Server management via the LiveConfig Control Panel

The server management software LiveConfig was developed in Germany and is used for configuring web servers and managing web hosting packages. Thanks to the clearly structured web interface, all settings can be adjusted with just a few clicks, avoiding the extensive administrative knowledge and labourious work directly at the server's operating system level that would otherwise be necessary. LiveConfig is particularly lean and secure software that requires very few system resources to run. However, as proprietary software, monthly licence fees apply for its use.

What does LiveConfig offer?

LiveConfig can be used as a comprehensive control panel for managing web hosting packages and configuring server settings. Users have a modern, clearly structured web interface available for this purpose. The software can be used with shared web hosting packages, with virtual private servers (VPS) or with dedicated dedicated servers. Because the software is multi-server capable, multiple systems can also be managed through a single installation. Compared with other control panels, LiveConfig offers several advantages:

• High efficiency
  LiveConfig is implemented in the programming languages C/C and therefore requires neither interpreters nor databases to operate. This conserves system resources so they remain available for the actual server applications.
• Not dependent on PHP
  The control panel is independent of PHP, so updates have no impact on LiveConfig’s functionality. Server administrators do not need to align the PHP version selection with the control panel.
• Minimally invasive
  The developer describes LiveConfig as “minimally invasive”. This means the software does not deeply modify the system and can be uninstalled completely without residue at any time. The application also automatically detects the operating system distribution in use and uses that distribution’s packages rather than proprietary ones.
• Secure web interface
  The SSL-protected web interface is particularly secure. All command inputs are inspected before execution. SQL queries are processed using prepared statements, so XSS and SQL injections can be ruled out.
• HTML web interface
  The web interface uses only plain HTML. For dynamic data updates in the browser it relies on HTML5 and Ajax. This means operation works fully without Flash and can be used on any device.

Although the software is particularly lightweight and resource-efficient, LiveConfig still provides users with the full feature set required for comprehensive management of webspace packages and server settings. As with other control panels, the extensive user and permissions management enables optimal configuration. The following features are available, among others:

• Customer management
  Web hosting packages can be organised with LiveConfig in the classic hierarchy from administrator via reseller to end customers. Personal data is managed as convenient handles. Multiple users per customer are possible and individual permissions can be defined.
• Web hosting management
  Using LiveConfig you can realise all the necessary settings for web hosting management. From configuring domains and subdomains to creating mailboxes and email addresses, and to using databases and statistics for resource usage.
• Manage hosting offers
  Individual web hosting packages or whole reseller accounts can be created and managed. The respective system resources can be defined individually and changed if required. Additionally, extensive statistics on the usage of the offers are provided.
• Manage PHP versions
  LiveConfig allows multiple PHP versions to run in parallel and to switch between versions when needed. Additionally, all PHP functions can be customised individually at global level, customer level or contract level.

What are the requirements for LiveConfig?

A Linux operating system is required to run LiveConfig. The best-known distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, CentOS or openSUSE Leap are supported. The software is quite economical in terms of system resources. It requires only an x86 CPU with 32 or 64 bit as well as 15 MB of RAM and 30 MB of disk space. LiveConfig is therefore also ideal for use on smaller, resource-limited Virtual Private Servers (VPS). It can manage, among others, the following server software:

• Apache web server
• NGINX web server
• PHP 5.x scripting language
• MySQL 5.x databases
• Postfix
• Dovecot
• BIND DNS

Thanks to the continuous development of the software, LiveConfig will support further operating systems in the future and will also enable the management of additional server software.

The development of LiveConfig

LiveConfig is one of the newer control panels on the market. The software is developed and maintained by Keppler IT GmbH, based in Erlangen in Bavaria. Originally, LiveConfig was merely a collection of various scripts for automation used as part of a student project at the University of Erlangen. This ultimately led to the idea of developing an entirely new administration software for servers and web hosting offerings. A successful participation in the Business Plan Competition North Bavaria and funding through an innovation programme of the Free State of Bavaria finally enabled the realisation of the project. After only 14 months of development, the first finished version of LiveConfig was presented in 2011 at CeBIT in Hanover. Since then, LiveConfig has been continuously developed and improved by Keppler IT GmbH, always with the aim of offering the best software for managing servers and web hosting products.

What is LiveConfig's pricing model?

As LiveConfig is proprietary rather than open source software, licence fees in the form of monthly costs apply for its use. The developer offers three different licence versions aimed at end customers, resellers and web hosting providers:

• Basic licence
  With the Basic licence for just under €3 per month, aimed at end customers and users of smaller virtual servers, up to 10 users can be managed. All settings can be made at webspace level, but additional features such as Let's Encrypt or the SOAP-API are not available. Global management of webspace offerings and resellers is also not possible here.
• Standard licence
  With the Standard licence for just under €10 per month, aimed at resellers and users of virtual and dedicated servers, an unlimited number of users and accounts can be managed. This includes not only all webspace-level settings, but also all additional features and global management of webspace offerings.
• Business licence
  With the Business licence for just under €20 per month, primarily aimed at large web hosting companies, not only an unlimited number of customer accounts but also multiple servers can be managed via a central web interface. However, each individual server must have a Standard licence for LiveConfig.

As part of the licences, the provider's customer support can also be used for questions and problems. With the Basic licence, however, this is limited to contact by e-mail and forum. With the Standard and Business licences, telephone contact is also possible. If an end customer receives LiveConfig from their web hosting provider, they usually do not have to pay additionally for the licence. Here the costs are typically already included in the monthly web hosting costs.

Who is LiveConfig suitable for?

LiveConfig can be used optimally both by operators of a small virtual server and by large web hosting providers. The advantages of the software are clearly its lean and resource-efficient architecture. If you are looking for a way to comprehensively administer server settings and web hosting products and place great value on high speed and efficient resource utilisation, LiveConfig is a good choice. The modern and clearly structured web interface enables fast and effective working without the need for in-depth technical knowledge. Thanks to the moderate pricing tiers, a very good value-for-money ratio can also be ensured.

Use our Web hosting Control Panel comparison to find out which admin tool is best suited to your individual requirements.

Our article is based on our own experience and research as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:
https://www.liveconfig.com/ (Official website of LiveConfig)