DirectAdmin Version 2 - Discussion, ideas, opinions and anything else!

[ProWebUK]

There has been very little mention of DA v2, but since its what DA will be soon enough (in a dev's words :D ) I was wondering what you all thought.

- What extras / new features would you like to see
- What would you like to see chnaged
- What do you want to see dropped completely.

- What style / looks, advanced smart looking graphic intensive or simple clean 'light' skins - or even a variety of different skins to suit all sorts

Remember, DA v2 is being almost completely rewritten, allowing anything new to come along or anything currently there to be dropped.. The best time to get the panel suited to everyone is having your opinions put across prior to development - now.

Hopefully after the thread has developed with all your opinions we can get some examples of ideas aswell as create a 'feature list' of what everyone thinks would be worth having.... Im sure if the thread goes well it will help out on development aswell as help suit the panel to everyone's needs, Again, prior to development starting is the best time for this to occur (even if theres a while before DA v2 gets started!)

Chris

[l0rdphi1]

API improvements - I'd like to see an API that allows "options" (links) to easily be appended to any given DA menu. (No skin modification.)

Server farm - We need the ability to link servers together, creating a "farm" as it is called. Some will setup each server to perform a specific task (one for httpd, one for sql, one for mail, etc.), and yet others will link servers together only to easily move users from server-to-server (all servers handle everything for the users residing thereon). The new user levels system, explained below, MUST be global across all servers in a farm.

Custom user levels - Administrator, reseller, and user are nice defaults, but I will love to have the ability to add new "levels" with completely custom features (e.g., Email-only levels, etc.).

This needs to be hierarchal. That is, the 'root' administrator is the "parent" level. All other levels are children of the root admin, and that means the root administrator can create users in any of the levels on the server farm. Moreover, occupants of the 'user' level will not be able to create users in the 'admin' level; users of any given level will not be able to create users in levels above their location in the hierarchal level tree.

Additionally, each user in a level that CAN resell (we'll need a checkbox) will have the ability to create user levels. However, during creation, these new user levels will ONLY be allowed to attain options that their parent has access to. For instance, a user in a level that does NOT have SSH will NOT be able to create child levels with SSH, or a user that has ONLY email access will ONLY be able to create levels with email access.

I suppose this new level system *could* completely replace the current "packages" system, although I admit there are some advantages in keeping them separate.

+ Root admin (only 1 user can go here)
|----+ Default Admin level
|----|----+ Default Reseller level
|----|----|----+ Default User level
|----|----|----+ Email option level (this one would be custom, obviously)

In looking over what I've typed above, there seems to be some fuzziness regarding the differences between a USER and a "user level". That is, I kind of push the notion that a USER is -kind of- the same thing as a user level. This is not so. A user level is more a "user group" than anything else. More than one USER can be assigned to any given level, and this USER will then share any child levels of the USER's level. For example, if both users "John" and "Mark" are assigned the level 'Default Reseller level', they will both be able to create USERS in the 'Default User level' and 'Email option level' levels. Both John and Mark will also be able to create new child levels of their level, the 'Default Reseller level'.

Bahh -- okay, problem. (and I'm running out of time to keep plowing away at this) :: Given the above system, ALL USERS in the level 'Default Reseller level' will be able to create, edit, and delete levels created by any other USER on the same level. This can not happen. We need a fix.

I'll play with this more later.

[overhosted]

I would like to see, a dropdown box in the preferences menu, where users and admins etc. can choose their language.
Example

a user would have the choice:
-english
-french
-dutch

So you don't have to upload 3 skins in different languages.

Oh, and that idea of custom userlevels is also a good idea..

And the multiserver thing :)

Thanks

Kevin

[l0rdphi1]

On the problem I created above, when a USER with the reseller box ticked comes about, the level system should create a fake "sub" level for this user. These fake sublevels need to be managed exclusively by DA itself.

+ Root admin (only 1 user can go here)
|----+ Default Admin level
|----|----+ Default Reseller level
|----|----|----+ [fake level for 'admin']
|----|----|----|----+ Default User level
|----|----|----+ [fake level for 'john']
|----|----|----|----+ John's 1st user level


Continuing on, for level settings (in the above case I'm looking at the 'Default Reseller level'), there will actually be two checkboxes: one, the "USERs can resell" box I've talked about before, and now a "USERs can create resellers" box.

For USERs whose parent level has the "USERs can create resellers" box ticked, they will be able to tick the "USERs can resell" box on owned levels, effectively allowing occupants of their levels to resell. Otherwise, if "USERs can create resellers" is not ticked, the "USERs can resell" box will be disabled, disallowing the possibility of any of the USER's levels to be resold.

It's complicated, yes, but really, I think it is worth it :)

[ProWebUK]

I would like to see, all users *allowed* the username 'admin' - it would need to have the login form changed from:

username: [_____]
password: [_____]

to:

username: [_____]
domain: [_____]
password: [_____]

It also allows multiple users access to a user account, which leads to a further idea - the additional domains would be additional users, this would be setup as 'users' then the users have access to a 4th level which would allow the following controls:

- Domains
- Subdomain management interface(for additional domains only - main users interface is in main users panel)
-E-Mails

Chris

[GPNHosting]

I would like to see the ability to transfer admin accounts to resellers and vice versa. Maybe some addons like phpbb one-click installation could be nice too ;).

[ProWebUK]

One other suggestion:

Dont have a tool to transfer resellers to users and vice versa (Such as the script made by lordphi)

Instead, under the view users > select user > modify user

Have an option of reseller:

Reseller: [_________[^]

The drop down could hold:

No Reseller
reseller 1
reseller 2
this reseller is 3
.. etc...


Once thats done submit the chnages and its shown under the reseller - I Dont like the idea of "converting a user to a reseller" (sounds overly complicated as to what it should) and this idea covers both - switch domains to no reseller they go under the admin accounts user panel (therefore leaving end user accounts) or they go under seperate reseller panels (which you can provide the domain owner therefore upgrading them to reseller with minimal work.)

It keeps it clean and it works without any clutter to the actual panel.... for example it doesnt require a mian menu, aswell as doing what it needs to ok.

Finally (this is seriously the worst thing with DA at the moment!)

Live quota updates on *everything* number of domains in panel etc aswell as usage stats in the panel

Im willing to allow a part of the DirectAdmin speed to be lost due to this, it just has to be the thing I dislike most at the moment ;)

Chris

[Shahid]

I would like to see better professional skin (as default skin) completely. Something similar CPanel or http://demo.unitedhosting.co.uk/home.php skin would be great :). That is the most imporant part!!

-

Have DA v2 been developed yet? Are there any screenshot I can see please.

[ProWebUK]

Originally posted by Shahid
Have DA v2 been developed yet? Are there any screenshot I can see please.

No, and therefore, no again.

Chris

[DirectAdmin Support]

Hello,

I think it's important for me to bump in here and say that DA 2.0 is still a dream, and that DA 1 took over a year to implement, without having to offer any support (pure programming time) and still is in development. I think that DA 2.0 will actually just be a morph of 1.0 as the code can just be changed piece by piece.

John

[albatroz]

Yeah... I also love Ensim look, that also resembles a Mac BBS software called First Class..

Back to reality, how is going the Direct Admin development?



Originally posted by Shahid
I would like to see better professional skin (as default skin) completely. Something similar CPanel or http://demo.unitedhosting.co.uk/home.php skin would be great :). That is the most imporant part!!

-

Have DA v2 been developed yet? Are there any screenshot I can see please.

[torp]

If it's called DA v 2.0 or DA v 1.6 is irrelevant to me. What I would like to see implemented though is:

- Custom levels is a very nice idea. Currently I'm managing a lot of accounts for some of my customers, and I have made skins so that they can only use the file-manager, set up new email accounts, password protect, etc.

But when I'm logging in to set up a new database, I first have to go to my reseller panel, select the user, change the skin (to the advanced skin), log in as the user, and do the tasks. Then log out again, and change the skin back to the user's less-advanced skin.

Would therefore be a nice solution to the whole thing, if I could create an email-only user, who could manage all email-stuff for a domain, and I could maybe throw in some other tasks as well, but I would still be able to do advanced tasks on that account.

- Second - better implementation of email is a must! Spamassassin, forward and auto-reply through an external interface (that could be put into Squirrelmail) is something I feel is the most urgent need!

[thoroughfare]

My votes:

- XML/SOAP-based API with full documentation, for *all* DA functions
- server clustering, like H-Sphere
- full SSH jailing

Matt :)

[intelliot]

I don't think it's worthwhile to do anywhere near a full rewrite. DA is excellent as it is, and if you take too long reimplementing everything, it'll die. Just keep improving on what we've got:)

[jmstacey]

Some sort of easy system to allow 3rd party bandwidth usage to be added to the main tally. For example, an easy way to add shoutcast bandwidth usage. Stuff like that. Maybe toggle switches to choose which services to collect usage on or a page where you could put the log parsing instructions telling DA how to parse the log and where to find the it, then da would do the rest along with the other tallies.

Did that make any sense?

[l0rdphi1]

Originally posted by jmstacey
Some sort of easy system to allow 3rd party bandwidth usage to be added to the main tally. For example, an easy way to add shoutcast bandwidth usage. Stuff like that. Maybe toggle switches to choose which services to collect usage on or a page where you could put the log parsing instructions telling DA how to parse the log and where to find the it, then da would do the rest along with the other tallies.

Did that make any sense?
I'd like to see that too!

[Icheb]

Originally posted by l0rdphi1
I'd like to see that too!
If you can write something to check the logs for bandwidth usage, you can add it to DA's bandwidth counter. Somewhere in a dark past I asked this question, although I can't seen to be able to find the thread.

My votes go to:
* SSH jailing to be completed
* Server clustering
* Better spam filtering (SA) interface; setting up custom ways (per customer) on how an e-mail is handled by the spam filter, which RBL's are used, when it's deleted eg.

The idea of more levels is also nice, although I believe it would confuse users at first, but it should be included in long term planning (my opinion)...

[nobaloney]

Originally posted by Icheb
* Better spam filtering (SA) interface; setting up custom ways (per customer) on how an e-mail is handled by the spam filter, which RBL's are used, when it's deleted eg.
It's always been my intention to produce a commercial product, based on SpamBlocker, which would offer most of this, on a per-user basis.

So if anyone wants to beat me to it, and either sell it or give it away, go for it :) .

Jeff

[interfasys]

-A truly multilingual DA
-Better IP management
-Better component ACL

[flamegrill]

Main feature sets that are needed:

Clustering of:

- web
- ftp
- mail
- DA interface (seperate server for the control panel/sql services)
- sql/databases (support for postgressql)
- keep dns optional - I don't like control panels handling DNS for me, it makes it terribly inflexible.

other features like Jail's for SSH users would be nice, but since DA is already support on UML's I suggest this is put on the longer finger.

Spam filtering is a tricky 1 in my opinion. We use our own, we have gateway filtering servers and use firewall rules to stop attacks to common hostnames like mail.domain.tld or www.domain.tld and filter all mail inbound for viruses/spam- we also like to keep mail filtering seperate.

1 feature request i really like is each use being able to login and change their email password. In the format that someone already suggested:

email address: _______
password: __________

This idea could be very fruitfull, but I'd say beware of the possible problems. Busy companies could have 100's of people access the control panel instead of 1 per site, the site admin. This is potentially a large problem.

A fully standards compliant and documented API would be usefull too, the current "API" is very useable but some areas are grey.

Our thoughts.

Paul

[nobaloney]

Originally posted by flamegrill
1 feature request i really like is each use being able to login and change their email password. In the format that someone already suggested:

email address: _______
password: __________

this is already available:

https://hostname.example.com:2222/CMD_CHANGE_EMAIL_PASSWORD

(or http:// if you're not using secure logins to your control panel).

Jeff

[flamegrill]

So it is.

Obviously didnt RTFM enough. :)

Paul

[Jing]

I am hoping for more features for end-users.

little things like hotlinking prevention etc would do wonder for the less technical-literated clients.

[flamegrill]

To be perfectly honest and blunt, the best move possibly at this point would be the clustering capabilities.

I'd like the DA guys to ask us as their customers what it is we actually would feel would be technically the best direction for this functionality.

Paul

[rldev]

1. DNS Clustering then email, mysql clustering.

2. Email user panel so that each email user can control their vacation messages, passwords, Spam and Virus control, etc

3. Making things like Spam Assasin Interface and Webalizer plugins so that they can be turned off for certain packages.

4. A Custom Category interface so that we can add some info or tools to the control panel.

5. Replace header and footer interface for Admins and Resellers.

3 -5 should be easy enough to do :)

[Chrysalis]

when setting up user accounts allow dns to be disabled completely for domain so if using different nameservers elsewhere nothing conflicts.

allow multiple accounts for 1 domain.

expiry date function on account.

[jmstacey]

Originally posted by Chrysalis
when setting up user accounts allow dns to be disabled completely for domain so if using different nameservers elsewhere nothing conflicts.

allow multiple accounts for 1 domain.

expiry date function on account.

If I'm understanding you correctly, this can already be done. You can remove dns control from the user but there must be some type of dns record on the server whether or not there is a 3rd party dns managing it for internal server operation.

[nobaloney]

It is not necessary to remove DNS completely from the server, but it is necessary that if it be left on the server that it contain the same records as the authoritative server.

In fact there is one benefit to having DNS records on the server, and that is that if there are DNS records on the server you won't be able to accidentally create the same domain twice.

But I'll repeat for emphasis: If you have DNS on the server it must be the same, and include all the records, as the authoritative DNS hosted elsewhere.

Jeff

[Chrysalis]

Originally posted by jlasman
But I'll repeat for emphasis: If you have DNS on the server it must be the same, and include all the records, as the authoritative DNS hosted elsewhere.

Jeff

thats why I think it would be nice that it isnt required, as it is a hassle and if it doesnt match it causes problems.

I do host most of the domains on the server but for various reasons there are a few domains that I host on another server.

[wd4u]

Originally posted by overhosted
I would like to see, a dropdown box in the preferences menu, where users and admins etc. can choose their language.
Example

a user would have the choice:
-english
-french
-dutch

So you don't have to upload 3 skins in different languages.

Oh, and that idea of custom userlevels is also a good idea..

And the multiserver thing :)

Thanks

Kevin
and new version php
tomcat jsp
postgressql

[netmotiv8]

1 - End User Panel - What we would like to see is an 'End User' Panel so that people (not admins) can change their own vacation messages, passwords (yes i know this one can be done already) etc.

2 - Integrated Help - Integrated help manual rather than linking out to site-helper.com.

3 - API for Synchroning email address / contact information with 3rd Party Systems such as Whois.Cart - Would be a nice feature to have so that developers of whois.cart etc could integrate better with DA. For example if and when the user decides to change their admin email address in DA give option to user to update 'Billing account' as well and perhaps vice versa if user changes contact info in Whois.cart could update DA account ???? etc. Please note I am using Whois.cart as an example as that is what we currently us, such functionality could be for any payment system, modernbill etc.

4 - Custom Links Manager - Instead of having to modify skins etc it would be nice if there was some sort of links manager in Admin which could enable admins to add custom links to their users panel such as a link to their web forum like vBulletin or links to the customer billing account such as whois.cart etc. The Installatron plug-in does this as once installed it appears as a link in 'Advanced Features'. So perhaps we need a Links Manager Plug-in or something. Sure would be handy so no need to get into skin customisations (handy for the novices and admins that are too busy to develop custom skins and buy and maintain 3rd party skins).

Thats my 2p for now.




Neil :D

[DennisCitus]

I would like to see included Spamassassin and Clamd AntiVirus support.

This would be an advantage compared to Plesk, Ensim and cPanel. It might cause some difficulties in the beginning, but it could really mean a drastic increasement in the popularity of DirectAdmin.

Also updating PHP, MySQL, Apache and phpMyAdmin in the panel would be nice.

[jmstacey]

Spamassasin is included, just not anti-virus.

Personally I don't like the idea of DA updating applications such as apache etc through it. That should remain a tech job in my opinion. You have to draw the line somewhere otherwise you would become in essence a windows web based operating system using a different OS as a backend:p

My opinion.....

[johnallen]

I like how directadmin is right now. My main fuss is no antivirus built into the system.

I would like to see ClamAV integrated into the system. Have it scan user's files (nightly) and email for viruses. Have it email the user/admin if a virus is found in their home directory.

I would like DirectAdmin to integrate some type of IDS (as a plugin) to check messages and secure logs for hack attempts. Then deny those IPs access (10 or more failed logins in 24 hours) to the server and email the admin.

I would like DirectAdmin to scan for rootkits (chkrootkit) and email the admin if anything is detected.

I would like DirectAdmin to be able to run the build all script without any prompt from the user. Kind like a switch [./build -y] to say yes to recompile everything. So the system could somehow detect that it's time to upgrade and do it automatically if it is needed.

I think it would be smart to allow hosting companies to setup a main server that downloads updates from DA directly, and then serves those files to all other servers on the local network. This would ease traffic for DA and improve the time it takes to download updates.

[johnallen]

Also.. How about DirectAdmin setting up a yum repository. That might make it easier for updating direct admin daily.

[rldev]

sounds like you want cpanel :)

[johnallen]

I did not ask for cpanel. I asked for some features to be added to directadmin that are based on existing free software.

[rldev]

John I was joking:)

[KH-Matt]

Just to add my 2 cents here.. I know a few of these have already been mentioned, so just add my vote on to them :)

1) ClamAV - It doesn't even have to be integrated, but something like /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/clamav.sh would be nice to get it installed and working quickly.

2) Web based rebuild of Apache. In the current format I think just an option to "rebuild default Apache" would work out. It would essentially just run "./build update && ./build all" via the task queue. At least this will help make sure servers are secure.

3) Easier migration of accounts between servers (especially other control panels). When customers switch their hosting to my company, migrating the sites is time consuming, I know I might get bashed for asking for a cPanel feature, but cPanel has this dead on. Being able to easily migrate from cPanel would be nice, I think we'd see conversion rates soar :) I know scripts exist to copy backups, but i'm talking enter in the hostname and password and it takes care of everything so it's easy for the server owner to do.

[KH-Matt]

Oh, how did I forget one of the most requested...

4) E-Mail user control panel - I know there are some solutions. But the user should just be able to login to the main login page and change password, manage autoresponders, forwards, and spam settings/filters. I've had quite a few people switch from DA after they realized this feature didn't exist... pretty much every other panel includes this basic functionality.

[rldev]

Hmm.
Cpanel does not offer this functionality.
Hsphere does not offer this functionality.
Plesk and Ensim do though.

[KH-Matt]

Which functionality are you referring to specifically?

[rldev]

email user panel.

[KH-Matt]

Sure it does... e-mail users can login on port 2083 I think it is for SSL or 2082 for non-ssl. From there they can choose 3 webmail programs and set a variety of different options relating to e-mail.

[rldev]

You are right. They are at the bottom of the webmail page. When did Cpanel implement this. Not too long ago. So give the DA guys a little time.

[jmstacey]

Bringing this thread back from the dead...
l0rdphi1,
In the different levels that you specified on the front page, I have a couple of questions. What would be the point in having a reseller checkbox for the user level specifically, in eccense would that not make them a reseller negating the need of a checkbox for that group/level. Or you thinking of such a system where admins have resellers and the resellers can also have other resellers(user + reseller on) as well as individual account and so on and so forth until the tree comes to an end?

In such a structure, how would you implement a feature such as where a user can add other users to have certain controls/access over the same domain. Such as the Admin->Reseller->Domain->User tree that web-cp uses? Is that such a good idea?

[ProHS]

I would also like to see custom levels, ablity to give an admin certain permissions, sub-resellers and being able to Symbolic link in the cp for a sample if you want ssl and non-ssl in the same dir because it is a pain to do for each and every user. Oh and the Symbolic setup should be saved with your backups so you do not have to re do it every time. Another idea is to include the users indivsual dns records incase they customized it, it will be back there when restored.

[yoavz]

I would like to see the following options -

1) Daily yum/apt-get/up2date/whatever update check option - that can be very useful for some users.

2) Better spam-filtering by DEFAULT.

3) Anti-Virus solution for e-mail boxes.

4) Better webmail systems.

5) I think the ability to ssh thru DA will be a great option - just a small script, and it's duable.

6) The ability to open FTP accounts related to server and not to a specific user.

7) Self-monitoring system.
Let's say we want to check if our httpd services are working properly we'll be able to set SSH account on a remote server and he'll be able to check and report what's the status of our services.
after a configured failed retries the remote server will send a short email message to the sys-admin.

I think it'll be great.





that's all.
keep up the good work,
-- yoav.

[smtalk]

We still have DirectAdmin 1.31.1, but with many new features :) And I think DirectAdmin 2.0 isn't a dream anymore (so the thread is open for suggestions again). I think that the most important parts for DirectAdmin 2.0 are:

New skin with good language support, AJAX and new standards.
Email level
Web interface for CustomBuild
AWstats
Better functionality of backup system

[lkbryant]

I wish Billing was also included by default. It gets customers confused when they have to login to so many different thing (ala CP and Billing )

[rldev]

We still have DirectAdmin 1.31.1, but with many new features :) And I think DirectAdmin 2.0 isn't a dream anymore (so the thread is open for suggestions again). I think that the most important parts for DirectAdmin 2.0 are:

New skin with good language support, AJAX and new standards.
Email level
Web interface for CustomBuild
AWstats
Better functionality of backup system


How is this supposed to happen? We have been waiting for AWStats for a few years. Now were going to get supported languages on top of this? How? What resources and when?

[smtalk]

Email level is here (beta 1): http://www.directadmin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22715

:)

[cyberneticos]

A directadmin V.2 for me would be one with a new look and new features.

New look:

Directadmin's default skin's functionality is great. Very robust. But we are now in the year 2008 almost, and DA looks like a 50 year old (no pun intentended)

More Features:

I think more Reseller , Admin managemente features should be part of DA instead of part of the 3-rd party comercial plugin forums. Like move domains between resellers, move users between resellers, ip blocking, etc...

So that would be my vision onf DA2 :D

But I'm very happy with DA as we know her today,... 50 year olds can rock the house too I suppose...:D

[venon]

would be nice if was more newbie friendly and help you upgrade and install things for you like updating PHP, MySQL, Apache and phpMyAdmin in the panel would be nice option for mod evasive and firewall anti dos brute force be install with a few click as plug in .


auto optimize SQL a few more skins like marina alike.
better spam protection ,antivirus include ,option to install zend,xcache ,ioncube, something like fantastico alike.

[nobaloney]

Directadmin's default skin's functionality is great. Very robust. But we are now in the year 2008 almost, and DA looks like a 50 year old (no pun intentended)
Oh, to look like a 50-year-old again :D.

Jeff

[Invader Zim]

I'd like to see
* a system backup that can also be restored.
* an 'upgrade' button for the various bits that make up the server (apache, php, mysql, etc).

[elvandar]

I personally would like to see better integration with FreeBSD, FreeBSD has an entirely different approach to packages and handling of installed software then the other supported operating systems.

It would be really neat to have DA support FreeBSD's ports infrastructure better, this ofcourse would take more time to implement for the DA developers, but FreeBSD users will benefit from this (I am sure of that).

Currently for example; it's rather difficult to update certain packages like exim because DA rollsout their own .tgz file containing the installation, but perhaps I dont want to reside on certain features that were build into that package, or I might have more advanced options required by my users.. or... I would like to have additional PHP modules that is (to me) nearly impossible to install etc.

And beyond that, the DA tool installs files in the /etc directory and looks for /usr/{bin,sbin} folders for executables and libraries under /usr, while FreeBSD installs third party software under /usr/local, to prevent clobbering the default install (which is exactly what DA is doing, because other OS'es do it as well, like the Linux distributions).

This is (together with the Email Only Level) a real wish for me.

[cyberneticos]

Oh, to look like a 50-year-old again :D.

Jeff

I rectify, it looks like a 120 year old !! 50 year-olds look great !!

:o

[demz]

All i see are facial requirement by u some of you...
Go do some yourself, make your own skins, or api's, not that hard... i.e.
i mean those are just; fancy stuff..

I rather have an super core system who works super and has to be controlled in $prompt/shell that one fancy looking controlpanel that works like "****", dont mean to be offensive to DA because i still think it the best controlpanel around! but i mean ever tryed to recover an admin backup i.e. ? wont work instand!

I think we need the DA staff to do the real coding; core-coding i mean...
The outlook/skin/outerface is just an second thing..

What we need is: (my opinion)

* Working instand backup system, all levels. (server broke, setup new one and pump up the user from your backups and go, like nothing changed exept other hardware)

* Clustering options like dns-mulitserver has now: "Linux Virtual Server style"
- Server who runs: http or multi servers who has http
- DNS servers
- sql servers

imho its better to let the DA staff code on that instead of the outerlook.
Maybe let them buy marina skin as standard or something for the ones that like skins...

Just mho..

[Soldier]

A better skins templates/system without overwriting and no strange definitions for paths :)

More editable files (skins, languages, etc...) accessibles via FTP over the admin account for example.

A look more user friendly with descriptions, popups, like web 2.0

An integrated knownledge base on DA with howtos.

Hability to configure custom links and options, like contact support over 3rd party ticket system.

etc..

[BestBoard]

replace proftpd with vsftp

[Soldier]

A direct email access login, for change password etc... like email level but with no setup & plugin needed.

And a secure mail server :D

[elvandar]

replace proftpd with vsftp

Great: why do you want to have that? what are the benefits for us customers and for DA? It takes time/money to replace things, it should have a valid reason why... Thanks!

[elvandar]

And a secure mail server :D

That's entirely up to the administrator of the box :-) if he messes up.. nobody will/can help him :)

[lkbryant]

data tally speed optimization?

every 1am or so, the server gets rediculously slow and i hear complaints from customer all the time because of this.

it seems every 1 am , directadmin calculates each user's diskspace etc, which uses up a lot of cpu power.

[DirectAdmin Support]

about 90% of the cpu usage is webalizer, as it has to parse through gigs of logs. You can disable webalizer if you want to see what difference it makes for you (varies on site size and traffic for the exact ratio of DA to webalizer usage)
http://www.directadmin.com/features.php?id=507

You can also change the time at which it runs if you want if for example 4am is a better time for you.
Based on this guide, just change the cron time (instead of adding more like the guide describes)
http://help.directadmin.com/item.php?id=48

John

[smtalk]

You can also try cpulimit :) It will take more time to do the job, but it won't take many resources.

[elaine]

Perhaps DA v2 can places a CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing to tell Computers from Humans Apart) input on the login screen that is used to detect whether or not a human is attempting to log in. This helps prevent automated login attacks.

[lkbryant]

Then are there any other alternatives to this dilemma? Surely I can't be the only one having this problem.

Is this the time for me to implement Awstats or something like Urchin?

[smtalk]

AWstats is included into DA: http://directadmin.com/features.php?id=894

[smtalk]

How is this supposed to happen? We have been waiting for AWStats for a few years. Now were going to get supported languages on top of this? How? What resources and when?

And now it's here :))

[Mkom]

This discussion about DirectAdmin version 2 goes since 2004.

Is there any possibility to see a version 2 ever?

If yes, do we have to pay for an upgrade if we have a lifetime license?

[nobaloney]

This thread was not started by DirectAdmin staff, and was never meant to be an official thread.

I can't speak for the folk at JBMC (publishers of DirectAdmin), but maybe they'll answer the thread.

Jeff

[DirectAdmin Support]

Hello,

I see no need to rewrite the entire control panel for the same features.
We will continue to makes changes, add feature and improvments, but the version number is likely not ever going to be "2.x.x". 1.x.x can go up as high as we want eg: 1.874347.3 ;) If we need any core changes, then we'll make those core changes, leave everything else as is, and flip up the subversion by another digit, but the main vesion is likely going to remain "1".

John

[Mkom]

OK, that's a clear and definite statement.

Thank you.

[seachen]

AJAX at File Manager like cPanel.

[Michael.Terence]

Server farm - We need the ability to link servers together, creating a "farm" as it is called. Some will setup each server to perform a specific task (one for httpd, one for sql, one for mail, etc.), and yet others will link servers together only to easily move users from server-to-server (all servers handle everything for the users residing thereon). The new user levels system, explained below, MUST be global across all servers in a farm.

Custom user levels - Administrator, reseller, and user are nice defaults, but I will love to have the ability to add new "levels" with completely custom features (e.g., Email-only levels, etc.).

yes, yes.... YES

[Michael.Terence]

This thread was not started by DirectAdmin staff, and was never meant to be an official thread.

I can't speak for the folk at JBMC (publishers of DirectAdmin), but maybe they'll answer the thread.

Jeff


!!! DOH! :(

We still need the farm functionality. ::poke::

[DirectAdmin Support]

Hello,

Regarding server farms, the complexity of the email system makes it very difficult to move to a remote server, so email woud likely forever live on the controlling DA box.

However, for mysql, you can already send that out to another server to reduce load on the main box:
http://help.directadmin.com/item.php?id=140

For dns, you can also already mirror the dns data to multiple DA boxes to create a dns cluster:
http://help.directadmin.com/item.php?id=97

As for making a current DA box faster, other things admins can do would be things like using a network file systems to allow a remote apache box use roundrobin dns to lower cpu on the main DA box for resource intensive scripts. The remote box would connect to the DA box using an nfs, and host the files normally through apache. Any php scripts using mysql would simply speciy the remote host, whereever it may be.

For simpler setups where it's just static data out to users (videos, images, files, etc), using rysnc to keep data synced is a fairly simple task for an admin to setup. We use it with our files.directadmin.com for foreign mirrors, eg: files4.directadmin.com.

Ultimately, DA was designed for a single-server setup. Changing that core architecture after the fact would be extremely difficult.

John

[nobaloney]

Regarding server farms, the complexity of the email system makes it very difficult to move to a remote server, so email would likely forever live on the controlling DA box.
I just want to add to this that you can already run both your own separate outgoing email server for all outgoing email (access it on non-standard port for security, and then firewall off all outgoing traffic to destination port 25 on your DirectAdmin server). You can carefully examine all outgoing email on that server (which will have plenty of resources available to do it) to make sure it's mail you really want to send.

Incoming email is a bit more difficult, but folk have already posted on these forums examples of how to do it, keeping the incoming server aware of all valid email addresses on the new server, copying over certain files and directories to a DirectAdmin-like structure on the outgoing mail server.

You can also buy commercial products specifically designed for both incoming and outgoing email, which will still manage final email delivery on your DirectAdmin server.

Or you can re-skin DirectAdmin, ignore the DirectAdmin mail stuff except for mail to the domain owner user accounts, and manage your own email elsewhere.

Some possibilities include:
Zimbra (http://www.zimbra.com/)
Vexim (http://silverwraith.com/vexim/)
Google (http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/partners/index.html)

Jeff

[youds]

I just want to add to this that you can already run both your own separate outgoing email server for all outgoing email (access it on non-standard port for security, and then firewall off all outgoing traffic to destination port 25 on your DirectAdmin server). You can carefully examine all outgoing email on that server (which will have plenty of resources available to do it) to make sure it's mail you really want to send.

Incoming email is a bit more difficult, but folk have already posted on these forums examples of how to do it, keeping the incoming server aware of all valid email addresses on the new server, copying over certain files and directories to a DirectAdmin-like structure on the outgoing mail server.

You can also buy commercial products specifically designed for both incoming and outgoing email, which will still manage final email delivery on your DirectAdmin server.

Or you can re-skin DirectAdmin, ignore the DirectAdmin mail stuff except for mail to the domain owner user accounts, and manage your own email elsewhere.

Some possibilities include:
Zimbra (http://www.zimbra.com/)
Vexim (http://silverwraith.com/vexim/)
Google (http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/partners/index.html)

Jeff

I think I'll be doing this for the forseeable future

[nobaloney]

We're thinking of offering Google domain mail as an option.

Jeff

[Orbixx]

I'd quite like to see some integrated firewall management for the admin level so you can tinker with iptables and also have iptables available to enable/disable in the service monitor.

[elvandar]

I'd quite like to see some integrated firewall management for the admin level so you can tinker with iptables and also have iptables available to enable/disable in the service monitor.

This would ofcourse be "funky" to implement, since there are other distributions that do not use iptables, but use IPFilter, or PF(PacketFilter), or IPFW... so either it involves all used variants, or you should not do it it all. Personally I like to be able to tweak them myself so that I understand what is going on. I can imagine that it's not everyones work (it's mine); but then you might not be the right person to fiddle with *nix systems anyway.

My $0.02 or E0.02 :)

[Dixiesys]

Man this thread was started 5 -years- ago. 02-04-2004, 02:56 PM to be exact.

5 years 5 months ago.

Current Available Version 1.337000

So how's that version 2 coming along? :)

[mr.applesauce]

Man this thread was started 5 -years- ago. 02-04-2004, 02:56 PM to be exact.

5 years 5 months ago.

Current Available Version 1.337000

So how's that version 2 coming along? :)

As quoted by directadmin there may never be a version 2. Its just a number it means nothing. Features are added to 1.x all the time.

[arazit]

I want to add domainkey to exim install

[nobaloney]

arazit, this has been discussed; please search for it in these forums.

Jeff

[albatroz]

You mean Google Apps?


We're thinking of offering Google domain mail as an option.

Jeff

[nobaloney]

I have no idea what Google calls it :D.

What I'm thinking of is Gmail except that you use your own domain name.

Jeff

[R1Lover]

Yes google apps has a hosted mail service, all you do is sign up and it will give you the mx records to use for your domain. I use it for some clients who love gmail and the features it offers.

Set the mx records on da and set it to use mail not hosted on the server.

[R1Lover]

http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/group/index.html

[nobaloney]

Yes, that's what I was thnking of.

Jeff

[interfasys]

We're thinking of offering Google domain mail as an option.

Jeff
We're doing this and it's a great option for heavy email users.

[R1Lover]

We're doing this and it's a great option for heavy email users.

This is the reason I suggest it to some customers as well, it keeps the heavy stuff off of my servers... :)