hosting more domains?

[sylvaticus]

Hello.. I'm not a unix expert at all, just a desktop Linux user.
I would like to move my 4-5 personal web sites in one central location using a VPS and I come here.
I'm little familiar with Webmin.. I'd like to use virtualmin for creating some virtual hosting.. but I don't know absolutelly anything about DNSs..
I know my name register (gandi.net.. a great one!) offer free DNS service.. I can choose if use them and just say witch IP to point or use alternative DNS..

with a VPS can I simply use one IP and host multiple domains or do I need to buy other services?

Witch OS do you suggest me?? Some one that would be simply to load webmin/virtualmin..

Cheers..
Sylvaticus

[StoryInMemo]

I've been using Debian for my work... though I'm a hardcore command-line kind of guy. If you can get yourself logged in via ssh, and apt-get install webmin should take care of most things for you. I'm willing to negotiate assistance. ;)

[DJ_Max]

[QUOTE=sylvaticus]Hello.. I'm not a unix expert at all, just a desktop Linux user.
I would like to move my 4-5 personal web sites in one central location using a VPS and I come here.
I'm little familiar with Webmin.. [/QUOTE]
With this said, I wouldn't recommened a VPS to you (a simple reseller plan, or even shared account would be better.) let alone an unmanaged one. Two things will happen, you will get rooted and/or you'll be paying Matt $10 a pop to fix an issue. Now, the latter is more common than the first when dealing with personal sites, but not uncommon. (There are people out there with nothing better to do than make my job harder).

When I said I didn't recommend a VPS, I had in mind, that you didn't want to learn, but seeing as you're a Linux user like me, it's not unreasonable to say you're interested to learn while hosting your sites. If I'm correct, don't pay much attention to my top response.

Anyhow, to answer your question, you will only need one dedicated IP address, though two is more common. (One for Primary DNS AND websites, mail server, etc, and one for Secondary DNS)

As far as OS, I would recommend you Debian, just because of it's unparalleled stability and ease of use.

Webmin will make things a lot easier, especially DNS management (this is said with BIND in mind, which is difficult to managed, DJBDNS is my favorite due to it's ease of use and security). But seeing as you'll be using a third-party DNS service, you won't need Bind, or the Bind function in Webmin/Virtualmin/Usermin. Just create a A name record to your server IP at your Domain register.

Also, do a little researc on rootkits, DDOS attacks/flooding, networking, etc..

[americantechie]

With this said, I wouldn't recommened a VPS to you (a simple reseller plan, or even shared account would be better.) let alone an unmanaged one. Two things will happen, you will get rooted and/or you'll be paying Matt $10 a pop to fix an issue.


I agree to an extent. Security is the most difficult issue to deal with. The various *nix server components have a steep learning curve, but you can fumble your way through it. Security, unfortunately, requires an in-depth knowledge of the system, but there are many resources out there to help you with this.

I use Ubuntu because I am also new to all of this and the system is easy to use. The community has created a massive volume of helpful information. Every problem that I have experienced has been fixed by searching the official forums. I am sure the Debian forums are useful as well, but Ubuntu has an atmosphere that is welcoming to new users.

There is also alot of good information in the WebHostingTalk forums about security. I would browse through there and see what other people suggest as security measures.

[DJ_Max]

[QUOTE=americantechie]I agree to an extent. Security is the most difficult issue to deal with. The various *nix server components have a steep learning curve, but you can fumble your way through it. Security, unfortunately, requires an in-depth knowledge of the system, but there are many resources out there to help you with this.

I use Ubuntu because I am also new to all of this and the system is easy to use. The community has created a massive volume of helpful information. Every problem that I have experienced has been fixed by searching the official forums. I am sure the Debian forums are useful as well, but Ubuntu has an atmosphere that is welcoming to new users.

There is also alot of good information in the WebHostingTalk forums about security. I would browse through there and see what other people suggest as security measures.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. WHT is chocked full of useful posts from people who know there stuff. I also use Ubuntu, but on my desktop. (I also actively participate in it's development). I've just found Debian a better server OS.

Also, FYI, Debian is more involved with mailings lists (they have a huge archive, that recieves a substantial amount of traffic) with Ubuntu has a big forum community.

[Jim]

Good luck setting up a server! I just spent the weekend taking the plunge by setting up something very similar to what you are looking for using ubuntu 5.1

It wasn't terrible, the snapshots helped to set a "Save" before I tried to install something else.
I must warn you about webmin on this instance of ubuntu. The package version is 1) old 2) not working.
I could get away with all sorts of apt-get apache2 or php or whatever but not webmin.

Also, let me suggest this post for ubuntu server setup.
http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_ubuntu_5.10
Complete with ispconfig for a "Reseller Like" environment.

I should warn you, it appeared to be choking my 128mb plan so I drop ispconfig and put webmin on instead but had to build it from source. (A very easy build I might add)