ISPConfig, Lxadmin, ehcp, Plesk, OpenVZ/VTONF, others?

Hi all,

I need your help picking an open source control panel. I am setting up a free web hosting server for a local non-profit organization. Funds are practically zero. I am donating a new pc for the server.

I am a veteran linux/UNIX user, familiar with all major distro’s. The command line is my friend. However, it’s been a few years since I messed with website hosting, and need to come up to speed on the latest panels.

They have basic requirements:


at least 3 domains (one main, others are projects, some temporary, will likely change)
web page hosting for each domain
not sure of web page services required, for now, will go with the usual php, mysql
email services for each domain, courier or postfix, need spam filtering
basic email access, webmail will probably suffice, horde would be nice but not required, others?
ftp access to transfer files (need to address security, change port, or use port knocking), need to make this easy for their people making the pages
do not need calendar/scheduling, they use meetup.com for that
not concerned with stats or billing, should be low traffic, no ads ever
virtualization is not a requirement, haven’t messed with it yet, so prefer to avoid
I’m building the server, they are creating the web page content (I suck at that)
server will be behind an existing firewall I built on Debian, shorewall, has dns, etc., will port forward

I may also add other services such as a wiki, or forum software. Those may be added later.

They have no money, and I’m broke myself. I am donating a new pc, will run it from my home initially, I have high-speed broadband. I already use dyndns for domain management at work, will add domains for home too.

I need to do this with all open source software. We can’t afford cpanel. I am a huge debian fan, running it for years, but since 95% of people here seem to prefer CentOS, I’ll go with it. I am experienced with CentOS too, but haven’t played with 5.2 much lately. I just noticed 5.3 is out LOL not a problem.

I’m currently on howtoforge, checking out the how-to’s, and looking at control panels.

Given the above client requirements, and my skills, which control panel would you recommend?

I have never used a web hosting control panel, but am aware of them. I did play with ispconfig a few years ago, but never used it in production.

Thanks for reading, all feedback is appreciated.

ISPConfig would be the way to go (still) :).

Is there much difference between ISPConfig v2 and v3?

I found a howto for CentOS 5.3 but it uses v2:
http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-centos-5.3-x86_64-ispconfig-2

I also found one for CentOS 5.2 but uses v3:
http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-centos-5.2-ispconfig-3

I'm not sure which way to go. I would rather use the latest CentOS, if ISPConfig v2 is good enough.

If ISPConfig v3 is much better, I might go with it, and just install CentOS 5.2, then try an upgrade, and hope it doesn't break anything (figure the odds heh).

Frustrating. I was hoping to get more than one response.

Since I first posted the above question, I have since searched this forum, and found most say cpanel or directadmin. I'm willing to cough up the $89 for directadmin out of my own pocket, but they want a static public IP. I don't have that. I'm using a static internal IP behind a firewall.

I'm doing all of this for charity, and no, they don't have their 501c3 non-profit status yet. They are working on it.

I don't see too many options available. I'm studying ISPConfig right now. I'm hoping there are other open source panels just as good if not better, in the opinion of some here.

I still have my fingers crossed though.

Just follow the ISP Config 3 guide on CentOS 5.3 and you will be fine ;). And yes, without a static IP paid control panels are hard to get I'm afraid :(.

Thanks Rob,

Actually, I just finished building the server a few hours ago. Works great. I used the howtoforge document for ISPConfig 3 on CentOS 5.2:

http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-centos-5.2-ispconfig-3

It is much better than the CentOS 5.3 (ISPConfig 2) doc, because it included anti-virus/spam filters, and directions for ISPConfig.

Naturally, I updated to CentOS5.3 :agree: I'm playing with the server now, and everything is working nicely.

I don't see what all the negative feedback about ISPConfig in threads here comes from. I find this tool very intuitive, easy to use, and everything works. It's too easy IMHO, too many lemmings can follow that howto, and get a working server which they have no clue how to troubleshoot. I guess that sounded cocky, but I am not a linux noob. No Ubuntu here.

I'm willing to build another server, if somebody/anybody else here responds with another suggestion. I repeat, if there is another open source panel you think is just as good if not better than ISPConfig, I would really love to hear about it.

Daryl

I'm willing to build another server, if somebody/anybody else here responds with another suggestion. I repeat, if there is another open source panel you think is just as good if not better than ISPConfig, I would really love to hear about it.

I like (and use) webmin & usermin. I don't have a need for it... but virtualmin is ok.

Hi mainpipe,

It's interesting you mention webmin. I usually do put webmin on all of my linux servers. I don't use it much anymore myself, but it does have it's uses. I mainly use it to allow department heads (at work) to control access to squid/dansguardian, letting them manage their department users access to the internet proxy, and to add sites they want allowed, and ban new ones that are unproductive, work wise.

Honestly, I didn't even consider it for webhosting control. A few years ago, I played with it's abilities to do that, and it just seemed quicker to fire up a command shell and edit files directly. I type fast, and usually have lots of shell sessions open.

I'll install the latest webmin on this box, and see what it can do. I have my doubts. I recall webmin likes to take control of things, and force it to do it's bidding. If this conflicts with any panel such as ISPConfig, well, you know where that will lead.

The mission continues... :D

Daryl

Honestly, I didn't even consider it for webhosting control. A few years ago, I played with it's abilities to do that, and it just seemed quicker to fire up a command shell and edit files directly. I type fast, and usually have lots of shell sessions open.

True, it is more for admin tasks. And if you know what you are doing it is almost easier to use the command line. However, if you have a basic setup and also want others to be able to handle their own email/ftp... it with usermin is great.

Virtualmin is more of a webhosting control panel like plesk, cpanel, and directadmin. Virtualmin is also offered as a commercial product now too. Personally, I need a panel for myself and not "customers/users" and don't really need virtualmin.

I recall webmin likes to take control of things, and force it to do it's bidding. If this conflicts with any panel such as ISPConfig, well, you know where that will lead.


My experience has been that webmin doesn't do anything out of the norm. However, plesk/cpanel/directadmin have their own way of doing things.

Why do you want a panel? For your users? Just give them ftp & webmail access.

cPanel is great and easy to use. I need help installing it though. Also keep in mind of the security flaws in each panel

Why do you want a panel? For your users? Just give them ftp & webmail access.

For work, I don't.

This endeavor is not work related. It's this local non-profit group I am assisting. I want to give their project leader a panel, so he can grant access to volunteers. He'll create email accounts for his staff, and access to manage the web pages to those who volunteer to create the web content.

Again, I really suck at making web pages. Each time I sit down and learn HTML/CSS I find it boring, and lose interest. I'm pressuring the project to have a volunteer step up and make the web pages themselves.

As an engineer, I'm more than happy to build the server for them. That's the least I can do. I just don't want to get bogged down with administrative stuff, and I definitely suck at making the web pages, so hopefully I will give them a server they can run with!

I know, I'm kidding myself. I'm already eyeballing that stack of books over there, one of them being "web sites for dummmies" :eek: I will still step up and volunteer, but making web content sucks!

As for a panel, giving them access to something as powerful as webmin could spell disaster. It's too easy to break something. I'd rather give them access to something friendlier (and not as potent) like a panel.

Thanks mainpipe, I value your feedback. Would you give a customer webmin access to a server? That idea scares me. True, you can lock it down. A panel seems like a much better idea to me IMHO.

Cheers!

Daryl

cPanel is great and easy to use. I need help installing it though. Also keep in mind of the security flaws in each panel

Did I forget to mention open source?

:bkick:

Did I forget to mention open source?

:bkick:

Oh sorry. I totally forgot

Would you give a customer webmin access to a server?

NO!!! I was just wondering if you were going to admin it (adding users, etc.). Assuming it is a small group of users, I would use webmin for me and give them access to usermin for email & ftp to their webspace.

A webhosting panel will work for your needs. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost ($$$).

Originally, I just thought you needed a pretty static setup and admin maintenance would be minimal. Other than adding/deleting users & uploading content... I just don't see what your site admin/webmaster needs to do?

I have used Plesk and like it. cPanel is king... but I find it ugly with too many options. I really like DirectAdmin, it is minimalistic and yet has all the features needed. Interworx is also is worth taking a look at. But every one of those options cost $$$.

Good luck and let us know how it all works out for you.

Did I forget to mention open source?

OOPS! You mentioned Plesk & DirectAdmin, so I mentioned other top panels. I guess you could consider them "Open Source" because they use open source apps. LOL

Heya mainpipe, nice jabs there :D

True, when I first started this post, I rattled off some of the panels I saw mentioned. That first post was the beginning of this research effort. I later learned some of them were not open source, my bad. Interworx? Didn't see that one mentioned anywhere, will take a look (just saw it's another paid one).

I very much like the looks of DirectAdmin, and if I qualify for the $89 version, we still don't have a public static IP, so unfortunately that option is out :(

So, for open source, it's down to ISPConfig vs webmin. I was hoping there were others equally worthy of consideration. I did investigate DirectAdmin, and I am willing to personally fork over more money to get it, but they require that public static IP, which the group I'm supporting just isn't in a position to cover the costs, at least not yet. I will certainly push it, but I'm pretty sure how volunteer groups respond with spending.

I have the ISPConfig server up and online, I'm testing it now. So far, the panel seems pretty nice to me, but then again, I'm used to installing/maintaining each of those apps from the command line. I have that funny feeling when I give this non-profit org access to the panel, they will elect me to maintain it! DOH! :o

I guess that's how the cookie crumbles...

I've decided to wrap this up. I have ISPConfig installed, it seems good enough, it works for me. On the other hand, the project I'm helping will probably balk at it, and expect me to maintain it. Oh well, what a surprise LOL

Thank you everyone for your input. This has truly been a learning experience!

I still remain open to alternatives, open source, of course :)

Daryl

I reckon LXAdmin or Usermin. They both work wonderfully.

The only one integrated in major distros is here:

http://packages.debian.org/lenny/dtc-postfix-courier

It does all what you asked for and much much more.

Thomas

Thanks "gplhost" for your efforts on open source World
I have read feature list DTC and SysCP.
Is DTC under developing ? because latest version is "V0.29.17 R1" that has been released on 2008-02-15.
Do you use DTC for your services on gplhost-dot-com as Control Pannel?

Is DTC under developing ? because latest version is "V0.29.17 R1" that has been released on 2008-02-15.

It's under very active development, it's just that our website never gets changed (not even the version number advertised there). Version 0.30.10 has been released few days ago. Look at our Gitweb, and you'll see more than a commit every day.

Do you use DTC for your services on gplhost-dot-com as Control Pannel?

Yes. For both shared, vps and dedicated hosting. What motivates the development of DTC was primarily our internal usage (and of course, since, it changed and we as well develop functions we don't really need for ourself).

Thomas

Gplhost Thanks for your attention
But I have not found any demo on official site for DTC.