Another hobby of mine has been to run large-scale Internet Service Providers.

There are many routes you can go with this. Windows or Unix based, and which specific software to use. I decided that for my ISP, I wanted everything to be completely automated. This should be to the point that a customer could come in off the web, sign up for an account and pay via credit card, and be up and running instantly.

There is a huge advantage to have a completely automated and self-running system. Mainly, it means that you can collect revenue with a minimum for effort.

Here are some resources to help you get started in setting up a system like this from scratch.

Unix / Linux

Useful Scripts

  • isp4you - This script will add a virtual domain to a linux system, including web site, 5 email addresses, ftp access, and an administrator account.
  • PHP System - Report System Information.
  • SEIGE - A web server benchmarking utility.

  • AeroMail - A web-based pop3 or IMAP client.
  • IMHO - A web-based IMAP client.
  • IMP - Yet another web-based email client.
  • CBMS - A web-based accounting and billing application for ISP’s.
  • FreeSide - Billing and Acounting Package
  • ADODB - A php interface for accessing databases (including mySQL and PostgreSQL
  • Bindzio - Bind web aadministration
  • Monster Hash - A web-based homepage content management system.
  • Web Metrics - Evaluate web server performance
  • phpFAQ - A FAQ creation and maintenance utility.
  • PHP SNMP - Report SNMP statistics.
  • Simple Online Editor - Allows users to edit files online.
  • awstats - Apache log file anilyzer
  • HotSaNIC - A web-based system statistics monitor

    Security

    • ACID - A PHP analysis tool for examining snort logs and other IDS information

    solutions

    • DVHS - Completely automated virtual hosting - from signup to account creation.
    • Free VSD - Allows you to create virtual servers on a single Linux server.
    • GnuDIP Dynamic DNS - Dynamic DNS server.
    • DeMarc - A fully inclusive network intrusion, performance, and uptime monitoring system with a web interface.
    • H-Sphere - A complete, multiserver web hosting control panel.
    • Plesk Server Administrator - A complete web hosting solution.
    • VHost - Virtual Hosting Solution.
    • Web Hosting Control Panel - This one is free.
    • VishwaKarma - A free web administration Control Panel.

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