Windows VPS User Guide

Transcription

1 Windows VPS User Guide First Edition June 2011

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Backroom Management... 2 Plan Upgrade/Downgrade... 2 Disabling/Enabling Account... 2 Verio Tools... 2 Windows VPS Administration... 3 Connecting to Your Windows VPS Server... 3 Remote Desktop Connection... 3 Backups... 5 Database Backups... 5 Windows Update... 6 Microsoft Web Platform Installer... 7 Firewall... 7 DNS Management... 9 Additional Domain Names... 9 Web Server Configuration Installing IIS 7.x Accessing the IIS Manager Interface Adding a Web Site Removing a Web Site Configuring a Web Site Adding Server Aliases to a Web site Enable FTP Publishing Mail Server Configuration Installing SMTP Server Table of Contents ii

3 Introduction This document provides information for the basic configuration and administration of the Windows VPS server. It will help you install services such as Mail, Web, and FTP. It will also guide you through the basics of managing your server using Remote Desktop Connection. Windows VPS is built on a unique platform that includes superior hardware, dual processors and sophisticated technology ideal for general IT computing. Windows VPS offers enterprise-class hardware virtualization using VMware allowing for true virtual machines with separate operating system and resources. Windows VPS delivers the flexibility to install, manage and serve applications that rely on MS SQL,.NET, Active Server Pages and other Windows technologies. Windows VPS is running Windows 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition which comes with standard built in functionality. While we highlight some of the functionality with brief instructions within this User Guide, we recommend that you consult the Microsoft documentation for a complete overview and detailed instructions. In addition to this introduction, this document includes the following sections: Windows VPS Administration on page 3. DNS Management on page 9. Web Server Configuration on page 10. Mail Server Configuration on page 20. Introduction 1

4 Backroom Management The Backroom interface can be used to order, enable/disable, or terminate your Windows VPS account. It can also be used to reset your admin password. Plan Upgrade/Downgrade When ordering your Windows VPS you selected a plan type to best fit your needs. As your needs change, your plan can be upgraded to a larger plan type or downgraded to a smaller plan. You can change your plan type at any time within the Backroom interface. Please note that a reboot is required when upgrading or downgrading your Windows VPS plan. The reboot will happen automatically once you request the plan change. In addition, it is important to backup up all important data before upgrading/downgrading your Windows VPS account. Disabling/Enabling Account Windows VPS accounts can be disabled and enabled through the Backroom interface. When disabling your account, the Windows VPS server will be powered off. Please ensure that all important items are backed up before disabling your account through the Backroom. It is possible to power off (Shut Down) your Windows VPS server while logged into the server (internally). If you should decide to power off your server internally, you will need to disable and then enable your Windows VPS account within the Backroom to power on your server. Verio Tools Two Verio tools are in place allowing Verio to interact with your Windows VPS server at your request; a VerioAdmin account and a Host_Utils hidden directory. The VerioAdmin account is used to reset forgotten administrator passwords and also to upgrade/downgrade the Windows VPS plan. Please do not change the VerioAdmin account in any way, including enforcing a minimum password age. The Host_Utils directory is a hidden directory that contains tools Verio uses to assist in upgrading or downgrading your Windows VPS plan. Backroom Management 2

5 Windows VPS Administration Connecting to Your Windows VPS Server There are many options when it comes to connecting and managing your Windows VPS server. One of the most common methods used to administer Windows based servers is Remote Desktop Connection. There are also several 3 rd party control panels available such as Plesk that can be installed and used for easy server management. When you ordered your server an Administrator (Admin) account was created. The Admin account can be used to perform administrative tasks such as creating user accounts and FTP, Web, and configuration. You will access your server using Administrator as the username and the password you supplied when you ordered your server. If you are unsure of the password supplied it can be changed within the Backroom interface. Keep in mind that the Administrator user is the primary administrative user on your server. Because Admin is such an important user with so much power, you should be especially careful about selecting a password and maintaining its security. In addition when you connect to your server, always connect using a secure protocol (such as FTPS). Remote Desktop Connection is encrypted by default. Remote Desktop Connection Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is a software program used to make a connection between your computer (client) and another remote computer (host). RDC can be used to make a secure connection from your computer to your Windows VPS server. Once the connection is established, you have full access to manage and perform any administrative tasks. RDC comes pre-installed on most Windows operating systems. Remote Desktop is also available to install on computers running Mac OS (Intel-Based). To download RDC for Mac, please see the following: For more information on RDC for Mac, please see the following: Note: Windows VPS allows for two simultaneous connections. If you need more than two simultaneous connections, Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) can be setup and additional licenses purchased directly from Microsoft. For more information, please see the following: To make a successful connection you will need the IP address of your server, the Admin username (login: Administrator) and the Admin password you specified during the order process. To connect to your Windows VPS using Remote Desktop, do the following: 1. Click the Start button. 2. Click All Programs or Programs 3. Click Accessories 4. Select Remote Desktop Connection Windows VPS Administration 3

6 Note: If running Windows XP, an extra step is required. After clicking Accessories you will also need to click Communications before selecting Remote Desktop Connection. 5. Click Options >> to view additional login options. 6. Enter your IP Address in the Computer: field. 7. Enter Administrator in the User name: field. 8. Enter your password in the Password: field. 9. Click Connect. Windows VPS Administration 4

7 Additional settings can be configured within the RDC connection settings. For instance, you can show local drives when connected to your Windows VPS. Using the Windows7 RDC client, click the Local Resources tab -> More -> Drives. Backups For your convenience, we provide full daily backups of your Windows VPS server. Point-in-time (snapshot) copies of the Windows VPS virtual image are created instantaneously even while applications are running. Snapshot technology enables quick and easy recovery of your server. Backups occur every day on a set schedule and within a specified timeframe. The backup schedule cannot be altered; however, backups do occur during off peak business hours. Backups will not be kept longer than 48 hours. Note: In addition to the daily backups, we strongly recommend that you make periodic backups of your site and data to your local computer or some other offsite location. Restores are initiated by submitting a request to Customer Service. When restoring from backup, the full virtual image must be restored. We are unable to restore specific folders or files. Once the restore begins, the Windows VPS server will be offline until the restore completes. Restores will commence within 24 hours of the restore request. Note: Depending on the volume of requests, data may not be restored for up to 72hrs from the time of request. The virtual backup is restored to a crash-consistent state. It is normal for the shutdown event tracker to appear when first logging in to the newly restored Windows VPS as it will appear to Windows that it had an unexpected or unplanned shutdown. Database Backups With our daily backups, we cannot guarantee the integrity of live databases. We recommend that you perform daily database dumps in order to ensure that a restorable copy will be included when the virtual image backup is created. It is your responsibility to restore your database one the restore completes. For more information on creating database dumps, consult your database software documentation. Windows VPS Administration 5

8 Windows Update The Windows Update software is included with the Windows VPS server. Windows Update is a simple and convenient tool to keep your Windows VPS operating system up-to-date. Windows Update can be configured to automatically install updates or to notify you and allow you to select which updates to install. The following Windows Update options are available: 1. Install all available updates automatically (default) 2. Download updates but allow you to select which updates to install. 3. Check for updates and allow you to select which updates to download and install 4. Never check for updates. To access Windows Update, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: C lick Start -> All Programs -> Windows Update. Windows VPS Administration 6

9 Microsoft Web Platform Installer The Microsoft Web Platform Installer (Web PI) is a free download manager that helps you quickly download and install Web applications such as Wordpress and Joomla. The Web PI install will execute the first time you access Web PI. To install/access Web PI, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs-> Microsoft Web Platform Installer Firewall In addition to the built in security functionality of Windows VPS, the Windows default firewall can be used to add extra security and protection. Firewalls are also important in helping to establish and maintain PCI compliance. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is enabled by default and is one of several options in protecting your server. The default Firewall configuration is as follows: Disabled all Inbound Firewall rules except for the following: - Core Networking - Destination Unreachable Fragmentation needed (ICMPv4-In) - Remote Desktop (TCP-In) Windows VPS Administration 7

10 Enabled Inbound Firewall rule for File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In) Third party firewall programs such as McAfee can also be installed and used to protect your Windows VPS. To access Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Administrator Tools 2. Select Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window appears. Windows VPS Administration 8

11 DNS Management DNS management is available for domains using Verio s authoritive namersevers (ns1.secure.net and ns2.secure.net). DNS management is handled within the Backroom Interface. Additional Domain Names Additional domains are available and can be ordered through the Backroom Interface. Using additional domains allows you to utilize your Windows VPS server s capabilities by hosting multiple Web sites and managing for multiple domains. Domains can easily be added through the Backroom and then configured on the server. For basic instructions on adding a domain to the Windows VPS, please see the Adding a Web Site. DNS Management 9

12 Web Server Configuration Windows VPS can be configured as a web server by installing Internet Information Services (IIS) enabling you to host and configure multiple Web sites and services. This section explains how to install IIS as well as add, remove, and configure Web sites using the IIS Manager Interface. Installing IIS 7.x To install IIS, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: C lick Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools -> Server Manager. The Server Manager window appears G o to the Roles Summary section and click Add Roles. The Add Roles wizard appears. Depending on your preferences the Before You Begin page may appear. If so, click Next S elect (Web Server) IIS on the Select Server Roles page and click Next. An introductory page will open with links for further information click Next A n Introduction to Web Server (IIS) window appears. Click Next. Web Server Configuration 10

13 5.... S elect any desired Role Services and click Next. Web Server Configuration 11

14 6.... A dd any required role services and click Add Required Role Services C onfirm the Web Server settings and click Install C onfirm the installation was successful and click Close. Your installation can be verified locally on your Windows VPS by entering in a browser or by using your IP address. The IIS installation creates a default Web site located in the \inetpub\wwwroot directory. The default Web site should display in your browser. It is important to only install the necessary IIS services as this will keep the installation footprint minimal and is a good security practice. For more information: Accessing the IIS Manager Interface To access the IIS Manager Interface, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: C lick Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools S elect Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. The IIS Manager window appears. Web Server Configuration 12

15 For more information: Adding a Web Site To add a Web site, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager 2. Within the Connections pane, right click on Sites and select Add Web Site. The Add Web Site window appears. Web Server Configuration 13

16 3. Enter the site name into the Site name field. 4. If you would like to specify a different application (app) pool, click Select. Web Server Configuration 14

17 5. Enter the path to the new Web site folder in the Physical path: field. For example: # \inetpub\wwwroot\new Site Note: If the new Web site folder does not exist you can create it browsing to the appropriate directory and clicking Make New Folder. 6. Select http or https in the Type: dropdown menu. 7. Select the IP address in the IP Address: dropdown menu. 8. Enter the port number in the Port: field. (Default port is 80) Note: If you are hosting multiple Web sites with the same IP address you will need to assign a unique port number for each Web site otherwise you will receive a port conflict error and will only be able to run one Web site at a time. For instance bind website1.com to port 80, website2.com to port 8080, and website3.com to port Enter the host name in the Host name field. If you have multiple domains that you would like to point to the same Web site, you can add them later. For more information, please see the Adding a Domain Alias to a Web Site section. 10. Click OK. Removing a Web Site To remove a Web site, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager 2. Within the Connections pane, expand the Sites folder to view all of your Web sites. 3. Right click on the Web site name that you want to remove and select Remove. A Confirm Remove window appears. 4. Click Yes to remove the Web site. Configuring a Web Site To configure a Web site, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager 2. Within the Connections pane, expand the Sites folder to view all of your Web sites. 3. Select the Web site name that you want to configure. The available Web site configuration settings appear. 4. Select the setting you would like to configure. Adding Server Aliases to a Web site To add a server alias (Host Header) to a Web site, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager 2. Within the Connections pane, expand the Sites folder to view all of your Web sites. Web Server Configuration 15

18 3. Right click the Web site name that you would like to add an additional domain to and select Edit Bindings. The Site Binding window appears. 4. Click Add. The Add Site Binding window appears. 5. Select http or https in the Type: dropdown menu. 6. Select the IP address in the IP address: dropdown menu. 7. Enter the port number in the Port: field. (Default port is 80) 8. Enter the host name in the Host name field. 9. Click OK and then click Close to close the Site Bindings Window. Web Server Configuration 16

19 Enable FTP Publishing Before enabling FTP Publishing, do the following: 1. Install the FTP Service by following the instructions within the Installing FTP Service section. 2. Create an FTP user by following the instruction within the Creating FTP Users section. 3. Grant FTP Folder Permissions to the new FTP User by following the instructions within the Grant Folder Permissions section. To Enable FTP Publishing, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: C lick Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager W ithin the Connections pane, expand Sites and right click on the Web site you would like to add FTP Publishing to S elect Add FTP Publishing. The Add FTP Publishing window appears S elect the IP Address from the IP Address dropdown menu I f you are planning on using a virtual host name for FTP connections such as ftp.yoursite.com, then select Enable Virtual Host Names: and enter the name in the Virtual Host field W ithin the SSL section select the desired SSL settings. If no SSL certificate is being used make sure the SSL Certificate dropdown displays Not Selected. Click Next. The Authentication and Authorization Information window appears. Web Server Configuration 17

20 Web Server Configuration 18

21 7.... S elect Basic as the Authentication setting S elect the desired setting from the Allow access to dropdown menu E nter the username in the empty field S elect the desired read and write permissions and click Finish R efresh the IIS Manager to see the FTP Publishing settings. Note: The physical path for the FTP account can be changed by clicking on Advanced Settings in the Actions column. Web Server Configuration 19

22 Mail Server Configuration Windows VPS can be configured with mail server features including accounts or it can be configured as a stand-alone mail server. Installing SMTP Server The SMTP Server can easily be installed as a feature. If you plan on installing Microsoft Exchange you will not need to install the SMTP server. For more information: To install SMTP Server, connect to your Windows VPS server via RDC as Admin and do the following: 1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Administration Tools -> Server Manager 2. Go to the Features Summary section and click Add Features. The Add Features wizard appears. 3. Select SMTP Server. A requirements window appears informing you of any additional requirements to install SMTP Server. Click Add Required Features. 4. The Add Features window displays again. Click Next. 5. An information window appears. Click Next. 6. The Required Features window appears displaying the required features for SMTP Server. Click Next. The Confirmation Installation Selections window appears. 7. Confirm the installation and click Install. 8. Once the install completes, click Close and restart your Windows VPS server. Note: The SMTP server cannot be managed through the IIS7 Manager. It must be managed from the IIS 6.0 Manager. Once the SMTP Server install is complete, the IIS 6.0 Manager will be visible under the Administrator Tools.s Mail Server Configuration 20