Control Panels in the Dedicated Server Environment
Control panels are installed on dedicated servers to simplify the process of administering websites and the server itself. This type of software automates numerous tasks such as creating and managing email accounts, FTP accounts, domains, databases and much more. Most control panels offer an easy navigable GUI (graphical user interface) that can be easily accessed through the typical web browser. The purpose of such software is to allow webmasters with limited knowledge in computers or website management to easily maintain there hosting environment. These capabilities can be enjoyed with a dedicated server, a reseller and even shared hosting arrangement.
What Does a Dedicated Server Control Panel Do?
In this environment, the goal of the control panel is to help you manage your server through a simple point and click functionality. Unlike the software end-users are provided with in a shared hosting arrangement, a dedicated server control panel gives you administrative authority over the mail server, FTP server, database server and other vital aspects. Through the interface you can setup hosting accounts and grant administrative privileges to staff all without the need to have expert knowledge with a web server. Although maintaining a dedicated server is generally more complex, a quality control panel makes the process much easier.
Who Needs a Dedicated Server Control Panel?
Control panel software is highly recommended for the dedicated server environment. This is especially true on a Linux platform which is naturally more complicated than other systems. If you plan to run a platform such as Windows Server 2003 or 2008, a control panel isn’t necessarily required as these alternatives offer a built-in administrative application that provides a great level of control via the Microsoft Remote Desktop system. As far as Windows-based dedicated hosting goes, the choice on whether to go with a premium control panel all depends on if you require the specific features and user manageability that typical software offers.
Finding a Control Panel for Your Server
Understanding the complexity of server administration, most web hosting providers will include a free control panel with your dedicated server to ease the learning curve. Taking advantage of such offerings is advisable unless you have your own technical staff that is well versed in server hosted software applications. Even when a control panel is offered, you generally have the option to install the software of your choice as well.
There are numerous dedicated server control panels to choose from but all have the same basic goal. However, there are different features and functionality that make the software unique. When researching control panels for your server, keep in mind that the vast majority of these programs are platform specific. This means that some control panels are specifically designed to work with Linux while others were made for Windows. Very few support both platforms.
One favorable point is that there are quality control panels which perform seamlessly on whatever platform you choose, allowing you to get the most out of your dedicated server. Each server control panel pretty much offers the same basic functions as mentioned above. However, each has its own custom features and software abilities that make them unique.
