Web Hosting Rating

Mint Panel Control Panel Overview

Mint Panel is one of the most unique control panels on the market.  Not only does it offer the ability to automate the management of web servers, but FTP, voice and game servers as well.  Notably more affordable than competing products, the software bundles reseller and billing support to make it a complete automated server management solution.

Centralized Server Management

Mint Panel makes it simple to managed all installed servers from a single console.  Known as the Master Server, this centralized facility allows users of all access to levels to login and manage their respective environments.  This approach helps save precious system restores while enabling administrators to be more productive at the same time.

Extensive User Management

Mint Panel has five levels of login, each with its own unique roles and responsibilities that are defined by the administrator in the above tier.

Administrator – The administrator has the highest level of access, able to easily assign access to all other servers and enable those users to handle their respective management tasks.  Mint Panel also allows administrators to efficiently manage their entire network infrastructure, thus dramatically reducing the probability of system failures.

Reseller – The reseller has the same level of access as the administrator with the exception of being able to manage the master server and infrastructure.  This means the reseller has an extensive level of control over web, FTP, voice and game servers.

Account Holder – The third level of access gives account holders the ability to manage web, voice and game servers as well as create four fourth tier users to manage specific services based on the privileges provided to them.

User – The user represents a login level that is created by the administrator or account holder.  These users are usually assigned to specific servers to perform administrative tasks.

Mail User – The fifth level allows a user to login in an access their own provide area for managing passwords, spam filtering and anti-virus configurations.

Integrated Billing System

Mint Panel comes equipped with a complete billing system.  This fully featured system allows administrators and resellers to create custom invoices, automatically suspend services for defaulted payments, and set up recurring payments for customers.  It also supports multiple gateways with support for custom gateways to be added in the near future.  Perhaps the greatest thing about the Mint Panel billing system is that is lets you bill clients how you want.  You have the option to go with the traditional recurring monthly invoice, the increasingly popular pay-as-you-go model, or both.  For example, you can charge customers $10 a month for a hosting plan or charge them based on factors such as total bandwidth, CPU or memory usage by the unit multiplier of your choosing.  The Mint Panel billing system is completely customizable so you have a tremendous amount of flexibility.

Conclusion

Mint Panel is an all-one-control panel that can be useful in a wide range of environments.  Aside from the qualities mentioned here, it also offers the secure and scalable platform needed to excel in the hosting business.  Expect to hear more about this control panel as it continues to make its rounds and increase in popularity.

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

Control Panels to Consider

The control panel is an integrated part of any web hosting solution.  This type of program gives you the ability to manage your email accounts, domains, databases, web building tools and much more.  Web hosts offer a variety of control panels and each one is different.  To help you decide on a program, we have provided details on some of the control panel applications currently on the market.

cPanel

cPanel is the leading control panel software, offering an array of features and functionality suited for the novice and veteran webmaster.  This program has a simple interface and provides easy access to all of your critical features.  Most web hosts using this control panel provide numerous video tutorials and documents to help you get familiar with the basic functions.  With cPanel you can access webmail, filter your inbox with Spam Assassin, setup cron jobs and upload files via FTP.  MySQL databases, web stat tools and a default site builder can also be accessed from the interface.

Supreme Control Panel

Supreme Control Panel is another program designed for both new and experienced webmasters.  The control panel offers an intuitive interface that is easy to use along with a wide range of features and management tools.  Supreme Control Panel allows you to view live statistics of your web traffic, bandwidth, log files and databases.  Additionally, it supports over 13 languages including English, Spanish, French and Ukrainian.  With Supreme Control Panel you can basically control every aspect of your hosting account from retrieving news feeds to renewing service with the provider.

Helm

This Windows-based control panel offers a look and feel similar to that of the popular Microsoft operating system.  Helm provides all the basics and even includes a variety of built-in wizards to help you get started.  This program gives you the power to create email and FTP accounts databases, view web stats and backup your essential data.  Helm also includes a one-click installer that allows you to incorporate add-on programs with ease.  Unlike cPanel, the interface of this control panel may take some getting used to.

SiteWorx

The SiteWorx control panel is geared more towards the novice user.  The interface is very straightforward as all your vital features are grouped right on the main page.  Like the competition, SiteWorx allows you to create email accounts, manage domains, view statistics and maintain your files.  The downside is that it doesn’t offer any built-in support tools and lacks the power of competing programs.

Plesk

Plesk is another widely used control panel commonly offered by web hosting companies.  The program is incredibly easy to use thanks to a well designed interface.  Plesk gives you control overall the essentials such as email accounts, domains and web building tools and also features a number of helpful tutorials and wizards.  A cross-platform solution, it allows you to create MySQL or MS SQL databases and offers exclusive features such as Web User, which lets you give other users as to your website.

Choosing a Control Panel

These are just a few of the many control panels on the market.  The program for you is one that is both easy to use and provides the features most important to your initiative.  You can get a good idea of what to expect by playing demo versions as they are offered by many web hosts.

Web Hosting With Plesk

Plesk is known throughout the world as one the most reliable control panels in the web hosting industry.  It is a popular choice among leading providers offering shared, virtual and dedicated services.  Plesk is a control panel that facilitates the installation and management of all the tools needed for efficient web hosting.  Plesk has been labeled as the most stable and effective control panels for Windows-based hosting.

Plesk offers easy management and administration for your website.  It gives you the ability to create domains and sub-domains, produce dynamic content with comprehensive web building tools, maintain MSSQL databases and configure SSL certificates to protect your online transactions.  You can also set up and manage email accounts and configure email forwarding and autoresponders.  The Plesk control panel gives you the benefit of managing and creating your site with the File Manager or Microsoft FrontPage.  You can also monitor the usage of bandwidth and view the statistics of your website.

The Plesk control panel provides an automated web hosting platform.  It reduces costs in regard to operating and resources by automating a significant amount of important tasks.  Plesk essentially has four levels of logins, each of which have their own responsibilities.  Here is an overview of their functions:

Administrator: Administrator is considered to the be the highest of server-level login.  It allows website administrators to configure and manage system content.  Plesk enables multiple servers to be centrally managed with the administrator level login.

Client: This is the second level login account.  The client level allows users to obtain domain creation rights from system administrators.

Domain Owner: The third level login is a domain owner.  This account allows predetermined permissions for single domain administration.    

Mail User: The last level of server login is for individual mail accounts.  It allows users to log into their own private area where passwords, spam filters and anti-virus features can be managed.

The Plesk control panel is well suited for a professional web hosting environment, and is known to be the perfect solution for efficient server management.  This software was designed with stability and security in mind, making it one of the most reliable control panels available today.  Plesk is capable of supporting hundreds to thousands of accounts on a single server, adding great value to your online business.

Plesk comes included with a number of built-in features, many of which have been improved since it’s inception.  The program also offers a feature known as Parallel Business Automation, a highly customizable tool that allows you to easily integrate applications for blogs, chat rooms, bulletin boards and guestbooks.  It also enables the automated creation of e-commerce tools like shopping carts and web forms for your clients.  Other notable features include the Auto-component updater, the Migration Manager and a web-based installation tool which is similar to the Fantastico script installer of cPanel.

Offering numerous benefits, it’s no wonder why Plesk is the preferred control panel option for many clients hosting in the Windows environment.  Whether you’re starting up with a small company or transferring your established business to the web, Plesk provides all the features needed for the success of your website.

What to Consider when Selecting a Control Panel

What is it that sells a web hosting package? The answer is simple – features. One of the most important features of all is the control panel. Every web host has their own preference when it comes to control panels. What is key is finding one that suits you best? Let us take a closer look at the unique features to the most commonly utilized control panels.

A control panel is a program that provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to enables quick and easy access to the features of your website. Many of them grant access to critical functions such email configurations, website statistics, database management, server log views and much more. While there are many control panels available, this article will focus on the big four: cPanel, Plesk, Ensim and vDeck. Almost all shared hosting providers offer one of these four control panels.

cPanel

cPanel is the most widely used control panel application on the market. Several web hosts implement this control panel, with the exception of those looking to cut cost. Though more expensive, cPanel is highly effective as it allows customization of all available features and add-on modules provided by the web host. Additionally, cPanel includes a skin feature preferred by hosts and users, allowing them to customize the overall appearance of the control panel.

Recent versions of cPanel have become more user-friendly as complexity was an issue with previous programs. While this control panel will provide the functionality to make your site stand out, you can save money by residing with a web host using a more affordable solution such as Plesk, Ensim or vDeck. You should also take note that cPanel may include more bugs than other solutions.

Plesk

Plesk is another control panel geared towards the budgeting webmaster. This program has established a reputation for it’s user-friendliness and stability. This comes in handy when tending to important tasks that can’t afford to be interrupted. The downside of Plesk is that it lacks various features when compared to other control panel solutions. If your website involves E-commerce and requires several add-on modules, cPanel maybe a better option.

Ensim

The Ensim control panel is better suited for the webmaster on a strict budget. This program is known to contain less bugs than cPanel but isn’t as easy to use for beginners. If you do take interest in a web host using the Ensim control panel, be sure to compare it with the cost of a host offering cPanel as there should be a noticeable difference.

vDeck

vDeck will soon be releasing it’s third edition and is slowing catching on as a reliable control panel. Many users deem this program as the perfect alternative to solutions like cPanel and Plesk. Some of its features include pre-installed professionally designed templates, a comprehensive web statistics program, a content management function and various advertising services. vDeck is more in-depth and has more of professional feel than cPanel as it offers a complete website management system for both small and large businesses. While vDeck is better suited for experts opposed to beginners just starting out with their first site, version 2 was more intuitive and version 3 promises to be even easier to use.

Whether it’s cPanel, Plesk, Ensim or vDeck, all of these control panels will provide the tools needed to make your website flourish. The issues with these solutions boil down to price and ease of use. Before purchasing a web hosting service, inquire within the provider to learn exactly what control panel they offer.