Hosting ZebraDots with Other ISPs

From ZebraDots Support

[edit] Overview

ZebraDots Website 2.0 PC software allows you to quickly set up a new self-contained website for use on any compatible hosting provider of your choice. This document will walk you through the steps of using the PC-based ZebraDots Website 2.0 setup software to create a new website on another ISP (other than ZebraDots Hosting).

You should already have installed the software on your PC − if you haven't, please see ZebraDots Website 2.0 Setup Software.

[edit] Requirements

A hosting account with an ISP will be required in order for the website files to reside on a server and be available to the Internet. We highly recommend choosing an ISP that guarantees compatibility with the ZebraDots system. The ISP you select to provide this service must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria to be compatible with the ZebraDots system:

• Apache Web Server
• MySQL Database
• PHP Installed

Please note that restrictive ISP environment and security settings may interfere with the proper operation of the ZebraDots website, while too-relaxed settings may expose the system to vulnerability. For a complete list of known requirements, please see Remote Hosting ISP Requirements.

For assistance with the setup and maintenance of your website, please contact your hosting ISP for technical support.

[edit] Considerations

Using an ISP that does not guarantee compatibility with the ZebraDots system presents a few points that must be carefully considered:

• Features: Each ZebraDots Hosting provides a number of integrated features such as visitor traffic reports, webmail access, and more that may not be functional when used with another ISP.
• Compatibility: There is no standard of conformity to ensure that your ZebraDots website will operate properly on another hosting service. An outside ISP may or may not provide all of the required features or services that the ZebraDots system requires. However, when you host with ZebraDots, compatibility is guaranteed.
• Technical Support: Because of the infinite configuration possibilities a third-party ISP could employ, it is not possible for ZebraDots support staff to provide technical support for a ZebraDots Website that is hosted with another ISP. To ensure compatibility, consider ZebraDots Hosting.

[edit] Setting the ISP Hosting Options

1. On the application's Hosting Options tab, select the option to have your website hosted with an ISP other than ZebraDots.
2. The panel of options on this tab will change, offering fields that require you to enter different information. Below is a description of each of the fields that are required:

[edit] Database Access

You must enter the following information to configure your website to talk to your ISP's database server:

1. Database Server: In this field, enter the hostname of the database server that hosts your MySQL database.
2. MySQL Database: Enter the name of the MySQL database that your user account has access to.
3. MySQL Username: Enter your MySQL username here. This user will need full permission to access and alter the database name given in the previous field, MySQL Database.
4. MySQL Password: Enter your MySQL password here.

[edit] FTP Access (OPTIONAL)

The application can attempt to upload your website via FTP to your ISP hosting account. This feature is unsupported, but is provided as a convenience. If you have any trouble, use an FTP client to upload, (see below).

To attempt to upload your site via FTP, you will need to check the box marked Attempt to upload archive via FTP and provide the following information:

1. FTP Server: Enter the hostname of the FTP server.
2. FTP Username: Enter your FTP username.
3. FTP Password: Enter your FTP password.
4. HTML Directory: Enter the directory to change to once you are logged in. The files must be uploaded to the root folder of your web space. The website cannot be placed in a subdirectory; it must be in the root folder for your website. Common values are /htdocs and /public_html.

[edit] Save Settings, Upload, & Finish Installation

1. Click Next to proceed.
2. Your new website image is stored in 2 files. You will be prompted for a location where to save these files on your hard drive.
3. Upload the files to your web space. Please note that the website cannot be placed in a subdirectory − it must reside in the root directory of your web space.
   • Using the application: If you selected the option to attempt to upload the files via FTP, then the application will attempt to do so. If any errors are encountered, you will be notified.
   • Using an FTP client: If the above method fails, you can use an FTP client to upload the two files to your webspace. One such client is Filezilla, which is available free from SourceForge.
4. Open your website's homepage in your browser. You will be presented with a license agreement which you must read and accept in order to proceed.
5. Confirm your settings and make any changes if needed.
6. Click Next to extract the website and complete the installation.
7. Your website should now be visible (replace YOUR_DOMAIN_HERE with your actual domain name):
   • Open http://YOUR_DOMAIN_HERE/ to see your website
   • Open http://YOUR_DOMAIN_HERE/manager/ to access the web-based management interface

[edit] Troubleshooting

If you have any difficulty or are presented with any errors, then either:

• You have entered the wrong database or FTP access information into the application; or
• You have not uploaded the files to your root HTML folder; or
• Your ISP's settings are not compatible with the ZebraDots website.

In any case, you will need to contact your ISP's technical support team. ZebraDots cannot assist you with any of these issues, as they are specific to your ISP's configuration. We highly recommend choosing an ISP that guarantees compatibility with the ZebraDots system.

[edit] Frequently Asked Questions

[edit] Can I host a ZebraDots website with XYZ hosting?

• The ZebraDots system has been designed to accommodate the widest variety of ISP settings and platforms. However, ZebraDots cannot guarantee compatibility with any particular ISP other than ZebraDots Hosting. Only your ISP can guarantee compatibility with the ZebraDots system − contact your ISP for more information.

[edit] I need help uploading my site to XYZ hosting!

• ZebraDots cannot provide support for another ISP. You will need to contact your ISP for assistance with their particular platform and environment settings. There are an unlimited number of possible settings that your ISP may have configured, and ZebraDots cannot possibly guarantee compatibility with every hosting provider. ZebraDots cannot provide you with your username, password, database or any other information − all of this must be provided by the service provider that has created your account. If you host with ZebraDots Hosting you will receive Technical Support and guaranteed compatibility, along with service you can depend on.