Better than Webmin ???

[edhan]

Hi

Does anyone know if there is a better remote software for RH8.0 other than Webmin?

I have problems using Webmin to configure RH8.0. By default, I have installed all the stuff like php, php-server,mysql,apache,openssl,mod_ssl, etc from RH8.0 disk. Running Webmin and using the software packages to upgrade the existing version. Everytime I use the rpmfind.net to search for new upgrades for php, php-server, mysql, etc I will encounter error with the dependencies. It always says Failed dependencies test and showing the items that were failed.

But if I use the source of php,php-server,mysql, apache to install, I will have the error when trying to access mysql as it will say that cannot connect the socket and referring to the /tmp/mysql.sock whereas the mysql.sock is located in /var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock.

I have ran the mysql_install_db and checked the path for my.cnf and it is located at /var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock.

When I install from source, the Webmin will not be able to execute apache, mysql which has the features. Also, I will not be able to upgrade.

So, does anyone know if there is a better remote software I can use? Or do you have a solution?

Regards
Edward Han

[mdwatts]

Couldn't you just use Webmin and correct the paths to mysql.sock in the Webmin config? You can also specify where the executables and configuration files are located.

[edhan]

Hi

I finally managed to get php connected with mysql. But yet another new problem arises. Now though I can get connected but the data does not show. I have uploaded my existing database into the new setup and chown & chgrp for mysql. Also have issued the 755 rights.

Any idea why I am unable to see the data?

Edward Han

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by edhan

Any idea why I am unable to see the data?


See the MySQL data in Webmin?

Does it exist in /var/lib/mysql/<database>? That is where my version of MySQL and distro stores the databases.

[fredg]

Webmin is a GUI tool that interfecaes with the system. It isn't a substitute for basic knowledge about the system or the software packages you are trying to manage. Webmin can help, but when it can't, and where it can't, you will have to do things the old fashioned way. Looking for a "better remote software" really isn't the answer.

Almost all Webmin modules have a Module Configuration page. This is where paths to program configuration files and executables are defined. Best guesses are usually there for defaults, but that does not mean they are going to be correct 100% of the time. These setting must be correct or the module and the software will not work. It us up to you to both know what the correct setting are, and verify that the settings are correct. Webmin does do a fair amount of error checking, but it isn't 100% perfect. If something isn't working properly, you need to look in that Module Configuration page and verfy that all the information there is correct.

As far as upgrading packages and RPM dependencies is concerned, that's something that just comes with RPM, and knowing how to use RPM properly is how that is solved. Webmin isn't going to help you there.

If you want to have an easier time at updates or installations of RPMs, then install either apt or yum for your distribution (but not both). They will handle dependency solving for you and make keeping your system current very easy. You could also use Red Hat Network.

However, once you begin to introduce third party packages that are not tracked by the apt, yum, or RHN repository maintainers, you will have to handle updates and dependancy resolution for those packages by hand. RHN may also have lots of problems with third party packages and you will have to learn how to manage those exceptions.

Installing non-RPM binary packages, or installing from source code also means that these packages are no longer being tracked by the RPM database, or apt or yum or RHN. Try and stick with distributor provided RPM packages wherever possible, or use third party RPMs that are known to work with your distribution. If you must work with source code, consider building a RPM from it, then install the resulting RPM. Many source codes come with this capability and have the needed .spec file included. For those that don't you can try using a program like CheckInstall.

[mdwatts]

Very good advise fredg. :cool:

Since most of the distros I use are rpm based, I always install and use Checkinstall whenever I compile and install a source package. That way the source is still tracked by the rpm database.

edhan... search the 'How I did it' forum for 'checkinstall' as some time ago a member wrote a guide.

[edhan]

Hi

Thank you both for your advice. I am new to Linux and since I am switching for MS to RH, it is frustrating that my current server which was setup by a friend is not working. I was not involved when he setup it up and now he has moved to overseas so I have to setup myself since it crashed.

Having little knowledge, I have relied on reading on PHP and MySQL. After many attempts of re-installation, I finally managed to get PHP and MySQL running but not able to read the data. It can be connected but nothing is shown. I am puzzled. As this is not setup by me, I wonder if there is an example where I can do a simply test to get connect with MySQL from PHP and extracting data on the browser. Is there a test program?

Regards
Edward Han