Dominant Web Hosting Control Panels in 2009

Back in the early days of the World Wide Web, there was no such thing as a control panel.  This meant that it took a highly skilled developer and system administrator to maintain a simple website.  Trivial tasks such as setting up an email account, creating a database and running cron jobs all qualified as tedious processes that called for advanced OS commands to configure.   With Unix and Linux being the major platforms, these were tasks many administrators did not look forward to.  Thanks to advancements in web hosting technology, control panels now exist, allowing the above processes and several more to be handled by experienced and novice users alike.  Rather than taking an hour to set up a single email address, the entire process can be done in a matter of minutes with the few clicks of the mouse.

cPanel and Plesk are respectively the oldest and most popular control panels on the market.  These two applications are in high demand for several reasons, but mainly because of their features and efficiency in the server environment.  In this article we will talk about these two rivals along with DirectAdmin, another control panel ascending the ranks of popularity.

cPanel

cPanel is the leading control panel and a particular favorite among beginners.  Though it began as a Linux-only control panel, a beta version of the software is now compatible with the Windows operating system as well.  Users prefer cPanel because of its user-friendly interface that offers a simple design while placing all the features you need on a single page.  It won’t take you long to become comfortable with how to upload files, turn on your FrontPage extensions or access the site builder as everything is easily accessible.  Another benefit is the inclusion of Fantastico, which allows end-users to quickly install add-on scripts like blogs, forums, content management systems and other software programs with ease.  The simplicity of cPanel makes it ideal for end-users and system administrator familiar with the Linux operating system.

Plesk

Though very capable, Plesk is often viewed as being more complex than cPanel.  With that said, it has more administrator-friendly features and better clustering capabilities, able to function seamlessly in environments where multiple server applications are involved.  It also has a longer reputation of being a cross-platform solution as it is one of the first control panels to support Linux and Windows system.  Though it strives to meet the same goals, Plesk has a steeper learning curve for both system administrators and end-users.

DirectAdmin

The lesser known of the three, DirectAdmin is quickly becoming a popular choice for web hosting control panels.  This software presents a simple interface that makes it incredibly easy to use for beginners.  While it has does not have all the bells and whistles like the control panels above, less in more is the case of DirectAdim and the major reason behind its growing popularity.

There are several control panels on the market but only a select few are making noise in 2009.  The three programs mentioned in this article are leading the way because of their superior design and ability to automate a number of would-be complex tasks

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Jun 12, 2009 : Control Panels No responses yet

Plesk: The Multipurpose Control Panel

Although cPanel is highly praised, Parallel’s Plesk is regarded as one of the most widely used and efficient control panels on the web hosting market.  The major advantage it has over cPanel is the power to operate on both Windows and Linux platforms.  In addition, Plesk is one of few control panels that makes an ideal solution for shared, dedicated and virtual private server environments.  It is said to be the most secure and stable platform available for web hosting companies and their customers.  The software is being increasingly used by hosting providers who want to enhance performance and boost per-server profitability.  Plesk makes a great choice in almost any hosting arrangement and this article will discuss some of the specific benefits.

Dedicated Hosting

The RPM installation and modular design of Plesk allows dedicated hosting providers to cater to the needs of the technically inclined.  The software can be set up in an instant and deployed in no time.  Many companies have taken a liking to Plesk because it offers such an excellent value by delivering high a level of performance at a reasonable price.  System administrators have access to several unique features including the XML-API, a built-in interface that automates the provisioning process.  It also facilitates the implementation of the numerous third-party applications built into the control panel.  With fully integrated software development kits and a number of back-end utilities, Plesk gives hosting providers and end-users the ability to dramatically enhance their operations.

Shared Hosting

Tiered self administration and a unified multi-platform design makes Plesk a perfect administrative tool in the shared hosting environment as well.  This control panel makes it easier for providers to mange multiple domains on a highly scalable architecture optimized for demanding tasks.  An administrator with little to no technical background can easily create and manage user accounts on the server.  In addition, customers can manage their own domains without direct support of the server administrator.  The power of Plesk covers the needs of the simple and complex side of the traditional web hosting service, enabling full customization that benefits both the host and the end-user.

VPS Hosting

The Plesk control panel is also becoming more common in the virtual private server environment, mainly because it delivers exceptional management power and has a small footprint that ensures great performance.  When used in conjunction with the Virtuozzo software, Plesk allows system administrators to quickly deploy templates of multiple control panel systems.  This is made possible a VPS’s ability to create several isolated server environments on a single machine.  On a virtualized platform, Plesk and Virtuzzo are unparalleled in their ability to increase ROI and revenues for professional web hosting providers while meeting the demanding needs of customers.

Conclusion

Plesk has so many beneficial uses that choosing this control panel is proving to be quite advantageous to many webmasters. The software offers power that allows you to administrator a single machine, a cluster of servers or a simple shared hosting account.  If you’re still looking for a control panel, Plesk could be the solution.

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Apr 24, 2009 : Control Panels No responses yet

cPanel and Plesk in the Dedicated Server Environment

When choosing to go with a dedicated hosting provider, the control panel is one feature you certainly want to keep a close eye on.  Although this type of software is usually optional, it is highly recommended for the simple fact that it will make your job as a server adminstrator much easier.  There are many dedicated server control panels on the market, but in this article we will focus on the differences between two of the most popular: cPanel and Plesk.

Control Panel Comparison

In most scenarios, cPanel is offered with Linux dedicated server packages while Plesk is available for both Linux and Windows platforms.  Both programs make excellent control panels and each has a huge following.  These control panels are quite similar in how they simplify server management and perform exceptionally well in the dedicated hosting environment.  Whether it is cPanel or Plesk, you are sure to get a fast, reliable and secure control panel that gets the job done.

Advantages

The major difference between cPanel and Plesk is the user interface.  Both come with a clean, easy navigable design so the right choice all boils down to personal preference here.  The other differences relate to the advantages each control panel offers:

Plesk

Automation - One of the greatest advantages of Plesk is support for numerous automated functions.  This includes a built-in XML-RPC interface that allows Perl or PHP scripts to call functions from remote servers.

Cost - More dedicated hosting providers have turned to Plesk because an unlimited domain license can be purchased for considerably less than cPanel.

Extendable - Plesk is integrated with a number of features but supports even more.  Unlike the competition, this control panel can be greatly enhanced through a wide variety of plugins.

Cross Platform - As a cross platform application, Plesk offers support for both Linux and Windows operating systems, including SUSE, the oldest commercial distribution of Linux.

cPanel

Software Support - cPanel is widely supported by various software vendors.  This is reflected by a plethora of built-in third-party applications such as SpamAssassin, Webalizer and the suite of software programs bundled with Fantastico.

Ease of Use - In comparison to Plesk, cPanel more user-friendly features.  The fact that everything can be accessed from the main page makes it a hit among beginners.  With an interface that contorts to the user, cPanel is also said to be easier to use than Plesk on both the client and server side.

Widely Available - Because it is the leading control panel, a dedicated hosting plan equipped with cPanel tends to be much easier to find.  If it isn’t Plesk, you will typically find this software in any dedicated server package running on the Linux platform.

Both cPanel and Plesk have been around for a long time, each offering features and advantages the other one lacks.  For example, Plesk gives you better clustering support while cPanel offers exclusive features like Fantastico.  Since both of these control panels have proven their efficiency, the key is finding a provider that supplies reliable server hardware to compliment the power of either software.

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Apr 22, 2009 : Control Panels No responses yet

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.

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Mar 04, 2009 : Control Panels No responses yet

cPanel vs. vDeck - Let the Control Panel Games Begin

One crucial factor that determines how smooth your experience with a web hosting service will be is the control panel.  There are many control panels available but cPanel is the most widely used of them all.  Although most webmasters are not familiar with vDeck, this control panel is very worthy of comparison as it matches up well against cPanel.

What is vDeck?

vDeck is a relatively new control panel which is why many users have never heard of it.  However, the software is already on its third edition and it gets better with each version.  The program’s developer boasts that vDeck isn’t the average control panel, stating that it is indeed the next generation in website administration.  Those who are familiar with the software agree that it not only simplifies website management, but promotion as well, giving vDeck advantages over numerous control panels.

vDeck is a very powerful management tool that allows you to excel regardless of your experience.  Features such as the pre-designed templates, advertising services and content manager all offer a user-friendliness that drastically reduces the learning curve.  While cPanel is geared more towards personal users and small businesses, vDeck offers depth that makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes.  This control panel is a complete system that truly takes website management to the next level.

Ease of Use and Features

Although vDeck isn’t difficult to use, it is somewhat more complex than other control panels.  Beginners prefer cPanel because of its simple design and easy navigation.  Another tremendous benefit of cPanel is Fantastico.  This third-party application is integrated into the control panel, equipped with well over 40 programs that can be instantly incorporated into your hosting environment.  Some of the programs that come with Fantastico include Cube Cart, osCommerce, Joomla, Tiki Wiki and WordPress just to name a few.  These applications come included with your hosting account at no additional cost.  While vDeck does offer a few built-in applications, the lineup can’t compare to what you get with cPanel and Fantastico.  This alone makes it less desirable to the webmaster who desires the functionality provided by add-on scripts and programs.

Advanced Features

Though loaded with features, the biggest knock on cPanel is that it only offers basic tools.  Sure, this control panel can work wonders for an e-commerce site, however, the vDeck control panel was designed to power internet businesses.  It gives you many helpful tools that cPanel lacks including a built-in search engine optimization function and search engine submission services.  If you are looking for more effective ways to market your site, you may want to consider a web host that offers the vDeck control panel.

A Tough Choice

vDeck 3.0 offers many improvements over the previous version which users say truly warranted an upgrade.  Although it does offer benefits you don’t get with cPanel, this software isn’t ready to claim the top spot just yet.  In the end, the right control panel is all about personal preference and in our opinion, either of these programs will due.  Just keep in mind that you might have a tougher time finding a web host that offers vDeck as it still isn’t as widely accepted as cPanel.

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Mar 02, 2009 : Control Panels 2 responses so far