I am considering going in on a dedicated server and am curious about a few things

[list]1. Will I be responsible for setting up Email server software or is there a shared server somewhere?
2. Will I be responsible for setting up part of the server as a DNS Server?
3. I'm assuming it is but will ask anyway - Is apache preinstalled
4. If I take you up on the cpanel/whm offer, will that come preinstalled?
5. There is a shared SQL server? How much control do we have over it? How many databases? Tables? Cost?
6. Are the servers php enabled or do we have to install the php core?[list]

I think thats it for now.

You will be responsible for maintaining the email software IF you go with one of the control panels (with email software). I.E: Cpanel comes setup with Exim so you don't need to set it up.
See Answer 1. For the most part no.


If you go with a control panel yes, if you don't no.

Yes


I believe you would have control via phpmyadmin..
100 MB data file, 20 MB log file - Monthly Fee: $30
300 MB data file, 50 MB log file - Monthly Fee: $40
500 MB data file, 100 MB log file - Monthly Fee: $50


With a control panel = yes php is enabled by default
without a control panel = no, you need to install it.

Just a little clarification on the SQL part. If you opt for a *nix based server, you either have MySQL there or you could install it yourself. It is going to be free. The SQL Server reference on the order form is for MS SQL from Microsoft. You will not be able to administer it through PHPMyAdmin since that administration is for MySQL and not MS SQL.

MySQL is free for most parts but you might want to check with their website if there are specific conditions which require you to purchase a license.

Basically if you are using the *nix based server, you can safely ignore the SQL Server end since it is not in any way relevant to you.

With cPanel you can run this command via SSH


Thats like an installer that helps you install & complie Apache(e.i. PHP, GD libraries, Curl, etcc.
If you don't get cPanel or Plesk, all of this can be done, with simple SSH commands.

If you chose Red Hat, Fedora, Red Hat Entrepise, or FreeBSD you won't need a shared SQL server, since MySQL is installed by default, you can also install PostGresSQL.
If you chose cPanel
The email server is Exim, and to check the email you get: Horde, Neomail, & SquirrelMail.

I'm not for sure about what Plesk installs for you.

With cPanel and Exim, does any configuration need to be done, or does cPanel auto config the settings for mail?

I have another question, somewhat related since I'm also looking into a server, currently my network runs through a proxy server, which blocks certain ports, one of which will not access cPanel/WHM on another host.

Is this host specific, or software specific. cPanel will only run on :2052, or can the port settings be changed?

I get time out errors currently when doing, www.mydomain.com/cpanel, www.mydomain.com/whm, or www.mydomain.com/webmail

Thanks,
Div

Well, Exim has had some problems with PHP mail() function, causing most scripts, like this forum not being able to send Email's. So you have to have phpsuexec installed.

For your proxy server problem it's not gurantedd, but cPanel recommends http://myplace.dk/php/cpanelproxy/
It allows you to login via port 80.