How to Convert an IP-Based Site to Name-Based in Ensim

In hosting environments that use the Ensim control panel, websites can be configured in two different ways: IP-based or name-based. An IP-based site is assigned its own dedicated IP address. This means the website is accessed directly via that unique IP address.

A name-based site, on the other hand, shares a single IP address with other domains on the same server. The web server identifies which website to show based on the domain name requested by the visitor.

Most modern hosting setups prefer name-based configuration because it helps conserve IP addresses and makes managing multiple domains much easier. If you currently have an IP-based website and want to switch it to name-based, Ensim provides a simple command-line method to make the change.

When Should You Convert an IP-Based Site to Name-Based?

You may want to convert a site in the following situations:

• You are running out of available IP addresses on the server
• You are moving websites into a shared hosting environment
• You want to simplify server management and reduce the number of dedicated IPs in use

Steps to Convert an IP-Based Site to Name-Based in Ensim

To perform the conversion, you need to run a command as the root user on the server’s shell (SSH access required).

1. Run the EditVirtDomain Command

Use the following syntax:
EditVirtDomain -c ipinfo,namebased=1,ipaddrs=[] domain_name

Replace domain_name with the actual domain you want to convert.

2. Example Command

If you want to convert the domain mydomain.com, the command would look like this:
EditVirtDomain -c ipinfo,namebased=1,ipaddrs=[] mydomain.com

3. Verify the Conversion
After running the command, log in to the Ensim control panel and check the domain’s configuration. Make sure the site is now listed as name-based and that the website is loading correctly without any issues.

Once the conversion is complete, the domain will share an IP address with other name-based sites on the server while continuing to function normally. This is a useful way to free up dedicated IP addresses when they are no longer required.

Learn more in the knowledge base about: How To Fix the “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found” Error