A control panel is the application used to maintain and administrate your web hosting account, and ultimately your domain. Control panels will allow you to maximize your website’s productivity by making server/domain maintenance and administration a simple task. There are many choices a user has in regards to choosing a control panel, however the following five control panels are considered the most popular and useful control panels in the industry today.

cPanel

cPanel is by far the most popular and maybe even the most user-friendly control panel around. Cpanel provides more services and features than any other control panel in the industry, and it’s customer service is said to be second to none. Cpanel is an all-in-one web hosting solution, allowing it’s customers to administer all aspects of domain hosting, including FTP, email creation, and database maintenance. Cpanel customers also have the option to resell the web hosting services with a reseller’s account. The cPanel interface is so well designed that becoming an expert at using it takes only a few hours at the most. Since cPanel is the most popular control panel, it also has the most tutorials available online. All of this combines to make cPanel the most favored web hosting control panel on the internet.

Plesk for Linux

The Linux version of Plesk is said to be one of the most stable and powerful control panel on the market today.  Though Plesk does not carry as many attributes as cPanel, the learning curve for this control panel is very short. In fact, most of the functions are specifically designed to automate any administration function. Plesk for Linux is capable of controlling up to thirty domains by default, but you have the option of upgrading to an unlimited amount of domains if you’d like.

ServerCP

ServerCP is another user-friendly control panel that often comes integrated with VPS and dedicated  hosting packages. ServerCP is also an extremely powerful Linux-based web hosting solution, equipped with countless useful features.  ServerCP supports unlimited domains by default and also comes with a very user-friendly installation application that lets you install various popular web hosting applications such as blogging platforms (like Wordpress), photo galleries, and even e-commerce shopping carts.  ServerCP is currently available as a free edition (ServerCP Lite, or you can upgrade to the premium version of the software.

Virtuozzo Power Panel

Virtuozzo Power Panel is made by the company Parallels. This control panel is available in multiple  versions designed to support Windows and Linux VPS’s (virtual private servers).  The virtuozzo power panel allows you to access all administrative functions directly from your web browser. Some of the functions that can be accessed via your web browser include web service management processes, server reboots, backup restoring, log data viewing and server resource monitoring . The Virtuozzo Power Panel allows you to have an unprecedented amount of control via your web browser, and is said to be the most optimal control panel for users of Virtual Private Servers.

The control panel is a vital piece of software as it not only simplifies the management of a website, but the administration of the server hardware itself.  This type of program has the ability to automate a large number of would-be complicated tasks such as creating and controlling email boxes, databases, FTP accounts, domains and much more.  All of these processes are generally handled via an easy to use graphical user interface that can be accessed through the typical web browser.  With a control panel, an individual with limited computing or website experience can easily maintain a web server and all intricacies of managing their website.

Control panel software is designed to make administering a server much easier by way of intuitive point-and-click interfaces.  Most of these programs are able to automatically configure and manage a multitude of applications intended to meet a wide variety of goals.  This includes essential programs such as web, mail, FTP and databases servers.  A quality control panel acts an out of the box solution that streamlines administration functions for both the hosting provider and webmaster alike.

Do You Need a Control Panel?

If you are running the more complex Linux operating system on your server, the answer in most cases is a definite yes.  If Microsoft Windows is your operating system, you may not require such automation software as this platform offers a built-in control panel via the Microsoft Remote Desktop System.  Therefore, the answer to this question in regard to Windows all depends on whether or not you require the specific features and management capabilities a premium control panel can provide.

The good thing is that many web hosting firms offer free control panel software with their virtual private or dedicated server packages.  Although some charge for this feature, the plethora of options on the market should make it much easier to find one that offers free management software to compliment your server.  Unless you are an expert in server management or have a dedicated IT staff to install, configure and manage your software applications and web services, utilizing a control panel is probably your best option.  This little piece of software will make your life as a server administrator and webmaster far less complex.

Choosing the Right Control Panel

For the most part, all control panel applications offer the same basic functions and strive to meet the same common goals.  However, each program has its own special features and capabilities that make it unique and stand out from the rest.  The key is finding a control panel that has been tried, tested and suitable for your needs.  Most important, it must be compatible with your server and operating platform whether it is Linux or Windows.  This is a very critical aspect because control panels are generally designed to support one platform or another.  Perhaps the best way to decide on a solution would be to play with a few of the available demo panels offered by hosting providers to determine which one meets your preference and expectations.

Though often associated with hosting and network servers, Linux itself is operating system software.  Unlike Unix, which can be traced back to AT&T Labs circa in the 1960s, Linux is an open-source system that wasn’t released until nearly 30 years later.  In the 1980s, most operating systems were commercial products tied to proprietary licenses.  Those who wanted to reference the software were out of luck as they didn’t have access to the source code.  Things changed dramatically when Linus Torvalds introduced Linux in 1991.  The system took off in the late 1990s as more students got on board with the development of the project and the open-source community began to evolve.  The purpose of this article isn’t to provide a history lesson, but inform you that the Linux platform has come a long way and now stands at the forefront of the hosting industry.

Why Linux?

Linux makes a great option for web hosting because the system is so widely supported.  Many of the tools that help power the hosting industry have all been specifically designed to support the platform.  This goes from web servers like Apache and programming languages such as PHP, Cold Fusion and Ruby.  Even cPanel, the leading hosting control panel, has been designed to support the system, making it incredibly easy to manage a Linux server that would otherwise be complex.  When choosing Linux, you get a powerful hosting solution that gives you everything you need to create a professional, feature-rich website.

All in all, Linux is cheaper than Microsoft Windows, its main rival, and also said to be faster and more stable.  While the software is naturally complex than Windows, the development community is constantly introducing GUIs (graphical user interfaces) and other comprehensive tools to reduce the learning curve and make the system easier to work with.  As far stability and reliability are concerned, Linux is second to none.  Unlike other systems, this one does not require shutdowns every time you perform an upgrade, patch implementation or software installation.  This factor gives Linux the ability to greatly reduce down and demonstrate resilience in the hosting arena.

Another notable benefit is that regardless of the operating system you have running on your computer, you can still choose a web hosting service running on the Linux platform.  Therefore, even if you have Windows or Mac OS X installed, you can still choose a Linux plan and reap all the benefits it has to offers.  There are however, third-party software applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and other non-open-source technologies that may not be compatible with the Linux platform.  This is changing quickly as even Microsoft’s proprietary FrontPage client is now supported by most hosting providers running the Linux operating system.

The Preferred Hosting Platform

While there are really no significant differences between the systems, Linux has been openly embraced and is therefore, often a first choice for hosting customers.  In fact, you will find that this system is at the basis of most hosting platforms, more so than both Unix and the fast growing Windows server.

Web hosting has become a premiere market as its services grow in demand seemingly with each year.  This industry has emerged from providing a facility for simple HTML web pages to dynamic pages created by more advanced programming languages such as ASP, Perl and PHP.  In general, these technologies and other components are specific to one operating platform or another.  While you can build a website on the platform of your choosing, this article will explain why Linux has become so popular and could be the solution for you.

Designed for Great Performance and Stability

The Linux operating system began as the hobbyist initiative of one man and has grown to become a project worked on by thousands of developers.  Because the system was released as an open-source GNU GPL (General Public License) product, its source code is freely available.  This has allowed developers and IT experts around the world to make contributions and dramatically improve the software.  You would think that allowing the source code to cross borders and pass through so many hands would result in numerous bugs and security flaws.  However, that is not the case here as Linux has consistently been one of the most well designed and stable platforms on the market.

High Level of Reliability

Perhaps the biggest advantage of Linux web hosting is reliability.  The system was specifically designed to handle demanding mission-critical processes, making it an increasingly popular choice in the corporate environment.  When coupled with reliable hardware and a capable web server, the Linux system creates a rock-solid platform that gives you a high level of availability.  This is why some hosting providers are able to comfortably guarantee an up time of 99.9% or higher.

Low Cost of Ownership

Linux hosting has a reputation for cost efficiency as it is usually more expensive than similar services run on both Windows and Unix platforms.  This is because the system is either free or very inexpensive.  The GPL allows free variations like CentOS  to be leveraged by webmasters and hosting providers alike.  Even companies that utilize enterprise Linux distributions such as Red Hat are able to offer an affordable service thanks to a low cost and compatible open-source technologies.

Scalable Platform

When looking for a hosting solution, you should never overlook website expansion and future needs.  What suites your site today may not be nearly enough tomorrow.  These dynamics flourish based on the necessities of each individual user.  The Linux platform makes an ideal solution for evolving needs as it was built with scalability in mind.   Thanks to its Unix traits, a single installation is capable of running and scaling one or 100 websites just as effectively.

Linux is a dominant force in the web hosting world and therefore, well supported by all the technologies needed to power the hosting industry.  The system is compatible with database servers like MySQL as well server-side programming frameworks such as Python and Ruby on Rails.  Because of the demand, it has also been designed to support popular commercial products like Microsoft FrontPage.  As someone who needs a personal or small business site, Linux is a platform you definitely want to consider for your hosting needs.

Automation is everything in the web hosting arena.  Without it, many of the same tasks that have become simple would revert to being tedious.  Even the most skilled administrators dread dealing with the raw aspects of a web server and operating system.  These are some of the factors that have led to the advent of administrative tools like Plesk.   The Plesk software makes a popular control panel choice for web hosting providers and end-users in shared, virtual or dedicated server environments.  Compatible with both Windows and Linux platforms, it provides all the tools needed to control a complicated web server or simple website.  It is also highly regarded as the most stable and reliable control panel on the market.  This article will give you an introduction on Plesk and overview some of its capabilities.

Plesk Features

The Plesk control panel aims to the simplify various administrative processes.  It lets you create and manage domains, install SSL certificates and even access the built-in site builder for putting your website together.  You can perform a number of simple tasks such as setting up email accounts, webmail and autoresponders as well as more advanced functions like billing customers and blocking spam with greylisting.  In addition, Plesk gives you the ability to manage files through a web-based file manager or by means of a FrontPage administrative panel.  Whether its viewing a website’s bandwidth usage or managing customer accounts, it can all be done within the confinement of this extremely capable control panel.  Plesk offers tremendous power, able to reduce operating costs and resource usage by automating a variety of tasks.

Control Levels

Plesk offers four levels of login, each with their own responsibilities and privileges.  These levels include:

Administrator – The highest level, this login allows the administrator control virtually every component of the system.  Once logged in at this level, you can centrally manage multiple servers be it an HTTP web server like Apache or a database server like MySQL.

Client – The client level login allows resellers to obtain creation rights from the system administrator.

Domain – The third level login is designed for the website owner or end user.  These permissions are what provides a user the ability to manage their hosting account.

Mail User – The fourth level login is designated for individual mail accounts.  Here, users can login and maintain their email accounts, change passwords, configure spam filters, change virus settings and more.

Plesk is One of the Best

Though it extends benefits to the end-user, the Plesk control panel was designed with professional web hosting providers and experienced system administrators in mind.  It enables companies to be very successful by providing the ability to maintain thousands of accounts per server with a high level of performance and better security than most competing control panels.  The software comes bundled with a variety of tools and even includes an application installer that allows end-users to incorporate blogs, bulletin boards and other types of program.  Plesk delivers the seamless automation needed to enrich and simplify the technically challenging hosting operation.

There are a number of factors that must be considered when it comes to choosing the web server application you want to utilize.  Elements such as the operating system, the level of security, scalability and price should all come into play when basing your decision.  It can be a grueling process but focusing on these key components will make your choice much easier.

Operating Platform

The operating system you choose to run the server on will have a major influence on the software you decide to go with.  The most popular platforms today are Windows, Unix and various flavors of the Linux operating system.  While all can perform in a multitude of environments, Windows is usually preferred in the business setting while Unix and Linux are designed for more complex and demanding tasks.  There are also other choices such as Mac OS X, but this platform isn’t as common and therefore lacks support from the web community.

Solid Security

Above all, security should be your number one priority in choosing web server software.  Since most websites are public, they make a prime target for hackers and other cyber criminals looking to steal sensitive information.  Even if you decided on a seemingly secure application, keep in mind that the server is really only as secure as its configurations.  For example, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to leave the default security settings intact because the attackers have already discovered ways around them.  Additionally, you want a server that is easy to patch and update to ensure that the latest security vulnerabilities and issues are addressed.

Easy Scalability

Scalability refers to your web server’s ability to grow alongside the growth of your web operations.  This is an extremely important quality as a slow server could end up costing you new visitors and customers as well as existing ones.  On the web, they say that you only have a few seconds to grab the attention of potential customers.  If your web server can’t perform or slows down after a couple thousand hits, you have essentially set yourself up for failure.

Good Support System

Apache is the most popular and widely installed web server in the world.  The software is freely available and can be downloaded by virtually anyone.  While this is definitely a plus, it can also be a disadvantage considering how you view the situation.  Apache and other open-source programs come at the price of limited formal support.  If you don’t have an experienced IT staff on hand to deal with the server, you may want to choose a product that comes with official support to help out when things get rough.

True Value

Cost is often the first factor many people consider when they want to invest in something.  With a web server, it should be the last thing you consider.  As we mentioned, there are free servers as well those that come with expensive licenses, particularly Microsoft’s IIS (Internet Information Services).  This specific application ranks up there with the best but you could actually hurt your efforts by judging web servers on cost.  Pick the cheap software and you just might end up with a product the lacks the compatibility, scalability and functionality you need to be successful.

Microsoft has placed its stamp on the virtualization phenomenon with the launch of Hyper-V, a new technology that adds to the power of the Windows Server 2008 platform.  Hyper-V represents the next era of virtualization, allowing administrators and hosting customers to get the most out of their sever investments and usage.  What sets it apart from other virtualization platforms is the ability to run a number of different operating systems in parallel on a single physical server.  It doesn’t matter if you prefer Windows, Linux or Unix, Hyper-V allows you to take full advantage of 64-bit computing.

Server Consolidation

Today’s businesses are under a lot of pressure to simplify management processes all while reducing costs and maintaining competitive benefits such as flexibility, scalability, reliability and security.  Hyper-V enables organizations to meet these goals by consolidating multiple servers within a single system while maintaining isolation.  Aside from saving money on individual servers, this type of virtualization also provides for lower processing power, cooling and management costs.  Businesses of various sizes can benefit from an asset standpoint as well as capabilities that allow them to effectively balance workloads across multiple resources.  This results in improved flexibility that allows for the integration of 32-bit and 64-bit operations in the same environment.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Business continuity refers to the ability to reduce both scheduled and unscheduled downtime.  This includes time lost due to routine operations such as backup and maintenance as well untimely events caused by failures and outages.  Hyper-V offers extensive business continuity features such as live backup and seamless migration capabilities that enable businesses to meet demanding uptime and response metrics.

Disaster recovery is an essential element of business continuity.  Emergencies, natural disasters, malicious physical attacks and even simple configuration issues such as software conflict all have the power to cripple an organization’s vital data before administrators have a chance to back it up.  Leveraging the clustering features integrated into Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V supports disaster recovery across diverse IT environments and data centers.  Fast, reliable disaster recovery and business continuity tools help to ensure minimal data loss and enhanced remote management capabilities.

Improved Testing and Development

Testing and development are usually the first functions businesses take advantage of with virtualization technology.  The use of virtual machines allows development staff to create and test a wide range of scenarios in a secure, self-contained environment that precisely approximates the operation of physical clients and servers.  Hyper-V enables the maximum utilization of test hardware, helping to reduce costs, improve test coverage and life cycle management.  With support for numerous operating systems and checkpoint features, this virtualization solution makes an excellent platform for test and development environments.

Server virtualization is a hot commodity in the IT world for the potential of benefits that can be weighed on the scales of cost and performance.  Already one of the pioneers in web technology, Microsoft can now be credited for enhancing the virtualization concept and enabling businesses all over the world to enjoy a more dynamic IT infrastructure.

If you have been thinking about launching a website lately, web hosting is the critical service you need to effectively launched.  The web hosting provider is the company that allows you to store your website files on their server.  Once your website is up and running, it can then be viewed by anyone in the world with an internet connection.  The good thing is that web hosting companies are abundant.  The bad – the overwhelming array of options can make finding the right service a nightmare.  So, how many types of web hosting are there?  Several, and here are a few you may run across.

Shared Hosting

Shared web hosting is what many refer to as “normal” hosting.  Providers maximize their resources by hosting multiple websites on one computer.  This means that one server may hold thousands of customers, while another may hold hundreds more.  In this arrangement, customers are required to share all the server’s resource, disk space, bandwidth and internet connection included.  Shared hosting is easy to find even though it often comes in several niche variations.  For example, you will find these services packaged around names such as Windows, Linux, ASP, PHP, MySQL or Joomla hosting.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting often goes by the title “dedicated server.”  Though more expensive than its shared counterpart, the dedicated variety offers far more power.  As the name indicates, the server is dedicated to you, meaning there are no other customers to worry about. You can install your own software applications and completely customize the server to meet your specific needs.  A dedicated server gives you better performance and security because of the extra resources you have at your disposal.  You should also know that this type of hosting requires technical skills that exceed the typical personal computing.  Because of this, some customers need to outsource their server to a professional IT team.

Managed Hosting

You can look at managed hosting as the service that bridges that gap between shared and dedicated hosting.  You still have your own server, but instead of dealing with complex administrative tasks, the technical burdens are shifted to the provider.  With managed hosting, you can usually choose the type of services that work best for your situation.  Because the service provider has so much involvement, this type of hosting is often considerably more expensive than others.

VPS Hosting

Short for virtual private server, VPS refers to a virtualization technology that creates multiple servers from a single machine.  This type hosting entails many of the same aspects of a dedicated server but the cost is usually much less.  Most VPS packages allow you to install software with root access and provides the enhanced performance you don’t get with shared hosting.

Conclusion

Regardless of your plans, web hosting will go a long way in establishing your web presence.  It may all seem like a signifigant challenge when first setting out for service, but you will find that research is needed in order to land the most reliable host.

There are several popular control panels out there but the right one for you all depends on the platform you choose to host on.  In the web hosting arena, control panels are mainly designed for one of two platforms: Windows or Linux.  Let’s go over some of the most popular options.

Windows Platform

Helm

Helm is one of the best control panels available for Windows.  The software offers a number of user-friendly features and is tightly integrated with an array of management and billing tools.  This gives Helm advantages over many competing applications.  Boasting a well designed interface and extremely easy to use, Helm makes an excellent choice for many hosting environments.

Host Accelerator

Though lesser known, Hosting Accelerator is another viable option for Windows hosting.  The interface is a bit clunky and less organized but it does provide you with most of the basics.  Because it lacks some of the features found in similar applications, the H-Sphere control panel is best suited for modest needs.

Linux Platform

cPanel

cPanel is king on the Linux platform and the most widely used among all control panels.  Known for its simple design and ease of use, this software gives you tons of features that can all be accessed from the main page.  One of the best features integrated within the control panel is Fantastico.  This third-party application is bundled with a variety of programs that range from blogs to bulletin boards.  cPanel may be designed with the novice in mind but its rich set of features cater to experienced webmasters as well.

DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin is another control panel that serves the Linux platform.  This software is easy to use and generally comes attached with cheaper fees.  DirectAdmin is known for its straightforward interface and usability.  The biggest downside is that it lacks many of the helpful administrative features found in other Linux control panels.

Interworx

The Interworx control panel offers both sophistication and ease of use.  Simplicity is enabled through the user interface that puts all the essential features in plain view.  There are also a number of wizards and other tools that can guide you through the configuration process.  The learning curve with Interworx is short as the software provides an environment that enables beginners to become advanced fairly quickly.

Cross-Platform

Plesk

Plesk is one of few control panels that actually supports both Linux and Windows platforms.  Though usually more expensive, this software is very popular and highly regarded as a worthy competitor to cPanel.  Plesk offers an interface similar to Windows XP which makes it very easy to work with.  Features such as the premium site builder and management tools qualify Plesk an excellent choice for both platforms.

In the end, the control panel is a matter or preference, but you certainly need to keep an eye on the platform.  cPanel is dominant on Linux, Helm is the preferred choice on Windows and Plesk suits either or.  You can make a more informed decision by examining these control panels a bit closer to see what each has to offer.

Regardless of the service you choose, every web hosting account comes with one type of control panel or another.  This software is designed to provide you with the ability to control various elements of your account.  From the interface you can set up email accounts, manage domains, view stats, create databases and more.  Consider it as the central office from which you control all the vital aspects of your website.

The Need for Control Panels

The major goal of a control panel is to help you get hands on really play an active role in maintaining your hosting account.  It aims to enrich and simplify the experience by providing a user-friendly graphical user interface that can be mastered with little to no technical knowledge.

Most control panels give you convenient access to all the features included in your hosting plan.  Basic features include capabilities such as being able to add on domains and log into your web mail.  With a good program, you can manage all of these features and even access the tools needed to actually create your site.

Advanced Features

Over the years, control panels have received notable upgrades that enable them to offer a broader range of advanced features.  It isn’t uncommon to find software that allows you to establish an FTP connection, incorporate image galleries and perform web-based backups.  Another popular feature is the inclusion of add-on programs.  Though Fantastico is the most known, there are several built-in tools that let you install a wide range of free programs.  These applications usually include scripts for blogs, shopping carts and content management systems.  When moving into more advanced forms of hosting, you have control panels that allow you to set up hosting packages, maintain multiple user accounts and administer various aspects of the server.  The capabilities tend to be extended with each new release.

Distinguishing Control Panels

For the most part, all control panels strive to provide the same results but there are factors that separate different software.

Presentation – The biggest difference is the interface and software design.  While one program may differ from another in terms of appearance, they all provide you with a centralized area where all your features and tools can be accessed.   Some applications are just more organized and intuitive than others.

Features - Features is another area in which control panels standout from one another.  All contain the basics but some lack advanced functionality and are best for more simplistic types of hosting.  For example, you have your control panels designed for shared hosting and others made to perform in the dedicated server environment.  It is vital to determine the features you need before making a choice.

Platform – The difference in control panels is the platform they are designed to run on.  Some applications are specific to the Windows operating system, some to the Linux environment and others support both.  There are reliable control panels available for most operating systems but you should know that your choice could limit you to the capabilities of a certain platform.