Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

February 15, 2010

Control Panels for Dedicated Server Users

A good control panel is one of the key elements of a good web hosting solution because it is the main interface through which all site and server functions are administered. Control panels simplify and facilitate processes such as FTP account creation and management, email account creation and management, domain administration, database administration and so much more. A good control panel should be easily accessible from any web browser, and it should have a very user-friendly interface. Control panels are not designed for expert webmasters, but rather for the average novice user.  However, the benefits of a good control panel can be experienced by not only novice users, but owners of large corporations with private and dedicated servers as well.

The Administrative Benefits of Using a Good Control Panel with a Dedicated Server

Dedicated servers give the webmaster more space, bandwidth, and ultimately more functionality. For this reason the use of a comprehensive yet easy-to-use control panel is recommended, to help facilitate the administration of the added benefits of the dedicated server environment. Dedicated server control panels differ from those offered to users of shared servers because they offer administrative access to the FTP server, database server, and the email server.  Even novice users can setup new hosting accounts and grant permissions to users within the network with ease.

The Importance of a Good Control Panel in the Dedicated Server Environment

Managing a dedicated server can be a relatively complex task, this is why it is so important to use a good control panel. If you are a user of Linux then you will definitely want to consider a user-friendly control panel, as Linux is usually more complex than other operating systems by default. Even Windows users can benefit from the use of an efficient control panel, as many of the administrative functions are simplified to a great degree by control panel software.

Choosing a Web Hosting Provider Based on Control Panel Software

Since most web hosting providers know just how complex of a task server and site administration is, they generally include a free control panel with their hosting plans. It is advisable to find a web hosting provider that offers a control panel you would be compatible with. If you have used a certain control panel in the past and you've gotten used to it, then you may want to continue using it with the new web hosting provider. You always have the option of installing a new control panel instead of using the control panel that comes free with the hosting account, but of course the more economical option would be to choose a hosting plan that includes a control panel that is suitable to your needs. It is important to remember that many control panels are not compatible with certain operating systems, thus before you download one make sure your operating system meets the requirements of the control panel.   Of course there are some that support both Windows and Linux, such as Plesk, however the majority do not. Considering all of your options and checking the system requirements for each control panel will save you a lot of unnecessary hassle.

Tags: Plesk,  grant permissions,  ftp,  email account,  Dedicated Servers,  dedicated server environment,  dedicated server control panels,  database administration,  control panel,  web hosting solution,  server functions