DirectAdmin vs CPanel?

[dcabbar]

I have always used Cpanel till now (and never liked it), but have been hearing good things about DirectADmin, especially the fact that it is simple and consumes less resources, which are really important for VPS. So, my question is:

Given that I don't use many of the features included in CPanel, do you recommend using DirectAdmin? Is it any stable?

Also, CPanel has a feature where it updates mandatory software every day automatically, such as mysql/apache/php and installs patches, etc. Does DirectAdmin also do this? Or is it the responsibility of the PowerVPS support to do these?

Thanks for your help.

[elix]

Not sure about the updating but AFAIK, DA is much more stable than cPanel

[Hvu]

Directadmin imo is more stable than cpanel. Directadmin is just as powerful as cpanel. It may not have ALL the bells and whisles but you can add stuff with their package manager. The only thing DA updates is its own software. You have to update apache/mysql/php yourself. Which is good since cpanel takes ages to release updated software.

[dcabbar]

The only thing DA updates is its own software. You have to update apache/mysql/php yourself

I am a bit confused by this statement? According to the PowerVPS web page, everyone gets level 1 support for free, and that includes:

Install, Apply Patches and Upgrade for base packages and application software, which include apache+php+smtp+etc. So, why do I have to update these myself?

Thanks.

[nadzri]

What Hvu means is (I think :) ) unlike CPanel which automatically updates its core software ("mandatory software"), you have to initiate it yourself with DA. If you don't want to do it, support can do it for you.

I think the question that ppl familiar with CP should ask if comparing it and DA is what feature(s) in CP and WHM that they feel is/are really important to them and see if these are in DA.
:)

[dcabbar]

So, in a nutshell, support will not apply patches/upgrade software on my VPS whenever there is a new stable release/security fixes/bugfixe patches, etc (e.g. of apache for example), but I need to follow these releases all the time, and ask them explicitly to upgrade them if I use DirectAdmin? Is this the case?

Thanks...

[nadzri]

This is a question for support on whether they will proactively update and secure your vps.

Without explicit instructions from you I don't think they'll update proactively because some people don't necessarily want their software versions updated due to reasons ranging from utter madness to new versions breaking compatibility. :) E.g. php 4.4 might cause some problems with scripts which are ok with 4.3.11.

[dcabbar]

I can understand and relate to that. But, I was talking more about security / stability upgrades and/or patches for base packages (again mysql, apache, php, etc. etc.) specifically for closing security holes that might arise over time. It is quite time-consuming to follow these all the time, and I would expect someone from support to take care of these automatically, right? At least, that is what CPANEL does that for you...

[vps-vince]

I can understand and relate to that. But, I was talking more about security / stability upgrades and/or patches for base packages (again mysql, apache, php, etc. etc.) specifically for closing security holes that might arise over time.

According to the developers, PHP4.4 does fill a security hole, but it also breaks many scripts.

- V

[ozgreg]

Cpanel strength and one of it's largest flaws lies in it's ability to automatically update it's core (php / mysql / apache applications). The issue is while cpanel is good at responding to security holes, it has been very slow at rolling out updates / upgrades to core applications (it's version of phpmyadmin for example at one stage was 3 versions behind current) plus it is really bloatware, trying too hard to cover too many things and as a result has become demanding on system resources.

The question you need to ask, is what meets your needs, are you comfortable with updating core applications like php or apache or mysql, if so then I would recommend DA as it is a far better panel than cpanel but if you want a one solution to met most of your core application needs, then cpanel will better suit your requirements...

[ozgreg]

According to the developers, PHP4.4 does fill a security hole, but it also breaks many scripts.

- V

Actually this is slightly misleading yes it fills a hole but the hole was found in the 4.4 branch but not a hole in the 4.3 branch and as pointed out 4.4 breaks many scripts.

My point of view on php 4.4, is you be better off going to 5.x, yes 5 breaks scripts as well but 5 is going to be the continuing development path so you only need to fix your scripts once or stay with 4.3

[vps-vince]

My point of view on php 4.4, is you be better off going to 5.x, yes 5 breaks scripts as well but 5 is going to be the continuing development path so you only need to fix your scripts once or stay with 4.3

Agree fully.

PHP 4.4. Release Announcement
Bugfix release
Memory corruptions with references.
Small security problem with bundled shtool.
http://www.php.net/release_4_4_0.php

[Zaf]

The only thing DA updates is its own software. You have to update apache/mysql/php yourself. Which is good since cpanel takes ages to release updated software.I think he meant when DA updater runs (manually or as cron), it only updates itself and doesnt bother about the others like apache/mysql/php/bind.

is it good or bad? I'd say "debatable".

I think the best method should be a setting somewhere giving the user a choice whether he wants to manually update each software (like DA) or let the panel do it for him (like cPanel).

cPanel indeed takes tooo long at times to release updated software...classic example Apache. Moreover, they have a weird version numbering system for the software. Many others might have seen, but not sure how many noticed that Stable at times is highest number and Edge at the least version number, inverse of how it should really be as one would think. I have always stayed with 'Release - Manual update' and carefully watch the release dates before running update. If a version number stays unchanged for a few days, only then (IMO) it is safe to update ;-)

Inspite of all that, the fact is that cPanel is the most popular cp around and if you don't want your clients to re-learn how to manage their accounts, cPanel is the way to go.

Seldom, would you find someone in the industry without cPanel hosting experience, but quite a many would have never touched anything else but cPanel.

[dcabbar]

I should have explained this before: I don't have any resellers/users/etc. I will be having a few accounts all of which are managed by me. And, I rarely use CPanel features on my current hosting company. Therefore, the CPanel functionaltiy/experience is not that important for me... Addtionally, I really don't like the performance impacts + bugs of CPanel...

And, also, I have to tell you that, I am not a script/software junkie who always wants to upgrade to latest and greatest all the time. For example, I don't want to go to 4.4 from 4.3, then to 5.0 before they are proven. In fact, if you look at stable hosting companies, you can see that they all upgrade in similar timeframes, meaning they have all upgraded to mysql 4.1 in a 1-2 month period, by the time it was stable enough.

But, as you all know, apache/mysql/php/smtp/etc. sometimes release important upgrades that are kind of mandatory, simply because they fix important bugs and/or security holes... And, my problem here is that, I don't want to (and can not) monitor/follow all these upgrades since it is simply time-consuming to follow all new releases and find/figure out whether it is a mandatory fix what needs to be installed right away.

Although CPanel might be rolling these out late, at least it is rolling out consolidated releases, which probably increases the stability and security of the VPS. That was my main problem, and that is why I was saying, since PowerVPS support closely follow these software upgrades as most "good" hosting companies do, they know when some software is stable enough and/or it has a required update, hence they should at least be able to notify us of important upgrades and/or upgrade these software right away.

Thanks for all the explanations and help...

[Hvu]

Not sure about PowerVPS` update system because I was with Defenderhosting which I believe was semimanaged. I'm sure if you ask they'll update for you automatically if you consent.

If you want to update apache/php you just need to do this
1. su -
2. cd /usr/local/directadmin/customapache
3. ./build clean
4. ./build update
5. ./build apache
6. ./build php

Or ./build all and it'll update apache/php/php modules.