For several months now, I have been occupied with constructing my personal web-based panel for hosting services.
Have you had any encounters using current web-based server management software?
To optimize your web server performance, it's recommended to segregate the sites by assigning specific services to different physical or virtual machines. For instance, you can have nginx running on one server, Apache on another, Lighttpd on a third and OLS on a fourth. Running unnecessary services on a machine only contributes to complexity and increases the resource overhead of every running service.
Therefore, it doesn't make sense to run all of them simultaneously. Using more system resources than necessary is not advisable.
If the server lacks a RAID controller, mdadm soft RAID is utilized, for which I provide detailed installation and configuration instructions for Proxmox. Selectel conveniently offers basic templates for installation where Debian on RAID1 is selected as the system upon server order; the installer automatically rolls the system to mdadm, eliminating the need for manual disk splitting and mdadm assembly. In the simplest case, the hypervisor host system functions as the gateway, with iptables and Nat configured on it.
However, when using multiple dedicated servers that require VPN connection over the internet, I configure the gateway as a separate virtual machine to avoid mixing functionalities and make backup and deployment elsewhere easier. If only one external IP address is available, two network interfaces are used on the hypervisor: a real network card with an external IP address and a virtual bridge (usually vmbr0) for the virtual machines' network and their connection to the hypervisor. If several unique IP addresses are used, three network interfaces will be employed, including a real network card without IP address settings, vmbr1 bridge linked to the interface receiving the external IP addresses and connected to the same virtual machines needing an external IP.
Nginx serves as the frontend server running in proxy_pass mode, routing all external HTTP requests received via ports 80 and 443 to it. While HAProxy may be more appropriate in some cases, Nginx is adequate in general. The frontend server's separate operation provides benefits such as easy operation and updating, convenience in working with external requests, and efficient logs collection.
One of the key aspects I consider when selecting server management software is the user interface. A clean, intuitive interface is essential for seamless navigation and efficient management of hosting services. Customization options play a significant role as well, as they allow for tailoring the software to meet the specific needs of the websites I work on. This level of customization ensures that the server management software can adapt to the unique requirements of different projects, whether it's a small business website or a large-scale e-commerce platform.
Security is another critical factor that I prioritize in server management software. Ensuring the protection of the websites and data hosted on the servers is paramount, and I look for software solutions that offer robust security features, including strong encryption, authentication protocols, and proactive threat detection mechanisms.
Integration capabilities with other tools and services are also important. The ability to seamlessly integrate with content management systems, e-commerce platforms, and other third-party applications enhances the overall functionality of the server management software, providing a more cohesive and comprehensive solution for hosting services.
The selection of web-based server management software is a crucial decision that significantly impacts the performance, security, and scalability of the hosting services I provide. By carefully evaluating the features, customization options, security measures, and integration capabilities of different software solutions, I aim to optimize the management of hosting services and ensure the best possible experience for website owners and users alike.