Table of Contents
As an administrator using the Plesk Server Administrator (PSA) software, you can perform a variety of server management tasks in a few clicks. When you are logged on as an administrator, click the Server button located at the top of the screen to bring up the Server Management page. From this page, you can access the following functions:
Rebooting simply means restarting the server. If users are logged on to the system, you should not reboot the server until you have informed all the users that the server must be shut down temporarily; however, sometimes an emergency necessitates immediate rebooting of a server to correct a problem that cannot be fixed any other way. To reboot your system, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Reboot button.
PSA warns you that the system will be restarted and asks you to confirm your choice, for safety purposes. Click OK to reboot, or Cancel to keep the server up.
Rebooting the server via the PSA interface also reboots the operating system and anything else running on the server.
When you need to completely shut down the server, you should do it through the Plesk Server Administrator (PSA) software rather than simply turning off the hardware. Shutting down with PSA closes all open files and gracefully ends all current services. To shut down your system, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Shutdown button.
PSA warns you that the system will be shut down and asks you to confirm your choice, for safety purposes. Click OK to turn the server off or Cancel to keep the server active.
Shutting down the server via the PSA interface will also shut down the operating system and anything else running on the server. After having done this, there is no way to remotely bring the server back up; it must be done manually.
The IP Aliasing page enables the administrator to control IP Aliasing on system network interfaces. This function is specifically for servers that have more than one IP address or are on more than one interface. From this page, the user can:
To add or remove IP Aliases on a server with PSA, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click on IP Aliasing. The IP Aliasing screen appears.
To choose which network interface the IP Aliases will be added to or removed from, select the appropriate Interface from the drop down box.
To add an IP Alias, enter the appropriate IP address and Subnet Mask in the text boxes provided. Click Add to submit. Once submitted, the new address remains on the screen to facilitate the entry of multiple addresses.
To remove one or more IP Aliases from the network interface, first select the necessary Interface, and then select the IP Alias from the list you want to delete. Click Remove.
A warning message appears. Click Okay to delete the IP address.
Click Up Level to return to the Server Management page.
You cannot add random IP addresses; they must be assigned.
As the administrator you are able to manage your server date and time through the interface. From the System Time page, you can review and edit the time and date manually. You can also synchronize your server time with the Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. To set the system time, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
To manually set the System Date and Time, in the area beneath System Date and Time click in any of the given fields (i.e. Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute, Seconds) and adjust the information as needed.
Click the Set button to submit your settings and update the system time.
To synchronize your server time with that of a server running the Network Time Protocol, click in the checkbox next to Synchronize system time. Once there is a check in this box, this function will be enabled.
Enter a valid IP address and click the Set button to synchronize.
In order for this function to work, you must enter an IP address, which points to a valid NTP server.
Enabling the Synchronize system time function will override any time and date you manually enter in the System Date and Time fields. It is also important to be sure the IP address you enter for synchronization is a valid NTP server. If not, this function will not work and your server will continue to run with its current settings for time.
Plesk Server Administrator (PSA) compiles statistics on server usage. You can access this information at any time, for viewing or printing. The report is especially helpful if the server is slow or is experiencing performance problems; the report may help you diagnose and correct such problems.
The report lists several informative statistics:
CPU: This gives a description of the CPU of your server.
Version: This provides with the version of PSA you are running as well as the kernel number.
Key Number: This will report the key number for your PSA license.
System Up Time: How long the server has been available without interruptions such as those from rebooting or shutting down the operating system
Load Averages for the last minute, 5 minutes, and 15 minutes: The average number of processes waiting in the scheduler queue for execution in the last time frame
Hard Disk Usage:
Domains:
To access the Server Statistics page, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click Statistics. The server report appears.
Click Refresh to update the server statistics with the latest data.
To print out a copy of the statistics, use your browser's File/Print command.
The Mail System Management page allows the administrator to set the parameters for various mail services on the server. The following settings can be adjusted from this page:
Max letter size - this field can be used to set the maximum allowable size of any email received on the server. If this field is left empty, or zero is entered, then the maximum allowable size is "unlimited".
Mailbox quota template - this field can be used to set the default value for mailbox quota for every new domain.
Relaying - these fields are used to set the mail system relay mode. Relaying affects only the sending of mail; it does not in any way change how mail is received on the server. Mail relaying can work in one of three modes: open relay, closed relay and relay with authorization.
Open relay - selecting this allows any host computer to utilize the mail services of any domain on the server, to send and/or receive mail. In this mode, no password is required.
Closed relay - selecting this only allows mail to be sent and received locally (to and from domains residing on the server). The only exception would be hosts specified as allowable relay hosts in the White list.
Require authorization - selecting this allows any host computer to utilize the mail services of a domain on the server provided that a valid username and password are used to authenticate the mail user.
POP3 - requires a POP3 login before sending mail. The lock time field sets the allowed time given for sending mail after login. During the lock time, any email sent from the initial IP address will be accepted without requiring a password to be re-entered.
SMTP - smtp authentication (the PSA mail system supports LOGIN, CRAM-MD5 and PLAIN methods of smtp authorization) requires a password every time you send an email.
White List - the White list is a list of IP-addresses with masks from which mail is always accepted.
Blockers - Mail blockers are used to identify mail domains from which you do not allow mail to be received.
In order to manage mail system settings, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
To set the maximum letter size allowed on the server, click in the Max letter size text box and enter your desired size in KBytes. Click Set to submit.
To set the default value of the mailbox quota, click in the Mailbox quota template text box and enter the desired size in Kbytes. Click Set to submit.
To set the mail system relay mode, click on the radio button next to your desired mode to select it:
To add an IP address/mask to the White List, type in the appropriate IP Address and mask in the fields provided. Click the Add button to submit. The address selected will appear in the IP list.
To remove an IP address/mask from the White List, select the IP address you wish to delete from the IP list. Click the Remove button.
To add a mail blocker, click in the text box next to Enter domain name and enter the domain name from which you want to block mail. Click the Add button to submit. The domain you selected will appear in the blocked domain list.
To remove a mail blocker, select the domain you wish to remove from the list of blocked domains. Click the Remove button.
This page allows you to create the default DNS Zone Templates. Such templates make it easier to set up the DNS records for a freshly created new domain. This feature provides you with a number of DNS records that are more or less standard for a DNS zone.
In order to add a new template record follow these steps:
Access the server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click on the DNS button. The DNS Zone Template page appears.
Select the type of the record you wish to add from the Record type drop down box and click the Add button. The DNS Zone Template Records Edit page appears.
Fill in the required information into the provided input fields (the type of the information required varies depending on the type of the DNS record selected).
Click the Update button to submit the entered data and add the new record to the template. If you decide to not add the record, simply click the Up Level button. Both will take you back to the DNS Zone Template page, one adding the record and the other one skipping any modifications.
It is possible not to enter the precise name of the new domain or the IP address. Instead, the following substitutions are made available: "domain", which is then replaced with the domain name, and "ip", which is replaced by the primary IP address.
When you implement PSA, you may replace the Plesk logo in the top banner area with your own logo. This provides you with a customized look for your interface. Also, it enables you to hyperlink the logo to your organization's website. To change the logo on the interface, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Logo Setup button. The Logo Setup page appears:
Click in the Choose new Logo file text box and enter the name of the logo file you wish to use. Or, click the Browse... button and choose a file.
You should use a GIF or a JPEG file format for your logo, preferably no larger than 100 kilobytes to minimize download time. Plesk resizes the logo to fit in the banner area. If you don't want your logo to be resized, you should edit the logo to the exact banner size, which is 558 X 81 pixels.
Click Send Logo to place your logo in the banner area. This may take some time to upload.
You have the option to create a hyperlink that activates when a user clicks on your logo. The link may take the user to a corporate URL or other website. Click in the Enter new Logo link box. Enter in the URL.
Click Send Link to activate the hyperlink.
If you change your mind about a logo, and wish to revert back to the PSA logo, click Default Logo.
When you have finished defining a local logo and hyperlink, click Up Level to return to the Server Management page.
The Sessions Management page allows for the set up of different PSA security parameters. The following parameters can be set from this screen:
Session idle time - allowable idle time for any session in PSA. PSA does not allow two sessions using the same login name to run simultaneously; however, should a user session remain idle for a length of time exceeding that specified as the Session idle time, then PSA allows that user name to login from a different location, thus ending the idle session.
Invalid login interval - interval between two invalid login attempts within which the invalid login attempts counter is increased. If the time between two invalid login attempts exceeds this value, then the invalid login counter is reset back to 0.
Invalid login attempts - maximum quantity of invalid login attempts allowed. Once a user has exceeded this value, they are locked out for the time specified in the Invalid login lock time text box.
Invalid login lock time - lockout time for a user once the invalid login attempts counter has exceeded its maximum limit. During this time, correct attempts will not be accepted. Upon completion of the lockout time, the invalid login attempts counter is reset to "0" and the user is again given the ability to login to PSA.
In order to change the settings for the sessions parameters, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click on the Sessions button. The Sessions Management page appears.
To set the Session idle time, click in the field provided to the right, and enter the selected time.
To set the Invalid login interval, click in the field provided to the right, and enter the selected interval.
To set the number of Invalid login attempts, click in the field to the right, and enter the selected number of attempts.
To set the Invalid login lock time, click in the field to the right, and enter the selected lock time.
Click the Update button to submit your settings.
Click the Defaults button to return the settings to their default amounts.
PSA enables you to upload a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certificate, generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), and/or generate a Self-signed Certificate. Each certificate represents a set of rules used when exchanging encrypted information between two computers. Certificates establish secure communications; this is especially important when handling e-commerce transactions and other private transmittals. Only authorized users can access and read an encrypted data stream. If your client intends to implement SSL support for a virtual host domain, you can grant permission for SSL capabilities to the domain. Or, your client can implement the SSL certificate by self-administering his/her domain.
You can acquire SSL certificates from various sources. We recommend generating a certificate with the SSLeay utility and submitting it to a certificate authority. This can be done using the CSR option within PSA. You can also purchase the certificate through our web-site My.Plesk.com (MPC).
A default SSL certificate is uploaded automatically for the control panel. However, this certificate will not be recognized by a browser as one that is signed by a certificate signing authority. The default SSL certificate can be replaced by either a self-signed certificate or one signed by a recognized certificate-signing authority.
If using a SSL certificate issued by a certificate authority other than Thawte or Verisign, a rootchain certificate is required to appropriately identify and authenticate the certificate authority that has issued your SSL certificate.
Once you have a certificate, you can upload it through the Plesk Server Administrator using the instructions which follow in this section.
To generate a self-signed certificate or a certificate-signing request, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Certificate button. The SSL certificate setup page appears.
The Certificate Information: section lists information needed for a certificate Request, or a Self-Signed certificate.
The Bits selection allows you to choose the level of encryption of your SSL certificate. Select the appropriate number from the drop down box next to Bits:.
To enter the information into the provided text input fields (State or Province, Locality, Organization Name and Organization Unit Name (optional)) click in the text boxes and enter the appropriate names.
To enter the Domain Name for the certificate, click in the text box next to Domain Name: and enter the appropriate domain.
The domain name is a required field. This will be the only domain name that can be used to access the Control Panel without receiving a certificate warning in the browser. The expected format is http://www.domainname.com or http://domainname.com.
Click on either the Self-Signed or Request button.
Clicking Self-Signed results in your certificate being automatically generated and posted to your certificate directory. Selecting Request results in the sending of a certificate-signing request to the email provided.
When you are satisfied that the SSL certificate has been generated or the SSL certificate request has been correctly implemented, click Up Level to return to the Domain Administration page.
To purchase a certificate through the My.Plesk.com proceed to:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Certificate button. The SSL certificate setup page appears.
The Certificate Information: section lists information needed for a certificate Request, or a Self-Signed certificate.
The Bits selection allows you to choose the level of encryption of your SSL certificate. Select the appropriate number from the drop down box next to Bits:.
To enter the information into the provided text input fields (State or Province, Locality, Organization Name and Organization Unit Name (optional)) click in the text boxes and enter the appropriate names.
To enter the Domain Name for the certificate, click in the text box next to Domain Name: and enter the appropriate domain.
The domain name is a required field. This will be the only domain name that can be used to access the Control Panel without receiving a certificate warning in the browser. The expected format is http://www.domainname.com or http://domainname.com.
Click on the Buy Certs button to gain access to the certificate management interface on My.Plesk.com. The MPC Gate page appears.
This page allows you to create account (the Create Account button) and access (the Log In button) to MPC from where you are able to purchase and manage the certificates.
In case you already have an existing account on MPC but forgot the password for it, there is a button provided especially for such occasions: Forget Password?. Click it and enter your MPC account login name when requested into the provided text input field. Your password will be sent via e-mail to the address specified in your Server Administrator profile.
If you do not wish to purchase certificates at this time but do wish to view the certificates currently owned by you, you may proceed directly to the MPC Gate page by clicking the View Certs button. At that you will not be prompted to fill in the details at the SSL Certificate setup page.
To upload a file containing the certificate authorized by the Certificate Signing Authority:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Certificate button. The SSL certificate page appears.
If you wish to upload a Certificate File authorized by the Certificate Signing Authority, click the Browse: button under the Upload previously bought Certificate File (without private key) section to select the file (the file must be in .txt format)
Then, click Send File to copy the certificate to the server.
To upload a new certificate:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Certificate button. The SSL certificate page appears.
If you wish to upload a certificate file from a local computer, under the Uploading Certificate File section, click the Browse: button to select the file (the file must be in .txt format).
Then, click Send File to copy the certificate to the server. Or, if you want to type in the text of the certificate without uploading a specific file, click in the text box and enter and paste the certificate information.
Click Send Text to implement the text on the server.
Ensure that the private key text block is included along with the SSL certificate text block when using the Send File or Send Text options.
When you upload the certificate to the server, PSA checks for errors. If an error is detected, PSA restores the old version of the SSL certificate, and PSA warns you to update the certificate. At this point, you can try again to enter text or to upload the certificate file.
When you are satisfied that the SSL certificate is correctly implemented, click Up Level to return to the Domain Administration page.
If you are using a certificate that has been signed by an authority other than Thawte or Verisign then it is likely that this will require the use of a rootchain, or CA, certificate. To install a rootchain certificate for the domain:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Certificate button. The SSL certificate setup page appears.
The icon next to Use rootchain certificate for this domain appears on this page.
If the icon is [ON] then the rootchain certificate will be enabled for this domain. If the icon is [X] this function will be disabled.
To change the status of the rootchain certificate, click the On/Off button.
To upload your rootchain certificate, first make sure that it has been saved on your local machine or network. Use the Browse button to search for and select the appropriate rootchain certificate file.
Then click the Send File button. This will upload your rootchain certificate to the server to assure proper authentication of the certificate authority.
PSA is intended to provide an option of choosing the interface language. For this moment only English is available. This page also allows you to set a number of lines displayed on the pages containing the lists (i.e.: Domains List, Clients List, etc.).
To change the number of lines displayed per page:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Preferences button. The Control Panel Preferences page appears.
Click in the Enter display lines per page input box and enter the number of lines you want to see displayed on the pages.
Click the Update button or the Up Level button to return to the Server Management page. One will commit the changes; the other one will leave the settings unchanged.
To change the control panel interface language:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Preferences button. The Control Panel Preferences page appears.
Select the desired language from the drop down box (currently only English is available).
Click the Update button or the Up Level button to return to the Server Management page. One will commit the changes; the other one will leave the settings unchanged.
This page allows you to manage a few additional services available through My.Plesk.com (MPC). The current services are Domain Registration, Certificate Purchasing and Extras (general MPC access).
To activate (or deactivate) a certain service, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Add Services button. The Additional Services Management page appears.
Check (or uncheck) the checkbox corresponding to the service you wish to activate (or deactivate).
Click the Update button or the Up Level button to return to the Server Management page. One will commit the changes; the other one will leave the settings unchanged.
This page allows you to enter contact information for the administrator. The email address to which the administrator receives messages from users was set when you installed the PSA software. You can change this email address at any time. To enter or edit Admin information, follow these steps:
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Edit button. The Edit Administrator Information page appears.
Click in any of the desired fields and enter the admin information.
All the required fields are marked with asterisks.
You can return to this page and edit this information at any time.
Click the Update button to submit your information.
When you change the administrative email address, be sure to inform your users of the new address.
You can change the administrative password at any time. Regularly changing the administrative password is a good idea for security purposes.
Access server management functions by clicking on the Server button at the top of the PSA interface. The Server Management page appears.
Click the Change Password button. The Change Server Administrator Password page appears.
Click in the Old password text box and enter your current password.
Click in the New password text box and enter the password that you wish to change to.
Click in the Confirm password text box and re-enter the new password, exactly as you entered it in the New password text box.
Click the Update button opposite the Confirm text box.
The default password is "setup" and is established during the installation process. Because of this, you cannot "create" a password, rather you can only change it.
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