Q. Can we use our own dedicated server to host your software?A. Yes, however, our software requires very specific server configuration. It is fine to use your existing dedicated server as long as it has to be setup to meet these configuration requirements. There would still be a setup fee to setup your server so it uses our control panel rather than using it's own. For example, if your server uses CPanel or Plesk this will need to be removed as our control panel conflicts with it.
Why Can't We Use CPanel, Plesk, etc., But Must Use Your Control Panel Instead?Our software includes features such as the ability for each member to have their own email, for members to import and host their domains, and for members to use subdomains (exa: username.yoursite.com). These features require the software to use our custom control panel to manage apache, bind, postfix, dovecat and other software on the server that is traditionally managed by software such as CPanel.
Using our control panel has the following benefits:
- No need to pay higher hosting fees for CPanel or Plesk seats.
- The ability for our workers to easily access your site while on a task for you but the security that they cannot access when not working for you.
- The ability to use our backup system which is improved over backups done by traditional control panel software.
- The ability for us to quickly upgrade your site to the newest version of our software for free.
- Performance enhancements as your server is configured specifically for our software.
- Security enhancements as in addition to security settings we use like disabling FTP and requiring sFTP, our control panel is custom, not open source, and uses the policy of having all doors locked except for the doors specifically used (in contrast to most control panel software having all doors unlocked to allow for greater flexibility without them understanding your specific needs).
Q. With a dedicated server that we host with you, can our webmaster have root access to be able to create sub-domains and install plugins?
A. We can give out root access via an RSA key, but it is typically best for us not to. If we give out root access it is very easy to mess something up. Our DNS settings are very specific. However, something he probably would need is phpMyAdmin access, which we have and there is no problems with him using it if he is qualified. With our DNS setup, even someone qualified could easily have issues. Because of this, for any sites you need added to your server, it's best to send to us and it is a simple process for us to add it for you. If you have and can send a long list all at once that is best. If there is any other needs for root access let us know and either we can describe our method for doing it, or provide the needed access for you to do it yourself. If it is something that we don't have a specific method for then we have no problem to give you access but prefer to know what is going on (many things we have our own method for).
Q. In your opinion can we use the standard server for a 2,000 member site and expect it to run okay? (2 pages and 2 sets of AR's)A. Yes, there will be no problems.
That amount is way under the load our single server can handle.
Q. If we host with you will we have ftp access to make changes as needed?A. Our normal hosting does not include FTP access.Instead there is a File Manager in the WMT Client Admin to upload files and create directories.
With a dedicated hosting we offer SFTP access (a secure FTP connection using RSA Key Authentication. A part of the setup).
Q. Will I receive ftp info?A. We do not give out FTP details with shared hosters.
In fact, for security, FTP is completely disabled for the server (disabled within Linux itself) and instead we provide a file manager for uploading files.
With a dedicated server we do offer SFTP (secure FTP).
We restrict regular FTP (insecure) even on dedicated servers because it is not the wisest option
(our servers have password hack attempts multiple times each second, all day long, and even with firewalls, FTP is still not 100% secure).
Q. I need to add two articles and an ebook to your servers so when a customer at the site clicks on a link they will pop up? How can this be accomplished?
Question Keywords: ftp, dedicated server
