Introduction

This book explaines how I've enabled Drupal hosting for my customers.
I hope it is helpfull for other Drupal hosters...

Environment

this is the environment used to setup my drupal hosting

  • linux RHEL 4
  • plesk 8.0.1
  • php 4.3.9
  • mysql 4.1.12
  • apache 2.0.52
  • drupal 4.7.x

Requirements

  • keep safe mode on at all times without the need for chmod 777
  • keep base dir restriction on at all times
  • integrate into plesk so that backup, databases, quotas,
    etc keeps working
  • drupal must run as managed application
    • updates done once for all vhosts :: use single code base
    • approved modules and themes available for vhosts to select from
    • pre-activate drupal modules that enhance basic content management:
      SEO, security, ...
  • eaccelerator must speed up php processing efficiently :: use single code
    base
  • Each individual vhost
    • should be able to use its own themes and modules
    • should be accessible trough different URLs ::
      drupal multisite option
    • should also be able to use other applications then drupal within the
      same site
    • should experience drupal no different as if we would install drupal
      for each vhost seperatly
  • Enhance security if needed on the drupal package
  • Single code base should be included in the normal backup mechanism available in plesk

Next pages

As the book seems to order the sub pages by date, I list here the order of further reading:

  1. Solution overview: http://drupal.org/node/90144
  2. Prepare environment: http://drupal.org/node/90207