We are looking for a control panel that would give us the following capabilities:
1) manage windows and linux servers for hosting website
2) mysql remote hosting, mssql remote hosting (I mean hosted on a different server that is also managed by the panel.
3)keep track of quotas and so forth.
4) Create reseller accounts so they can have their own users.

this will be setup as a solution for a large company and hosted in their own datacenter as a solution for their users.

we are mainly looking at functionality, relibility, reporting, flexibility, and ease of use.

Price is not really an issue if it is worth it.

what do you guys recommend. we have some idea in mind but have lost touch of the other panels in the market and I am sure they have come along way too so decided to check with the experts.

It seems you are looking for panel that can manage Linux and windows severs together through one panel. If I have understood your requirements correctly then my answer will be Hsphere. This is the panel that you are looking for http://www.parallels.com/products/hsphere/

are you looking to make clustering of all the linux and windows servers you have , if you are looking for so then go for Hsphere if not then for windows server go for DotNet Panel or for Linux go for Cpanel.

Wooo nvm he said for hosting websites,,

I agree, H-Sphere control panel seems the answer to your needs above.
I myself had been using H-Sphere for about 7 years when I was working with a hosting company few years ago (They're still using H-Sphere until now).
Initially H-Sphere was created and maintained by Psoft.net and about few years ago was sold to Parallels.
With H-Sphere, you can manage both Windows and Linux servers, as well as mysql and mssql database servers.

As far as I know, Parallels has stopped selling new licenses for H-Sphere and only the old ones are continued.

interworx for linux
dotnetpanel for windows

i guess both will do all what you want.
i'm not sure for dotnetpanel and mssql but seems more logical to have mssql on dedicaced server too.

Cpanel for both. The windows version of cpanel is called Enkompass

As far as I know, Parallels has stopped selling new licenses for H-Sphere and only the old ones are continued.

Unless I'm missing something, you can buy it here:
http://www.parallels.com/store/hsphere/

Unless I'm missing something, you can buy it here:
http://www.parallels.com/store/hsphere/

Well, I think I am wrong. However, don't you think it is too costly for a web hosting company to afford it?

CPanel has always worked great, alot of features, functions & tools for both the server & the users :) HSPHERE is a good panel too.

Do NOT go with HSphere. They will drop this product line very soon to promote their Plesk panel (business automation suite). You will regret it. Where is Helm now?

Your only typical solution now is HostingController (http://hostingcontroller.com/). It has to be the perfect choice for you. They offer clustering of Linux and Windows servers. Remote SQL databases, remote Mail, DNS... the whole lot can be managed under just one login panel.

we are using hostingcontroller and are about to drop them. the staff are nice and i like them. however, it's just unstable and too many bugs. I end up having to babysit the system more than running our company because of issues left and right.

example, we were having issues with dns and zone creation with new domain creations. when that was fixed, a new problem showed up which was working before.

Maybe, it because we use linux for dns, web and mysql, and just use windows for mail. Maybe that's the problem because the way I see it HC8 was tailored more for windows although it allows for both.

Also, compared to the other panels, you need to be able to do the administration of the server side, like maintaining apache, restarting services, overlooking which services are running, etc. as HC8 does not have these built into their system. HC8 is for provisioning users, domains, databases, and not for restarting and updating apache, setting suphp etc etc.

hope this helps.

try out interworx. they do clustering as well, and from what i've read they do failover. HC8's clustering works differently as well, where services can be distributed among servers, but no failover.

I think most of the suggestions have already been given to you on this thread :):
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=942837

By the way I would again recommend Hosting Controller to you as its first of all has not gone Open Source unlike DNP. Secondly it has not been acquired by Parallels like most of rest of the contemporary control panels in the market.

I am using Hosting Controller for many years now and will certainly recommend it over many commercially available control panels. It has the best technical support and have the ability to provision all Windows and Linux services.

My 2 cents would be: just evaluate yourself and see how it works... I'm sure you will like it.

we are using hostingcontroller and are about to drop them. the staff are nice and i like them. however, it's just unstable and too many bugs. I end up having to babysit the system more than running our company because of issues left and right.

example, we were having issues with dns and zone creation with new domain creations. when that was fixed, a new problem showed up which was working before.

Maybe, it because we use linux for dns, web and mysql, and just use windows for mail. Maybe that's the problem because the way I see it HC8 was tailored more for windows although it allows for both.

Also, compared to the other panels, you need to be able to do the administration of the server side, like maintaining apache, restarting services, overlooking which services are running, etc. as HC8 does not have these built into their system. HC8 is for provisioning users, domains, databases, and not for restarting and updating apache, setting suphp etc etc.

hope this helps.

try out interworx. they do clustering as well, and from what i've read they do failover. HC8's clustering works differently as well, where services can be distributed among servers, but no failover.

Have you tried their new product HCnix, man its a good Linux base control panel. Fast and efficient. well I am surprised that they have released the final version few weeks ago and its very stable.
you can use it for clustering environment as well and no need to have windows db server , its work standalone.

I'm not sure where "InfiniteTech" gets his info, but I highly doubt hsphere is going anywhere anytime soon. I'd suggest H-sphere also.

I would recommend DirectAdmin. It is the most bug-free and affordable control panel.

However, I would most of all recommend cPanel as it is probably the best on the market at the moment. Their support is incredible and their control panel is easy to use and is very elegant.

We are looking for a control panel that would give us the following capabilities:
1) manage windows and linux servers for hosting website
2) mysql remote hosting, mssql remote hosting (I mean hosted on a different server that is also managed by the panel.
3)keep track of quotas and so forth.
4) Create reseller accounts so they can have their own users.

this will be setup as a solution for a large company and hosted in their own datacenter as a solution for their users.

we are mainly looking at functionality, relibility, reporting, flexibility, and ease of use.

Price is not really an issue if it is worth it.

what do you guys recommend. we have some idea in mind but have lost touch of the other panels in the market and I am sure they have come along way too so decided to check with the experts.
All above things are supported with Hosting Controller control. So, I think its the best option for you.