Installing Software Remotely

[poorapagal]

Hi

I just got my own dedicated server from sectorlink.com And wanted to have the control panel installed which requires backup of my server and then upload of the file to set that new linux system + control panel up.

it requires a reboot of the server plus backup of all files (as it has to be formatted) with the installation disk for the control panel from (*ensim.com) in the drive. How can i manage it from home rather than paying the guys over 100 dollars to install something that only cost me 80 dollars :(

please advice, or if any one can help me out here

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* http://www.ensim.com/products/webppliancels-1.shtml

[Mr Chunder]

I haven't installed control panel software but if it really requires reformatting of the disk then the system will probably be booted off an install disk with (very likely) no networking capability and therefore, no remote access.

Are you absolutely sure it needs this level of installation or does it exist as a unix package that can be remotely installed ?

Backups and reboots can be done remotely, providing the host remember to change tapes as appropriate.

Otherwise, if a full reformat, fresh OS install is required, then it is very unlikely that this could be done remotely - simply because there is no other mechanism other than the basic screen and keyboard of the box with no networking.

I'd be very interested to hear of alternatives. I did hear about someone installing it on a harddrive on their local machine and then shipping the harddrive off to the target machine where it could be installed and booted very quickly.

$100 is not that much. I normally pay $170/hr for such installation work and it can take them hours. something to keep down to a minimum !

[Mr Chunder]

I went and had a closer look at ensim's website,

They have a system for installing webappliance in a simple remote looking manner.

http://www.ensim.com/images/download.jpg


The download and installation of WEBppliance LS couldn't be easier. Simply download the WEBppliance LS installer from the Ensim storefront, and create a floppy install diskette. Reboot the server with the floppy inserted, and enter the WEBppliance LS license key when prompted. The setup program will automatically download and install WEBppliance LS onto the server.

You'd still need someone at the keyboad/screen, at least to load the install floppy.

[poorapagal]

Yeah i found a way to do it remotely

it says in the .pdf :)

http://www.ensim.com/pdf/webppliancels/install.pdf

But i believe my whole server will be wiped off as well :( cuz that's what it says there..

[Mr Chunder]

Excellent! Do you still create the installer floppy offline and have to send it to the hosting company to load into the drive ?

[poorapagal]

No actually i believe it says that all i have to do is to download their

.sh file and then telnet my server and install it .. you only need floppy if you don't have linux on it from before..

man i am really gonna mess up my server cuz i am gonna give it a go once i get home ....

any suggestions where the files should be uploaded which are to be installed as modules or programs that take over the system..hmm?

[akashik]

Originally posted by poorapagal
man i am really gonna mess up my server cuz i am gonna give it a go once i get home ....


so how did it go??

Greg Moore

[poorapagal]

Well keeping in mind what kind of "great" experiences i have had in the past with some bad hosts. This time the server guys are even worse..

They couldn't even tell me how to do that chroot command to let people out of the root

plus

The installation was to be done on friday .. it's monday today .. and i am paying for the installation not that they are doing it for free.

They are finding more ways to NOT give me support as they said after we install this we won't be able to give support bla bla..

HELLOO.. ofcourse you will be entitled to give support as my machine is still hosted by you people..

Man i believe i am getting off of this hosting business before i even started..

Can anyone give me a good reseller deal ??? hmmm

[Mr Chunder]

Maybe you could start by not using dedicated servers just yet. I assume that you are starting out from scratch. How about just doing reselling for a host that does all the tech stuff for you such as alabanza or hostopia and i'm sure there's a ton of others like them.

You then concentrate on marketing, billing and taking sales and first line tech support rather than fiddling around with dedicated machines and they will provide all the control panels and other stuff.

Just 2c worth

[poorapagal]

yeah chunder.. but its the power of having to control everything and i learn very fast, it's just that if the guys could only teach me in the tutorial which was promised, the basics of the webmin. But no way man they didn't even know it themselves.

I learnt most of the stuff myself after that, but it's just this control panel that is messing up now.. Still no word from them...

But i heard alabanza wasn't doing good or something??