NOTE: As of the future Migration of HEXONET into the CentralNic Reseller Platform, we do no longer offer the HEXONET Module's source code to the public. Still, you can download our software via the link below and continue your business with HEXONET until the time is come to switch over. We'll reach out to you regarding the Migration per se. Last version of the HEXONET Module is 3.7.0. Right now, we do not plan to add new features to it, but in urgent cases, we can still release patches for it.
Introduction
Blesta is an all-in-one domain provisioning, client management, billing/invoicing, and client support solution for any business selling through a website. By coupling Blesta with the HEXONET Registrar Module, anyone can start reselling hundreds of profitable domain name extensions (TLDs) quickly and in ease.
Preparation
Signup
Since August 2023, there are no new signups possible for HEXONET. An integration for CNR is planned and will be the future replacement. In case you want to start with a Brand of our group, you may start with internet.bs which is shipped with Blesta. Migrations can be done at a later point of time.
The below documentation covers HEXONET only. Parts are valid for internet.bs as well.
Registrar Account Settings
Blesta has its own automatic renewal logic. That's why we highly recommend deactivating the automatic Domain Renewal happening in our Registrar Systems by default. Otherwise, it will lead to undesired Renewals of Domains while your customers haven't paid for it in Blesta.
Ensure to set the global Domain Renewal Mode Setting in your account to "Auto Expire" or "Expire Domain". If you did this at later point of time, please update already existing Domains accordingly as well. If you need help with this, feel free to reach out.
This action needs to be covered outside of Blesta using the respective registrar's frontend.
Software Dependencies
Ensure to have the below packages installed on your Blesta Server:
- Blesta 5 & PHP 8
- curl
- php-curl
We are in general always supporting the latest version of Blesta. For the latest Blesta minimum system requirements, please refer to System Requirements.
Downloads
Please download the package of your Brand of choice:
- HEXONET
- CentralNic Reseller (planned, no ETA available - let us know if you're interested!)
- Internet.bs (shipped with Blesta, no download necessary)
Extract the downloaded package into your Blesta Installation as described below under "Installation & Upgrade".
In case of upgrading, we recommend backing and cleaning up folders and files of a previous module version first. Skipping this step is possible, but can break in rare cases. In addition, we suggest having an internal Blesta QA System for testing upgrades before the roll-out to production. You can get a free developer license at blesta.com.
Release Notifications
Feel free to add yourself as Watcher to our Github Repository by clicking on the Watch button at the top of the page and then choose Releases Only.
Feel free to Star us as well to support our work. Thanks so much!
Installation & Upgrade
If you have not yet Blesta set up, please follow their Installation Guide which explains the Installation Process completely and well.
Copy all files from our archive to your Blesta directory, while keeping the folder structure intact.
e.g. components/modules/ispapi/ispapi.php => <Blesta>/components/modules/ispapi/ispapi.php
Set up a Cron Job
In order to automate tasks within Blesta, a cron job must be created. More information on how to set up the cron job, can be found here (section 4)
Module Configuration
Reseller Credentials:
In the Blesta Admin area, go to Settings > Modules > Available
Install the new registrar ”ISPAPI vx.y.z”, and enter your HEXONET credentials. You can create your account here
If you want to use the “TestMode”, you have to create your OT&E account here
To enter your credentials, go to
Settings > Modules > Installed > Ispapi module → Manage > Add Account
You can add multiple accounts there. Check ‘Sandbox’ if it represents your OT&E account.
Make sure that the account you are using is set to renewal mode AUTOEXPIRE in your Control Panel, otherwise, domains might be renewed without being paid for by the customer
Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy (IRTP). It governs the domain name transfers between ICANN registrars. The IRTP includes changes to domain ownership. Small changes to a domain name’s registrar first name, last name, organization, and email address trigger the validation process.
Have a read more about IRTP here
At the moment this feature is not supported by Blesta. In order to make it possible for our customers to trigger the validation process, we provide the following procedure:
“You have to obtain verifiable DA status to act on behalf of the new registrant of a domain name. To do that:
-
navigate on the control panel:
Reseller Settings > Domain Settings. Under the “gTLD Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy” section first read the terms, implement the legal changes, and finally verify your Designated Agent status and your wish to alter the ModifyDomain command for IRTP compliance. -
Whenever your customer evokes a material change of registrant, the Reseller must submit the change as the DA for the new registrant.
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The prior (old) registrant will always be sent an authorization email, and they will have fourteen (14) days to confirm the change.
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The opt-out of the sixty (60) transfer lock is enabled for module Resellers by default. However, if a Reseller wishes to opt-IN (disable the automatic opt-out) to the registrar transfer lock so that they can immediately process Change of Registrant requests with added security (for Change of Registrant when email addresses are not working), resellers can simply enable the checkbox stating “Disable the automatic opt-out. Registrant changes are processed in realtime, but domains will also get transfer-locked for 60 days. Dependant on fallback being enabled.”
Additional Domain Fields
The registration of some extensions requires additional domain fields. (e.g. Legal Type for a .CA domain etc.) in special cases. Additional fields are already included in the module. When you enter a domain to register, the additional fields will be automatically displayed.
Reselling with Blesta
This link provides general information on how you can sell domains using Blesta and a registrar module.
if this is still leaving questions, feel free to reach out.