Webmin
Encyclopedia
Webmin is a web-based system configuration tool for Unix-like
systems, although recent versions can also be installed and run on Windows
. With it, it is possible to configure operating system internals, such as users, disk quotas, services or configuration files, as well as modify and control open source
apps, such as the Apache HTTP Server
, PHP
or MySQL
.
Webmin is largely based on Perl
, running as its own process and web server
. It defaults to TCP
port 10000 for communicating, and can be configured to use SSL if OpenSSL
is installed with additional required Perl
Modules.
It is built around modules, which have an interface
to the configuration file
s and the Webmin server. This makes it easy to add new functionality. Due to Webmin's modular design, it is possible for anyone who is interested to write plugins for desktop
configuration.
Webmin also allows for controlling many machines through a single interface, or seamless login on other webmin hosts on the same subnet or LAN
.
Webmin is primarily coded by Australian Jamie Cameron and released under the BSD license.
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
systems, although recent versions can also be installed and run on Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. With it, it is possible to configure operating system internals, such as users, disk quotas, services or configuration files, as well as modify and control open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
apps, such as the Apache HTTP Server
Apache HTTP Server
The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache , is web server software notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. In 2009 it became the first web server software to surpass the 100 million website milestone...
, PHP
PHP
PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document...
or MySQL
MySQL
MySQL officially, but also commonly "My Sequel") is a relational database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. It is named after developer Michael Widenius' daughter, My...
.
Webmin is largely based on Perl
Perl
Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language. Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions and become widely popular...
, running as its own process and web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
. It defaults to TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
The Transmission Control Protocol is one of the core protocols of the Internet Protocol Suite. TCP is one of the two original components of the suite, complementing the Internet Protocol , and therefore the entire suite is commonly referred to as TCP/IP...
port 10000 for communicating, and can be configured to use SSL if OpenSSL
OpenSSL
OpenSSL is an open source implementation of the SSL and TLS protocols. The core library implements the basic cryptographic functions and provides various utility functions...
is installed with additional required Perl
Perl
Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language. Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions and become widely popular...
Modules.
It is built around modules, which have an interface
Interface (computer science)
In the field of computer science, an interface is a tool and concept that refers to a point of interaction between components, and is applicable at the level of both hardware and software...
to the configuration file
Configuration file
In computing, configuration files, or config files configure the initial settings for some computer programs. They are used for user applications, server processes and operating system settings. The files are often written in ASCII and line-oriented, with lines terminated by a newline or carriage...
s and the Webmin server. This makes it easy to add new functionality. Due to Webmin's modular design, it is possible for anyone who is interested to write plugins for desktop
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
configuration.
Webmin also allows for controlling many machines through a single interface, or seamless login on other webmin hosts on the same subnet or LAN
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
.
Webmin is primarily coded by Australian Jamie Cameron and released under the BSD license.
Related software
Webmin can be expanded by installing modules, which can be custom made. Aside from this, there are two other major projects that extend the functionality of webmin:- UserminUserminUsermin is a web-based user interface for Unix-like systems. It is a simplified version of Webmin, can be used by any user on a Unix system, and is distributed under the BSD licence. It consists of CGI programs in Perl that directly updates configuration files, and a simple web server...
presents and controls a subset of the features available in Webmin, such as webmail and other user-level tasks, rather than administrator-level tasks. - VirtualminVirtualminVirtualmin is a domain hosting and web site control panel, which gives the ability to create and manage many domains and is available in both Open Source and commercial versions. It is based on Webmin.-See also:* DirectAdmin* cPanel...
, which is a domain hosting and web site control panel, which gives the ability to create and manage domains.
See also
- Ajenti
- Control panelControl panel (Web hosting)A control panel, in web hosting, is a web-based interface provided by the hosting company that allows customers to manage their various hosted services in a single place.Some of the commonly available modules in most control panels:* Access to server logs....
- ISPConfigISPConfigISPConfig is an open source hosting control panel for Linux. ISPConfig is licensed under BSD license. ISPConfig simplifies the complicated details of setting up DNS, multiple unique domain name websites on one physical server box, and e-mail accounts for multiple users on those websites.Setting up...
- SysCPSysCPSysCP is a software for administration of webservers based on and written in PHP and MySQL. It offers a web-based front end for customers of internet service providers, enabling them to manage their email addresses, domains and databases.The project was started in autumn 2003 by Florian Lippert...
- Zentyal
External links
- Official Webmin website
- Webmin documentation wiki
- How Webmin can ease DNS management (Article, picture & interview with Jamie Cameron)
- Webmin: Good for Guru and Newbie Alike - article in Linux JournalLinux JournalLinux Journal is a monthly technology magazine published by Belltown Media, Inc. of Houston, Texas. The magazine focuses specifically on Linux, allowing the content to be a highly specialized source of information for open source enthusiasts.-History:...
by Dirk Elmendorf on December 1, 2001 - New Webmin Book Video Tutorial Series & eBook on Managing Webmin 1.40