.Co Domain Now Available

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.Co Domain Now Available

.co the new .Com ?
Hostingireland are now offering the .co tld for domain registration. The .co Domain is being touted as the new .com. Whether or not that is the case is up for debate. However since launch, the first 15 minutes saw 90,000 .co domain names being picked up. After only 3 days over 280,000 domain names had been registered and the current count (at time of writing) is 349,910.

.Co domains are available to register by anyone and there are no restrications applied. The .co registry describes the .co domain as
Associated globally with the words “COmpany,” “COrporation” and “COmmerce” – the .CO domain is easy to recognize, simple to remember and flexible to use. And that makes it the perfect platform for today’s socially networked individuals, entrepreneurs and companies to create .COmmunities, share .COntent, and .COnnect, .COmmunicate and .COllaborate.

An interesting question is how Google will view the .co domain name and more importantly how it will be ranked in the world pages search results. Nobody is sure at the moment, but it is speculated that Google, while slightly favouring the country specific tld in that country’s search results, doesn’t negatively rate tlds that aren’t the global tlds ie (.com .org .net) etc…

If your interested in learning more about the .co domain name, and checking if your name is available, then take a look at our .co domain registration page.

Notes on upgrading PHP code from 5.2.x to 5.3.x

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Notes on upgrading PHP code from 5.2.x to 5.3.x

The changing face of PHP

As of the 22nd of July, PHP 5.2.x is no longer supported and the latest release 5.2.14 marks the final bug fixing release in the 5.2.x branch. However, if you are like me, you will appreciate that the amount of new features in 5.3 makes this a welcome change as we see new features for 5.3 roll in like namespaces, late static binding and goto functionality, I am happy to see this new face of 5.3 become the standard face of PHP.

However, if you have an existing site, which was written in 5.2.x or before you may be concerned that an upgrade of the PHP on your server will cause issues for your PHP code, and you may be right. Fortunately the amount of deprecated functions from 5.2.x to 5.3 are minimal and even less features have been removed, hence most developers can breathe a sigh of relief.

Tips for updating your code

We will be trying to help you through the upgrade procedure as much as possible, as we roll out 5.3.x to all of our PHP web servers, and of course http://www.php.net can be referenced for the most in-depth discussion of upgrading, we will be trying to focus on the changes most likely to effect an existing site.

For anyone who isn’t even remotely familiar with PHP, it is most likely that you are using a pre-made product, like WordPress, OSCommerce or Joomla, and the best thing to do would be to contact the support/community of whichever product you are using, and ask them for help upgrading your installation to the latest version.

Alternatively, you probably had your site built by a web developer and you will need to contact them, to find out if changing to PHP 5.3 is going to cause you any trouble.

Backwards incompatible changes in PHP 5.3

For the rest of you, you will clearly be looking for some details on what isn’t going to work any more, firstly I want to mention that it is quite unlikely that any of these features are currently in use, but for the sake of completeness I will list them here:

  • clearstatcache() no longer clears the realpath cache by default, to make it clear the realpath cache, send a ‘true’ as the first argument to this function.
  • realpath() is now fully platform-independent. Consequence of this is that invalid relative paths such as __FILE__ . “/../x” do not work anymore, to correct this, replace __FILE__ with dirname(__FILE__).
  • The call_user_func() family of functions now propagate $this even if the callee is a parent class.
  • The array functions natsort(), natcasesort(), usort(), uasort(), uksort(), array_flip(), and array_unique() no longer accept objects passed as arguments. To apply these functions to an object, cast the object to an array first, to do this, put ‘natsort((array) $object)’ instead of ‘natsort($object)’.
  • The trailing / has been removed from the SplFileInfo class and other related directory classes.
  • The __toString magic method can no longer accept arguments.
  • The magic methods __get, __set, __isset, __unset, and __call must always be public and can no longer be static. Method signatures are now enforced.
  • The __call magic method is now invoked on access to private and protected methods.
  • func_get_arg(), func_get_args() and func_num_args() can no longer be called from the outermost scope of a file that has been included by calling include() or require() from within a function in the calling file.

The words ‘goto’ and ‘namespace’ are now reserved.

Deprecated Functions

  • call_user_method() (use call_user_func() instead)
  • call_user_method_array() (use call_user_func_array() instead)
  • define_syslog_variables()
  • dl()
  • ereg() (use preg_match() instead)
  • ereg_replace() (use preg_replace() instead)
  • eregi() (use preg_match() with the ‘i’ modifier instead)
  • eregi_replace() (use preg_replace() with the ‘i’ modifier instead)
  • set_magic_quotes_runtime() and its alias, magic_quotes_runtime()
  • session_register() (use the $_SESSION superglobal instead)
  • session_unregister() (use the $_SESSION superglobal instead)
  • session_is_registered() (use the $_SESSION superglobal instead)
  • set_socket_blocking() (use stream_set_blocking() instead)
  • split() (use preg_split() instead)
  • spliti() (use preg_split() with the ‘i’ modifier instead)
  • sql_regcase()
  • mysql_db_query() (use mysql_select_db() and mysql_query() instead)
  • mysql_escape_string() (use mysql_real_escape_string() instead)
  • Passing locale category names as strings is now deprecated. Use the LC_* family of constants instead.
  • The is_dst parameter to mktime(). Use the new timezone handling functions instead.

Finally…

So it is clear that upgrading the code from 5.2.x to 5.3.x is not a difficult procedure, and all the new features that will become available in 5.3.x will be very useful in any new projects being built in our hosting accounts. If you have any questions concerning the upgrade of PHP on our servers please contact us at info@hostingireland.ie

CDP (continous data protection) Server Backup Tool

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CDP (continous data protection) Server Backup Tool

We now offer the several options for server backups using R1soft CDP software.

R1Soft
R1Soft CDP is running on more than 150,000 mission critical Windows and Linux servers worldwide and is designed by Data Center Engineers for Data Center Engineers. R1Soft Continuous Data Protection is the only CDP Software that protects both Windows and Linux servers. With R1soft’s high performance backup, restore, and disaster recovery software, continuous Data Protection is affordable and easy-to-use.

Option 1
The First is the option to have a scheduled backup done through one of our backup servers. This simply involves adding the cdp option that suits your needs as an addon to the dedicated server or vps that you have with us or are going to get with us.
Find out more about server backups

Option 2
The second option is to rent the R1soft server backup software from us and set it up on your own server to create regular backups to another server. While this is more involved, it does save you money.
Find out more about server backups

If you have questions about this software and service please contact us

Summer Sale .coms €9.95

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Summer Sale .coms €9.95

Here at hosting Ireland we are having a summer sale. You can now pick up a .com for only €9.95 (normally €19.95).
On top of this, if you order hosting with the domain, we will give you the .com domain for free*.
So why not take advantage and get that website started that you’ve been thinking about? Or just grab the domain so that you have it for the future?

Promotion Codes
The promotion codes that you need to use in order to take advantage of these offers are as follows:

When ordering a .com domain on its own, to avail of the half price offer use promo code: HALFPRICEDOMAIN

When ordering a hosting account with a .com domain use the promotion code FREEDOMAIN.

You will be asked for the promotion code on the check out page.

*free on all hosting accounts except the eco hosting accounts.

Id Protection On Domain Names

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Id Protection On Domain Names

When you register a domain such as a .com or .net, your registration details are made publicly available by default. This is the standard for most domains.

ICANN, is the main center for domains and they set the standards for how this information should be dealt with. This is how ICANN describes WHOIS services

WHOIS services provide public access to data on registered domain names, which currently includes contact information for Registered Name Holders. The extent of registration data collected at the time of registration of a domain name, and the ways such data can be accessed, are specified in agreements established by ICANN for domain names registered in generic top-level domains (gTLDs). For example, ICANN requires accredited registrars to collect and provide free public access to the name of the registered domain name and its nameservers and registrar, the date the domain was created and when its registration expires, and the contact information for the Registered Name Holder, the technical contact, and the administrative contact.

However it is possible to protect your identity when registering certain domains. If enabled, this ID protection redirects anyone who is trying to find out who owns a domain to another website where they can send an email to the admin contact of the domain without knowing any of the specific details of the owner. This way the ICANN standard is met, but also your personal information is kept safe.

To take advantage of this feature, simply click the tick box that is labelled “Id Protect” when ordering a domain name. This service is free of charge.

The Gumblar Virus: protect yourself and your data

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The Gumblar Virus: protect yourself and your data

The Gumblar Virus
Malware and viruses are continually being developed to try and exploit inexperienced users and also any weakness within Operating systems and commonly used programs. A common malware / virus that is infecting a lot of web sites is the JSRedir-R or gumblar virus. This virus basically sits on an existing page and redirects you (a visitor the page) from the page you thought you were visiting and takes you to a site that then attempts to download malicious code onto your computer.

consequences
If your pc, or a pc of someone who has your ftp details on their computer becomes infected with this virus, it is highly likely that your web site(s) will also become infected. What this means in real terms, is that your web site will infect the computers of your customers and others who visit it. Eventually Google and other search engines will figure this out and they will then list your site as one which is spreading malware.

solutions and preventative measures
To learn how you can protect your pc and your web sites why not take a look at our page on Ftp security

Why Eset Antivirus Software is among the best available

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Why Eset Antivirus Software is among the best available

Fastest & Most Effective
Nod 32 is the fastest, most effective antivirus software that you could choose to protect your computer from viruses and spyware. Nod32 Antivirus software, sits in the background while you work with your pc and constantly monitors for virus attacks without slowing your PCs performance.

Multiple Award Winning
Nod 32 is the world leader in the “Virus Bulletin 100% Awards” having won more awards than any competing product.

Key Features

  • ThreatSenseT technology – a single optimized anti-threat engine for analyzing code to identify malicious behaviour, such as viruses, spyware, adware, phishing and more
  • Unprecedented heuristic (experience-based techniques ) analysis capable of discovering new malware threats as they emerge
  • Powerful virtual PC emulation technology enables unpacking and decryption of all types of archives and run-time packing
  • Able to clean active malware running in memory
  • Protects at multiple infiltration points, including HTTP, POP3, SMTP and all local and removable media
  • Removes infections from files that are locked for writing (e.g., loaded DLL file)
  • Prevents infected files from being opened and executed, and warns on creation of infected files
  • Automatic execution on system startup
  • Supports multiple Terminal Server environments
  • Supports scanning of mapped network disks

    • Find out more about the Eset range of pc protection products on our Eset Nod32 Antivirus software page and also on out Eset Smart Security Page

Website security SSL certs & Https

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Website security SSL certs & Https

So you want to set up an on line store and sell your products to what is after all a global market place. Internet security and privacy is a very important issue that effects all the users of the web from the casual browser to the webpage owner.

Web users are becoming increasingly aware of the various security issues associated with the web and they are increasingly looking for the common security features within a website.

The main one of these is the presence of HTTPS on any sensitive part of the website. Normally when you browse to a website, you will see http:// However when you move to a secure area of the website, you will see https://.

Areas that should be protected by HTTPS include anywhere that sensitive and personal data is being transmitted through the website. Payment areas and signup areas are good examples of where an SSL Cert should always be used.

So what exactly does it mean when you see the HTTPS? Basically what it means is that the website owners have decided to install an SSL (secure socket layer) cert onto their website.
An SSL cert uses highly secure encryption methods to scramble the data being passed between the server ( where the website is) and you or your web browser. All of this is handled by your web browser (firefox , google chrome) and the server that the site you are visiting is on.

Having an SSL cert installed provides your visitors with confidence that they are on a legitimate site that isn’t just looking to steal their credit card details or their personal information.

So what if you own the site and want to install an SSL Cert. Well if your site is hosted by us, then all you will need to do is purchase an ssl cert . We will then do all the complicated work behind the scenes and soon afterwards you site will be secured by SSL.

If your site is not hosted with us, you can still purchase an SSL Cert from us, but you will need to have a CSR
generated for you from your host. A CSR is a certificate signing request.

Find out more about SSL certs and the different kinds that are available on SSL Certs

Dedicated Windows Servers

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Dedicated Windows Servers

Our Windows Dedicated servers come with either windows server 2003 or windows server 2008. They are also fully scalable and upgradable. They start at €140 per month with windows server 2003 or €145 per month for windows server 2008.

The Basic package comes with:
1x 250GB 7200rpm
SATA Hard Disk
Dual Core Xeon 2.33Ghz
4MB Processor
2GB ECC
Dual Channel RAM
2000 GB of Bandwith Transfer

There are several options for add-ons to the dedicated server which include SQL Server 2008 and CDP server backups.

If you’re interested in a Dedicated Windows server, you can find out more information on ourwindows dedicated server hosting page.

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