SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS

About SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS

SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS will allow your clients to manage multiple virtual servers directly in your WHMCS. Your customers will be able to freely add, resize and upgrade their servers within the limits of resources defined by you. They will be also able to boot, rebuild or shut their servers down in your client area, as well as access consoles and monitor graphs showing the resource usage.

• Admin Area Features:

✔ Create/Suspend/Unsuspend/Terminate User Account

✔ View Server Status

✔ View Graphs: Traffic, Load, Memory

✔ Change Server Password

✔ Toggle PXE

✔ Reconfigure Network

✔ Define Product Total Resource Limits:

✔ Dynamically - Using Configurable Options

✔ Statically - Using 'Module Settings' Fields

✔ Define Resource Range For VPS Creation

✔ Configure Client Area Features Per Product

✔ Define OS Templates Available For Rebuild

✔ Select Kernels For Rescue Mode

✔ Configure Friendly Names For OS Templates And Nodes

✔ Toggle Root Password Storing In System Database

✔ Toggle Root Password Change After Server Creation

✔ Run API Connection Test

• Client Area Features:

✔ Create/Edit/Delete Server

✔ Boot/Reboot/Shutdown/Rebuild Server

✔ View Available Resources

✔ Toggle TUN/TAP And PAE

✔ Toggle PXE (Preboot Execution Environment)

✔ Toggle Rescue Mode With Chosen Kernel

✔ Reconfigure Network

✔ Change Password: Root, Client, SSH Console And VNC Console

✔ Change Boot Order

✔ View Server Status

✔ View Graphs: Traffic, Load, Memory

✔ Access SSH Console - OpenVZ And Xen Only

✔ Access VNC Console - KVM And Xen HVM Only

✔ Access NoVNC HTML5 Console - KVM And Xen HVM Only

✔ Access HTML5 Serial Console - OpenVZ And Xen Only

✔ Log In To Control Panel

✔ View Friendly Names Of OS Templates

✔ Send Email Templates After Creation Of Server Based On Its Type

✔ Choose Server Resources While Ordering And Upgrade/Downgrade Them Freely

• Available Configurable Options:

✔ Memory Limit

✔ Storage Limit

✔ Bandwidth Limit

✔ CPU Cores Limit

✔ IPv4 Addresses Limit

✔ Network Speed

• General Info:

✔ Supports OpenVZ, Xen and KVM Virtualization

✔ Integrated With DNS Manager For WHMCS - Supports PowerDNS (read more)

✔ Integrated With Advanced Billing For WHMCS - Actual Server Resource Usage Billing (read more)

✔ Multi-Language Support

✔ Supports PHP 5.6 Up To PHP 7.3

✔ Supports WHMCS Template Six

✔ Supports WHMCS V7.6 And Later

✔ Easy Module Upgrade To Open Source Version

Installation and Configuration

In this tutorial we will show you how to successfully install SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS. We will guide you step by step through the whole installation and configuration process.

1. Log in to our client area and download the module.

2. In the downloaded file you might find one or two packages that support different PHP versions. In the most recent versions of the module, you will find only one package that supports PHP 7.1 and later. If you need a package for the previous versions of PHP, please contact our support.

Previous updates of the module may contain two packages dedicated to various PHP versions. The first one that supports PHP 5.6 up to PHP 7.0, and the second one addressed to PHP 7.1 up to PHP 7.3. Note: Keep in mind that PHP versions 5.6 up to 7.0 are no longer officially supported and their security issues are not fixed or released any more. Find more info here.

Important: This situation does not affect [the open source version of this module which can be applied to any PHP from version 5.6 and later. Note: You can check the current PHP version in your WHMCS. To do so, proceed to 'Utilities' → 'System' → 'PHP Info'.

3. Once you have chosen the package with the right PHP version, extract it and upload its content into the main WHMCS directory. The content of the chosen PHP version files to upload should look like this.

4. When you install SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS for the first time you have to rename the 'license_RENAME.php' file. The file is located in 'modules/servers/solusvmExtendedCloud/license_RENAME.php'. Rename it from 'license_RENAME.php' to 'license.php'.

5. In order to configure your license key you have to edit the previously renamed 'license.php' file. Enter your license key between quotation marks as presented on the following screen. You can find your license key in our client area → 'My Products'.

6. Finally, it is suggested to set a cron task in the crontab in order to update the current usage (once per hour suggested). @hourly php -q /your_whmcs/modules/servers/solusvmExtendedCloud/cron/cron.php

Configuration of API Access

7. Now, we will show you how to configure a new product. Firstly, log in to your SolusVM admin area, go to 'Configuration' → 'API Access' and press 'Add API User'.

8. Enter your current IP and once again click on the 'Add API User' button.

Configuration of Server

9. Now, log in to your WHMCS admin area and go to 'Setup' → 'Products/Services' → 'Servers'. Afterwards, press 'Add New Server'.

10. Enter your server name and IP address. Username - fill in with API User ID Password - fill in with API User Key Choose 'SolusvmExtendedCloud' from a dropdown menu and press 'Save Changes'.

11. After you configure your server correctly, you will see the following screen. Test your connection by pressing 'Test Connection'. Now, you need to create a new group for your server. For that purpose press 'Create New Group'.

12. Enter name, click on a previously created server and press 'Add'. Afterwards, confirm by pressing 'Save Changes'.

Configuration of Product

13. In order to create and configure a product, click on 'Setup' → 'Products/Services' → 'Products/Services'. Press 'Create a New Group'.

14. Enter a product group name and press 'Save Changes'.

15. When you have a product group, you can create your product and assign it to SolusVM Extended Cloud. To create a product click on 'Create a New Product'.

16. Afterwards, choose a product type and product group from dropdown menus, enter your product name and press 'Continue'.

17. Now, go to 'Module Settings' section, choose both 'SolusvmExtendedCloud' and a previously created server group from dropdown menus. Afterwards, press 'Save Changes'.

18. Select desired virtualization and press 'Save Changes'. All options of the selected virtualization will be loaded. Note that options availability differs according to a chosen virtualization!

19. Now, fill out 'Product Configuration' section. Node - SolusVM node to be applied Plan - SolusVM plan will be used Internal IP - should internal IP address be allowed Username Prefix - prefix added to SolusVM usernames Console Port - port used to connect to the console noVNC Encryption - select encryption type Update Usage Each - choose hourly or daily cron Overages Usage - choose action when usage limits are exceeded

20. Under the 'Client Area Features' section you can define which features will be available for your clients. A feature is enabled when a checkbox next to it has been marked. Additionally, you can define available OS templates and ISO images. Important 1: It is advised to disable features which are not supported by the chosen virtualization. Important 2: Keep in mind that the root password is generated automatically for KVM virtualization upon its creation and reset. There is no possibility to set your own password due to SolusVM API limitations to KVM virtualization.

Product With Dynamic Resources

21. In order to set up a product with dynamic resources, press 'Generate Default' as shown on the following screen. Configurable options allow your clients to pick product with resources tailored to their needs. Configurable options can be edited and each option can be priced. Follow to this article for more information.

Product With Static Resources

22. You can also provide your clients with static resources. Simply, fill out the fields marked on the screen below with desired limits and press 'Save Changes'. Note: Make sure that this product does not have any configurable options assigned, otherwise they will overwrite limits provided in this step.

23. Define resource range limits for new VPS. Set limits on clients who will be allowed to create their virtual machines. It will let you impose some borders on the created VPS.

You have just finished the installation and configuration of the module!

Management

SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS is very simple and convenient in use. Your customers are only a few clicks away from creating their own servers. The module will allow your customers to manage multiple servers and freely change their resources. Everything within your own WHMCS client area. Owing to integration with Advanced Billing For WHMCS you can even offer a product, which your client will be billed for depending on its usage.

Interface

Now, let's check the interface of the module in the client area where your customers can create and manage virtual servers. Note: The screen below presents the module right after the product creation. More features will be displayed after creating a server.

You can manage each product from your WHMCS admin area. In addition to that, each VPS created by your clients can be easily monitored.

Management of Servers

Let's start by creating a new virtual server. To do so, click on the 'Create Virtual Server' button.

Set server resources and click on the 'Add New Virtual Server' button.

As you can see on the screen below, the virtual server has been created successfully. Now let's see how we can manage our new server. To proceed, click on the 'Manage' button.

One of the most interesting and useful options offered to the users is the upgrade. Upgrade allows your customers to request changes of virtual server resources.

Set details of server upgrade and click on the 'Upgrade' button. Upgrade is done automatically, no e-mail notifications or confirmation are sent.

As you can see on the following screen, the virtual server has been upgraded.

Right next to 'Upgrade' option, there are 'Graphs'. Press it to see generated statistics on 'Network Traffic', 'Load Average' and 'Memory Usage'.

For more information about management of already created virtual server visit SolusVM Extended VPS For WHMCS Wiki

Dynamic Server Resources Setup With Configurable Options

If you want to allow your clients to dynamically set servers with resources they choose, follow these steps. Firstly, you should have a ready product. For more information on how to create one, head to the 'Configuration of Product' instruction. If automatically generated configurable options do not fulfill your clients' needs, you can edit them using this guide. The final result visible on the order form should be similar to the one presented on the screen below.

If you decide to set pricing per server resource ordered, you can find instruction for it here.

If you prefer to charge your clients for server resources they actually use, you can use our Advanced Billing For WHMCS module.

Management of DNS

When you combine SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS with DNS Manager For WHMCS, your clients will be able to manage PowerDNS zones and records from the client area. DNS Manager For WHMCS will allow your customers to manage DNS zones, records and ReverseDNS. Important: SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS is compatible with DNS Manager For WHMCS V2.x.x.

To connect both modules, go to the 'Settings' → 'Packages' section of DNS Manager and add a new package.

Name the package and provide any details you find useful. Then proceed to the 'Item' section.

Select SolusVM Extended Cloud from the list of products and click on 'Add' .

Your package should now appear on the list. To change its status click on the button as shown below.

Once done, you will see a proper note.

Afterwards, buttons 'Manage DNS' and 'Manage Reverse DNS' will appear in the client area as shown on the screen below.

You can find the 'Manage DNS' option also in the left menu.

Depending on previously chosen settings, your customers will be able to add and remove DNS zones.

Management of Billing

When you combine SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS with Advanced Billing For WHMCS, you will be able to set up additional billing options. Enable 'Usage Records' extension for Solus Cloud products.

The module allows you to charge your customers basing on the server resources used by them. Set free limits and pricing for used records.

With Advanced Billing module, you can also display the current server resource usage and its cost for your customers.

Management of Email Templates

You can automatically send your customers emails with details of newly created virtual servers. To do so, create a new email template with the 'Product' type and 'Unique Name' specified in SolusVM Documentation, in our case it is 'KVM Virtual Server'. Usage of unique names other than specified in the above documentation makes it impossible to send emails. Note: The only supported email template unique names are: 'OpenVZ Virtual Server', 'Xen PV Virtual Server', 'Xen HVM' and 'KVM Virtual Server'.

You can paste the email content from SolusVM Documentation or create your own. Owing to our module, you can also use variables: {$service_custom_field_rootpassword} {$service_custom_field_vncip} {$service_custom_field_vncport} {$service_custom_field_vncpassword}.

Debug Mode

SolusVM Extended Cloud is a very complex module. Therefore many things might go wrong. To help you quickly solve various problems usually connected with WHMCS product/server configuration and SolusVM server configuration, we created 'Debug Mode'. To enable it, go to 'Module Settings' of your product and tick 'Debug Mode' as shown on the screen below.

Afterwards, go to 'Utilities' → 'Logs' → 'Module Log' and click on 'Enable Debug Logging' in order to enable it. The button should change its value to 'Disable Debug Logging'. From that moment, each action performed by the module will be recorded in the log. In that way, you can easily check whether module correctly fetches the information about virtual servers, nodes, templates, plans etc. If it does not, that indicates a problem with WHMCS product/server configuration or problem with your SolusVM server. The following screen presents an exemplary module log.

Remember to turn off Debug Mode after you fix the problem.

Locations Management

Underneath, you will find a short description of a real life example of managing and rotating between locations with SolusVM Extended Cloud For WHMCS. Take a quick look at it and note the flow.

Let's assume that Mr Smith has one master server called 'Master'. This is the server Mr Smith configured and connects with from WHMCS with the help of our module. This server contains 3 slave servers configured in his SolusVM environment. These are: USA Europe1 Asia1 These three slave servers are server nodes. In this configuration example, all of Mr Smith's clients order products on 'Master' server and so they receive resources available on server 1, 2, 3. Now, when they log in to WHMCS client area, they are able to create a VPS and pick server 1, 2 or 3 from the Location field.

Tips

1. We made every effort to make our module as easy to install, configure and use, as possible. Therefore we paid special attention to displayed messages. Read carefully each message, follow the instructions and you will have no problems using the module.

2. Operations performed on the virtual servers are not executed immediately. Give your SolusVM server some time to process the request and execute the operation.

3. As this module supports templates system, any changes made in the module's templates files will be saved after the upgrade process.

Update Instructions

Essential guidance through the process of updating the module is offered here. Keep in mind there is a quick and easy option in our client area that will let you upgrade the license of your module to an open source version at any time - and at a lower price! To take advantage of it, simply use the License Upgrade button located on the product's page and a discounted invoice will be generated automatically.

Update of Products

Our module is entirely compatible with SolusVM Pro module and you can easily upgrade your existing products without losing your settings. 1. Go to 'Setup' → 'Products/Services' → 'Products/Services' → 'Module Settings' of your product and switch 'Module Name' from 'Solusvmpro' to 'SolusvmExtendedCloud' . 2. Proceed to 'Setup' → 'Products/Services' → 'Servers' and switch your server type from 'Solusvmpro' to 'SolusvmExtendedCloud' . 3. Now, click 'Setup' → 'Products/Services' → 'Products/Services' → 'Module Settings' of your product and make sure that 'Server Group' is set up correctly. 4. The last step is generating default configurable options and custom fields through clicking on the 'Generate default' button. Your SolusVM Extended Cloud product is ready to use!

Common Problems

1. When you have problems with connection, check whether your SELinux or firewall does not block ports.

2. The vast majority of problems are connected with misconfigured SolusVM server or misconfigured servers/products in your WHMCS. Firstly, make sure that your SolusVM server has properly configured virtual servers, nodes, node groups, templates, plans and API access. In most cases, an appropriate SolusVM server configuration guarantees correct operation of the module. Afterwards, check your WHMCS server connection and product settings. If you are certain that everything is correct, use our Debug Mode.

3. By default, our module connects with SolusVM server on port 5353. If you use different port, you need to specify it in the 'Hostname' field. The default port for SSL connections is 5656. To connect on that port, enter your hostname as follows: 'yourhostname.com:5656'. Keep in mind that you can connect on any port. The 'Tick to use SSL Mode for Connections' field below switches the connection type between http and https. Note that this is something different from choosing the port to connect.