DotNetPanel VPS Solution Configuration Guide.pdf

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Copyright 2008 © SMB SAAS Systems Inc. All rights reserved. 
8055 Anderson Rd, Suite 209, Richmond, V6Y 1S2, BC, Canada. Phone: 877 270-4998. 
 
 
 
 
DotNetPanel VPS Solution 
Configuration Guide 
 
 
 
 
DotNetPanel VPS Solution Guides 
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 
Version: 1.1 
 
 
Page 2 
 
Table of Contents 
1 
Introduction................................................................................................................................ 3 
2 
Installing and Configuring Hyper-V........................................................................................... 3 
2.1 Enabling Remote Management ............................................................................................ 3 
2.2 Checking Windows Updates................................................................................................. 3 
3 DotNetPanel VPS Configurations.............................................................................................. 4 
3.1 Single Server ....................................................................................................................... 4 
3.2 Dedicated Control Server ..................................................................................................... 4 
3.3 Dedicated Control Server and Domain Controller ................................................................. 5 
4 
Installing DotNetPanel Components ......................................................................................... 5 
5 Creating Solution Folders ......................................................................................................... 6 
6 Creating OS Templates Library ................................................................................................. 6 
7 Creating DVD Media Library ...................................................................................................... 6 
8 Setup Networking ...................................................................................................................... 7 
9 VPS Networking Management ................................................................................................... 8 
9.1 External Network Only ......................................................................................................... 9 
9.2 External and Management Networks .................................................................................. 10 
9.3 External, Management and Private Networks ..................................................................... 11 
10 Configuring Hyper-V Module ................................................................................................... 11 
10.1 Adding Server .................................................................................................................... 11 
10.2 
Installing Licenses.............................................................................................................. 12 
10.3 Adding Service................................................................................................................... 13 
10.4 Creating Pool of External IP Addresses .............................................................................. 18 
10.5 Creating Virtual Server ....................................................................................................... 19 
10.6 Setting VPS Policy ............................................................................................................. 19 
10.7 Setting VPS Summary mail template .................................................................................. 19 
10.8 Creating Hosting Plan ........................................................................................................ 22 
10.9 Creating User Account ....................................................................................................... 23 
10.10 Creating Hosting Space ..................................................................................................... 23 
10.11 Allocating Hosting Space IP Addresses .............................................................................. 23 
11 Changes History ...................................................................................................................... 24 
12 Summary .................................................................................................................................. 24 
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1 
Introduction 
This guide describes the steps required to correctly setup and configure Hyper-V module in DNP 
Control Panel. These steps should be completed before creating customer first VPS. 
2 
Installing and Configuring Hyper-V 
2.1 Enabling Remote Management 
If you plan to manage from DNP remote (where DNP Server is not installed or cannot be installed on 
virtualization server) Windows Server 2008 Server Core with Hyper-V role or Hyper-V Server 2008 
then you may use “HVRemote” tool to correctly setup Hyper-V remote management: 
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/HVRemote 
For manual steps of how to configure Hyper-V remote management you could check series of articles 
of “HVRemote” tool author in his own blog: 
http://blogs.technet.com/jhoward/archive/2008/03/28/part-1-hyper-v-remote-management-you-do-not-
have-the-requested-permission-to-complete-this-task-contact-the-administrator-of-the-authorization-
policy-for-the-computer-computername.aspx  
2.2 Checking Windows Updates 
Please make sure you have the following KB950050 update installed on the Virtualization server: 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=F3AB3D4B-63C8-4424-A738-
BADED34D24ED&displaylang=en  
You could see the list of installed Windows updates here: Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> 
Installed updates. 
More info about KB950050 update: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950050  
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3 DotNetPanel VPS Configurations 
3.1 Single Server 
 
3.2 Dedicated Control Server 
 
Internet
External Network
Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V role
Domain Controller
Internal DNS Server
SQL Server for DNP Enterprise Server
DNP Portal
DNP Enterprise Server
DNP Server
DNP Hyper-V Module - x VPS License
Border Router
Management Network
Virtual
Servers
Internet
External Network
Windows Server 2008
Domain Controller
Internal DNS Server
SQL Server for DNP Enterprise Server
DNP Portal
DNP Enterprise Server
DNP Server
DNP Hyper-V Module - x VPS License
Border Router
Management Network
Control Server
Virtual
Servers
Virtualization Server
Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V role
   or Windows Server 2008 Server Core
   or Hyper-V Server 2008
Page 5 
 
3.3 Dedicated Control Server and Domain Controller 
 
4 
Installing DotNetPanel Components 
DotNetPanel application has truly-distributed architecture and consists of three separate applications 
(components): 
 DNP Portal – user interface part of DotNetPanel 
 DNP Enterprise Server - provisioning framework comprising all application business logic. 
 DNP Server – “agent” application to perform low-level operations on controlled server. 
Please see this article for more information about how DotNetPanel works. 
If you are planning to have a dedicated DNP control server then only DNP Portal and DNP Enterprise 
Server should be installed there. However, if this server also should be managed from DNP (for 
example control server is a web server in the same time) it must have DNP Server installed. 
Before installing DNP Enterprise Server install SQL Server 2005 or 2008 Express edition for internal 
DNP Enterprise Server meta-base. Make sure you have “Mixed” security mode enabled when both 
Windows and SQL Server authentications are allowed. 
Please see this article for more information about installing DotNetPanel components: 
http://help.dotnetpanel.com/Installation%20Guide/Home.aspx 
Internet
External Network
Windows Server 2008
SQL Server for DNP Enterprise Server
DNP Portal
DNP Enterprise Server
Border Router
Management Network
Control Server
Virtual
Servers
Virtualization Server
Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V role
   or Windows Server 2008 Server Core
   or Hyper-V Server 2008
Domain Controller
Windows Server 2008
Domain Controller
Internal DNS Server
DNP Server
DNP Hyper-V Module - x VPS License
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5 Creating Solution Folders 
It is recommended to store virtual machines on a separate hard disk volume. It would simplify their 
backup procedure (VM backup procedure is described in a separate DNP VPS solution guide). For 
example, system volume is C: and Hyper-V virtual machines are created on M: volume. VPS OS 
templates, media library ISO images and exported virtual machines could be stored on system drive or 
also on a dedicated volume. 
We recommend developing some folders structure, for example customer virtual machines are stored 
in M:\VPS\Customers folder and master VMs (“technician” virtual machines used to create OS 
templates) are in M:\VPS\Master folder. 
You could have the following folders structure that is suitable for a single server deployment: 
 C: (system) 
o 
\VPS  
 
\Templates - operating system templates (VHD files with index.xml file)  
 
\Library - DVD media library (ISO files with index.xml file)  
 
\Exported - exported VPS 
 M: (data) 
o 
\VPS  
 
\Customers – customer VPS 
 
\Master – master virtual machines 
Of course, this is only a sample structure and you can have your own. For example, to be available on 
multiple Hyper-V servers you can store OS templates and Library files on network share or SAN. 
6 Creating OS Templates Library 
OS templates library folder contains Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) files with pre-installed operating system 
prepared for mass-deployment and the index.xml file containing the list of OS templates available to 
customers. OS templates are used for creating new VPS. 
How to create VPS OS templates as well as format of index.xml file is described in details in separate 
guides available on DotNetPanel “VPS Solution” portal: 
 Preparing DotNetPanel VPS Templates with Windows Server 2008 
7 Creating DVD Media Library 
DVD Media Library folder stores ISO images of CD and DVD disks that customers could choose from 
and insert into DVD drives of their VPS.  
The folder with .ISO files must contain index.xml file which contains the list of all available library disks 
and has the following structure: 
<?xml version="1.0"?>  
<items>  
  <item path="iso-filename-WITH-EXTENSION">  
    <name>disk title</name>  
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    <description>disk description</description>  
  </item>  
  <item path="item2">  
      ...  
  </item>  
  <item path="item3">  
      ...  
  </item>  
  ...  
</items> 
For example:  
<?xml version="1.0"?>  
<items> 
 
  <item path="en_windows_web_server_2008_x86_dvd_X14-26678.iso">  
    <name>Windows Server 2008 Web Edition x86</name>  
    <description>Windows Server 2008 helps IT professionals to increase the 
flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers 
a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and 
services.</description>  
  </item>  
 
  <item path="VS2008ExpressENUX1397868.iso">  
    <name>Visual Studio 2008 Express Collection</name>  
    <description>This DVD contains all the Express products as well as optional 
components in a single image (ISO) file.</description>  
  </item>  
 
</items> 
If there are any national characters in this XML do not forget to save the file in UTF-8 encoding. You 
can select encoding on “Save As...” dialog in Notepad. 
8 Setup Networking 
If customer VPS should be connected to External network there is should be at least one "External" 
virtual network configured in Hyper-V. Default virtual network with the name "network adapter - Virtual 
Network" is created during Hyper-V role installation. If such network does not exist or you want to 
create another network bound to different network adapter (for example “Management network”) you 
can do it in "Virtual Network Manager" of Hyper-V Manager snap-in: 
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Later you will be selecting this network from the list to setup Hyper-V module in DNP. 
9 VPS Networking Management 
DotNetPanel solution can connect each VPS to up to 3 virtual networks with different automation 
“strategies”: 
 External Network 
 Management Network 
 Private Network 
DNP provides intelligent IP addresses management all three networks. The following table best 
describes characteristics of each network: 
Feature 
External 
Network 
Management 
Network 
Private 
Network 
Purpose 
VPS servers access the 
Internet through 
External network. 
Used for VPS 
management as well as 
contains infrastructure 
services like Domain 
Controller, KMS, and 
Backup server. 
Used for connecting 
VPS in customer 
hosting space into 
single “private” network 
for building complex 
secured environments. 
Optional 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
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Hyper-V virtual 
network type 
External 
External 
Private 
Can be enabled on 
hosting plan level 
Yes 
No 
Yes 
Can be enabled on 
service level 
No 
Yes 
No 
IP Addresses Pool 
“VPS External Network” 
“VPS Management 
Network” 
Manual or auto-
generated 
Maximum number 
Per Space – specified in 
the hosting plan. 
1 per VPS 
Per VPS – specified in 
the hosting plan. 
DCHP settings 
supported 
No 
Yes 
No 
 
The following diagrams illustrate several VPS networking scenarios: 
9.1 External Network Only 
 
Hosting Space 2
Hosting Space 1
Internet
External Network
Border Router
VPS 1
VPS 2
VPS 3
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9.2 External and Management Networks 
 
Hosting Space 1
Hosting Space 2
Internet
External Network
Border Router
Management Network
VPS 1
VPS 2
VPS 3
Management Server
Domain Controller
DNS, DHCP, KMS
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9.3 External, Management and Private Networks 
 
10 Configuring Hyper-V Module 
10.1 Adding Server 
Login into DotNetPanel under "serveradmin" account (default password is "serveradmin") and open 
"Configuration -> Servers" page. 
Register DNP Server installed on Hyper-V virtualization server by clicking "Add Server" button:  
Hosting Space 1
Hosting Space 2
Internet
External Network
Border Router
Management Network
Management Server
Domain Controller
DNS, DHCP, KMS
Private Network 2VPS 2
VPS 3
Private Network 1VPS 1
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Specify "Server URL" and "Server password" to the correct values selected during DNP Server 
installation.  
Enter "DNP Remote Server" license ID into "License" field (you will install Hyper-V module license 
later) and uncheck "Search installer software" checkbox.  
After DNP Server is successfully added you will be redirected to Server properties page:  
  
10.2 Installing Licenses 
On Server properties screen expand "Licenses" section and add Hyper-V module license. Finally you 
should have the following picture:  
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Now make sure you have Enterprise-like licenses installed for DNP Enterprise Server. Open 
"Configuration -> Licenses" page from the top menu and see if there is "DotNetPanel Enterprise 
Edition" license in the list:  
  
The following legacy license types can be also used instead of DNP Enterprise Edition license:  
 DNP Gold license  
 DNP Monthly 2.0 license  
Holders of the following licenses must upgrade to DNP Enterprise Edition in order to utilize Hyper-V 
Enterprise module:  
 DNP Enterprise Server x Web Sites  
 DNP Standard Edition Life-time  
 DNP Standard Edition Monthly  
Please note, provided you have Enterprise, Gold or Monthly license it covers DNP Enterprise Server only 
and you should purchase separate licenses for Hyper-V module on each virtualization server.  
10.3 Adding Service 
Open HyperV-01 server properties and click "Add" link in "Virtual Private Servers" group.  
Select "Microsoft Hyper-V" from the dropdown and specify service name, for example "Hypervisor" or 
"Hyper-V".  
Service settings are pre-filled with default values which work in the most cases.  
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Please note, you can have as many Hyper-V services on the same server as required to cover different 
business use cases. For example, you can have several Hyper-V services with different settings to use 
in several hosting plans (different networking settings, VPS location, etc.).  
10.3.1. Hyper-V Server 
Local mode: 
 
Remote mode: 
 
10.3.2. General Settings 
 
Setting 
Description 
VPS root folder 
This is the root folder for virtual machines created by hypervisor. 
Make sure the folder patter uses enough number of substitution 
variables to avoid collisions between different user accounts. For 
example to place every VPS in its own folder and additionally group 
all VPS of particular user under his folder you can use the following 
pattern %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Hyper-
V\VirtualMachines\[USERNAME]\[VPS_HOSTNAME]. In the most 
cases the default pattern %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Hyper-
V\VirtualMachines\[VPS_HOSTNAME] will work well. 
OS Templates path 
Folder that contains .vhd files with pre-installed OS along with index 
XML file. Please see this article for more information about OS 
Templates folder setup. 
Exported VPS path 
Folder where VPS are exported. This value is used as a default 
value in Delete VPS, Re-install VPS, Repair VPS wizards. 
 
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10.3.3. Processor Resource Settings 
 
Setting 
Description 
Virtual machine reserve 
Reserve of the total resources available to a virtual machine, 
specifies the percentage that is reserved for the virtual machine. This 
setting guarantees that the percentage you specify will be available 
to the virtual machine. This setting can also affect how many virtual 
machines you can run at one time. Default value is 0 
Virtual machine limit 
Limit of the total resources available to a virtual machine, specifies 
the maximum percentage that can be used by the virtual machine. 
This setting applies regardless of whether other virtual machines are 
running. Default value is 100. 
Relative weight 
Specifies how Hyper-V allocates resources to this virtual machine 
when more than one virtual machine is running and the virtual 
machines compete for resources. Default value is 100. 
Please see this Microsoft forums post for more explanation of processor resource settings. 
10.3.4. DVD Media Library 
 
Setting 
Description 
DVD Library path 
Folder that contains .iso files with DVD and CD images along with 
index XML file. Please see this article for more information about 
DVD Library folder setup. 
 
10.3.5. Virtual Hard Drive 
 
Setting 
Description 
Disk Type 
Specifies the type of Virtual Hard Drive (VHD): either Dynamic or 
Fixed. VHD of fixed size immediately occupies allocated size on the 
physical hard disk, but virtual machines with fixed VHD demonstrate 
better performance. 
 
Page 16 
 
Please be aware that creating VHD with a fixed size could take significant time to complete depending on 
the internal size of volume(s) inside VHD. For example if the maximum allowed internal size of template 
VHD is 100 GB then resulting VHD will be 100 GB in size on physical hard drive or network storage.  
10.3.6. External Network 
 
Setting 
Description 
Connect to Network 
Select external virtual network. VPS “External network” card (NIC) 
will be connected to this network. IP addresses are assigned from 
“VPS External Network” pool. 
Preferred Name Server 
IP address that will be set in “Preferred name server” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
Alternate Name Server 
IP address that will be set in “Alternate name server” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
 
10.3.7. Management Network 
 
Setting 
Description 
Connect to Network 
Select external virtual network. VPS “Management network” card 
(NIC) will be connected to this network. 
Network Card Configuration 
 
IP Addresses Pool – assign IP addresses from “VPS 
Management Network” pool. 
 DHCP – do not assign IP addresses from the pool and set 
“Assign IP addresses and DNS servers automatically 
(DHCP)” on “Management network” card. 
Preferred Name Server 
IP address that will be set in “Preferred name server” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
Alternate Name Server 
IP address that will be set in “Alternate name server” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
 
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10.3.8. Private Network 
 
Setting 
Description 
IP Addresses Format 
 Custom – allows specify initial IP address and network 
mask. 
 192.168.0.1/16 - generates IP addresses starting from 
192.168.0.1 and with net mask 255.255.0.0; 
 172.16.0.1/12 - generates IP addresses starting from 
172.16.0.1 and with net mask 255.240.0.0; 
 10.0.0.1/8 - generates IP addresses starting from 10.0.0.1 
and with net mask 255.0.0.0 
IP Address / CIDR 
Allows specifying custom initial IP address and subnet mask. 
Default Gateway 
IP address that will be set in “Default gateway” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
Preferred Name Server 
IP address that will be set in “Preferred name server” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
Alternate Name Server 
IP address that will be set in “Alternate name server” field of TCP/IP 
protocol properties. 
10.3.9. VPS host name 
 
Setting 
Description 
Host name pattern 
This pattern used in VPS integration API web methods to generate 
VPS name if it is not specified in method call. 
 
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10.3.10. Automatic Start Action 
 
The option specifies what to do with VPS machines when Hyper-V virtualization server starts.  
10.3.11. Automatic Stop Action 
 
The option specifies what to do with VPS machines when Hyper-V virtualization server shut downs. 
10.4 Creating Pool of External IP Addresses 
If customer VPS need to be connected to External network you should create the pool of available 
external IP addresses. Those IP addresses are real IP addresses assigned to Hyper-V virtualization 
server (or network) by data center or ISP.  
Being logged under "serveradmin" open "Configuration -> IP Addresses" page: 
 
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10.5 Creating Virtual Server 
Virtual Server in DNP gives you an ability to combine services located on different physical servers into 
one logical entity. Do not mix terms "Virtual Server" and "Vitual Parivate Server". Virtual server here is 
more like "Logical Server" (most probably it will be renamed in the future releases).  
To add a new virtual server open "Configuration -> Virtual Servers' page and click "Add Virtual Server" 
button: 
 
Add "Hypervisor" service from "HyperV-01" server:  
 
10.6 Setting VPS Policy 
By modifying VPS policy on account level you have an ability to set requirements on VPS administrator 
password complexity. 
Please see this article on how to change account policies. 
10.7 Setting VPS Summary mail template 
VPS Summary letter allows specifying template for the text displayed at "Help" page of VPS properties 
as well as e-mail message sent to the customer after VPS created.  
To modify VPS Summary template open user account home page and click "Mail Templates" link at the 
right bottom toolbox.  
The following substitution variables can be used in the message body and message subject:  
#email# - true if being rendered to send by e-mail; otherwise false.  
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#creation# - true if being rendered in the time of VPS creation.  
#space# - hosting space details representing the object with the following fields:  
 PackageId (int)  
 PlanId (int)  
 PackageName (string)  
 PurchaseDate  
 StatusId (int)  
#user# - user account, space owner representing the object with the following fields:  
 UserId 
 Username (string)  
 Password (string)  
 Email (string)  
 
FirstName (string)  
 
LastName (string) 
 CompanyName (string) 
 
IsDemo (bool)  
 RoleId (int)  
#vm# - VPS object with the following fields:  
 
Id  
 Name - full qualified VPS name, e.g. "vps01.domain.local"  
 Hostname - host part of VPS name (before the first dot), e.g. "vps01"  
 Domain - domain part of VPS name (DNS suffix), e.g. "domain.local"  
 OperatingSystemTemplate  
 AdministratorPassword  
 CpuCores  
 RamSize  
 HddSize  
 SnapshotsNumber  
 DvdDriveInstalled  
 BootFromCD  
 NumLockEnabled  
 StartTurnOffAllowed  
 PauseResumeAllowed  
 RebootAllowed  
 ResetAllowed  
 ReinstallAllowed  
 ExternalNetworkEnabled  
 PrivateNetworkEnabled  
 ManagementNetworkEnabled   
#external_nic# - object containing external network configuration with the following fields:  
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 MacAddress – dash delimited MAC address of network adapter, for example “AA-BB-CC-11-
22”. 
 SubnetMask – sub net mask of the first IP address (primary) in the list. 
 DefaultGateway – default gateway IP of the first IP address (primary) in the list. 
 PreferredNameServer 
 AlternateNameServer 
 
IPAddresses - array of NIC IP addresses. Each element of this array represents the object with 
fields:  
o 
IPAddress 
o NATAddress 
o SubnetMask 
o SubnetMaskCidr – sub net mask in CIDR notation 
o DefaultGateway   
o 
IsPrimary  
#private_nic# - object containing private network configuration with the following fields:  
 MacAddress  
 SubnetMask  
 DefaultGateway  
 PreferredNameServer  
 AlternateNameServer  
 
IPAddresses - array of NIC IP addresses. Each element of this array represents the object with 
fields:  
o 
IPAddress 
o SubnetMask  
o DefaultGateway 
o 
IsPrimary  
#management_nic# - object containing management network configuration with the following fields:  
 
IsDHCP  
 MacAddress  
 SubnetMask  
 DefaultGateway  
 PreferredNameServer  
 AlternateNameServer  
 
IPAddresses - array of NIC IP addresses. Each element of this array represents the object with 
fields:  
o 
IPAddress 
o NATAddress 
o SubnetMask  
o DefaultGateway   
o 
IsPrimary  
Please see this page for more information about DotNetPanel templates. 
You may use a special service page to test VPS templates (used in summary letter and Sysprep files) 
built into DNP that is available in your DNP installation by the following URL: 
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http://<portal-URL>/DesktopModules/DotNetPanel/VPS/TestVirtualMachineTemplate.aspx 
You may download sample VPS summary template from VPS Solution resources page: 
http://www.dotnetpanel.com/Downloads/?CategoryID=10 
Please see this page for more information about template engine library and its syntax: 
http://www.adersoftware.com/index.cfm?page=templateEngine2 
10.8 Creating Hosting Plan 
Before creating user accounts and hosting spaces you should create a hosting plan.  
Being logged under "serveradmin" click "Hosting Plans" left menu item. 
“Single Server” mode: 
 
“Virtual Data Center” mode: 
 
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Please see this page for more information about creating hosting plan. 
10.9 Creating User Account 
To create a new user account open "Customers" page from the left menu at user home page and click 
"Create User" button. 
 
Fill user account details information and click "Create" button. 
Please see this page for more information about creating user accounts.  
10.10 Creating Hosting Space 
Please see this page for more information about creating hosting spaces.  
10.11 Allocating Hosting Space IP Addresses 
IP addresses are allocating automatically in the time of hosting space creation. However, if you like to 
change them or allocate other ones you could do that on Hyper-V module “External Network” screen of 
customer hosting space. 
 
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Click “Allocate...” button if you need to allocate additional IP addresses. 
 
11 Changes History 
Version 
Date 
Author 
Changes 
1.0 
12/01/2008 Feodor Fitsner 
Initial document version. 
1.1 
05/20/2009 Feodor Fitsner 
Added “NATAddress” property to #external_nic# and 
#management_nic# template objects. 
12 Summary 
This whitepaper described installation and configuration steps for DotNetPanel Hyper-V module.