Linux Dedicated Server Questions

[yakman]

My first post, so Hello to all,

We are a website CMS supplier providing a complete service to our customers. We currently have 3 Linux VPSs using Plesk with another provider (who shall remain nameless as I'm sure you wouldn't want me to swear!), so it seems logical to make the step to a Linux dedicated server. Having spent some time reading the good words on this forum, I think we have found our provider.

So, before I pick up the phone, I have a few questions, mostly Perlish as our CMS is written entirely in Perl:

1 Does the server have to have its own domain name? (it will be hosting 70 plus domains, so its own identity is immaterial).
2 Does the cgi-bin directory reside within the public_html directory or alongside it in the domain's root directory? (I have found conflicting info whilst browsing the forum)
3 Do Perl scripts have to have a specific filename suffix, or will Apache exec any file in cgi-bin, providing it is 755? (currently our scripts do not require a suffix).
4 How do Perl scripts run under CGI - with the account's username and permissions or as 'nobody'? (our current set-up allows Perl scripts to write files and directories within the account directory - pretty necessary for a CMS, so it would require a major code re-write and CHMOD exercise to force all files to 777).
5 What files does Apache recognise as Index files and what is the order (we currently use index.shtml as standard (for SSI), but it is nice to use index.html as a holding page which takes precedence whilst we build the site in the background).
6 If we choose WHM/cPanel, is there a limit on the number of domains or is it an unlimited license?

I realise that some of the above could be fairly easily tweaked within the Apache configuration, but it would be nice to know where we are starting from and how much work might be required to transfer 70 odd customers.

Many thanks.

[Jack]

Hello,

to forums.

I've answered all your questions below:-

1 Does the server have to have its own domain name? (it will be hosting 70 plus domains, so its own identity is immaterial).
Ans: You can set any domain as your main domain or leave it empty.

2 Does the cgi-bin directory reside within the public_html directory or alongside it in the domain's root directory? (I have found conflicting info whilst browsing the forum)
Ans:cgi-bin directory resides within the public_html directory in case of cPanel on Dedicated Server.

3 Do Perl scripts have to have a specific filename suffix, or will Apache exec any file in cgi-bin, providing it is 755? (currently our scripts do not require a suffix).
Ans: Perl script need to have .cgi or .pl extension.

4 How do Perl scripts run under CGI - with the account's username and permissions or as 'nobody'? (our current set-up allows Perl scripts to write files and directories within the account directory - pretty necessary for a CMS, so it would require a major code re-write and CHMOD exercise to force all files to 777).
Ans: Perl scripts runs under ownership of users.

5 What files does Apache recognise as Index files and what is the order (we currently use index.shtml as standard (for SSI), but it is nice to use index.html as a holding page which takes precedence whilst we build the site in the background).
Ans: Apache recognise index.html, index.php etc.. as Index files.

6 If we choose WHM/cPanel, is there a limit on the number of domains or is it an unlimited license?
Ans: Its an unlimited domains license. You can host as many domains you wish.

7.I realise that some of the above could be fairly easily tweaked within the Apache configuration, but it would be nice to know where we are starting from and how much work might be required to transfer 70 odd customers.
Ans: We will take care of 100% migration if you send us your existing cpanel/WHM login details to our support team. All your settings will remain the same.

Please let us know if you have any further questions

[yakman]

Thanks for the reply Jack,

Mostly, it looks good, but I'm a bit concerned about the need for all Perl scripts to have a filename extension. Our system has been written on the basis that scripts have no extension, so major mods would be needed. I believe that this is something that can be changed within Apache's config (preferably the global config as it would be needed for all domains) - is this something that support could do if asked?

Thanks for the offer of assistance with the transfer, but our existing VPSs use Plesk, so I don't think it will be as straightforward as cPanel -> cPanel. Of course, if I'm wrong, I would be delighted to take you up on your kind offer.

If I can get confirmation about the script extensions (preferably lack of them!), then we can sign up tomorrow.

Thanks again.

[NickJ]

Hello,

Yes, you can run cgi-scripts without any extensions but you need to upload all these scripts under cgi-bin directory.
The web server(apache) will treat this cgi-bin directory as environmental directory and execute the scripts provided the CGI/perl script will contain in its first line the application or the executable file associated with it, called as 'Shebang'. For example, Perl scripts will invoke the Perl binary like so:
#!/usr/bin/perl or #!/usr/local/bin/perl

The cgi/perl scripts must have executable permissions and the recommended permissions would be 755.

Apologies, but wont be possible to migrate accounts from plesk panel to Cpanel automatically, the migration need to be done manually.


Regards,
Nick J.

[yakman]

Nick,

Thanks for the confirmation. All our scripts expect to live in cgi-bin and they all start with a Shebang - so hopefully no problems.

I think you can expect me to sign up tomorrow!

Regards

[Jack]

Nick,

Thanks for the confirmation. All our scripts expect to live in cgi-bin and they all start with a Shebang - so hopefully no problems.

I think you can expect me to sign up tomorrow!

Regards

You are most welcome Nigel

Look forward to your order tomorrow.

[yakman]

Hi Jack,

OK, order is made. I went for a X3075 with extra RAM and WHM/cPanel. What is the stock situation on these? Any idea when it might be set up?

I am looking forward to the customer experience. It has got to be better than our previous supplier because I don't think there is any way anybody could be worse.

Thanks to both you and Nick for your help. It makes a refreshing change to have a company that actually enters into dialogue with customers.

[Ryan]

Hello Nigel,

Thank You for your order

You will receive an order verification call in the next few minutes. We will proceed with the server setup as soon as your order is verified.

We have quite a few x3075 servers in stock so setup won't take too long. You shall receive the server login details in the next 8-10 hours.

Please feel free to contact us if you need any further assistance.

[Jack]

Hi Jack,

OK, order is made. I went for a X3075 with extra RAM and WHM/cPanel. What is the stock situation on these? Any idea when it might be set up?

I am looking forward to the customer experience. It has got to be better than our previous supplier because I don't think there is any way anybody could be worse.

Thanks to both you and Nick for your help. It makes a refreshing change to have a company that actually enters into dialogue with customers.

Hello Nigel,

Your server has been setup and welcome email has been sent to your registered email address.

You are most welcome to post here if you need any assistance