Many questions

Hi folks,

I'm generally satisfied with current main host.
But I'm thinking about changing my backup host.

1. Are there any discount if we pay upfron for a year?

2. Do you run mod_php? If so, do you have any special security measures around it?

3. Do you run mod_perl, mod_Python, any other Apache modules that can compromiss security?

4. Do all servers have same setup or each one is configured differently?

5. Do you have load-balanced HTTP servers in cluster(s)?

6. Does FTP, MySQL, POP/IMAP runs on the same single server?

7. Where is the list of compiled Apache modules, if any?

8. Do we have realtime access to raw logs (both error log and access log)?
And how are they rotated (daily, monthly, ...)?

9. MyShell, PerlShell type script allowed?

10. Do we have access to GNU tools (gcc. ld, as, etc)?
If not, are we allowed to put them in our own directory?

11. Do we have access to usuall unix tools ?

12. Is HG open to suggestions?
If you are a user, did HG materialize your suggestion(s)?

That's all, fo now.

Thank you for your time, whoever you are.

wells

PS. The reason I'm looking at HG:

1. Good TOS. Simple and easy. One of the best I've seen!
2. User Forum. Although it's not utilized to its potential, I like a host with Forum.
3. Acceptable price. It's not as competitive as it can be. But not so bad, either.
4. East cost based. I'm in the same time zone.

[stevem01]

I'll let someone from HG answer your detailed questions because, frankly, I don't know the answers to most of those.

I will say, though, that I have a main reseller and a semi-dedicated with another host that are reliable, but I also have a reseller acct with HG and am considering migrating here at some point. The servers are fast and the setup was the fastest I have ever encountered. I signed up and got an email that said I'd get my account info in 20 minutes... I had it in like 5 or 10 minutes and the server was online and ready to go. Hands down the smoothest and quickest setup in my experience.

Anyway, you asked for input from other clients and just a wanted to post my endorsement. I haven't need to contact support yet or had any suggestions or requests so I can't speak to that. I will say though that when my server had some downtime the tech support dept had already posted to the support forum and informed us that they were fixing the problem. So I didn't even need to contact them and it was fixed within a few minutes. I guess you could call that "Preemptive Support" or something... quite refreshing. Thanks HG!

-Steve

Thank you, steve.
Your comment gives me a good idea.
And I think it was great compilent for HG.

I like the idea of "Pre-emptive support".
Every host should be doing it.
It saves their money because they don't have to deal with lots of tickets by doing so.

Also, I noticed there is a non-public peer to peer support forum.
So, I have another question for HG.

Why don't you show it to public?

Although I understand some people prefer to ask question in non-public forum,
it's much easier to seach public forum (by its own search interface and aslo by Google and other SE.)
Also, the presence and the contents of peer to peer forum can become a great magnet for
attracting more users.
(Maybe you can have both, public and non-public, and let user choose.)

Is it holiday, today?

Although I asked a lot of questions, I don't understand why HG doesn't answer pre-sales question rapidly .....
Some host would literally jump on you if it's a pre-sales questions.

Maybe it's a good sign, though.

wells

[Stef]

1. Are there any discount if we pay upfron for a year?

No, prices are as indicated.

2. Do you run mod_php? If so, do you have any special security measures around it?

mod_php is available. Please contact sales@hostgator.com for more info if needed.

3. Do you run mod_perl, mod_Python, any other Apache modules that can compromiss security?

Yes, both are available.

4. Do all servers have same setup or each one is configured differently?

They generally have the same setup, but there may be differences from time to time as upgrade/updates are installed on all servers (and not all are done at once).

5. Do you have load-balanced HTTP servers in cluster(s)?

No.

6. Does FTP, MySQL, POP/IMAP runs on the same single server?

Yes.

7. Where is the list of compiled Apache modules, if any?

This list is not available at the moment.

8. Do we have realtime access to raw logs (both error log and access log)? And how are they rotated (daily, monthly, ...)?

Access log and error log is available. Daily rotation.

9. MyShell, PerlShell type script allowed?

No, unless you're on a dedicated server.

10. Do we have access to GNU tools (gcc. ld, as, etc)?
If not, are we allowed to put them in our own directory?

No, you have no command line/shell access, unless you're on a dedicated server.

11. Do we have access to usuall unix tools ?

Same as above.

12. Is HG open to suggestions? If you are a user, did HG materialize your suggestion(s)?

HostGator is open for suggestions (there's even a forum for it). If suggestions are reasonable and fit in the business plan, they can be implemented.

Stef.

Thank you for the answer, stef.
I noticed that it says Peer support leader.

Are you an employee of HG?
If not, do you get any credit/salary for giving support?

Originally Posted by Stef

mod_php is available. Please contact sales@hostgator.com for more info if needed.

Yes, both are available.

I'm not very sure about your answers, here.
Are you 100% sure that PHP, Perl, and Pythons are available as Apache modules,
(and as well as SuExeced CGI)?

It's very unusual to have both forms.
Also, mod_php, mod_perl, mod_python are known to have security concerns (on shared environment).

I would love to have definitive and correct anser to this question.

This list is not available at the moment.

Can somebody provide the list?
It's important to know if mod_rewrite, mod_setenvif, and other modules are compiled or not.
It will clear up the isuue of mod_php, mod_perl, mod_python, as well.

For example, the server for this forum seems to have mod_php,
but not mod_perl nor mor_python judging from the Server: line of HTTP response header.
Server: Apache/1.3.33 (Unix) mod_auth_passthrough/1.8 mod_log_bytes/1.2 mod_bwlimited/1.4 PHP/4.3.10 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 mod_ssl/2.8.22 OpenSSL/0.9.7a

No, unless you're on a dedicated server.

If not, are we allowed to put them in our own directory?
No, you have no command line/shell access, unless you're on a dedicated server.

No, unless you're on a dedicated server.

I'm not sure if you understood my questions.

Availability of command line (via telnet, ssh, or other method) and
unix tools, gnu tools, Myshell type scripts are different matters.

By using CGI, mod_php, or other interface, you can use any tools accessible to users.
For example (in perl):

#!/usr/bin/perl
print "Content-type: text/plain\n\n";
print `printenv`;

This is a small Perl CGI script that uses common and harmless unix tool "printenv",
which print out environmental variables.

It has nothing to do with shell account or shell command line access.

So, I understand that telnet or ssh isn't available unless signed up for dedicated account.
But I want to know the available sets of tools on the machines.

It is easy to check by using a script:
This one will tell you if these tool are available (within the PATH).

#!/usr/bin/perl
print "Content-type: text/plain\n\n";
print `which gcc;which wget;which grep`;

Or, simply checking normal directories can tell us.

#!/usr/bin/perl
print "Content-type: text/plain\n\n";
print `ls -l /bin/ /usr/bin/ /sbin/ /sur/sbin/ /usr/local/bin/`;

I know some hosts use chrooted Apache, and limit the available tools.
That's why I'm asking this question.

Also, are you really sure that MyShell type script is prohibited?
When a host prohibits it, usually it's written in TOS.
As I didn't see it in TOS, I was assuming it's allowed.

Besides, there is no point in prohibiting it, since Perl or PHP script can do the same thing.

I would appreciate if I can have answers for the questions above,
and other question I added and remain unanswered.

Thank you!

wells

It's both surprising and dissapointing to know that pre-sales question remain unanswered.
I think Public forum is a sort of show case of hosting services.
And I don't relly understand Hostgator neglecting it ....

Am I just too impatient?
Should I wait a few days more to obtain seemingly simple information?

wells

[Stef]

It's very unusual to have both forms.
Also, mod_php, mod_perl, mod_python are known to have security concerns (on shared environment).

I reinformed and seems that mod_python is not available, the others are. Sorry for this misinformation.

I don't have full access to the servers. To have a complete and correct list of modules and available tools I have to ask you to contact sales@hostgator.com.

Thank you for your patience,
Stef.

Thank you for the answer, stef.
I'll contact Hostgator via e-mail, or just sign up and find answers by myself.

To Hostgator staffs:

I still find it very strange that I have to contact by E-mail
when I'm asking simple questions in a Public Forum where
Hostgatpr staffs have been answering questions.

Why do you choose to stay silent?
Don't you understand that it's an excellent oppotunity to show off
the services of Hostgator and the competence of staff?

I strongly suggest Hostgator to review the way Forums are managed.
You should place at least one support person assigned to Forums
and she should take care of issues without long delay.
That will bring more customers, for sure.

wells