GPL License Posibilities

Virtualmin
1

Hi,

Have one question to ask, and need to know the posbibilities can be done with the GPL liecense.

We would like to build the Front Section using PHP & Node for our clients though which they can manage thier websites. The websites will be added to thier server via virtualmin api only. Like creating Database, Domains, Emails, Etc… will be done via front end system to thier server via virtualmin api. This kind of things are already done with many third party billing automation systems.

We would like to expand it more from front end which simply does not includes changing or modifying virtualmin codes or script, this is will be done via front end with the PHP & Node Coding. Let me give you some examples,

Exmaple 1: Change Domain api does change the domain but we would like to add more possibilities like if the domain app is wordpress we will change domain with the wordpress app using wp cli command line like wp search replace …

Example 2: While adding domain we will check if domain A record OR DNS are properly pointed to the server if so then only user can enable ssl websiite else they can’t. This will avoid issues of SSL & Non SSL URL.

Example 3: While adding domain we will create account plan as well for that domain. If single plan is been used by many domains and if want to modify the plan then it puts load on server while changing plan for all domains.

Example 4: Domain Reoprt this does not include any virtualmin API, we will generate report via PHP using multiple API’s to find domain issues like DNS, Mail Service DNS, Malware check via immunify, Expired SSL. This will help users to find issues on thier domain and can fix the issues easily without asking for any help.

Example 5: There is no option in virtualmin UI where user can see Mysql root password, if it is not been saved while pre installation step. So in this case we will store mysql password in our table and user can login to the mysql via root without changing or findings.

Like these there are many. We have been using virtualmin for more than 8 years and we found it this is must have control panel, we have recommeneded this to thouands of people so far. At the other end having thousands of option make the things complited and confusing for the user who is new, they struggle a lot. So we would like to make it simple, very simple to the user.

Off course the system we are going to provide which includes a price like $2 to $3 month coz the dns reporting, malware, login geo locations, 2FA over SMS, email notifications all has paid API services. So we would like to keep as minimal as we can.

We would like to know is this something can be done under Virtualmin GPL?

Regards

2

Short answer is yes. Since it is your code that calls the Virtualmin API, you can do whatever you want in the UI that you build.

You appear to be aware of the few things which the API cannot do - for example, it cannot retrieve the root password for MySQL since it is encrypted using an encryption algorithm which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for such a password to be retrieved; it can only be reset - and you will have to work around these limitations by, say, storing the password in plaintext somewhere. Doing so brings in its own set of risks but you are the best judge of that.

That notwithstanding, the GPL version on Virtualmin can do pretty much everything that you have mentioned.

1 Like
3

Please ask Virtualmin staff.
And think about your questions , if you need /want some extra’s then standard.
Then why not pay Virtualmin DEVS for that?

( yes i read your "So we would like to keep as minimal ")

And if you are planning then start in near future with Virtualmin 7.x

If you do however want some opensource stuff, from others as also Virtualmin devs, then also share some of your “work” / detailed experiences.

(Sorry if harsch, i can’t help am no dev, nor support, only some tips, while using virtualmin to test some things mainly, and some smaller things from myself. ( so no paying to me custommers hosted here on my virtualmin box))

1 Like
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Thanks for the quick reply @calport. You made our day.

Thanks for the inputs, we are planning to add 256 bit encryption with code customization while storing the password in our database for domains, email users & database. The passwords can only be decrypt with our system matching methods without that it is not possible to retrieve. The same password will be sent to the server via shell though our system only.

Regards

5

Hi @jotst we are making the things simpllier.

Our plans are more than that what you have asked, we are planning for fix monthly donation to Virtualmin using Auto Paypal debits.

We can’t and we shouldn’t forget the creators and we would like to grow with them at the other end.

Regards

2 Likes
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@sachinghare I hope you understand, my reply based on your text and:
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen sachinghare — their last post was 6 years ago.”

(So not meant to be offensive in any kind)

Thanks for clearing in your reply. :wink:

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@jotst It’s ok i can understand. The same thing would come in my mind if i would be in your place.

Life is too short and 6 years is really pretty long time :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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Time is flying even faster if you become older. :wink:

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Nobody has to ask permission to use GPL software in a GPL-compliant fashion.

Virtualmin GPL is Open Source and Free Software. We encourage people to participate in good faith in whatever way they can/want. Follow the license, and we’ll be happy.

The GPL license is available online and included with the Virtualmin source code (virtualmin-gpl/LICENSE at master · virtualmin/virtualmin-gpl · GitHub).

That said, Virtualmin is a trademark, so don’t make any claims about your project or product being Virtualmin or endorsed by us. Don’t confuse users. Don’t try to convince people that you make a “better” Virtualmin or that your version is official. There have been forks of Virtualmin, renamed to something else. Hell, the Plesk folks were shipping a version of Virtualmin for a while when they acquired a company that made a Virtualmin-derived control panel (renamed and reskinned, so most folks didn’t know it was Virtualmin).

That said, it sounds like OP wants to use the Virtualmin API. You don’t need our permission for that, either, and the license doesn’t even come into play. APIs are intended to be used by other software. We definitely encourage people to make tools that interact with the Virtualmin API, that’s what it’s for.

1 Like
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No i did mean to help with some code and API’s or technical information / support. ( that part)

I didn’t mean the use of / permission! :wink:

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@joe love you. That mean we can do like what we thinking about.

We have no intention by saying or selling that virtualmim is made by us. Unfortunately to modify Virtualmin like we think requires lot of Perl and other coding languages and we don’t have that so we decided not to change anything with the original and make something in php which will just push the possibilities to virtualmin api, shell scripts & we played a lot with php crons for the entire automation.

Can we say on our website or in backend like we are using Virtualmin as backend,application? If not say anything then people might think it’s our own but we don’t want that we want to know people how amazing this application is and what are the possibilities to explorer and expand even if you have additional skills with other programming languages.

1 Like
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Of course you can say what you’re building integrates with Virtualmin or something along those lines. Our primary concern is anything that would confuse users, dilute the brand, damage the brand (i.e. if it were being used for spammy stuff or distribution of malware), etc.

We make Open Source software because we want people to build stuff on it, for it, and with it. We try (and kinda fail) to make money from it, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less enthusiastic about Open Source and Free Software values.

2 Likes
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Thanks @joe we will get in touch with you shortly once we have everything setup and ready to go publicly. Would also need your inputs and help us if the presentation of Virtualmin on our website going in wrong direction. We will make change as per your needs and follow the strict guidelines.

If possible please do send me your email via dm so can get back to you.

Thanks for your time, support and helping us about understanding the licensing stuff

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