Pre Sales: Will Virtualmin install + configure LAMP stack?

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#1 Thu, 04/01/2010 - 13:02
carmelo

Pre Sales: Will Virtualmin install + configure LAMP stack?

I've been toying with Rackspace Cloudservers for about a week or two now, and love the setup. I finished my LAMP stack last night on a Debian 5 with ISPConfig, and loved the simplicity. It configured everything for me - which is a huge time saver.

My question is - does Virtualmin install and configure a LAMP stack for me? If so I will order a copy later this afternoon. ISPConfig seems like it would do the job - but Virtualmin appears like it would do the job better.

Thu, 04/01/2010 - 13:10
andreychek

Howdy,

Yeah, the install.sh script for Virtualmin does setup things so that it'll work for you out of the box if you're using a supported OS/distro... you can see a list of supported OS's here:

http://www.virtualmin.com/os-support.html

If you're concerned that it may not do what you need, you can always install the free GPL version (which uses a nearly identical installer), and if you like it, you can then purchase an upgrade to the Pro version to get access to the additional features.

You can see some of the differences between the Pro and GPL versions here:

http://www.virtualmin.com/compare.html

Of course, Virtualmin Pro does come with a 45 day money back guarantee, so if it doesn't do what you're after, just file a support request and request a refund.

Have a good one!

-Eric

Thu, 04/01/2010 - 13:33
carmelo

GREAT news! I saw the install.sh mentioned several times - but wasn't sure what was included in the install.

Do I have the option to install Webmin as well during this process - or would that be a separate install?

The price is very affordable, it would be worth it for me to just purchase the software. That way if it works the first time out I'll be all set.

After the install are there any other security measures that need to be implemented before using the server in a production setting. For example configuring a firewall or anti-virus. How are upgrades handle, is there an automated process for upgrades as well?

It'll serve a limited number of sites all maintained by myself.

Thanks for the help.

Thu, 04/01/2010 - 13:52
andreychek

Do I have the option to install Webmin as well during this process - or would that be a separate install?

Virtualmin is a Webmin module -- so Virtualmin already runs on top of Webmin.

Worded another way, the installation process installs both Virtualmin and Webmin for you :-)

After the install are there any other security measures that need to be implemented

There's nothing additional that needs to be implemented. Of course, Linux administrators around the world all have differing opinions on the best way to keep their Linux boxes secure ;-) Virtualmin can assist by doing things like notifying you when new packages/updates are available, or even automatically applying them if configured to do so.

The two things I'd make absolute certain of is that you regularly apply security updates for your OS, and that any web app you install, that you keep it up to date. Those are the two most common means of breakins amongst web servers.

Virtualmin does install both SpamAssassin and ClamAV in order to combat spam and viruses that may come in via email.

If you wish, you can use Webmin to enable a firewall for your system, though that doesn't happen automatically.

As far as Virtualmin upgrades are concerned -- if you install Virtualmin onto a supported OS, Virtualmin updates will look like any other updates for your OS, and can be applied either from the command line, or via the Virtualmin GUI.

-Eric

Thu, 04/01/2010 - 14:22
carmelo

Very NICE!

Does Virtualmin display notification regarding OS updates as well?

BTW I'm very much sold, I'll be making my purchase when I have a few more minutes to spare. This "day job" thing is really getting in my way :) .

Thu, 04/01/2010 - 14:25
andreychek

Does Virtualmin display notification regarding OS updates as well?

Yeah, I don't recall what the default is, but you can certainly configure it to display OS updates -- and it's even capable of emailing notifications of those to you.

-Eric

Thu, 04/01/2010 - 14:39
carmelo

Money well spent.

Thanks for all the help Eric.

Fri, 04/02/2010 - 12:51
carmelo

After further reading - it looks like the installs scripts mentioned for the Pro version are not for the actual Virtualmin (LAMP) stack, but for web applications. I actually have no real use for this - I will not be hosting client sites that need access to this. I'm sorry but the comparison documentation wasn't quite clear enough for me first time around.

I'm going to toy with the GPL version tonight with the same install and see if it meets my needs. I am still interested in the support and the data analysis - however I think those are the only features of the Pro version I would take advantage of.

Also I would like to learn more about Cloudmin - but documentation seems a bit light on this ... I will eventually have multiple around 4 or 5 Virtualmin servers to manage with more potentially down the line. Would Cloudmin make administrating these severs or launching new ones easier?

Fri, 04/02/2010 - 16:37
ronald
ronald's picture

when using the install.sh on a basic OS then it will install the LAMP stack for you and configure it properly.
Cloudmin can manage multiple physical servers and it will make it easier to maintain all of them through 1 control panel.

Fri, 04/02/2010 - 17:18 (Reply to #9)
carmelo

I believe Cloudmin is actually the product that best suits my needs.

GPL actually fits all my needs. I misunderstood some of the documentation when making my Pro purchase. After using GPL and reading further into Cloudmin I see that may be what I will need further down the road.

As I stated before I do intend on launching a few more Virtualmin installs (4-5) so managing them in 1 location would be exactly what I am looking for.

Fri, 04/02/2010 - 17:20
carmelo

Does the GPL offer automatic updating as well?

Fri, 04/02/2010 - 18:16 (Reply to #11)
ronald
ronald's picture

yes it does

Sun, 05/23/2010 - 03:27
nenaviovicente

Of course, Virtualmin Pro does come with a 45 day money back guarantee, so if it doesn't do what you're after. handbags

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