered into being a customer of his, and I'd rather prevent it from the start.

I certainly forsee his future postings asking how to deal with the most innate cPanel problems, or problems saying, "Help, I've been hacked!!!!!11", or etc etc etc...

you are trying to make money from something you are completely without any idea.

i can't imagine what your client will end with if they are really starting a host with the server you provided.

it is not ethical to do business like this.

You could pay me $100 an hour and will happily make your webhost very successful.......