I am currently running a server on Apache, with PHP and MySQL addons installed. However, I would now like to install Plesk and run all websites from its administration interface. How would this be done? I have asked SW Soft regarding this issue, and I got this response: I find this hard to believe. Is there anyone who can confirm this before I buy a copy of Plesk, which according to SW Soft would not work with my current server... Also, if they are wrong, how should this be done? I have searched for an answer to this, but I have not come up with anything, maybe because of wrong search terms. Hope someone can help
That does seem odd. I can't confirm anything as I have never used Plesk but after looking at the migration guide mentioned, all the platforms they claim to be able to migrate from are other competing products. * Ensim Webpplianceâ„¢ * Ensim Webppliance Proâ„¢ * Sphera Hosting Directorâ„¢ * Cobalt RaQ3 and RaQ4â„¢ * Cpanelâ„¢ * Alabanzaâ„¢ * and Custom Control Panels I suspect your sales guy just looked at that list, didn't see "Apache" and told you that migrating wasn't possible. I'm fairly sure a tech guy would realise that Apache isn't server management software but the platform the server management software runs on. The last item in that list is interesting. It seems to be a generic catch-all so they don't lose customers that aren't using one of those products which you could interpret to include "Apache and the command line" if you wanted... The caveat is that you have to give one of their "Migration Express specialists" a root login to your box and sign some form that presumably absolves them from all blame and culpability if they screw everything up. Personally, I would go for one of the free alternatives and install it myself. Actually, I would just stick with the command line, but I understand that's not everyone's cup of tea.
To install Plesk (or cpanel for that matter) you have to start with a blank slate, or server in this care. The control panel then takes over the entire server and installs its own software versions. If you already have a setup server it will often break or not even attempt the install. Yes you can import accounts from an apache server, but it would require a lot of work. By this I mean you would have to either use two servers or make a full backup to have locally. Then take the apache settings and create new accounts in the control panel. This is not a simple process and will confuse most non sysadmins. Simply put, you've been told inaccurate information for your situation. That is if I understand the situation correctly.