This Virtual Private Server (VPS) thing is a whole new concept to wrap your head around if you're used to working with other types of dedicated servers. Virtuozzo is able to split the servers resources to house dozens of individual VPS's. You can think of each VPS as its own dedicated server unto itself using its own operating system and webserver software. It's a great product!

You should have already downloaded and installed the Virtuozzo Management Console software. When you register your Hardware node (your Virtuozzo server), give it a friendly name (mine's called Houston) and specify the IP address that EV1 told you is used by the Virtuozzo software.

You can now connect to your server and create new VPS's on it. Create a new VPS running Plesk:

1. Click the friendly name of your machine on the left, then click "Create Virtual Environment" on the right under Wizards.

2. Pick the 'vps.plesk7.es3' or 'vps.plesk7.rh9' sample configuration (I'm using es3). Specify a hostname -- this will be the name of your new VPS server. (ie: server1.mydomain.com) Give it a root password as well. Click next.

3. Enter an IP address manually. Pick one of the 8 additional IP addresses EV1 gave you. Enter two DNS servers manually (207.218.192.39 + 207.218.192.38 work). Leave 'Search Domains' blank. Click next.

4. Choose an OS template. I'm using redhat-es3 (latest). Click next.

5. Select application templates to install. Make sure you scroll down to get them all. I'm clicking everything but ColdFusion here. Click next.

6. Don't override the paths. Click next.

7. You can specify how much of the server's resources you'll allow this VPS to use. Make sure you pick "unlimited" (not "light") and specify how much disk space to give the VPS. I think the default is 1 GIG, but it lets you bump it up. Click next.

8. Traffic shaping. Click next.

9. 'Start on hardware boot mode' should be checked. Click next.

10. Review your settings and click Finish.

Now it takes a few minutes to create the VPS on your server. Once it finishes, you now have a VPS that acts as its own dedicated server running Plesk.

Login via SSH using root and the root password you created.

You can access the Plesk admin panel by going to
https://<ipaddress>:8443

Default login is 'admin' with password 'setup'. First time login will have you do a couple of one-time tasks like enter your company info and create a new admin password.

From there you can create hosting accounts, setup nameservers, and all the other stuff you're used to doing with a dedicated server. Look at the Plesk forums or FAQs to learn all that if you're new to Plesk.

Until the Plesk license is added, Plesk will only support one domain. Submit a support ticket to EV1 to request a Plesk license for your new VPS. They'll need the individual VPS's IP address and root password.

The Virtuozzo Management Console software is used to view and manage all the VPS on your physical server. You can monitor the server load and processes in real time and reboot those that need it.

Have fun with your server!

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(Red Pepper)A Microsoft Products Blog with other Technology Updates.