As you're looking at different server type potentials i figured i'd throw in some testing of Tekkitlite (Tekkit but 1.4) as a potential replacement of Tekkit 1.2.5.

I'm not sure if you've fiddled with this yourself but here's my findings so far just from a setup perspective.

The server seems to run with no protection fine. Obviously this is pointless so i decided to fall back on the golden oldies. World gaurd, Deadbolt and such.
This required Forgebukkit to run and as such creates some annoying FB crashes while running the server completely knocking all the mods off.

Tekkitlite seems to about as clunky as trying to setup other offshoot server like Voltz.

Looks like the bukkit build "supposedly" meant for 1.4 servers including Tlite. here's the nice CR below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

---- Minecraft Crash Report ----
// You should try our sister game, Minceraft!

Time: 08/01/13 23:31
Description: Ticking entity

java.lang.NullPointerException
at keepcalm.mods.bukkit.bukkitAPI.entity.BukkitEntity.getEntity(BukkitEntity.java:216)
at keepcalm.mods.bukkit.forgeHandler.ForgeEventHandler.onLivingAttack(ForgeEventHandler.java:180)
at net.minecraftforge.event.ASMEventHandler_59_ForgeEventHandler_onLivingAttack_LivingAttackEvent.invoke(.dynamic)
at net.minecraftforge.event.ASMEventHandler.invoke(ASMEventHandler.java:35)
at net.minecraftforge.event.EventBus.post(EventBus.java:103)
at net.minecraftforge.common.ForgeHooks.onLivingAttack(ForgeHooks.java:342)
at md.a(EntityLiving.java:993)
at ow.a(SourceFile:195)
at lq.A(Entity.java:583)
at lq.y(Entity.java:549)
at md.y(EntityLiving.java:569)
at lq.j_(Entity.java:431)
at md.j_(EntityLiving.java:808)
at ow.j_(SourceFile:106)
at yc.a(World.java:2295)
at in.a(WorldServer.java:647)
at yc.g(World.java:2257)
at yc.h(World.java:2103)
at in.h(WorldServer.java:516)
at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.r(MinecraftServer.java:679)
at ho.r(DedicatedServer.java:270)
at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.q(MinecraftServer.java:598)
at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.run(MinecraftServer.java:497)
at fy.run(SourceFile:849)

The only reason why Tekkit has been updated is because Forge gave up on Bukkit and vice versa a while ago. That's why FTB never got a green light from us.

Ugh, well that scuppers the potential for a nice tekkit update.
Thanks for clearing that little issue up as well, saves me some fiddling around time trying to even get deadbolt working

So basically if Tekkit lite was to be used it would have to be a whole new admin package to manage the thing *skritches head* that just seems like more hassle than it's worth especially with your plans to centralise all the admin features.

Is there any possibility that a forge package might be developed to provide the protection a server needs. I suppose Forge Essentials might become a solution eventually, but right now it doesn't seem to offer much beyond the essential ability to set players on fire.

it's a pity; just the little things like connecting stairs and sideways tree trunk would be nice. Plus steve's carts is pretty good