Thread: What is shell access? Dumb question but Will mentioned in a post

Hello guys,

I am trying to figure out what Will meant by "if I can not get shell access proxies just take to long to manage"

Is that the same thing as root?

Dont judge...lol..terminology is not up to par.

Thanks in advance

Shell access on a Unix-type server is access to a command prompt on the server itself. This enables you to issue commands as a user of the system - for example, for changing permissions on files, copying, moving, deleting and such.

On a dedicated server, you will probably also have "root" access (like Administrator access in Windows) and you will be able to compile and install programs, update and patch your system and a whole lot more.

Hope that helps you out!

Additional Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_access

If your web hosting account includes shell access, it makes managing files faster than FTP if you know what you're doing. I think Will was saying setting up his proxy sites is faster when his host gives him shell access.

Not just managing files, but managing everything. You remotely control the server, so you can install whatever you want, and configure everything however you like. Starting out, the learning curve is quite steep, but it's most definitely worth it.

Originally Posted by hip hydra

Not just managing files, but managing everything. You remotely control the server, so you can install whatever you want, and configure everything however you like. Starting out, the learning curve is quite steep, but it's most definitely worth it.

Yes, you can do a lot and then some, but hosting companies who provide shell accounts to their customers usually have heavy restrictions. Remotely controlling the server and configuring it is more for server admins. Some companies do allow users to create scripts, run automated tasks and configure their shell account profile.

I think it's either best to go with a dedicated web host and let the admins take care of all the backend stuff just so you don't have to worry about it, or go for root access to a VPS or dedicated server. I'd never settle for shell access with restrictions.

With something as intensive as proxies, running them on webhosts that proabably use a stock Apache + mod_php configuration is a horrible waste. If you configure and optimize your own setups, and with better software from scratch, you can push so much more traffic with less resources.

I run my proxies on a network of cheap VPSes with DNS failover and they run beautifully despite the high traffic. Proxy hosting is so ridiculously overpriced for the measly specs, but maybe it's the next step to go for those who've figured out how to optimize proxy installs. Then again, I've always been more of a systems admin and programmer, so I love setting up all this stuff.

But to anyone who likes Linux and programming, getting VPSes with root access is definitely the way to go. If you spend time learning and testing, you can save so much money on monthly server costs. But the best part is, you're free to do whatever you want on the servers so it's also really fun!

Originally Posted by hip hydra

With something as intensive as proxies, running them on webhosts that proabably use a stock Apache + mod_php configuration is a horrible waste. If you configure and optimize your own setups, and with better software from scratch, you can push so much more traffic with less resources.

I use mod_geoip to block traffic from countries with high frequencies of proxy leeching and low conversions. All of my proxy hosting customers automatically get a nice little block list with their account.

Originally Posted by hip hydra

I run my proxies on a network of cheap VPSes with DNS failover and they run beautifully despite the high traffic. Proxy hosting is so ridiculously overpriced for the measly specs, but maybe it's the next step to go for those who've figured out how to optimize proxy installs.

I agree about the pricing. That is why I took some serious time to research and create the best possible server configuration for hosting proxy sites at a reasonable price without overselling. I think not overselling is the reason behind the fact that proxy hosting is slightly more expensive than standard hosting.

Originally Posted by hip hydra

Then again, I've always been more of a systems admin and programmer, so I love setting up all this stuff.

Me, too for the admin stuff. I'm not a programmer.

Originally Posted by hip hydra

Not just managing files, but managing everything. You remotely control the server, so you can install whatever you want, and configure everything however you like. Starting out, the learning curve is quite steep, but it's most definitely worth it.

other then memorizing a few commands I find the hard part is that its nothing but a Black screen with some text. -- You really have to visualize in your mind the GUI's LOL.

Originally Posted by vectro

If your web hosting account includes shell access, it makes managing files faster than FTP if you know what you're doing. I think Will was saying setting up his proxy sites is faster when his host gives him shell access.

Will hosts and admins his own sites. He does this because he has a background in both networking and systems administration. It's easier than dealing with mediocre middlemen.

I used to own a small hosting company. I can't tell you how many of my clients told me they knew Unix. I used to provide shell access as part of my hosting package. I stopped offering it because it is very easy to break things if you don't know Unix. I spent hours fixing more than a few client messes before killing that feature.

I don't mean to sound harsh when I say this, but I would recommend you leave the systems work to the host admins and stick to FTP unless you really know what you're doing.

Thanks Guys!