I have been hosting some sites on Linux and very little windows servers. I know would like to go full hosting on linux and want to build a new box that is fully locked down for this. Currently there is Apache, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, FTP, SMTP. I have been using Centos and really enjoyed it. What other suggestions or tips can anyone give me to get the show on the road? I need of course a way of backing the server up fully in case of loss. I figure I would setup a Software Raid 1. I will need a control panel for the clients. The ones I think are great are expensive and not an option at the moment starting out. Anyone no some others beside BlueQuartz? I will also need to make sure I lock others out from browsing other sites. I would like to offer email as well. Whats best Qmail? I mainly use webmin and putty for the remote management. I also need a good virus protection and firewall. Can I disable iptables and just use a regular router or should I use both? Thanks in advance. I just dont want to leave anything out.

I think you should do some more research into this as there are many areas that will provide all the answers if you know where to look . I'd suggest WHT.

For a control panel popular options are cPanel, Directadmin and Helm in around that order. Most clients will expect one of these. Webmin on shared hosting just screams that the host is cutting corners IMO. There are quite a few providers that sell or rent(?) cheap cpanel licenses.

Professional webhosting takes place in a datacentre and as such should have professional equipment, not a standard router.

Most control panels have their preferred SMTP servers.

ClamAV with Amavisd is one solution that you could use. Most control panels will also integrate with this.

You probably also want to look at billing systems. There are a few such as WHMCS, Modernbill, Clientexec etc which all have positive and negatives.

You'll probably also need a support helpdesk if there isn't once in your chosen package. My preferred package would be Kayoko eSupport.