I want to learn how to do things with my server like:

installing security
backups
how to turn off php safe mode
and other regular maintance duties.


Since I only have my domains on the server,I think it is a good time to learn and somewhat safe to do so.The questions I am asking is :

How do I make a backup of the harddrive just in case I mess things up?Is this handled by RS?

Also what are the best sites to learn how to use the programs installed on my server?


Peace:D

Welcome to the neighborhood.

These forums are loaded with answers to just about every situation you may encounter. The search button in the upper right corner of the forum pages will help you find the topics you are looking for.

Here are a couple of threads that may be of most interest to you right now:

http://forum.rackshack.net/showthread.php?...&threadid=10757
even though it is for Ensim servers, most of it is good for Plesk as well.

http://forum.rackshack.net/showthread.php?...&threadid=17732
this one is a great list of resources where you can learn.

Thanx GraphicsGuy:D

I have not found how to backup my server's harddrive in case I screw something up.does anyone know how to do this?

What are the differences accessing root between Plesk and Ensim?.

Thanx

No difference. When you are doing that you are actually accessing the Linux command prompt. When doing this, I highly reccomend using a SSH program rather than Telnet. (Telnet broadcasts your password and everything else unecrypted). A lot of people use a freeware program named "Putty" to do this. Just search the forum for "Putty".

There are a number of ways to approach the topic of backup as you have probably seen in your searches of the forum.

I've never tried to back up the entire drive, just my data. Basically because if you do something that requires you to restore the drive, either you won't have reliable (or any) access to the server or you may not trust your last backup. So the best thing to do is order a server restore. If your data is safely backed up on a second hard drive then it is relatively safe. Of course you still have to go back in and secure the server and patch the software again.