Possible to whitelable cPanel?

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Posted by A Goat, 12-23-2013, 04:24 PM
I have a reseller account that isn't whitelabelled when you connect to cPanel. It'll show the original provider's hostname in the URL box. Apparently nobody ever told them it's nicer for their customers if they were to use a discreet neutral hostname for resellers or their customers own provided hostname instead. Is there any technical methods to whitelabel connecting to cPanel to mask the provider's hostname?
Posted by Kingfish85, 12-23-2013, 04:57 PM
You could use a CNAME and use the servers hostname and use whatever domain you'd like. Some companies don't whitelabel everything.
Posted by BrettB, 12-23-2013, 05:01 PM
It depends if they have cPanel configured to redirect to the hostname (or the SSL version) or not. If not, you can use yourdomain.com/cpanel and it will preserve your domain in the URL rather than the hostname. But that will just hide the domain from the URL. It wouldn't be too hard for a customer to find the hostname using other methods. cPanel reseller hosts that offer a whitelabel solution always use a whitelabeled domain that doesn't have an association with the company.
Posted by iexo, 12-23-2013, 05:18 PM
This ^. It can be hard to fully white-label a service, but the hostname shouldn't be a difficulty - it's just one setting change then a renewal of the SSL, maybe get onto the provider and see if they can improve it!
Posted by Kingfish85, 12-23-2013, 05:46 PM
True, changing the hostname is easy however, it will break mail for any mail clients using the current hostname. Probably not the best idea..at least without updating customers on said servers.
Posted by HostUS - Alexander, 12-23-2013, 07:48 PM
You can always keep the old A records - Alexander
Posted by YagHost-Ravi, 12-23-2013, 08:23 PM
Easy solution would be ask your hosting provider to disable cpanel redirection to Hostname. They can change this from root WHM >> Tweak settings.
Posted by domaincart, 12-23-2013, 09:37 PM
You can use a RVSkin theme if your hosting provider supports it. Then you can customize it on WHM.
Posted by ServerManagement, 12-23-2013, 09:49 PM
Cpanel makes it every easy to customize every part of it, the theme, the nameservers, etc. If your host doesn't have an anonymous hostname, they may not realize that your customers will see it. Just ask them and they may change it to something general/anonymous which would benefit all of their customers.
Posted by GORF, 12-24-2013, 12:29 AM
The OP is talking about the URL, NOT the skin or look. Read first.
Posted by Stevensst, 12-24-2013, 02:39 AM
I believe if you use port 2082 or 2086, it will not redirect to the server's hostname as these are non-ssl ports and will stay on the url that you type in.
Posted by Mad_matt, 12-24-2013, 08:35 AM
I would just change providers. Really, unless you are the first reseller account, (which wouldnt be good) then if they havent worked to help their current resellers, then it is unlikely they will cater specifically to you. Ask for a refund, explain why you are leaving, and see what they offer to retain you. Asking what the hostname is, is something that nearly everyone neglects to ask before signup, but is an important question for all resellers to consider before signup. @Stevensst, if any client types in their own url (which they usually do) and do :2087, it will reveal the hostname. Simply asking clients to sign into cpanel using IP:2086 is not the answer.
Posted by Atlanical-Mike, 12-24-2013, 08:58 AM
Well you could find a reseller who has a whitelisted server, so it's a hostname of the host, however there's no trace back to them, it's a random domain with a private whois.
Posted by A Goat, 12-24-2013, 09:29 AM
Yeah apparently they only offer it on plans normally $60~ a month which is downright ridlcious. Interesting, you are correct. I wonder if there is a way to redirect /cpanel to that, maybe through htaccess?
Posted by A Goat, 12-24-2013, 09:32 AM
Can you elaborate on this with a specific example of what I'd do? @Kingfish85.
Posted by Atlanical-Mike, 12-24-2013, 10:08 AM
cPanel > Domains > Advanced DNS Zone Editor Name: yourhostname.yourdomain.com TTL: 14400 Type: CNAME CNAME: server1.hostdoman.com
Posted by Forward Web, 12-24-2013, 10:36 AM
In this day and age I would think that providing your resellers with a white label hostname is automatic, however I have been surprised by some companies not providing this basic part of the service. With that being said, I have seen instances where newer companies did not have this in place (and after it being mentioned) they corrected the issue. Just depends on how patient you want to be with your new company. Personally, if you are not in a hurry, i would just open up a ticket and see if they can address the issue in a timely manner. If they cant, move onto the next and make sure you ask about the hostname before signing up.
Posted by Kingfish85, 12-24-2013, 01:16 PM
CW Mike explained it exactly. EDIT: This will whitelabel to an extent, not 100% whitelabel. For example, there's still IP's with RDNS tied to the server.
Posted by GreenValueHostGM, 12-24-2013, 06:00 PM
I would change hosts if it's that much of a bother because if they leave it the way it is, I guarantee you that your customers are going to be able to find out if they just do a little searching.
Posted by A Goat, 12-24-2013, 09:29 PM
That's beside the point. A little searching mean it's at least obscure. Why would I want to basically give free advertising (that's what it is) to the original hosting provider who is undercutting me?
Posted by A Goat, 12-24-2013, 09:46 PM
Doesn't work. Still redirects to their URL.
Posted by NyteRunner, 12-24-2013, 10:41 PM
If they're going to autoredirect cpanel to a domain it should at least be a white label domain that does not have their brand or name on it.
Posted by A Goat, 12-24-2013, 10:54 PM
Got the following reply from the host: Maybe this will do it?