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.