install on an existing production server

[theSatman]

Hi all,

After spending DAYS of reading on CP's, I finally want to make the jump from doing everything on the command line, to using a CP. I tried Webadmin a while, but found that it is not doing what I want.

We have a production server running FC2, Apache, PHP, iASP, mySQL, MSFP-ext, Dmail (sendmail compatible, but more powerfull), Netauth (GUI for managing e-mail accounts on Dmail), CWMail (Webmail for Dmail), Webalizer and phpMyadmin. That's about it.

I'm looking for a CP that is flexible enough to let a novice manage the admin tasks. User creation, domain creation, DNS administration.

Then there are the non-standard things, like adding a few lins in some config files to install Dmail, Netauth and CWMail.

If all this can be done by DA, I would love to test it. But we can not start from scratch. We need to install it onto what we are running today.

Another thing is that we would like to find a way to streamline the total order. We have looked at COIN and looks ok. But we need to take it one step further to automate it all. Domain search, order domain, choose webhosting package, order package, have the package automaticly installed, invoice to customer, copy to admin.

Maybe I'm asking to much, but is DA what we need?

Regards,

The Satman

 

[jmstacey]

I'm looking for a CP that is flexible enough to let a novice manage the admin tasks. User creation, domain creation, DNS administration.

DirectAdmin's interface is very friendly in my opinion. Have you tried the demos?
http://www.directadmin.com/demo.html

Then there are the non-standard things, like adding a few lins in some config files to install Dmail, Netauth and CWMail.

You can install any programs you want (within reason) to compliment DirectAdmin, however there are limitations. For example some applications might require a custom plugin to provide an interface to your customers.
And any programs that DirectAdmin does not manage would need to be mantained through the command line by hand (or another plugin created to do those functions through the interface).
DirectAdmin uses Exim to manage mail which would probably require massive restructuring to implement your own solution (depending on the complexity of course)

Another thing is that we would like to find a way to streamline the total order. We have looked at COIN and looks ok.....

DirectAdmin does not have a built-in billing manager, however there are several 3rd party applications which fully integrate with DirectAdmin. Personally I use Modernbill (modernbill.com) which is probably the furthest along in development. And there are others such as whoiscart and agilebill.


I think the biggest concern would be getting DirectAdmin to work with your current system. I don't know of any scripts that could help in the conversion, since your setup is highly customized with not set standard such as a conversion from cpanel.
It may be beneficial to consider setting a new server up to run along side your current one and move everything over on a schedule to minimize downtime server-wide as well as reduce the headaches that could be caused.
Since DirectAdmin comes/(requires) an installation script to be run, I personally would go this route, but that is up to you.

More folks on these forums might have more information for you.

 

[nobaloney]

DirectAdmin requires a clean server install. The staff won't support an attempted install on an already running server.

DirectAdmin is as straightforward as any control panel designed for webhosting, but it does have it's own idiosyncracies, including that it runs proftpd as it's ftp daemon and exim/mbox for email.

So it's probably not an undertaking to consider lightly.

We certainly wouldn't consider it.

Jeff