experience with webmin?

They have: 10 posts

Joined: May 2006

I just got a dedicated server and my host only offers webmin as a control panel and well frankly I don't know how to do much of anything on it. I have looked around on the web for some instructions and have even searched this forum but have only found some old threads. Is anyone experienced using this control panel? because I know my hosting provider surely isn't. I also have a virtual hosted account on another host and i can set up .htaccess protection on folders with one simple step. So I'm trying to get the .htaccess set up on my dedicated server and not having any success with it. Was hoping there was a way to do it in the control panel. I thought password protecting a directory was pretty straight forward but as I'm seeing now, it's not the case. Also, I don't know how mysql is set up, as far as users and passwords and if i just use localhost etc... Ugh help frustrated Sad .

Abhishek Reddy's picture

He has: 3,348 posts

Joined: Jul 2001

I have a virtual dedicated account that runs Webmin. I tried using it for the first couple of months but found it a complete waste of time. Not only was the interface confusing, but the documentation was in a terrible format (a book instead of a manual). I think the Webmin way of administering is drastically different to the regular *nix way; it's more like Windows.

So I switched back to shell access for administration, which was far more efficient for me. All the relevant documentation was accessible in more conventional forms, and it was easy enough to get jobs done without having to learn the inefficient Webmin way. Smiling

My advice: try to get shell access and do things from there, if possible. If you must use Webmin, then the Book of Webmin is your best friend. Also, if you're on the default theme, it might be worth installing the StressFree 'Tiger' Webmin theme as it is a bit cleaner and more organised. Wink

Password protecting a directory is pretty straightforward. Check out the Apache howto on the subject. In Webmin, you'll find relevant settings under Servers > Apache webserver [> your site] > Per-Directory Options Files > Access Control, though I'm not sure what use it'll be.

As for MySQL, I suggest you install phpMyAdmin and avoid Webmin's MySQL module. Look up your /etc/mysql/my.cnf file for port and bind-address if you need them.

Good luck. Smiling

They have: 10 posts

Joined: May 2006

thank you for your time and answering my questions. I will give it my best shot. Looks like I am going to have to study that book.

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