Webspace main domain and server settings

[PlayCayP]

Hello guys!

I got a few questions to you, I hope that you can help me with that.

At the moment I am using only one Webspace within Plesk 11, where I have added several Domains, to host Websites.

I have created them like follows:

maindomain.com under /httpdocs/maindomain
otherdomain.com under httpdocs/otherdomain
otherdomain2.com under httpdocs/otherdomain2

Now when someone types the IP-Address within the browser address, then the user automatically gets redirected to the maindomain site. Or if there is a domain added without any hosting, then it also shows the maindomain.

But I would like that the IP-Address does not belong to any website, it should just be the root directory to give me the possiblity to open every site by entering the IP-Address, for testing purposes. And to prevent, that a website gets in connection with the other.

For example:
http://xx.xx.xx.xx/otherdomain12

To get that to work, would I need to setup a new domain that uses /httpdocs/ as the root directory?
If yes, will it make any trouble with already created subfolders (for other domains) within the httpdocs? Might they be deleted?
And how can I change the default domain?

Or would you recommend me a completely other solution? Like creating one Webspace each Domain?

One more thing I would like to clarify:
What exactly does the Full hostname do, within the Server settings (under /plesk/server/preferences/)?
Can any domain name be entered there? And what is it used for?

I am sorry for that many questions, but I would like to get the settings in the right order, to have different websites running that aren't connected to each other.

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[DaveKay]

The best way I've found to run multiple websites is to create a separate subscription for each domain name. This way, files are stored under their own vhost folder.

You can setup the Default Website for an IP Address - but only one website can be served like this. If none is selected in this setting, the Plesk default website is displayed.

For testing domains before DNS propogation, you can use the "Domain Preview" settings.

 

[PlayCayP]

With subscription you mean one webspace each domain? Or is that something else?

And if I will do those changes, is there an easy way to transfer all settings / domains / databases and so on, without needing to setup everything from scratch?

 

[DaveKay]

I guess you're not using "Service Provider View".

Yes, I think that would mean one webspace for each domain.

Transfering things wouldn't be particularly easy so may be best to leave it!

 

[PlayCayP]

I see.

Yes, I am using the "Power User view", I thought it is the one with the most features.

Would you advise me to use the "Service Provider view"? If yes shall I also activate "Open hosting operations in Server Administration Panel"?

And can it get any trouble, by changing the view? Or is that just a design related thing? But no settings will be changed?

If I will keep everything as it is, can I still create a new main domain that will use the /httpdocs/ as root? Or will it delete subfolders within that root folder, where I have added other domains?

Thank you so much!

 

[DaveKay]

It very much depends on how you use Plesk as to which GUI is the most usable.

You won't change any system settings by changing the view, so take take a look and see if it's any more intuitive.

When creating a new subscription and domain, each website that you create will have it's own httpdocs folder as the root. On the server, this is somewhere like /var/www/vhosts/domain.tld/httpdocs.

To keep things simple from a server maintanance point of view, I find it's better to create seperate subscriptions with their own vhost rather than lots of domains housed under a sub folder of httpdocs.

To get to this level, you'd probably need to re-create subscriptions under Service Provider View, possibly not something that is quick and easy and is likely to involve some downtime for websites. Again, depends if you manage all the websites that are hosted, or have clients logging into the control panel.

 

[PlayCayP]

Yes, that is something I have wondered about, since I started with my own rootserver and plesk 11.

That path I know from websites, that I ran on shared hosting.

So I will have a look about that, thank you very much!

By the way, I know I got plenty of questions, but would you mind helping me with my other concerns too?

If so, shall I always create a new Thread, each topic?
Or just keep on posting here?

 

[DaveKay]

New threads would be helpful for anyone else looking for answers.

 

[PlayCayP]

Sure, no problem

Edit: Is there some kind of "Solved" button?

 

[DaveKay]

I think only forum mods can mark a thread as solved?...