DNS and Plesk

[UserCBL]

I signed up for a Windows VPS a couple of weeks ago and must say I'm really happy with it.

However, when I do anything in Plesk such as setup a new domain or whatever, it generally times out, then nothing will function on the server and I need to reboot it.

I ran the reconfiurator and it found lots of issues, but still the problem persists.

The thing is, I'm not subletting any space on the VPS, and I've manually configured IIS and MailEnable before, so I'd be more than happy to bypass Plesk all together.

However, it seems to be using Plesk's own DNS server, so I'm wondering if there is anyway of modifying settings without using the web control panel?

Alternatively, I tried to install the Microsoft DNS server, but it prompts me for the Windows install CD. Is it possible to get this installed?

I saw a thread on security for Linux servers, are there any tips for Windows?

And is it possible to cut off the server once it reaches its bandwidth limit rather than a bill for overage?

Thanks in advance,

[Smithjp]

when I do anything in Plesk such as setup a new domain or whatever, it generally times out, then nothing will function on the server and I need to reboot it.

I ran the reconfiurator and it found lots of issues, but still the problem persists.

Please open a support ticket with the steps on which Plesk times out so that we can check it.

it seems to be using Plesk's own DNS server, so I'm wondering if there is anyway of modifying settings without using the web control panel?

Please uses BIND as a DNS server. Plesk keeps the record of everything in its own system database "psa". If you are on old Plesk version then "psa" database will be in MySQL and new Plesk versions have "psa" database in Access. You can add the DNS zone files directly to BIND but Plesk will not show those zones. However the domains will resolve fine.

I tried to install the Microsoft DNS server, but it prompts me for the Windows install CD. Is it possible to get this installed?

Please open a support ticket and we will copy i386 folder to your VPS. When you will be prompted for CD, you can give the path to i386 folder and installation will proceed.

I saw a thread on security for Linux servers, are there any tips for Windows?

On Windows server, you can install Antivirus and use the Windows built in Firewall.

And is it possible to cut off the server once it reaches its bandwidth limit rather than a bill for overage?

Virtuozzo doesn't provide any such functionality till now. What you can do is limit the bandwidth for individual sites according to the total bandwidth. So if any of the site will hit the limit, it will be suspended and you will come to know.

[Vin DSL]

I saw a thread on security for Linux servers, are there any tips for Windows?

I ran IIS for 2-3 years... kinda miss it actually, in an odd sort of way!

The way to harden a IIS server is by turning off services!

There are usually a LOT of services running in the background that do nothing but allow hackers an opportunity to bork your web server. If you don't need this or that service, turn it off (if you can).

About 5 years ago, a trade magazine devoted an entire issue to IIS security. In mission critical applications, they even suggested turning off the keyboard - so ppl at the NOC can't get into it - basically turning IIS into a dumb terminal.

Anyway, that's where I would start...

EDIT

In case you think I'm full of it...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Read the "Brief Description".

And, again... a somewhat better description...

http://www.iis.net/downloads/default...=34&g=6&i=1290