Table of Contents


Forward URL: Painless relocation of existing WebPages

Most web developers have, at one time of another, experienced complaints from users who have either created bookmarks or come into the website via search engines following a restructure of their website and who now experience that the applicable pages no longer exist. The problem can be solved by creating an automatic forward for incoming queries, so that the user is automatically led to the correct page or, if it no longer exists, to a suitable replacement page. Forwarding is set-up by entering the current path for the existing domain in the first column and the new URL in the other column. The new URL can be local, but it can also be external, that is, located in a completely different location on the Internet. In the first example, we send all users who attempt to read a selected document from the folder "http://www.ditdomain.dk/gammelt" further to the folder "http://www.ditdomain.dk/nyt", while in the second example, we send all of those who attempt to read "http://www.ditdomain.dk/sjov/vitser.html" further to "http://www.justkidding.dk".

NOTE! Most search engines DO NOT like by being sent directly to another URL, so it is advised that you do not use forwarding unless it is absolutely necessary.


Backup: Protection of your data

Backup is one of the few functions that becomes extremely important when you are going to use it but, on the other hand, it can also be catastrophic if things don’t work as they should. The control panel gives you the opportunity to establish lost or damaged data quickly and flexibly, so that any damage or human errors have as limited effect an effect as possible. The control panel gives you the following options:

http://www.goldenplanet.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/backup.gif

 

Download backup:
This function allows you to download a copy of the web server content home to your local server. You can choose to download the most recent backup or one of the previous copies, just as you can choose to download a complete copy or several partial copies. The choices depend upon the services you use, naturally it will be possible to download a backup of the database is you actually have this included in your subscription.

The content is packed into a zip-file with one press of the button “Ready file", which can then be downloaded by clicking on the link at the bottom of the menu window.

Restore complete backup to webserver:
This function enables you to reload the entire website from a backup with the press of a single button. If you, by accident, have deleted part of a website, you can choose “Do not overwrite", whereby only non-existing files are reloaded, all other files are not touched.

Restore statistics:
Reloads data from special functions, for example, statistic files. It has been experience before that a bit too thorough clean up has cost the "status" library its life; here is a reload tool... ;-)

Restore specific file(s):
It can happen that one accidentally deleted a file that should actually have been saved and one often discovers this after some time. With this function you can go back in the old backups and fish out a single (or more) files and folder from among those that have been saved. Choose the desired date from the list and click on “Select files” in order to receive a list of the folders and files that are available in the backup.

Then select the file(s) or folder(s) that shall be reloaded from the backup as well as the method to be used: "Original location-overwrite" (replaces all files), "Original location-do not overwrite" (only reloads files that do not previously exist or “New folder” that reloads the files into a new folder on the server, where you can examine them and then move them to their correct location.


Server status: Is the server on-line?

The server status shows a series of information about the server your services run on: Are the different services accessible, is the server overloaded, is a restart of the server planned, etc, etc.

The monitor module evaluates the results it receives from the server and then marks them as being "OK" (green), "WARNING" (yellow) or "CRITICAL" (red), so that you can quickly determine if everything is running as it should, you can also see what the cause of an alarm is. If a service is "WARNING" or "CRITICAL" an automatic alarm goes to the person responsible for monitoring the system, after which the problem is taken care of as fast as possible. No matter the time.


Installing PHProjekt web application

It is possible to set-up a complete PHProjekt web application and database for it with the help of just a few mouse clicks, the only requirement is that your web solution supports the necessary functions and has sufficient resources available. With a click on the PHProjekt icon you will either have the opportunity to set-up a PHProjekt web application or, if is has already been set-up, the opportunity to delete it. If a PHProjekt web application has not been set-up, the system checks to see if the necessary conditions for setting-up the application exist and which upgrades are necessary in the given case:

 

Providing that everything is in order, click on "Yes", and the following page will be displayed:

Here, you have the opportunity to change a number of things in connection with the installation:

The folder that shall be installed to:
The standard folder is "phprojekt", but if for some reason this should not be practical you can select another folder for it to be set-up in, in association with the installation. Note that the folder may not contain special characters or Danish letters.

Database type:
If both MySQL and PostgreSQL databases are available according to your web installation, it is possible to choose the database you wish to use.

Helpdesk support e-mail:
This is the E-mail address of the person who has technical responsibility for the PHProjekt in your organization. The E-mail address of the hosting support shall not be located here!

Modules:
Here, it is possible to opt out of three different modules, unless one has a special reason for being without them it is recommended to allow them to remain on “Yes”.

Administrator password:
The administrator (root) is the user who can set-up other users in the PHProjekt, assign rights, create groups, etc. Here the password for the “root” user is specified and it does not need to be the same as the administrator password for the entire hosting.

Finally, click on “Install”, after which it is possible to log-in as “root” for the first time and begin the actual administration.


Point-to domains: All paths lead to Rome

Point-to domains make it possible to allow several domain names to point to the same physical set-up, typically with the purpose of “capturing” any visitors who are not precisely sure of the correct domain name, for example, with or without a hyphen in a company name. If you already have a hosting with the domain name www.pandekage-huset.dk it might be practical to set-up a point-to domain called www.pandekagehuset.dk, www.pandekagehuset.net or perhaps www.heksehytten.com.

In order to add a point-to domain, enter the domain name in the text field (without www, only the domain name itself) and then click on “Add”, the new domain name can then be used both for web services and mail. When the domain name is added it will appear on a list directly above the text field on the page. Note that a DNS is NOT set-up for the domain name, this must be done separately! You should not just enter a domain name and hope for the best, the domain shall also be set-up on a name server and pointed to on the IP addresses for the correct web and mail servers.


Upgrading or downgrading from existing package

By clicking on "Upgrade or downgrade" in the control panel you will come to the most comprehensive and critical part of the control panel: Here, there is the possibility to open and close all of the functions that are accessible on the servers, from the addition of a point-to domain to the set-up of a complete on-line shop solution with one mouse click.The initial screen display shows an overview of the current solution as well as any upgrade or downgrade options, as well as links that make it possible to view more details about the individual options. One example (all prices are fictitious):


http://www.goldenplanet.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/upgrade-1.gif

Here, the basic package you have chosen is displayed (a Pro Planet on this example), the monthly price for this basic package, the monthly price for the selected upgrades, the total monthly prices as well as how you have chosen to be invoiced. By clicking on "Show details" you will be shown an overview of the contents of the basic package, the selected upgrades and any additional opportunities to upgrade or downgrade.

http://www.goldenplanet.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/upgrade-2.gif

If we, for example, wish to add the option to have an additional 5 point-to domains, a click on “Add” by the bottom field , "Parking", will lead to this screen display:

 

http://www.goldenplanet.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/upgrade-3.gif

The overview shows the financial consequences for the upgrade as well as any upgrades that can be removed again. If you would like to carry out the upgrade, this is done by clicking on the link "Upgrading, including this block", while a click on "Back to overview" retains the current configuration. If you have chosen to upgrade you will be presented with yet another screen display, where you are asked to finally confirm the upgrade.

Similarly, you can cancel an existing upgrade package; following a click on “Cancel” you will ask to finally confirm the downgrade, after which it will be carried out.

Back to the first page (Upgrade or downgrade) there are a few additional options in this case (the list depends upon the current package): Instead of changing the current package solution you can choose to upgrade or downgrade to a completely different package, for example, if the need for functionality has changed significantly. Click on "Compare" in order to receive a table that compares the functionality of the current package solution with the functionality of the alternatives.

With a click on “Up/downgrade this package” you will receive an overview of the consequences of the desired change, you should read through these THOROUGHLY, not lease if you are in the process of performing a downgrade! If you select “Yes” to perform the change it will be carried out at one and any deselected functions will be deleted.

THIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL LOSE ANY DATA THAT WAS DEPENDENT UPON THE DESELECTED FUNCTIONS! THIS DATA IS IMMEDIATELY DELETED WHEN YOU CLICK ON “YES” AND CONFIRM THE DOWNGRADE.

In the example shown, one can choose to downgrade to a Mail Planet, a choice that means that a multitude of functions are removed and all of the data deleted, this includes, among other things, WebPages, databases (including any data) and statistical data for the WebPages. You should, therefore, be COMPLETELY sure that you have copied that data you wish to save for future use before you click on the “Yes” button.


Editing text

The text that is shown in the OpenBizBox shops will all be generated based on information that is stored in a special language file on the server. This means that ALL text can be changed; it is simply a matter of finding the correct files.

 

Here, we will explain which files contain what and how one finds the texts that will typically be changed in a new set-up. Below, you will find a list of the files that are in a language folder, all language files and folders are in the folder:

 

includes/languages/

Danish           Danish language folder

English           English language folder

Spanish          Spanish language folder

German          German language folder

danish.php      Typical texts and headings used in the entire shop, this is for Danish texts

english.php     English texts...

espanol.php    Spanish texts...

german.php    and German texts.

 

The files for a language are located in the folder for the name of the language, for example, the Danish language files are located in the ‘Danish’ folder. If you are in doubt as to which file a certain text is in, as a rule, it is a question of searching for a file with the name that is in the address row of your browser.


Installing OpenBizBox web application

It is possible to set-up a complete OpenBizBox web application and database for it in just a few mouse clicks. The only requirement is that your web solution supports the necessary functions and has sufficient resources available.

With one click on the OpenBizBox icon you will have the opportunity to set-up an OpenBizBox web application or, if it has already been set-up, the opportunity to delete it. If an OpenBizBox web application has not been set-up yet, the system will check whether the necessary conditions for being able to set this up are in place and, in that case, whether there are any necessary upgrades:

Providing that everything is in order, click on “Yes” and the following page will appear:

Here, there is the possibility to change a number of things in connection with the installation:

The folder it shall be installed to:
The standard folder is "shop" but if, for some reason, this should be impractical you can choose another folder that shall be created in connection with the installation. Note that the folder may not contain any special characters or Danish letters.

Administrator login:
The username for administrator access to the web application, this user has the right to create users, assign rights, etc. 

Administrator password:
Password for the administrator account.

Finally, click on "Install" and after a short wait time (typically 20-30 seconds) the OpenBizBox is ready for use.


FTP/SSH-users: Allow other users to work with your website

 

IMPORTANT!
Even though a user with FTP and SSH access does not have particularly comprehensive system rights, as such, granting others access to your website (and our server) is, under all circumstances, a matter of trust. Always ensure that you know precisely who has access to the usernames and passwords that are created and delete usernames that are no longer in use.

If you suspect that a username and a password have fallen into the wrong hands, the password must be changed immediately (or the user deleted). Otherwise you risk having pirate software, pornographic material or something even worse, spread from your domain at the applicable traffic price per gigabyte on your bill.
Above, you can see a status message that tells you how many FTP/SSH users you are permitted to create according to your package. If there are not any additional user accounts, you can upgrade by clicking on the link "Upgrade FTP/SSH users".

Directly underneath a table is shown with the existing users, if additional users have not been created the only user will be an administrator account that you, yourself, use in order to manage your website:

As it is an administrator account "Options" is not available, otherwise it would be possible to change or delete an account in the following manner:

Under the table, there is a button that allows new users to be added, a click to this button automatically creates a user and assigns a password. If you would like to change the password, user description or the start-up folder, this can be done by clicking on "Edit" for the relevant user:



Note that the start-up folder shall exist on the server.

If you would like to delete a user, select "Delete", this only removes the username and password not the user’s start-up folder or files. A deleted username and password CANNOT be restored as the system assigns new usernames sequentially (user1, user2, etc.). 


File management: Access to your files via the web browser

File management allows you to edit, create, delete, copy or, in some other manner, manipulate all of the files in your installation via a normal web browser.

File management can hardly replace your local development environment and a good FTP program, but it is a strong tool if one, for example, is going to work with user rights on a file level or delete subdirectories with masses of files and additional subdirectories, both tasks can be rather horrible to perform via FTP.

In general, one can generally perform the same functions via file management as via SSH. The only significant difference is that there is no need to have an SSH client installed on the client machine.


Use of counters on your website

A counter makes it possible for your visitors (and you) to see how many times your pages are being shown to a user. Counters are almost completely replaced by actual statistics programs with advanced features and easier interfaces, but they are still used occasionally.

If you insert this html code: 

<img src="http://www.goldenplanet.com/cgi-sys/Count.cgi?df={domain name}-index.html" />

- where {domain name} is replaced by the name of your domain, for example testdom.com, which makes the code look like so: 

<img src="/cgi-sys/Count.cgi?df=testdom.com-index.html">

- will give you a counter that looks like this:

Howto change the looks of the counter:

We have 5 different fonts that you can use. You can change the font by adding dd=(A,B,C,D or E) to the img html tag. Like so 

<img src="/cgi-sys/Count.cgi?df={domain name}&dd=C">

denne counter:

Here are the 5 possible fonts:

TYPE A:
TYPE B:
TYPE C:
TYPE D:
TYPE E:

 

You can change the width of the frame around the counter by adding ft=X (where X is pixel width of the frame). For example will this generate a counter like below 

<img src="/cgi-sys/Count.cgi?df={domain name}&dd=C&ft=0">



If you need more than one counter you simply change the counters data file name (df) til {domain name}-nameofcounter. Remember to include the name of your domain or sub folder in the name of the data file.

You can find more information about the counter on the programmers website.


Subdomains: A way to make logical subdivisions on your website

Sub domains can be a very practical way to add some structure to a website, it can divide it up into a series of logical sub units:

www.yourdomain.com

info.yourdomain.com

news.yourdomain.com

....and so on.

It is relatively easy to setup a sub domain:

When a sub domain is created you can choose to either point a sub domain into an existing folder on the server or create a folder that the sub domains contents will be stored in.

Please notice that the sub domains name MUST be small letters (not capital) and you cannot use special language specific characters in the name. If the system has to create a folder for the contents, it will be created with the same name as the sub domain itself ('news.yourdomain.com' will be created in a folder called 'news').

If you want to delete an existing sub domain you can choose to leave the contents on the server (mark the check box under "Leave folder on disc") otherwise the folder with contents will be deleted - if you choose not to leave the contents on the disk, it is recommended to download a complete copy of the folder in question via FTP or similar BEFORE you delete the folder.


PostgreSQL: Advanced database-functionality

When the PostgreSQL function is selected for the first time you will be presented with the following message:

Status: PostgreSQL feature isn't included at Your current package, but could be upgraded.

You can upgrade to this feature.

This means that the PostgreSQL feature was not included in the package when you created your hosting account, it is however possible to upgrade the account to contain this feature. Simply click the link and follow the guide through the upgrade process.

The message on the screen will be different if your account contains at least 1 unused PostgreSQL database, it will be like this:

Status: No PostgreSQL database installed for this domain

Do you want to add a PostgreSQL database?: [Yes] [No]

A click on 'No' will take you back to the main menu, while clicking 'Yes' will make the system install a database, create the administrative account and assign a password to the database. The information concerning the new database will can be seen by clicking the 'Back to PostgreSQL'

In the table shown above you can find the database name, administrative username and password and also how you connect to the database. It is also possible to delete the database or access the online database administrative tool (here you can create tables, etc.).

Connections from:

Webserver (default):
It is as standard only possible to connect to the database via the webserver itself - This means you can access it from your PHP and perl scripts placed on the webserver, but it isn't possible to connect to the database from an external system (like your desktop pc). This is for security reasons the best option, but it can in some cases be preferable to be able to link up to the database from an external system (could be to synchronize an external program with the web contents) therefore there are 2 possible ways of setting the connection filter.

Anywhere:
Users with the correct username and paasword can connect to the database from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection. This setting can be dangerous, since the username and password are send in clear text (not encrypted). This gives a potential hacker the possibility to 'sniff' the username and password and gain access to your database since you haven't restricted the IP of where you can connect from. The hacker can in principle sit on the opposite side of the earth and alter your database.

Specific hosts:
This gives you some control of the external connections when your 'Connect from' is set to 'Anywhere'. It allows you to specify exactly what IP that you will allow connections from. Remember that you still need the use of the username and password. But you have now effectively blocked of anyone you don't know about, e.g. the hacker.

Note: If you have entered an IP and chooses the 'Webserver (default)' setting again, you will lose the entered IP.

 

Functions
A click on the 'Admin' link will open the administrative web tool for PostgreSQL.


MySQL: Efficient manipulation of large amounts of data

When the MySQL function is selected the first time you would properly be met by the following message:

Status: The MySQL function is not included in your present configuration, it is possible to upgrade to include this function.

You can upgrade to this function.

This means that you didn't choose to install a MySQL database when you ordered your web hotel, it is however possible to perform an upgrade. Click the link and go through the upgrade procedure.

If you have 1 MySQL database (but not using any of them) in your present configuration you will be met by the following message:

Status: There are no MySQL database for this domain

Would you like to add a MySQL database?

A click on "No" brings you back to the main menu, while a click on "Yes" makes the system create an administrative account on the database and assign a password to the account. The information on the newly created database will be shown on the screen - in the example below there are 4 databases installed, 1 for the phpBB, 1 for Typo3, 1 for osCommerce and finally 1 for the PHProjekt web application:

In the listing you can see the database name, administrative user name and password (cleared in the picture above) and what connection types are allowed. It is also possible to delete the database or go to the administration interface for the database (you can create tables, etc.).

Connect from:

Webserver (default):
As standard you can only connect to the database from the web server itself - this means that it is only possible to gain access via a PHP scrips that is on the web server, but this can be changed. You have 2 possible solutions:

Anywhere:
Users with the correct user name and password can connect to the database from absolutely anywhere, as long as you have a working internet connection. This setting can be dangerous, since user names and passwords are send unencrypted between you and the server. This makes it possible to sniff the password and thereby gain access to the database. And since everybody is allowed to connect from anywhere they can sit on the other side of the world and do some very bad things to the database.

Specific hosts:
Here you can put specific IP addresses that are allowed to access the database (example "195.41.114.1"). Notice, that this only opens for the POSSIBILITY to make a connection to the database, you still need the correct user name and password to get full access to the database. With this set all other IP's are denied access, so from a security point of view this is the best solution if you need access from outside the web server.

Please notice: If "Webserver (default)" is chosen again all entered IP addresses under "Specific hosts" are erased!

Options
A click on the "Admin" link starts up phpMyAdmin, a very popular web based administrations application for MySQL.


Review and change available diskspace on the webserver

It is possible to see the current usage and the maximum diskspace that is available on the webserver. To see the information on a given package choose the"Webserver Diskspace" in the control panel, it is also possible to upgrade your available diskspace from here.


Has PHP-scripting been activated on my installation?

There should be an icon in your control panel if the possibility to execute PHP-scripts is activated in your service, this will briefly tell you whether or not this function is included in your service and give you the ability to deactivate it.


Manual for EasyPopulate (import/export of products)

Here you will find the manual for Easy Populate.

Please note that installation is already completed - you can go directly to the section about how to use this module.


Review and change available diskspace on the mailserver

It is possible to see the current usage and the maximum diskspace that is available on the mail server. To see the information on a given package choose the "Mail Diskspace" in the control panel, it is also possible to upgrade your available diskspace from here.


Activating Frontpage Extensions on the server

Microsoft Frontpage is a program for editing websites, but it also has the ability to use some extra components that must be installed on the web server (the machine that hosts your files) - the so called Frontpage Extensions.

Notice that it is not necessary to activate Frontpage Extensions on the server just to create, edit and upload web pages - but be aware that these extensions can in some cases put some limitations on the usage of other functions on the server, so it should only be used if you really need them.

It is also important to notice the fact that it is NOT possible to have the Frontpage Extensions activated on the server if you have one or more web applications (osCommerce, PostNuke, Typo3, phpBB, etc.) installed, since Frontpage Extensions controls some of the files that these applications use to protect the contents of confidential folders.

You can upgrade your installation to include this functionality if FrontPage Extensions isn't included in your current web solution.


Factsheet: Expiry dates etc. in a quick glance

The factsheet gives you a good overview over the individual services:


DNS: The foundation for running your domain

The DNS settings are the most basic control function there is in relations to a domain - any errors or lack of information here affects other functions that make up an internet hotel be it mail or web. In the worst case it can render a website useless and dead, until the error is corrected and the new information spreads out into the corners of internet. Therefore changes to the DNS should not be taken lightly, and you should as a minimum have read this article through before attempting to change anything.

The different options for the DNS are:


Change Password: Limit and secure access to your website

As administrator of a website it can be necessary to change the password of the administration of the website from time to time - for example if you have had a coworker with access to the site that has been fired.

Please only use the letters (A-Z, a-z),numbers (0-9), hyphen (-) and underscore (_) in your password. Of security reasons don't make the length under 6 characters - shorter passwords is simply to easy to break. The password must be entered twice to make sure you have entered it correctly, an error in the password will lock you out of the website!