Web Hosting Blog

• 05Feb

  Control Panels For Windows Web Hosting

  Dedicated Server Hosting, Email Hosting, Exchange Server, Microsoft, Plesk Hosting, Virtual Private Server, Web Hosting, Windows Web Hosting, cPanel Hosting, cpanel No Comments

  Windows Web Hosting is one of the most preferred web hosting options present in the Web Hosting Industry. The Windows web hosting services offers access to control panels in order to manage the web hosting account. With a control panel managing the account becomes simple, there is no need to contact the administrator everytime for resolving simple tasks such as creating a new mail account under a domain, deleting an account etc. There has been an increase in the number of users opting for control panel access for a web hosting account.

  Windows web hosting control panel’s are few as Windows isn’t an open source operating system, hence lot of knowledge of programming in order to be able to produce an application that is able to fully function with a Windows server. Windows web hosting services are becoming more and more popular in terms of control panels too due to the growing demand for Windows web hosting services and customers.

  
  

  There are various control panels offered by web hosting companies. Three control panels that are mainly offered by web hosting firm’s are Plesk, DotNetPanel and Hosting Controller.

  

  Out of these three Plesk is more widely used and it has been in the market since a long time. Plesk is considered to be the most reliable and stable control panel. Hosting controller is classed by many web hosting providers as unreliable but DotNetPanel has yet to gain exposure. These three control panels satisfy the core purpose of managing the Windows web hosting accounts hosted on the Windows servers.

  Below are few Advantages offered by the three control panels:

  A] DotNetPanel : DotNetPanel doesn’t only emphasize on standard shared Windows Web Hosting services but on advanced Microsoft service hosting too to support web hosting service providers increase the range of Windows based web hosting products. Cheap Hyper V based VPS hosting solutions as well as Microsoft Server 2007 e-mail hosting solutions can be provided by web hosts with this control panel. Web hosting services can be offered with a cheap cost by using DotNetPanel hence offering cheaper web hosting solution.

  B] Hosting Controller : Hosting controller is the biggest rival of Plesk provisioning characteristics. But, yet Hosting Controller has many other features to offer web hosting providers like built-in back-up and restore feature to ensure that if any data gets lost due to a software or hardware failure then there will be back-ups which can be relied on. control panel due to its focus on offering shared Windows web hosting services. Hosting Controller does not include any advanced management and

  C] Plesk : Plesk has the ability to offer the web hosting service provider as server administrators as well as the customers as easy way to use interface which one can use to configure the different settings related to both Plesk and one’s server as well as to create web hosting accounts for the customers front end. Plesk proves to be useful for those who are hosted on the server and wish to manage the account successfully and effectively. Plesk is more

  

  user friendly compared to others hence a newbie too can easily use Plesk.

  Similar to Plesk, cPanel has proved to be the most popular control panel for Linux web hosting.

  Tags: DotNetPanel, Hosting Control Panel, Hosting controller, Hyper V, Microsoft Server 2007, plesk, VPS hosting, Web Hosting, Windows Web Hosting

• 03Dec

  Benefits And Features of Windows 2003 Hosting.

  Dedicated Server Hosting, Exchange Server, Microsoft, Server Security, Web Hosting, Windows Web Hosting No Comments

  Provision of 100% focus on Advanced Microsoft Windows Hosting on Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2003 comes with Internet Information Service (IIS) 6.0. The Windows 2003 web hosting IIS 6.0 uses a new request processing architecture and application isolation environment which enables individual Web applications to function within a self contained, self managed process. This kind of an environment prevents one application such as a Web site from stopping another, reducing the amount of time that the administrators need to spend to restart the services inorder to correct application related issues.

  Windows 2003 enhances a secure infrastructure and a powerful application platform for building web solutions.

  

  Features Of Windows Server 2003

  Security

  Internet Information Services IIS 6.0 is configured for maximum security to increase Web Server Security. The Windows Server 2003 and IIS 6.0 offer one of the most dependable, connected, productive and integrated Web Server solutions. Along with these features it also provides fault tolerance, automatic application recycling, requesting queuing, caching and application health monitoring.

  Scalability

  Through scale-up, enabled by symmetric multi processing (SMP) and scale out enabled clustering, Windows Server 2003 offers scalability.

  Availability

  In case one of the nodes in a cluster is unavailable due to some failure or because of maintenance then another node starts offering services immediately, this process is known as “Failover”. The Windows Server 2003 has enhanced clustering support and provide significant improvements in scalability, availability and manageability.

  Tags: Failover, IIS, IIS 6.0, Internet Information Service 6.0, Microsoft Windows Hosting, SMP, symmetric multi processing, web hosting solutions, Web Server Security, web solutions, windows hosting, Windows Server 2003

• 02Dec

  Benefits of MS SQL 2008 Web Hosting – Why to choose SQL Server 2008 Hosting?

  Database Hosting, Exchange Server, MS SQL Hosting, Microsoft, Web Hosting No Comments

  MS SQL 2008 is designed to make data management self organized, self tuning and self maintained with the development of SQL server always best in the provisioning of technologies providing almost nil downtime. The SQL Server 2008 includes support for structured and semi-structured data. It also includes digital media formats for pictures, audio, video and other multimedia data. This new version of MS SQL has a feature of better compression, it helps scalability. The resource Governer in SQL Server 2008 helps reserving resources for certain users and workflows, with the capabilities for transparent encryption of data and compression of back-ups. The ADO.NET Entity Framework is supported by SQL Server 2008. The reporting tools, replications, and data definition gets built around the Entity Data Model.

  The SQL reporting services would gain charting capabilities from the integration of data visualization products.

  

  Key Features Of SQL 2008 Database Hosting

  1. SQL 2008’s New Data Types.

  The MS SQL 2008 Hosting includes new date and time data types, which are as follows DATETIME2, DATE, DATETIMEOFFSET, TIME. It enables applications to have separate data and time types. Called as the Spatial Data Types, it helps build spatial capabilities with the support from spatial data. This feature helps customers to implement Earth Round solutions with the individual geography data types such as the longitudes and latitudes to identify the areas on the Earth.

  SQL 2008 64-bit. With MS SQL 2008 Hosting and LINQ language integrated Query, developers can use strongly typed, set oriented queries to run against ADO.NET (viz. LINQ to SQL), the ADO.NET Entity framework, ADO.NET Datasets and the Entity Data Service Mapping provider. Developers can use LINQ directly on SQL Server 2008 tables and columns with the use of a new LINQ to SQL provider.

  2 . MS SQL 2008 Business Intelligence : This comprehensive analytical, integration and data migration capabilities of the SQL Server 2008 enables companies to extend the value of their existing applications in spite of the platform. Faster and better decisions is now possible with the BI solutions built on SQL Server Express 2008 which delivers critical and timely information to every employee.

  3. MS SQL 2008 Enterprise Data Management : SQL Server Express 2008 can deliver more reliable, secure and productive data platform for line of business and analytical applications. SQL 2008 is the most dependable and secure release done by Microsoft.

  4. SQL Server 2008 Developer Productivity : Developers productivity significantly increases as SQL Server 2008 provides an end to end development environment including new technologies.

  Tags: ADO.NET, data management, LINQ, Microsoft, MS SQL, MS SQL 2008, MS SQL 2008 Enterprise Data Management, MS SQL 2008 Hosting, SQL, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server Express 2008

• 20Nov

  Future Web Hosting Initiates With Virtual Private Servers

  Dedicated Server Hosting, Email Hosting, Exchange Server, Linux VPS, Linux web hosting, Micfo Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Web Hosting Articles, Windows Web Hosting, cPanel Hosting No Comments

  Experts of the Hosting Transformation Summit believe that Virtual Private Server (VPS) is the future of Web Hosting industry.

  Exactly like the stand alone web server, Virtual Private Server (VPS) can perform and execute the tasks. The VPS hosting technique includes multiple servers on a single physical web server. The physical server is split with the use of highly sophisticated kernel based partitioning software. Every VPS has its own hard disk, IP, operating system, RAM and control panel with complete root SSH access and 100% guaranteed equal share of CPU processing power. The most important quality of the VPS is that any VPS account cannot affect the other accounts in spite of using the same hardware.

  

  FEATURES:

  Every VPS account has its own system configuration files and applications.

  Every VPS account has its own processor, users, files with full access of the root.

  Every VPS account can have its own system libraries or else, the existing can be modified.

  Every VPS account can have its own IP addresses, port numbers, tables, filtering and routing rules.

  BENEFITS

  Any VPS file cannot be accessed by any other VPS account or VPS user present on the same hardware, hence enhancing privacy and security.

  The VPS users have the complete control of the root, which enables users to modify server configuration files, install software’s and applications.

  

  Every VPS user gets the complete hardware resource, hence every VPS user present on the same hardware gets equal optimum resources.

  
  

  VPS account is much cheaper than going for a dedicated hosting account. Day by day VPS web hosting account is preffered by more and more users. VPS hosting falls in the category of cloud/grid computing and virtualization computing. VPS technology is an advanced technology of the future of web hosting.

  Tags: advanced technology, Cloud computing, Dedicated Hosting, privacy, security, Virtual Private Server, virtualization, vps, VPS hosting, Web Hosting, web server

• 14Nov

  Procedure of Disk Migration to Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard edition.

  Computer, Exchange Server, General No Comments

  Before starting the user needs to be aware of the service packs that have been installed on the Operating System (OS).

  

  The preparation starts with the standard procedure of Disk CleanUp and Disk defragment.

  • DISK CLEAN-UP : Start >> Run >> Cleanmgr.exe
  • DISK DEFRGMENTER : Start >> Run >> Dfrg.exe.

  • Before the disk is mede to follow these procedures. Users need to make sure that the disk has a minimum disk space of 1.5 Gb (Giga bytes) for the completion of the setup. The set up occupies a temporary storage and after the set-up is complete the occupied space can be available.

  Before the Set-up Users must back up the files:

  Before the migration users must do a thorough virus scan of all the drives and disks.

  The back up must include back up of the complete disk which includes System State Data, further details are available in the Help and Support column.

  The server must be Offline before the back-up initiates.

  • The users must be asked to log off from every domain, before the migration.
  • Then the server must be disconnected from the internet connection.
  • Every service provided through the servers must be halted until the migration is successful. (For location of active services : Start >> Run >> Services.msc)
  • Disk utilities must be turned off such as Anti-virus, back-up softwares.

  When migrating to Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, the Windows Business Server 2003 R2 transition pack Wizard must be run.

  Following Steps needs to be performed before migration:

  1. Insert the Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack CD into the drive and step through Setup. If Setup does not begin automatically, from the root of the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Transition Pack CD, double-click the shortcut to Setup.exe.

  2. Re-installation might be required of service packs.

  3. Restart services for third-party applications that were stopped before the migration.

  4. Internet Connection must be restored.

  5. Go to Windows Update and review the available service packs and hotfixes to be sure that you have installed all the ones that you need.

  Tags: Operating System, Server 2003, Small Business Server, windows, Windows Business Server 2003, Windows Server, Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition

• 08Nov

  What is Microsoft Exchange Server?

  Exchange Server, General No Comments

  Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 is an enterprise class collaboration suite. It is basically used in organizations for enabling employees within the organization to communicate internally using e-mails. Appointments or events can be viewed with the use of Exchange server.

  Using Microsoft Exchange Server, e-mails and appointments can be controlled. It can be accessed remotely with Microsoft Outlook Web Access function, which is included in Exchange Server 2003. Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync can be used for synchronization.

  The Exchange Server e-mail accounts is capable of accessing Outlook Web application, it is by default included in Microsoft Exchange Server. With the use of web based Microsoft Outlook Mobile Access application such as Outlook Web Access if one needs to check mails while on move.

  Outlook web access is a webmail application. It is included with Microsoft Exchange server. A standard web browser and an internet connection can enable users to view appointments, events, contacts, e-mails etc.

  Outlook Mobile Access is another feature in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 which is web based too, which can be used on any mobile device for the purpose of accessing emails, contacts etc. while on the move.

  The basic version of Outlook Web Access application can be used in any browser whereas the premium version can be used only through Internet Explorer the reason being that it uses AJAX.

  Microsoft Exchange Server supports standard IMAP and POP3 email protocols. It includes a feature of public folders which allows users share e-mails or discussions publicly instead through internal emails. There is no limitation for the creation of number of Public Folders.

  Outlook Mobile Access feature is unavailable with Exchange Server 2007.

  Difference between Exchange server 2003 and Exchange Server 2007

  

  Exchange server 2007 includes additional security features than Exchange Server 2003. Exchange server 2007 includes a new calendaring feature. It also has a feature of integrated voice and fax system.

  Tags: Ajax, browser, Exchange Server, Exchange Server 2007, IE, IMAP, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook Web Access, Outlook Web Access, Outlook Web application, POP3, Remote Access, synchronization

• 29Oct

  Dedicated server hosting.

  Computer, Customer Service, Database Hosting, Dedicated Server Hosting, Exchange Server, Micfo Web Hosting, cPanel Hosting No Comments

  Dedicated server hosting also known as managed server hosting is a type of hosting where a user gets to use an entire server. S/he does not need to share the server space with any other user.

  

  Dedicated server hosting (OS offers complete rights on the system. That means the user can decide the operating system to be installed on the server, the user has the choice of hardware as per requirements. The administration of the servers is provided by the hosting company. The hosting company needs to take care of many factors such as Server monitoring, Software installation (as per user’s requirement), Software Upgradation, purchasing new Hardware, Repairing the hardware, Data Back ups, Disaster recovery etc. Though these services are not necessarily provided by all hosting providers. But it is always recommended to go for a HOSTING company that provides all the services, the reason to state this is because the solution is offered in a very short time, as people are present to sort out the issue 24 x 7. The dedicated servers are usually placed at data centers

  

  SUPPORT FOR OPERATING SYSTEM

  IF the user opts to have Linux, then most of the hosting companies do not charge any amount to the users, as Linux is an open source OS and can be freely downloaded. But Microsoft Server edition software isn’t free, the user needs to bear the price. Depending on the hosting provider company, the charge might be monthly, half yearly or yearly.

  CONNECTIVITY AND BANDWIDTH

  Nowadays people have started outsourcing dedicated servers due to high powered network availability elsewhere on the planet and I guess INDIA has started becoming a hub for such provision’s .

  MANAEMENT OF

  It is the headache of the of the hosting company. The company must be capable of handling all the technical issues.

  Tags: Add new tag, BANDWIDTH, Dedicated server hosting.Dedicated server hosting, Hosting, Server

• 24Oct

  Windows released an out-of-cycle patch on an URGENT basis.

  Computer, Exchange Server, General, Internet Security, News & current Release, Server Security No Comments

  Protect your computer system by applying the patch, released by Windows.

  

  Microsoft has found evidence of a RPC (Remote Procedure Call) attack which can infect almost all versions of Windows machines across the Net. The bug is able to pass through the Firewalls installed on your machine.
  Windows Server 2003, 2000, and XP (Service Pack 2 or 3 installed) are more vulnerable.

  

  Below are the links to the patches for different versions of Windows :

  1. Windows Server 2008 64-bit.
  2. Windows Server 2008 32-bit
  3. Windows Vista 64- bit edition
  4. Windows Vista
  5. Windows Server 64-bit edition
  6. Windows Server 2003 (With service pack 1&2)
  7. Windows XP 64- bit
  8. Windows XP (With service pack 2 or 3) 
  9. Windows 2000 (With Service Pack 4)

  These patches have been released by Windows.

  Tags: firewall, RPC, windows, Windows Protection, Windows Server, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP

• 22Oct

  Steps to enable SSL for all customers Interacting with your Web site in Internet Information Services

  Computer, Customer Service, Domain Name, Exchange Server, General, Server Security No Comments

  There are two types of Web servers SSL security features : Server Certificate for authenticating your website by the users before they send any personal information such as credit card numbers and Client Certificates for authenticating users requesting information from your website.

  Here I am assuming that you will use a third-party certificate authority (CA) to provide authentication for your Web Hosting server. You can create your own certificate with the Internet Information Services (IIS) server. But here the client must have enough trust in you as a certificate authority.

  Its essential that IIS is installed on your machine and your Web site has already been published.

  Procedure to get a Certificate

  For obtaining a certificate you need to generate a CSR (Certificate Signaling Request) through the IIS management console. A CSR is a certificate that you generate on your server for validation of computer specific information about your server when requesting a certificate from a third party CA (Certificate Authority). CSR is an encrypted text message that is encrypted with a public/private key pair.

  The following information about your computer is extracted in the CSR that you generate:

  • Organization

  • Organizational unit

  • Country

  • State

  • Locality

  • Common name (Host Name and Domain Name)

  Steps To Generate a CSR :

  1. Accessing IIS Microsoft Management Console (MMC) : Right Click My Computer >> Manage >> Service and Application >> Internet Information Services >> IIS Console.
  2. Select the specific Web site on which you want to install a server certificate. Right-click the site and click Properties.
  3. Directory Security >> Secure Communication >> Next.
  4. Create New Certificate >> Next.
  5. Prepare the Request Now, but send later >> Next.
  6. Enter Name in the name field. The higher the bit length, the stronger the encryption but preferred is 1024 bits.
  7. Enter your organization and organizational unit information in the Organization Information section. The information you are providing must be accurate. Press Next this gives you Your Site’s Common Name section.
  8. The Your Site’s Common Name section is responsible for binding the certificate to your Web site. For SSL certificates, enter the host computer name with the domain name. For Intranet servers, you may use the NetBIOS name of the computer that is hosting the site. Click Next to access geographical information.
  9. Enter your country, state or province, and country or region information. Do not use abbreviations. Click Next
  10. Save the file in a .txt file format.
  11. Confirm your request details. Click Next to finish, and exit the Web Server Certificate Wizard.

  Installing The Certificate

  Now once you receive an e-mail or a link given to you by the third party CA, the certificate needs to be installed onto the website.

  Follow the below Steps :

  1. Copy the certificate obtained from the CA to the Web server.
  2. Open the IIS MMC as described in the “Generating the CSR” section.
  3. Go to Properties of the web site on which the certificate needs to be installed.
  4. Directory Security >> Server Certificate >> Next.
  5. Process the Pending Request and install the certificate >> Next.
  6. Browse to the location of the certificate that you saved in step 1. Click Next twice, and then click Finish.

  Enforce SSL Connections

  Port 443 needs to be enabled for secure communications with web site by following the below procedures that can be achieved.

  1. From the Computer Management console, right-click the Web site on which you want to enforce SSL and click Properties.

  2. Click the Web Site tab. In the Web Site Identification section, verify that the SSL Port field is populated with the numeric value 443.

  3. Advanced >> Multiple SSL Identities for this web site >> Add (If port 443 is not added). Select server’s IP address and type 443 in SSL Port field. >> Ok.

  This has now enabled the 443 port. Now to enforce the SSL connections, follow the steps below :

  1. Directory Security >> Secure Communication >> Edit.
  2. Require Secure Channel (SSL) Both client and you should have the same bits if there is a mismatch then the communication cannot take place, either you or client need to upgrade the encryption strength.
  3. Once done open the browser and try to connect to the web server using standard http:// protocol. If the SSL has successfully been enforced then following error message should be seen :

  The page must be viewed over a secure channel
  The page you are trying to view requires the use of “https” in the address.

  Please try the following: Try again by typing https:// at the beginning of the address you are attempting to reach. HTTP 403.4 - Forbidden: SSL required Internet Information Services
  Technical Information (for support personnel) Background: This error indicates that the page you are trying to access is secured with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

  Now connect to your Web site only by using the https:// protocol its working OK.

  Tags: CA, certificate authority, Certificate Signaling Request, Client Certificates, CSR, IIS, IIS Console, IIS MMC, Internet Information Services, Microsoft Management Console, MMC, Server Certificate, SSL certificates

• 22Oct

  Steps To extend evaluation period of Windows Server 2008.

  Computer, Exchange Server, General No Comments

  The evaluation copy of Windows Server 2008 software does not require product activation. The basic edition comes with an evaluation period of 60 days which can be further extended to a total time of 240 days.

  

  Follow below steps to extend the initial evaluation period.

  STEPS TO INSTALL WINDOWS SERVER 2008 (Without its Activation)

  • Run Windows Server Setup program
  • Do not enter the product key for activation when prompted, just click NO and proceed.
  • Select the edition of the Windows Server that you wish to Install. You cannot change the edition once selected a particular option. You will have to re-install to change the edition.
  • Read the evaluation terms and click Accept.
  • When the set up program is completed the initial 60-days evaluation period begins.
  • The slmgr.vbs -dli command displays the number of days that are left in the current 60-day evaluation period.

  

  STEPS FOR MANUALLY EXTENDING EVALUATION PERIOD

  When the initial evaluation period nears its expiry date, run Slmgr.vbs script to reset it.

  Here is how you do it :

  Start >> Command Prompt >> Type slmgr.vbs –dli and Enter. This will show the number of days remaining.

  Start >> Command Prompt >> Type slmgr.vbs –rearm and Enter.

  Now Restart the computer.

  This would again extent the evaluation period to further 60 days.

  Tags: Server, Set Up, windows, Windows Server 2008

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