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Welcome to the WestHost Frequently Asked Questions. Here you will find answers to the common questions asked about our services.

1. What is the difference between Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting and Shared/Virtual Hosting?
2. Does WestHost have a "Control Panel" or some other utility to manage my Web site?
3. Can I add software to my account?
4. What is the difference between name-based and IP based hosting?
5. How can I change my account from name-based to IP-based?
6. Can I monitor my disk space and bandwidth usage?
7. How much does additional bandwidth cost?
8. Can I upgrade my account if I need to?
9. How do I transfer files to my Web site?
10. Will I have unlimited access to update and make changes to my pages?
11. How long does it take to set up a new account?
12. Can I use my account for commercial purposes?
13. Can I subdivide my space and resell it?
14. Can you host domain names other than .com .net .org .biz .info and .us?
15. Can I have additional domain names point to my hosting account?
16. What is WestHost's DNS information?
17. Do you offer dial-up Internet access?
18. Do you support Apache JSP?
19. Do you require "Forced Advertising" on my Web site?
20. Do you offer Windows based hosting?
21. How is billing handled?
22. Do we discount for Non-Profit Organizations?
23. Terms, Conditions and Acceptable Use Policy

1. What is the difference between Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting and Shared/Virtual Hosting? - Top

Most Web Hosting companies offer "VIRTUAL" or "SHARED" hosting. This means you literally share your resources, applications and environment with potentially hundreds of other users in the same directory. This configuration can allow any compromises to a single site to affect the performance and security of everyone else on the same server.

With WestHost's Virtual Private Server (VPS Hosting), also known as Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS Hosting) technology, a Web server is divided into multiple isolated environments. Each environment has its own server software providing independence for that Web site. Any compromise to a site would only affect that VPS and could not affect any other site on the same server. As with a dedicated server, each VPS has its own independent operating system with its own Web server, mail server and independent software instances. A crashed application (Apache, Sendmail, MySQL etc.) in another client's VPS has no effect on your VPS.

What may be even more appealing is that with WestHost's VPS Web hosting, you have nearly full control over the most common areas of a Web site/server. This includes:

• Full control of the Web server configuration (Apache), including PHP, mod_perl, and other server-side technologies and modules.
• Full control of the e-mail server (Sendmail) configuration.
• Full control of MySQL configuration.
• Full control of most Perl modules.

You also have access to other miscellaneous configuration files within your account and a greater ability to install and run custom software (should you choose to).

2. Does WestHost have a "Control Panel" or some other utility to manage my Web site? - Top

WestHost clients can manage and maintain all aspects of their site through a single powerful "Site Manager". It has been designed to give complete control to you the client. Some of the features include the ability for you to:

• Add/modify/delete your own POP3 e-mail and FTP logins
• Manage your DNS
• View real-time statistics on bandwidth and disk quotas
• Have complete control over the installation and modification of applications
• Manage your Web server, e-mail server, and ftp server settings
• And much more

We invite you to try our powerful control panel (Site Manager Demo).

3. Can I add software to my account? - Top

Yes. With WestHost's Virtual Private Server (VPS) technology, rather than "Shared" or "Virtual" technology, you have "root-like" administrative access to your account. You essentially have complete control over all aspects of your Virtual Private Server, including the installation of software. If you install software not included in your hosting plan, we cannot guarantee it will work and it will not be supported by our Technical Support. Secondly, because we offer support for Perl, PHP, MySQL, Apache JSP, and other programming languages, you have very few limitations when it comes to which programs, software, and applications you can install. Finally, WestHost is constantly adding new and exciting software applications that can be installed automatically through the Site Manager at anytime.

4. What is the difference between name-based and IP based hosting? - Top

Name-based hosting is when virtual hosting sites share a single IP address, with site traffic directed by the server examining 'host headers'. IP-based hosting accounts come with a unique IP address that is not shared with anyone else. At any time, for an additional $1 per month, you can convert a name-based account to an IP based account.

Some of the features that require IP based hosting are:

1. Purchasing your own SSL certificate and using your own domain name for SSL (secure server pages).
2. Anonymous FTP (file sharing) for your visitors is not possible under name-based hosting.
3. Running scripts that require a unique IP.

5. How can I change my account from name-based to IP-based? - Top

If your account is on a plan that is name-based and you would like it to be IP-based, you can do that by going to our Add-Ons Order form and ordering an IP address for your account. The charge for doing this is only $1 per month. You can have one IP per VPS account.

6. Can I monitor my disk space and bandwidth usage? - Top

Yes. Upon logging into your Site Manager you are immediately presented with real time stats on space and bandwidth usage for your site. From the "User Usage" section of Site Manager you can also access stats on FTP and e-mail usage for individual users of your site that you may have set up with e-mail or FTP access.

7. How much does additional bandwidth cost? - Top

If you need additional bandwidth for your account you will need to upgrade to a larger plan. You can upgrade to a larger plan via our Add-ons Order form. You can also log into your Site Manager at any time to view your current bandwidth usage statistics.

8. Can I upgrade my account if I need to? - Top

Yes. You can upgrade your account at anytime. You will pay the difference between your current account and your new account. There are no extra fees involved in upgrading. You can easily upgrade your account in the Members Area by filling out the Add-ons Form.

9. How do I transfer files to my Web site? - Top

Files must be transferred to the Web server via File Transport Protocol (FTP) or your account's Web-based File Manager. If you need FTP, SSH, mail, or other Internet software, visit ZDNet Software Library. ZDNet Software Library is a source for the latest Internet applications with ratings and reviews to help you decide which application is best suited for your needs. An FTP tutorial is also available for beginner users who may not be familiar with FTP. We also provide a Web-based File Manager to make it even easier for you to upload your files.

10. Will I have unlimited access to update and make changes to my pages? - Top

You have unlimited access via FTP and SSH (Secure Telnet) 24-hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your Web pages on your own computer and upload files to your Web site at your leisure.

11. How long does it take to set up a new account? - Top

New accounts are guaranteed to be set up within 24 hours from the time we receive your order. Once an account is set up an activation notice will be sent to you via e-mail including your account information. You can begin uploading files to your new Web site immediately. You will be given an IP address to access their site via the Web prior to the completion of either domain registration or domain transfer so you can start working with your account right away.

12. Can I use my account for commercial purposes? - Top

Yes, you can use your account for commercial purposes. The World Wide Web has become the most efficient and cost-effective means of making information available to the users of the Internet community and we encourage our clients to utilize such an enormous medium.

13. Can I subdivide my space and resell it? - Top

Yes, we do allow you to create sub directories (http://www.yourdomain.com/something/) which you can use to offer friends or clients space as long as it's within our policy guidelines . However, if you are looking to resell space, you should look at our Reseller Hosting Plans. These plans come with the use of a control panel that allows you to control multiple accounts from one easy to use interface. These plans allow you to pass on more tools and services to your clients and friends.

14. Can you host domain names other than .com .net .org .biz .info and .us? - Top

WestHost can host any domain name. However, we only offer domain name registration and transferring of .com .net .org .biz .info and .us domain names at this time. We also offer .mobi domain names for new registrations although we do not offer transfer of these names. If you would like to use a domain name other than that, you will be responsible for registering and or transferring the domain name yourself. For a complete list of domain name registries around the world click here.

15. Can I have additional domain names point to my hosting account? - Top

Yes, you can have additional domain names point to your current account. All of our hosting plans have the ability to support multiple domains except for the Personal Basic plan. Many plans include multiple domains by default. For those that do not, you can increase your domain limit for an extra $10 one-time set up fee (per domain) via the Add-ons form.

You will have the option to point multiple domains at the same directory (e.g. domain.com and domain.net point to the same place), or to separate directories (e.g. domain1.com to /domain1directory/, domain2.com to /domain2directory/). Then, if you create an e-mail username (sales), mail is automatically captured for each of your domains (sales@domain1.com, sales@domain2.com, sales@domain1.net would all go to the same mailbox).

Note: If you need to have the same e-mail username (e.g. "sales") created for multiple domains, but would prefer to have separate mailboxes for each domain (e.g. sales@domain1.com and sales@domain2.com are separate mailboxes), you should consider setting up the domains on separate hosting accounts (VPSs).

16. What is WestHost's DNS information? - Top

The following is WestHost's DNS information. You can use this when registering a new domain name or modifying an existing domain name.

Primary Name Server: NS1.WEST-DATACENTER.NET
Primary Name Server IP: 69.36.161.11

Secondary Name Server: NS2.WEST-DATACENTER.NET
Secondary Name Server IP: 69.36.161.12

17. Do you offer dial-up Internet access? - Top

No, you will need local Internet access in order to access your Web site and retrieve e-mail from your account.

18. Do you support Apache JSP? - Top

Yes, we support Apache JSP on our Business Pro Plan.

19. Do you require "Forced Advertising" on my Web site? - Top

No, we do not require any forced advertising on your Web site. Once you sign up for an account, you have complete control over content and information contained in your Web site. As long as you stay within our Policy and Guidelines, you can display anything you like.

20. Do you offer Windows based hosting? - Top

No, not at this time. WestHost currently runs all Linux based servers.

21. How is billing handled? - Top

Depending on the plan, you have your choice of monthly, quarterly, annual, or 2-year billing. By default your hosting fees will automatically be deducted from your credit card each billing interval. If you do not want your credit card automatically charged each billing interval, you can choose to be billed manually. Please note there is a $3.00 processing fee added to each invoice.

22. Do we discount for Non-Profit Organizations? - Top

WestHost will waive the set-up fee for a Non-Profit Organization for Shared Hosting and Dedicated Server orders. WestHost does not waive or discount the monthly hosting fee. We will need to get a copy of your 501(c)(3) Non-Profit status confirmation letter from the IRS. You can fax us a copy of the form or you can e-mail a scanned version of the form to our Accounts Department. When you fill out your order form please indicate in the "notes" section of the order that you have sent us the 501(c)(3) Non-Profit form via fax or email.

23. Terms, Conditions and Acceptable Use Policy - Top

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