Web servers

Question: I have a shared hosting account and need an easy way to manage my databases. What can I use? Answer: Chances are, if you are using a server that has both PHP and MySQL, your web hosting provider has given you some type of tool to manage your databases. …

Question: What is a “man” page? Answer: Linux and other Unix-like operating systems usually have hundreds of commands that a user can execute from the command line. When running a dedicated server, there are a few that you will use regularly, but there may be instances when you need to …

Question: What is a subdomain and why should I use one? Answer: A subdomain is simply a word used as a prefix before a domain name. For example, if the domain is domain.com, a subdomain could be sub.domain.com. Typically, a subdomain would serve as an alternative to domain.com/sub, although if …

The vast majority of dedicated server owners don’t have the time or experience to handle complex system administration tasks, but fully managed servers can be quite expensive. For those with a bit of computer know-how on a budget, semi-managed servers are a popular alternative. With a semi-managed server, the most …

Question: Where do I view logs on my dedicated server? Answer: Most of the logs on a Linux operating system are kept in the /var/log directory. There you will find logs for the main system, kernel, network, hardware, Apache, MySQL, and often times other third-party applications that you might happen …

Question: What is the purpose of a cgi-bin directory? Answer: CGI programs running on a server must be executable. While this allows the user to run server-side scripts, including convenient free ones found on the web, it also presents a security risk. Most virtual hosting situations restrict execution of Perl …

Question: Who is “nobody”, and why is he running so many programs on my server? Am I being hacked? Answer: On a Linux-based dedicated server, every application must be run by a particular user. On a desktop system, programs are usually either run by the local user or the system. …

In a Linux-based operating system, a service is a program that can be executed at startup and run in the background. The user can also execute it at any time from the command line. On a Linux dedicated server, services are very important, as most of the critical applications are …

Question: What is reseller hosting and how does it differ from dedicated server hosting? Answer: Reseller hosting is when a web hosting provider sells you a number of bulk hosting accounts that you can then turn around and market to your own customers for profit. It differs from a dedicated …

Question: What are some common port numbers used in web hosting? Answer: Most firewalls come configured with the essential port numbers open and the rest of them closed. Nevertheless, it is still important to know which ports do what, whether you are running a dedicated server or just one shared …