Hosting & Domaining Forum

Hosting Discussion => Hosting Software and Control Panels => Topic started by: smkghosh on Sep 28, 2023, 12:06 AM

Title: Hosting Setup Tools
Post by: smkghosh on Sep 28, 2023, 12:06 AM
What are the available scripts for setting up hosting? I requested the services of an administrator who installed web-cp, a tool that can perform the following tasks:
- create domains,
- create system users associated with a domain's web folder, granting them SSH/FTP access,
- create MySQL users,
- install WordPress and other engines for the created site.
However, this particular "script" seemed somewhat underwhelming to me...

In the given situation:
- a bare VPS running either CentOS or Ubuntu.

I am in need of a console application (not all-in-one solutions like ISPmanager) that can proficiently:
1. Create domains,
2. Create system users linked to domain web folders, providing them with SSH/FTP access,
3. Install software of choice (MySQL or Percona, Nginx, various PHP versions).

I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your experiences with different tools and their respective advantages/disadvantages.
Title: Re: Hosting Setup Tools
Post by: Aaron on Sep 28, 2023, 02:13 AM
There are several scripts and tools available for setting up hosting on a CentOS or Ubuntu VPS. Some popular options include:

-- VestaCP: Vesta Control Panel is an open-source hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface for managing domains, system users, databases, and software installations. It supports Nginx, Apache, and various PHP versions.

-- Virtualmin: Virtualmin is another powerful open-source control panel that offers domain management, user creation, and software installation functionalities. It supports multiple web servers, such as Apache and Nginx, and various PHP versions.

-- Webmin: Webmin is a web-based system administration tool that allows you to manage your server through a browser. It provides features like domain management, user creation, and software installation. However, it lacks some of the advanced features found in other control panels.

-- cPanel: cPanel is a popular commercial control panel known for its extensive features and user-friendly interface. It provides domain management, user creation, database management, and one-click software installation. However, it comes with a license cost.

-- DirectAdmin: DirectAdmin is a lightweight and affordable control panel that offers features like domain management, user creation, and software installation. It supports various web servers and PHP versions.

-- CyberPanel: CyberPanel is a free and open-source control panel that focuses on speed and simplicity. It supports both LiteSpeed and OpenLiteSpeed web servers, along with multiple PHP versions.

-- RunCloud: RunCloud is a cloud-based server management tool that allows you to manage multiple servers from a single dashboard. It supports multiple web servers, PHP versions, and offers features like domain management and user creation.

-- ServerPilot: ServerPilot is a cloud-based server management platform designed for PHP servers. It offers a simple yet powerful interface for managing domains, users, and software installations.

-- Froxlor: Froxlor is an open-source server management panel that provides domain management, user creation, and software installation capabilities. It supports Apache and Nginx web servers.

-- Ajenti: Ajenti is a popular open-source control panel that provides a web-based interface for managing domains, system users, databases, and software installations. It supports various web servers like Nginx, Apache, and lighttpd.

-- ISPConfig: ISPConfig is an open-source control panel that offers complete hosting management features, including domain management, user creation, FTP, email, and software installation. It supports multiple web servers and PHP versions.

-- CentOS Web Panel: CentOS Web Panel is a free control panel designed specifically for CentOS servers. It offers a wide range of features such as domain management, user creation, firewall management, and software installation.

-- Froxlor: Froxlor is an open-source server management panel that provides domain management, user creation, and software installation capabilities. It supports Apache and Nginx web servers.

-- Webmin/Virtualmin: Webmin is a web-based system administration tool, and Virtualmin is a module for Webmin specifically designed for managing virtual hosts and domains. Together, they offer domain management, user creation, software installation, and many other server management functionalities.

-- Sentora: Sentora is an open-source control panel that provides domain management, user creation, database management, and more. It supports Apache and PHP, and offers a simple interface for managing hosting accounts.

-- ISPmanager: ISPmanager is a commercial control panel that offers a complete solution for managing hosting services. It provides features like domain management, user creation, email management, FTP, and software installation. It supports various web servers and is known for its user-friendly interface.

-- ZPanel/XPanel: ZPanel and XPanel are open-source control panels that offer domain management, user creation, and software installation capabilities. They support Apache, Nginx, and MySQL, and provide a graphical interface for managing hosting accounts.

-- Plesk: Plesk is a popular commercial control panel that offers a comprehensive set of features for hosting management. It supports multiple web servers, PHP versions, and provides domain management, user creation, email management, and software installation capabilities.

-- Froxlor: Froxlor is an open-source server management panel that provides domain management, user creation, and software installation capabilities. It supports Apache and Nginx web servers and offers a user-friendly interface.

-- ServerAvatar: ServerAvatar is a cloud-based control panel designed for managing and deploying websites on cloud servers. It supports various web servers like Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, and provides features such as domain management, user creation, and SSL certificate management.

-- CentOS Web Panel: CentOS Web Panel is a free control panel specifically built for CentOS servers. It offers domain management, user creation, email management, firewall management, and software installation capabilities.

-- Laravel Forge: Laravel Forge is a server management tool specifically designed for Laravel applications. It provides a simple and intuitive interface for managing servers, deploying applications, and configuring web servers.

-- CyberPanel: CyberPanel is a free and open-source control panel that focuses on speed and simplicity. It supports both LiteSpeed and OpenLiteSpeed web servers, offers one-click WordPress installation, and provides features like domain management and user creation.

-- EasyEngine: EasyEngine is a command-line tool that simplifies the process of setting up and managing WordPress sites on a server. It automates the installation of Nginx, PHP, MySQL, and other dependencies required to run WordPress efficiently.

-- CloudPanel: CloudPanel is an open-source control panel specifically designed for cloud servers. It supports various web servers like Apache, LiteSpeed, and Nginx, and offers features such as domain management, SSL certificate management, and user creation.

-- HestiaCP: HestiaCP is an open-source control panel that provides domain management, user creation, email management, and software installation functionalities. It supports Apache and Nginx web servers and offers a clean and user-friendly interface.

-- ServerAvatar: ServerAvatar is a cloud-based control panel that simplifies server management and deployment of websites on cloud platforms. It supports various web servers like Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, and offers features like domain management, SSL certificate management, and user creation.

Each of these tools has its own advantages and disadvantages. VestaCP and Virtualmin are open-source and offer a wide range of features, but they may lack some advanced functionalities compared to cPanel. Webmin is a lightweight option that provides basic server management capabilities. cPanel is a comprehensive and user-friendly solution, but it comes at a cost.
Title: Re: Hosting Setup Tools
Post by: markstylor on Sep 28, 2023, 04:49 AM
There are currently no ready-made bash scripts tailored to your specific requirements, and it is unlikely that there will be in the future, as most tasks do not require them.
However, there are some basic scripts available, like the ones you mentioned, which can be customized to meet your needs.
You have two options: either utilize hosting panels with a web interface or perform all tasks directly through the Linux console.
Many panels provide an API, which allows you to accomplish various actions. Writing a simple script to automate tasks using this API is relatively easy. However, it begs the question - if you can achieve your goals through scripting, why would you still need a hosting panel?

It is important to consider the trade-offs between using existing hosting panels and developing custom scripts. While panels offer convenience and ease of use, scripting can provide greater flexibility and control over your tasks. Additionally, having knowledge of scripting can be beneficial in other areas of system administration and automation.
Title: Re: Hosting Setup Tools
Post by: diysolarjimmy on Sep 28, 2023, 05:47 AM
I apologize, but could you please clarify what exactly you are referring to? Are you suggesting not using a VPS? While that is possible, eventually you will encounter the need to add extra features such as a mail server, FTP, or even a certificate to secure your domain.

Recently, I came across a FREE panel called BrainyCP, which I find to be much better than Vesta. However, it does require some initial configuration. The excess features can be disabled to prevent resource consumption. Additionally, BrainyCP offers the ability to configure alternative versions of PHP, similar to ISPmanager.