Some VPS/Dedicated server questions

[user-7256]

Hello...

I'm probably going to be buying a VPS from VPSByte sometime in the next couple months. I am also assuming the questions I ask are generic and not company-specific. If they are, let me know.

1. Is upgrading VPS plans seamless? (E.g. adding more specs like bw and quota)

2. If I have more than one VPS, could I transfer a hosting account from one VPS to another VPS seamlessly?

3. Is upgrading from at least one VPS to a dedicated server seamless for customers?

4. Could I cancel a customer's PayPal subscription payments for them for their convenience if they wanted to close an account, or do they have to do that themselves?

5. How can I create a PayPal subscription payment button for a custom dollar amount? (Can't find this in PP FAQ) I'll be selling custom hosting packages, so this is vital.

Thanks

.chulium.

 

[CrazyTech]

1. That completely depends upon the host. It shouldn't be much of a hassle, though.

2. Yes - there are a couple of methods with perhaps the most simple being using VPSs that have the same control panel.

3. It's the same as #2 for the most part.

4. They can cancel or you can cancel.

5. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/xcl/rec/subscr-intro-outside

 

[user-7256]

Cool... looking at that now... thanks.

EDIT: The first four answers are great, 'ppreciate it. However, the last PayPal link sends me to general info about subscriptions then wants me to sign up with a PayPal account, even though I'm already logged in.

When I go to create a subscription button, it requires a base price of the subscription, which I can't do... because the prices will be changing....

 

[CrazyTech]

With the subscription buttons - if I recall correctly - you need to setup one for each subscription as is. You cannot just change the $ amount as you go each, you'll have to use different subscription links.

 

[user-7256]

Hmm... that's going to be a big problem. Any idea to get around this? I've never done this before

 

[CrazyTech]

Purchase a billing system. ClientExec is the best in my view - both for budget and for performance. It keeps it simple. ModernBill is an alternative option but the cost is a bit more. There are others as well - just Google 'em.

 

[antic]

I like Modernbill very much though it costs but it's very usable.

 

[softika]

Hello,

What is happened with vpsbyte.com? I cannot connect to their website, not to my vps and even vpsbyte.com nameservers.
Do someone has this kind of problem too??

Thanx.

Edvinas

 

[user-7256]

I saw that their servers were down a few times in the past 36 hours... from what I could tell. I talked to a client who said his VPS had no problems, and that only the VPSByte site was down.

I'm starting to get skeptical... but have hope it will be fixed.


Anyway, back to topic, thanks for the suggestions with the billing system. I don't like ModernBill too much (client-side, that is), so I'll look into ClientExec.

'ppreciate it!

 

[PolurNET]

ClientExec most find is very confusing to work with and to have customized operations; I've heard good things about whmcs.com and whmautopilot.com, check out those before making a decision

 

[user-7256]

Hmm... I'll look around... thanks fellas.

UPDATE:

I found out that with an unencrypted subscription button in PayPal, it shows a form such as:

<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-but20.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">
<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_xclick-subscriptions">
<input type="hidden" name="business" value="(my pp email address)">
<input type="hidden" name="item_name" value="(my service name)">
<input type="hidden" name="no_shipping" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="no_note" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="USD">
<input type="hidden" name="lc" value="US">
<input type="hidden" name="bn" value="PP-SubscriptionsBF">
<input type="hidden" name="a1" value="0.00"> (cost of trial)
<input type="hidden" name="p1" value="7"> (length of trial)
<input type="hidden" name="t1" value="D"> (time unit for trial, D=days)
<input type="hidden" name="a3" value="15.00"> (SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT! Yay?)
<input type="hidden" name="p3" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="t3" value="M">
<input type="hidden" name="src" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="sra" value="1">
</form>

Also, they have an integration center which verifies this: https://www.paypal.com/IntegrationCenter/ic_std-variable-reference.html

It has all these variables listed and explains what each one does.

Theoretically, I can just use PHP to dynamically modify each value as necessary, no?

The way I'm setting this up, it's much easier that I do this with my own system rather than invest largely in a billing system then try to integrate it. I can use the IPN system that PayPal offers to secure payments details, etc, etc.

I'll probably be doing this. Someone please warn me if I'm walking into dangerous territory, though!