Understanding virtual servers, sub-servers, aliases, and accounts

The Control Center lists the websites within your hosting service. Virtualmin calls a managed hosting domain and its enabled services a “virtual server.” This does not mean you purchased a separate virtual machine or control the underlying server.

Choose the right hosting structure #

• Top-level virtual server: A hosting domain with its own owner account. The host determines which website, database, mail, and other services it includes.
• Sub-server: An additional site under the same owner. It can use a subdomain such as shop.example.com or a different registered domain. Its website files can remain separate, but it shares the parent owner's system identity and applicable limits.
• Alias: An additional hostname for an existing site. Use this when the extra domain should serve the existing website rather than hold an independent installation.

An alias does not necessarily change the address in the visitor's browser. Use a redirect when visitors should land at a preferred URL. Virtualmin account and server types

Identify what you already have #

1. Open My Account → Hosting services and review Websites for the service. The original site and additional websites share its login and renewal.
2. Choose Manage website for the intended domain. For its advanced hosting structure, open Virtualmin and select the same domain.
3. Record its website directory and whether it belongs beneath another domain.
4. Before adding anything, decide whether you need separate content, another address for the same content, or a redirect.
5. Check the shared website allowance before using Add a website. Sites created in Virtualmin count too, and aliases can consume domain slots. Ask support if live limits are unavailable.

Creating a hosting entry does not register a domain name. You also need the domain or subdomain to resolve through DNS, and you need a valid certificate before using HTTPS.

Check your choice #

For separate websites, confirm separate document roots and application databases. For an alias, verify that the application accepts the extra hostname. For a redirect, confirm that the browser reaches the intended destination.

Common questions #

Can each sub-server have a different administrator? Delegation depends on the permissions the host offers. A sub-server alone does not provide the same separation as a distinct owner account.

Does deleting an entry cancel hosting or domain registration? Do not use panel deletion as a cancellation request. Deletion can remove site data; billing and registration are separate processes.

Continue with adding a website in the Control Center, aliases, or website redirects.