Why Choose Webmin?
There are plenty of reasons! First, Webmin has the convenience of being able to be used remotely, which is a real draw card for some.
Second, Webmin is compatible with a tremendous range of Linux and unix-like operating systems.
Third, Webmin is a modular system – the same way that a food processor has different blades for different functions, so too does Webmin have different modules for different things. The real benefit of Webmin though is that anyone can develop a module, so there are infinite combinations that are bound to fit your needs. Basically, it’s endlessly customizable, and very easy to do.
So there are lots of reasons to use Webmin. And did we mention it’s free?
How to Install Webmin
There are six different ways to install Webmin, depending on if you’re installing the RPM version, the Debian Package, The TAR file, the Solaris Package, or on Windows.What Does Webmin Cost?
Because Webmin is distributed under a BSD-style license, there’s virtually no limit to what you can do with it, all for free. Essentially, it means unfettered commercial or non-commercial use, forever.
However, like any hosting platform, your website will incur some costs via server space and bandwidth, especially as you begin to scale. Consult your hosting service for more detailed information.
Further, some of the modules come with a scaled pricing model, like Cloudmin Pro or Virtualmin Pro, if you’re interested in enhanced functionality.
Alternatives
Fortunately for developers, there are other programs out there who have a similar offering. For example, Ajenti, OpenPanel, and ServerPilot.io are all excellent companies who have a similar functionality, and if you’re specifically looking for Windows compatibility, then ZPanel is a great option.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely easy to uninstall (should you want to)
- You can manage multiple virtual hosts from one interface
- You can manage virtual systems easily from Cloudmin’s API shell script
- there are hundreds of plugins developed by third parties for you to use
- If you’re accessing from a mobile device, the mobile theme will automatically be applied
Cons
- Some costs associated with the pro versions of common modules
- Little to no support outside of the user community
- There are some security holes, although these continue to be patched and fixed
- Limited functionality on some operating systems, specifically Windows
Points to Remember
There’s a lot of benefit in using a modular system like Webmin. Take Usermin, for example, their web-based interface for webmail (among other things). Being on the Webmin system is going to make it far simpler to provide your customers with a clean, simple webmail interface, without IMAP or POP3. That entire feature is only possible because it’s a modular system.
Server Requirements
Because Webmin is so diverse, it’s hard to say exactly what the server requirements are. Consult your server host for more information.
Other features in Control Panels
Webmin Frequently Asked Questions
- Virtualmin Pro is the paid version of Virtualmin. How much does it cost?
There are a couple different pricing tiers depending on what you need. The least expensive is for 10 domain accounts on one server. That’s $99.00. The top tier license is a lifetime license with some add-ons like support and updates on one server with unlimited domain accounts. That’s $999.00. Naturally, there are some tiers between these two but that gives you the ballpark you’re looking in.
- Is there anywhere I can get some more info about Webmin?
The best place for information about Webmin and associate products is the Webmin wiki, which has lots of information like FAQs, how-to guides, developer documents, and tutorials. Plus, the wiki has exhaustive information on the 113 modules that Webmin has, conveniently grouped into seven major categories. Everything the budding Webmin user needs!
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