HostPC customers

[scootermaster]

Can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone. Tried tech support, sales people, their support IRC. No one seems to know.

Just wondering if any current customers can comment on this.

Thanks.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Highly doubt it. I know that with cPanel we have the ability to block it, but I'm not sure if DirectAdmin lets them. Even if it wasn't blocked I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't be a fan of you compiling anything.

 

[Pepsi90919]

why not?

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
Highly doubt it. I know that with cPanel we have the ability to block it, but I'm not sure if DirectAdmin lets them. Even if it wasn't blocked I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't be a fan of you compiling anything.

Interesting. I just need to compile a library, once, that fits entirely in my user space. I guess I could try and prebuild it on another box and upload the executable someplace, but that's always a dicey propostion. I just need a host that'll let me build something (only once) and let me run it from a PHP script (backtick, or drop to shell or something). Heck, if I knew it was a linux box I guess I could go the pre-built binary route.

Sigh.

This shouldn't be this hard.

Edit: Someone could build the library for me, but I can't imagine a host taking the time to do that. Boo.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

that's agreeable, just had no idea it was being prevented by most companies.

execution, that's another thing

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

that's agreeable, just had no idea it was being prevented by most companies.

execution, that's another thing

Lots of people that run webhosts here, eh? Maybe I'll just go back to Dixiesys.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
Highly doubt it. I know that with cPanel we have the ability to block it, but I'm not sure if DirectAdmin lets them. Even if it wasn't blocked I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't be a fan of you compiling anything.

Interesting. I just need to compile a library, once, that fits entirely in my user space. I guess I could try and prebuild it on another box and upload the executable someplace, but that's always a dicey propostion. I just need a host that'll let me build something (only once) and let me run it from a PHP script (backtick, or drop to shell or something). Heck, if I knew it was a linux box I guess I could go the pre-built binary route.

Sigh.

This shouldn't be this hard.

Edit: Someone could build the library for me, but I can't imagine a host taking the time to do that. Boo.

What stops you from trying it?

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
Highly doubt it. I know that with cPanel we have the ability to block it, but I'm not sure if DirectAdmin lets them. Even if it wasn't blocked I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't be a fan of you compiling anything.

Interesting. I just need to compile a library, once, that fits entirely in my user space. I guess I could try and prebuild it on another box and upload the executable someplace, but that's always a dicey propostion. I just need a host that'll let me build something (only once) and let me run it from a PHP script (backtick, or drop to shell or something). Heck, if I knew it was a linux box I guess I could go the pre-built binary route.

Sigh.

This shouldn't be this hard.

Edit: Someone could build the library for me, but I can't imagine a host taking the time to do that. Boo.

What stops you from trying it?

Not having an account with them, and not wanting to get an account until I know if it's actually worth it! You'd figure they'd be eager to get a new customer, you know, but like I said, I can't get a straight answer.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

It's amazing that it's this hard to get a straight answer from anyone. I guess they don't really want my money. (Perhaps I'm a "bad" webhosting customer because I know what a compiler is. Who knows?)

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

It's amazing that it's this hard to get a straight answer from anyone. I guess they don't really want my money. (Perhaps I'm a "bad" webhosting customer because I know what a compiler is. Who knows?)

What exactly do you want to compile?

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

It's amazing that it's this hard to get a straight answer from anyone. I guess they don't really want my money. (Perhaps I'm a "bad" webhosting customer because I know what a compiler is. Who knows?)

What exactly do you want to compile?

The graphviz library. It's a stable, well known piece of software that obviously doesn't generate any network traffic and, as far as I know, doesn't have any sort of security holes, and would run (and build) entirely in my user space. My website is a simple Wordpress blog and a gallery2. It doesn't generate that much traffic, nor use that much space. You'd figure I'd be the perfect webhosting customer. But I'm working on a project that takes information that uses PHP to take input from a mysql database, runs it through Graphviz, and then spits it out. So I need the backtick operator in PHP to call the "dot" executable of Graphviz. Like I said before, I don't even really need to build the thing myself. I just need the executable.

You'd think that if I posted the requirements on WHT (autoinstall Gallery2, autoinstall Wordpress, and the graphviz thing) people'd be offering me things left and right. I guess maybe I should just do that.

 

[DurocShark]

Set up a crapbox at home, set it up as a server, do whatever you want to do, upload the entire site?

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

It's amazing that it's this hard to get a straight answer from anyone. I guess they don't really want my money. (Perhaps I'm a "bad" webhosting customer because I know what a compiler is. Who knows?)

What exactly do you want to compile?

The graphviz library. It's a stable, well known piece of software that obviously doesn't generate any network traffic and, as far as I know, doesn't have any sort of security holes, and would run (and build) entirely in my user space. My website is a simple Wordpress blog and a gallery2. It doesn't generate that much traffic, nor use that much space. You'd figure I'd be the perfect webhosting customer. But I'm working on a project that takes information that uses PHP to take input from a mysql database, runs it through Graphviz, and then spits it out. So I need the backtick operator in PHP to call the "dot" executable of Graphviz. Like I said before, I don't even really need to build the thing myself. I just need the executable.

You'd think that if I posted the requirements on WHT (autoinstall Gallery2, autoinstall Wordpress, and the graphviz thing) people'd be offering me things left and right. I guess maybe I should just do that.

You might get recommendations, but hosts are no longer allowed to post offers on WHT .

 

[HyTekJosh]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
why not?

Too many security risks. It prevents people from compiling worms and rootkits, etc. On a shared hosting server the possible security risks that are posed when it's allowed significantly outweigh the benefits.

that's agreeable, just had no idea it was being prevented by most companies.

execution, that's another thing

Lots of people that run webhosts here, eh?

yup

it is a bad idea to offer compiler access via ssh in a shared hosting environment

 

[sunase]

Just SSH'd into my DreamHost account, we have gcc over there at least ^^:

[paperboy]$ gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 3.3.5 (Debian 1:3.3.5-13)
Copyright (C) 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

The wiki has examples of people compiling their own custom versions of PHP itself, so I assume you can do a lot with it.

Perl and other interpreters are commonly available on hosting accounts that have shell access. It's surprising that a compiler is considered any differently.

 

[RossMAN]

I received your PM and have brought this thread to the attention of HostPC's owner.

 

[McDealer]

I replied to your email on 9/5 and said:

Well, thanks for thinking of us... my main concern would be the limited jailshell that we offer not being able to provide everything you need it to. It's pretty tight, just used for basics. (http://www.hostpc.com/ssh-info.php)

Again, the jailshell that we use is pretty tight -that's my main concern

Maybe that was a confusing answer - but in my opinion, no - you wouldn't be able to compile what you need within our jailshell.

Incidentally, you just emailed me again tonight (as a potential customer) asking the exact same thing...

I guess they don't really want my money. (Perhaps I'm a "bad" webhosting customer because I know what a compiler is. Who knows?)

That's not the case at all. I was straight up with you in your original email from 9/5 telling you I didn't think it was going to work... I dont think you're a "bad customer" - I just know the limits of our systems, and what is / is not possible - in my opinion, it wont work - thats what I was trying to convey to you 2 weeks ago.

You'd think that if I posted the requirements on WHT (autoinstall Gallery2, autoinstall Wordpress, and the graphviz thing) people'd be offering me things left and right. I guess maybe I should just do that.

Perhaps there are other hosts (none running directadmin and a jail shell will qualify - and if they're NOT running a jailshell, RUN LIKE HELL) who can offer you compiler abilities. If I was less than forthright, I would have taken your money and then made excuses on why it wasn't working. Instead, I answered your questions up front and told you I didn't think it was going to work.

Joe

 

[RossMAN]

scootermaster,

It appears the answer is NO.

So I would either accept that or find a new web host.

Best of luck to you

Ross

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: McDealer
I replied to your email on 9/5 and said:

Well, thanks for thinking of us... my main concern would be the limited jailshell that we offer not being able to provide everything you need it to. It's pretty tight, just used for basics. (http://www.hostpc.com/ssh-info.php)

Again, the jailshell that we use is pretty tight -that's my main concern

Maybe that was a confusing answer - but in my opinion, no - you wouldn't be able to compile what you need within our jailshell.

Incidentally, you just emailed me again tonight (as a potential customer) asking the exact same thing...

I guess they don't really want my money. (Perhaps I'm a "bad" webhosting customer because I know what a compiler is. Who knows?)

That's not the case at all. I was straight up with you in your original email from 9/5 telling you I didn't think it was going to work... I dont think you're a "bad customer" - I just know the limits of our systems, and what is / is not possible - in my opinion, it wont work - thats what I was trying to convey to you 2 weeks ago.

You'd think that if I posted the requirements on WHT (autoinstall Gallery2, autoinstall Wordpress, and the graphviz thing) people'd be offering me things left and right. I guess maybe I should just do that.

Perhaps there are other hosts (none running directadmin and a jail shell will qualify - and if they're NOT running a jailshell, RUN LIKE HELL) who can offer you compiler abilities. If I was less than forthright, I would have taken your money and then made excuses on why it wasn't working. Instead, I answered your questions up front and told you I didn't think it was going to work.

Joe

First off, let me say I really appreciate everyone's help and responses...especially you, Ross. I feel bad using you as a go between. So thank you.

McDealer, perhaps it wasn't you who wasn't forthright (and that's probably not even the right word), it was probably one of your tech people on IRC chat. I could post the chat session (which I saved in case, as you say, it didn't work out) but I assume you'll take my word for it, and suffice it to say, they certainly gave the impression it was feasible.

I wasn't trying to call anyone out for bad service or anything, I was just surprised -- and expressing my frustration -- that in the competative world of webhosting, no one had gotten back to me to tell me exactly whether or not this would work. Or, more importantly, I was frustrated that it seemed like no one would work with me to get me what I need. As in, for example, compiling the library for me and dumping the executable in my user space. Sure it'd take a tech maybe five minutes of their time, but I figured that might be worth it for a satisfied customer. I know I could do that myself (I have access to any number of Linux boxes) but I didn't want to take the time to transfer my site and everything, and then find out it didn't work. It seems easier to have someone on the "inside" do it for me (if I can't do it myself on the machine I'm using for hosting).

As it stands now, I guess I'll stay with Dreamhost. I was hoping to find another option, but it doesn't seem to be possible. I think I can stay on month to month, and perhaps I'll find something else.

To any of you who run webhosting companies, if you take a look at graphviz and decide it's something you can do, and want a customer, feel free to contact me.

Thanks!