Re: MySQL / Perl / Apache

[Ken Hagan <ken@alacrity-it.com>]

Quoting hcrouch@mchsi.com:

> RC> I guess I'm confused on terminology.  I thought an ISP provides 
> RC> connectivity to the Internet, e.g. dial-up, whereas a hosting
> RC> company provides storage and services, e.g LAMP.
> 
> I was the one who was confused.  Let me try again.  I already have an ISP,
> and
> my ISP does not do hosting.  I am not looking for a new provider.  I *am*
> looking for a host.  
> 
> 
> KH> I'm really just looking for some people who want web+DB hosting and
> KH> maybe a little bit of email hosting so I can help pay for the box.
> KH> No shell access.
> 
> Now I'm confused again.  I assumed that hosting automatically meant a shell
> account.  If a customer doesn't have a shell account, how does he maintain
> his
> database, cgi scripts and html files?
> 
> Is FTP access different from shell access? 
> 
yes.

Most hosting providers allow their clients to ftp up files, use SMB (Windows
shares), publish via proprietary webby interfaces, or use Microsoft Frontpage
server extensions (bastardization of FTP/WebDAV).

Some but by no means most allow people to ssh/telnet into the machines and trot
around on the command line.  

Allowing hosting clients to have telnet/ssh access exposes the system
administrator to all exploits that require a local login (usually many more
than remote exploits) and requires system accounts for anyone publishing web
pages.

I found it was easier when I was setting up this server to just store all user
information in databases for email and ftp access instead of giving everyone
valid system accounts and tightening security down from there.

If you ever have to host on a windows server you'll see that hosting != shell
access as there is no shell to speak of on a Windows box.


Ken Hagan
Technology Consultant
Alacrity-IT, Inc
http://www.alacrity-it.com/
618.499.0108

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