Newest KB Articles in HC License - Product Selection Guide

How to Upgrade License Capacity in HC ExSign Tool

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:51:35 GMT

After purchasing new ExSign mailbox licenses against the existing license key, the customer needs to upgrade the license key in the HC ExSign Tool to fetch the newly acquired license capacity. Steps to upgrade the capacity are mentioned below:

Login to the HC ExSign admin interface
Navigate to the System menu and click on the Activate License

A popup window will open, here select the license key and click on the Upgrade link

Clicking on the Upgrade link will automatically update the new licensing capacity details in the ExSign tool.

Note: For any inquiries or assistance concerning License Upgrade or License Activation, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at sales@hostingcontroller.com.

Hosting Controller Licensing - Product Selection Guide

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 03:40:04 GMT

HC10 Overview:

HC10 represents Hosting Controller's flagship unified control panel solution, offering a versatile platform for hosting providers. It empowers hosts to deliver both Windows and Linux hosting services, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for shared hosting and enterprise-level applications in a multi-tenant environment. Below is an exhaustive guide detailing HC10's features, modules, licensing options, and considerations for potential users.

HC10 Modules:

HC10 encompasses several modules designed to address diverse hosting needs:

- HC Shared Hosting Module

- HC Exchange Module

- HC SharePoint Module

- HC Skype for Business Module

- HC Virtualization Module (for Hyper-V and VMware ESXi)

- HC IaaS Module (for Amazon AWS and Azure)

- HC CSP Module

- HC AD Management Module

Key Considerations:

- Flexibility: HC10 enables hosts to operate both Windows and Linux servers concurrently within a cluster, offering unparalleled flexibility in infrastructure management.

- Cluster Configuration: While HC10 supports clusters comprising solely Windows servers, hosts can opt for mixed clusters with a combination of Windows and Linux servers. Notably, at least one Windows server must serve as the master console server when incorporating Linux servers into the cluster.

- Database Placement: HC DB can reside on any server within the cluster and does not require a separate license, streamlining database management.

HC10 Licensing Details:

Shared Hosting Module Licenses:

HC10's Shared Hosting Module offers three licensing options tailored to accommodate varying hosting requirements:

- Unlimited Domains: Ideal for hosts catering to a broad clientele with extensive hosting needs.

- 100 Domains: Suited for hosts managing a moderate number of domains.

- Secondary Non-Web on Remote: Designed for servers within the cluster devoid of the web server role, focusing primarily on Mail, DNS, or DB functions.

Secondary Non-Web License: This license is exclusively designated for servers lacking the web server role. It cannot be utilized on servers with the web role enabled, necessitating the selection of either the 100 Domains or Unlimited Domains license for web-enabled servers.

License Upgrades: Customers have the flexibility to upgrade Secondary Non-Web licenses to accommodate additional domains, seamlessly scaling their hosting infrastructure.

Add-On Licensing:

Hosting Controller offers valuable add-ons to enhance functionality:

- Click & Install Apps: Licenses are cluster-based, facilitating easy deployment and management of applications across all servers within the cluster.

- rebuildXpress Utility: Requires individual licenses for each server within the cluster, offering robust backup and restoration capabilities for Windows and Linux hosting servers.

Enterprise Module Licensing:

Each server within the HC cluster must be appropriately licensed based on its assigned enterprise application roles:

- Exchange Module: Licensed per the number of Exchange mailboxes, facilitating seamless integration and provisioning of Exchange services.

- SharePoint Module: Licenses based on the number of SharePoint users and sites, empowering hosts to deliver SharePoint services efficiently.

- Skype for Business Module: Licensing is determined by the number of Skype for Business users per server, ensuring optimal communication and collaboration capabilities.

- CSP Module: Licensing correlates with the number of subscribers/users, supporting efficient management of cloud services.

HC10 Licensing Evolution:

Effective January 28, 2013, Hosting Controller implemented a new licensing model for its Enterprise Modules, discontinuing the previous licensing framework. While existing customers can continue using their current licenses, new acquisitions must adhere to the updated licensing guidelines.

Customized Pricing and Support:

For comprehensive pricing details tailored to your specific infrastructure and business needs, consult with HC Sales. Providing pertinent information regarding your current server setup, user base, and intended usage enables the Sales team to deliver customized quotes and optimal licensing solutions.

Conclusion:

Hosting Controller's HC10 represents a sophisticated and versatile control panel solution, empowering hosting providers to deliver robust and scalable hosting services tailored to diverse client requirements. With its array of modules, flexible licensing options, and ongoing support, HC10 serves as a cornerstone for efficient and streamlined hosting management.

Hosting Controller Licensing - Product Selection Guide

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:53:42 GMT

What is HC10

HC10 allows hosts to offer both Windows and Linux hosting. If you wish to run both Windows & Linux Server simultaneously in a cluster then go with HC10. If you do not wish to add Linux servers in your cluster then you can make your cluster with Windows servers only. However, with HC10 you cannot have all Linux servers in cluster. In order to run HC10 on Linux servers you will need at least one windows server which acts as a master console server. HC DB can reside on any server and does not require a license.

HC10 Modules

HC10 is a unified control panel and offers a full solution suite for shared hosting and different enterprise applications suite in a multi-tenant environment. HC10 can be used for following Modules:

HC Shared Hosting Module
HC Exchange Module
HC SharePoint Module
HC Skype for Business Module
HC Virtualization Module for Hyper-V and VMware ESXi
HC IaaS Module for Amazon AWS and Azure
HC CSP Module
HC AD Management Module

The server where HC database (SQL) resides is called HC DB Server. If your SQL server is not going to be used for any other role and you do not wish to install HC10 on SQL server then the first server where you install HC will be designated as Master Console Server. Each server that is added in HC cluster must be assigned with a role i-e Web, Mail, DNS, DB, Skype for Business, SharePoint, Virtualization or Office 365 etc. and must be licensed according to these roles. Single server can be used for single role only or it can be given multiple roles depending on your requirements.

Is HC10 for me?

Go with HC10 if you want to automate the provisioning of On-premises Microsoft Exchange.
Go with HC10 if you want to automate the provisioning of Hyper-V and VMware virtual machines.
Go with HC10 if you want to automate the provisioning of Microsoft SharePoint.
Go with HC10 if you want to automate the provisioning of Microsoft Skype for Business.
Go with HC10 if you want to run both Windows & Linux Servers in your Cluster.
Go with HC10 if you want to run only Windows Servers in your Cluster.
Go with HC10 if you have at least one Windows server in a cluster to run along other Linux machine(s).

Types of available licenses for HC10 Shared Hosting Module

For Shared Hosting Module three different types of licenses are available.

Unlimited Domains
100 Domains
Secondary Non-Web on Remote

What is (Secondary Non-Web) License?

This license key can be used on a server in cluster which does not have web server role enabled. If your server has web role enabled then you cannot use Secondary Non-Web license on that server. Secondary Non-Web license can be used on servers which have only Mail (traditional mail i-e MailEnable, IceWarp NON Exchange Mail* see HC Exchange Module for details), DNS and or DB roles assigned in HC cluster. In case of web role on yourserver you will need to choose from 100 or unlimited domains license. Web server license allows you to have Web, Mail, DNS, DB roles on server.

Can I upgrade (Secondary Non-Web) License to Web License?

You can upgrade your HC license to increase your license capacity from your current limit. Secondary NonWeb license can be upgraded to 100 or unlimited domains. With introduction of 100 and unlimited domains licenses for HC, now customers have additional options to choose from.

Shared Hosting Example Case 1:

Question: I have only one server running all Web, Mail, DB and DNS roles in my cluster. Currently I need to host only 60 websites. How many licenses do I need to purchase?

Answer: You will need to purchase only one license. You can purchase 100 domains license to start with. In future if you need to add more than 100 websites then you can easily upgrade license capacity from 100 to unlimited domains.

Shared Hosting Example Case 2:

Question: I have two servers in a cluster. First server has Web, Mail and DNS roles and second has DB and DNS roles. How many licenses do I need to purchase?

Answer: You will need to purchase two licenses. For first server you will need to purchase either 100 domains or unlimited domains license depending on how many website(s) you wish to add. For second server you can purchase (Secondary Non-Web) license as this server does not have web role.

Shared Hosting Example Case 3:

Question: I have four servers in a cluster. First server has only Web role with 50 websites. Second server has Mail and DNS roles. Third server has DNS and Web roles with more than 300 websites. Fourth server has DB and Mail roles. How many licenses do I need to purchase?

Answer: You will need to purchase four licenses. For first server you will need to purchase 100 domains license, for second server you can purchase (Secondary Non-Web) license, for third server you will need unlimited domains license and for fourth server (Secondary Non-Web) is required.

How does licensing work for add-ons?

Hosting Controller Add-ons are external applications which are tightly integrated and supported with HC. License for these applications is not included with the standard version of HC and needs to be bought separately. All add-ons are specially designed for web hosts in general and shared hosting providers in particular. Following Add-ons are available for HC Shared Hosting Customers:

Click & Install Apps
rebuildXpress Utility

What is the licensing policy for “Click & Install Apps”?

Click & Install pack is set of applications which are installable and configurable on per website basis. This allows web hosts to add/remove these applications easily on their customers' websites through single click and can even add his own application. Click & Install licensing is per cluster based not per server. This add-on is enabled against your master server license. It means you need only one license of Click & Install Apps for your cluster no matter how many web servers you have in a cluster.

What is the licensing policy for “rebuildXpress utility”?

rebuildXpress Instant Recovery is a revolutionary tool, an add-on to Hosting Controller that provides rigorous backup and simplified restoration mechanism for Windows & Linux based hosting servers. Separate rebuildXpress license is required for each server in your cluster whether it’s a web server or Secondary Non-Web server. You may choose to have RBX for all servers in a cluster or just few depending on your requirements and budget.

How does Enterprise Modules Licensing work?

Each server that is added in HC cluster and where HC software is installed must be licensed according to the enterprise application role(s) it is assigned to in order to use enterprise services.

Following Modules fall under HC Enterprise Suite which must not be confused with HC Shared Hosting Module licensing.

HC Exchange Module
HC SharePoint Module
HC Skype for Business Module
HC CSP Module
HC Virtualization Module
HC AD Management Module

How does HC Exchange Module Licensing work?

HC Exchange Module licensing is based on number of Exchange mailboxes. License key is required for each HC Provisioning Engine added to the HC cluster. The Provisioning Engines further communicate with Exchange Servers via remote PowerShell. HC installation is not required on the Exchange Server itself.

How does HC SharePoint Module Licensing work?

HC SharePoint Module licensing is based on number of SharePoint users and sites. License is required for each SP Front End Server.

How does HC Skype for Business Module Licensing work?

HC Skype for Business Module licensing is based on number of Skype for Business users on each server. License is required for each Skype for Business Front End Server.

How does HC CSP Module Licensing work?

HC CSP Module licensing is based on the number of subscribers/users.

What is the licensing policy for HC Virtualization Module?

HC Virtualization Module licensing is based on number of Virtual Machines (VPS).

What is the licensing policy for HC AD Management Module?

HC AD Management Module licensing is based on number of AD users.

Important Note: Change of Licensing for HC Enterprise Modules after 28 January 2013:

Old licensing model for HC Enterprise Modules is no longer available after 28 January 2013. Existing customers may continue to use software with old licensing however after this date all new licenses must be acquired under new licensing which is stated above.

For complete pricing details contact HC Sales and provide information about your current infrastructure such as number of servers/users/sites you are currently running or plan to add for Exchange, SharePoint, Skype for Business, Shared Hosting or CSP so we can get back to you with comprehensive price quote.