web 2.0

Hosting FAQs

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    Are your servers Unix / Linux, or Windows NT?

    All Shared and Reseller servers run on CentOS Linux which is identical to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The Shared and Reseller hosting servers run on Dual Core Xeon Processors with 4 GB of RAM and a 100mbps uplink with a RAID10 drive array for instant data mirroring and fast drive access.

    The dedicated hosting servers now come with the choice between two operating systems: Linux or Windows Server 2003

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    Can I password protect directories?

    Yes, you can password protect directories within cPanel.

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    Changing DNS

    Any time you make a DNS (domain name server) change it takes around 24-48 hours to complete. During this propagation time routers all over the world are updating their cache. This causes your site to be up and down randomly during the first 48 hours for different people at different times. Think of DNS like a zip code. If you don't put a zip code on your mail the post office doesn't know where to send it. Domains are the same way if they don't have the DNS the internet doesn't know what server to send your request to.

    Making The Changes

    Every registrar has a different procedure for changing your domains DNS, however they are all done basically the same way. The welcome email you received from us provides you with the name servers you need to change your domain to. You will then take those name servers to wherever you bought your domain, and fill them in for your domain name.

    Your name servers should look like...

    * ns1.simondavidson.net
    * ns2.simondavidson.net

    (do not use the above unless told so in your welcome email)

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    Creating Backups

    Overview

    Backups allow you to download (to your computer) a zipped copy of either you entire site (your home directory, databases, email forwarders configuration, email filters configuration) or one of the previously mentioned parts of your site. These are not automatically scheduled backups. Automatically scheduled backups need to be enabled by the server owner / administrator.

    You can backup and download the following:

    * Full backups
    * Home directory backup
    * MySQL database backup
    * Email forwarders or filters backup

    You can also restore the following:

    * Home directory backup
    * MySQL database
    * Email forwarders or filters

    Creating A Full Backup

    A Full Backup will allow you to create an archive of all the files and configurations on your website. You can only use this to move your account to another server, or to keep a local copy of your files. You cannot restore Full Backups through your cPanel interface.
    Steps

    1. Click on the Download or Generate a Full Backup button.
    2. Set the following:
    * Backup Destination - Select the location where you want to save the backup copy. Your choices include:
    o Home Directory
    o Remote FTP Server
    o Remote FTP Server (Passive mode transfer)
    o Secure Copy (scp) - NOTICE! If you choose the Secure Copy (scp) option, continue with the "FTP/SCP Settings," otherwise, move on to Step 3 below.

    FTP/SCP Settings

    * Email Address - Enter the email address where cPanel can send a confirmation email to you when your full backup has been created.
    * Remote Server (FTP/SCP only) - Enter the name of the remote server (host name, IP address) where you are sending your backup file.
    * Remote User (FTP/SCP only) - Enter the username of the remote server login where you are sending your backup file.
    * Remote Password (FTP/SCP only) - Enter the password of the remote server where you are sending your backup file.
    * Port (FTP/SCP only) - Enter the port of the remote server where you are sending your backup file.
    * Remote Dir (FTP/SCP only) - Enter the directory name of the remote server where you are sending your backup file.

    1. Click on the Generate Backup button.
    2. You will see the following statement:
    * "Once the full backup of your account has been completed you will receive an email message to the address you specified EMAIL_ADDRESS"
    3. After you receive the confirmation email, click on the Go Back link. You will see an entry in the "Backups Available for Download." You can download the backup file at any time.

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    Error Page Codes

    What are Error Codes?

    These numbered error codes are how the Web server tells the user
    about a status or error encountered. There are many different error
    codes that a server can deliver, but these are a few of the more common codes.

    401 – Unauthorized
    Access to the URL resource requires user authentication which 1) has not
    yet been provided or 2) which has been provided but failed authorization
    tests. This is commonly known as "HTTP Basic Authentication". Unless you
    have a good reason to do so, it is not recommended to redirect a 401 error.

    403 – Forbidden
    The request was a legal request, but the server is refusing to respond
    to it. Unlike a 401 Unauthorized response, authenticating will make no
    difference. This is usually due to a scripting or permission(s) issue.

    404 – Not Found
    This response code indicates that the client was able to communicate
    with the server but either the server could not find what was requested,
    or it was configured not to fulfill the request and not to reveal the
    reason. Error 404 should not be confused with "server not found" or
    similar errors, in which a connection to the destination server cannot
    be made at all.

    500 – Internal Server Error
    Your Web server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it
    from fulfilling the request by the client (e.g. your Web browser) for
    access to the requested URL. This is a 'catch-all' error generated by
    your Web server. Basically something has gone wrong, but the server can
    not be more specific about the error condition in its response to the
    client.

    What are custom Error Code pages?

    Instead of seeing the default error message, you can create your own
    error pages by adding special command lines to a .htaccess (pronounced
    dot h t access) file. This file typically lives in the /public_html/
    directory in your account. Or if you have add-on domains, it lives in
    /public_html/{add-on domain}/. You may already have one in there. If that is
    the case, then you can just add these lines to it. Otherwise, you can
    just create a new, empty, .htaccess file to add these lines to it.

    The format for an ErrorDocument statement in a .htaccess file
    follows:

    ErrorDocument CODE URL

    The CODE refers to the error code you wish to redirect (403, 404, 500,
    etc) and URL refers to the location of the file you would like displayed.
    The URL can either be a URL-Path (e.g. /errors/404.html) or a full URL
    (e.g. http://www.YourSite.com/404.html). For an addon domain or
    subdomain the error page path must be a full URL.

    Examples

    If you have created a 404.shtml and uploaded it to the root directory of
    your domain YourSite.com, page your .htaccess file would have a line like
    this:

    ErrorDocument 404 http://www.YourSite.com/404.shtml

    If you wanted to use a 404.php script file you have written it would
    look like this:

    ErrorDocument 404 http://www.YourSite.com/404.php

    If you would like people to be redirected to the homepage when they
    reach a non-existent page, you could use a line like this:

    ErrorDocument 404 http://www.YourSite.com/

    A .htaccess file controls the directory in which it sits, and all
    subdirectories. However, by placing additional .htaccess files in the
    subdirectories, other .htaccess files can be overruled.

    For more information you can refer to the following resources:
    http://httpd.apache.org/docs/1.3/mod/core.html#errordocument
    http://www.w3.org/Protocols/rfc2616/rfc2616-sec10.html

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    File Manager

    Starting Out

    To access file manager login to your control panel and once inside click "file manager"

    A new window should load showing what you would see as if you were using a ftp client. There's going to a bunch of folders and some other files related to your account functioning correctly. Do not delete any of these files/folders ever.

    Uploading

    To begin uploading you will always first go inside the "public_html" folder. To do so click the folder icon (not the wording). Once clicked you will be in the main folder of your site where you can upload your content, create more folders, and delete what you please. To upload, click "upload files" You will then click the browse button until you find the file on you computer that you wish to upload.

    When you are done uploading you can click the "back" at the bottom of the screen to take you back to your main folders.

    Editing

    To edit a file just click the text wording of its' name. The right hand side will allow you to show file, delete file, edit file, change permissions, rename file, copy file, and move file.

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    FTP

    File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

    FTP is what most most webmasters use to upload their files, pages, and pictures to the internet. There's tons of different FTP clients out there some free, some paid, and some just better then others.

    A good free one would be http://www.smartftp.com/download/

    If you are giving up on how to use a FTP client we do have a browser based file manager that allows for you to upload your content from within our control panel. Read more on File Manager

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    Getting Started

    The very first step is to change your domains dns to the name servers you received in your welcome email. Note: If you purchased your domain from us we will do this step for you. If you didn't purchase it from us and need more information please visit Changing DNS.

    After your dns changes have been made please allow 24-48 for your dns to propagate worldwide. During this initial 24-48 hours your site will be working one minute then be offline the next. If after two days your site is still not working contact us ASAP.

    *NOTE: By default you have no email address setup. The main username may look like it's a setup email, but if you wish to use it you will need to add it as an email account.

    Uploading to your site

    You can begin uploading to your account now by using a ftp client or cPanel's File Manager. If you are using an ftp put in your sites ip address under the "host address" field. Once your ftp is connected go into the "public_html" folder and begin uploading to your site. To replace the default place holder page you must upload an index.html in all lowercase lettering.

    Control Panel And Important Links

    Note: "yourdomain.net" should be your sites IP address until your dns has propogated.

    * Your control panel is located at http://yourip/cpanel or after proprogation yourdomain.net/cpanel
    * Your webmail is located at http://yourdomain.net/webmail (won't work for first 24-48 hours)
    * You can view your site before the dns has proprogated at http://iphere/~usernamehere/
    Note: Don't forget the trailing / and the ~
    * Everywhere it says youriphere put YOUR IP FROM WELCOME EMAIL. Example http://99.99.999.9/cpanel This is an example do not actually put 99.99.999.9 since this is not the ip in your email.

    Support Guidelines

    If you have any questions please check out our FAQ first: Hosting Help.

    When to use chat support: (Skype: SimonDavidson.net)

    Chat is great for quick questions but horrible for resolving problems. If you ever use chat support and you do not receive the answer you're looking for within minutes we advise you to open a support ticket for the quickest and most appropriate response.

    When to use ticket support:

    The quickest and best way to get all problems solved and more complicated questions answered is by e-mailing \n support@SDwebspace.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The second you e-mail us you will get a ticket number e-mailed back to you. If you do not get a ticket number we did not get your e-mail. The reason ticket support is best for solving problems and answering questions is because your ticket is escalated up the food chain until your problem is solved or question is answered. Most tickets are done within minutes if it is a complicated problem it will take longer as it is moved up to higher level technicians. If you're ever unhappy with a response or need more help simply respond back to the ticket and we will continue to help you.

    Please do not open multiple tickets on the same issue or your help process will be slowed down and possibly ignored completely.

    Please always provide your main account domain and username as well as a step-by-step of how to reproduce your problem including any login information that may be needed.

    When to use phone support:

    Feel free to call us for help but keep in mind that for serious issues a ticket will be needed.

    Billing

    Your web hosting fee will be billed automatically every month or year from the date of purchase.
    If you wish to cancel, upgrade, update information, get SSL's, IP's or anything else billing related please go to our billing page.

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    How long does it take to setup my account?

    For security purposes, all orders are manually checked for fraud.

    Typically:

    - Shared and Reseller accounts take 15-25 minutes to set up.
    - Semi-dedicated and dedicated takes 24-48 hours to set up.

    Upon signing up, you'll receive an email stating that SDwebspace.net has received your order and is processing it. You may then receive an email which states if you have balances that need to be paid prior to account activation. After your order has been paid verified, you will receive your welcome email and be on your way to getting your web site online with SDwebspace.net.

    Please note that if you wish to pay by cheque, money order, cash, etc., it may take longer to activate your account while we wait to receive payment.