Today, server management and monitoring can be a challenging task for any IT professional.
Since there are so many different components to monitor and manage, it can be easy to lose track of things.
This is why having a server control panel is crucial if you want to streamline your management processes and increase productivity.
A server control panel centralizes all the primary functions of your servers, such as monitoring, alerting, and reporting.
It also provides you with a single point of access for configuring alerts and notifications on various services.
Today we’ll be exploring what a control panel is, why you need one, and what some of the best options are out there for you.
What is a Server Control Panel?
A server control panel is a software platform that provides web-based administration of servers and other network devices.
These are also known as web hosting control panels, or HCPs.
The primary function of a server control panel is to centralize the management of various services running on your servers.
It also provides a single point of access for configuring alerts and notifications on various services.
Typically, a control panel is installed on a Linux-based server and provides a web-based user interface.
This interface is where you’ll be able to view your servers, manage their configuration, and perform administrative tasks.
All major hosting providers offer a control panel with their hosting plans.
This makes the process of setting up your server and managing its services much easier.
Why Do You Need a Server Control Panel?
A server control panel is a must-have if you’re managing multiple servers.
It’s designed to make your life easier by centralizing all the administrative tasks for these servers into one place.
No matter what kind of server you’re managing, a control panel will allow you to monitor their performance, set up alerts for when things go wrong, and troubleshoot issues.
These control panels also provide you with a web-based interface where you can make changes to configuration settings.
This makes it easier to manage your servers remotely from any computer with an internet connection.
A control panel also makes it easier to onboard new team members.
This is because it provides a single point of access for configuring alerts and notifications on various services.
All your new employees need to do is log into the control panel and they’ll see all the relevant information at a single glance.
Which Server Control Panels Are the Best?
When selecting a control panel, it’s important to choose one that’s compatible with your hosting provider.
Ideally, you want to find a control panel that integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure.
This will save you time and effort, and help you avoid unnecessary downtime.
Here are some of the most popular control panels for web hosting.
– Control-WebPanel – Control-WebPanel is one of the most popular control panels out there.
It has been around for over a decade and is used by many hosting providers.
This control panel is available in three different versions: standard, premium, and managed.
The standard version is free, while the premium version charges an Annual fee of $11.99 and the managed tier $142.89.
– cPanel – cPanel is the most popular control panel for Linux-based servers. It’s used by many of the top hosting providers, such as Bluehost, HostGator, and Namecheap.
cPanel is one of the oldest control panels in the industry and has been around since the mid 1990s.
This control panel is also open source, meaning it’s completely free to use.
– ISPconfig – ISPconfig is a popular control panel for servers running Apache, Nginx, MySQL, and PHP (WAMP).
It’s also compatible with Windows and OS X.
This control panel is open-source and free to use.
It also offers a paid Pro version with additional features.
– Froxlor -Froxlor is a control panel for Windows-based servers.
It’s designed for smaller companies and is completely free to use.
This control panel is easy to install and is compatible with many popular server apps.
– CentOS Web Panel – CentOS Web Panel is a control panel designed specifically for CentOS servers.
It’s completely free and compatible with Linux-based servers.
This control panel is easy to install and offers several useful features.
–Virtualmin – Virtualmin is offered in three product lines: Virtualmin GPL, Virtualmin Professional, and Cloudmin Professional.
Virtualmin is an open-source web hosting control panel used to manage hosting servers.
It allows you to set up and manage websites on a hosting server from one central location.
It is a very flexible and highly configurable hosting panel with a strong focus on ease of use and reliability.
– Webmin is a dialed-down version of Virtualmin but is good for those who are new to hosting and doesn’t require a lot of advanced functionality.
It is one of the easiest ways to get up and running with a server and offers tons of documentation to get you started.
It is also a very lightweight application, so it won’t slow down your host.
Webmin also has one of the best support communities in the industry and you can be sure that it will be supported for a long time to come.
Vesta CP is a free, easy-to-use web hosting control panel. Its core functionalities are completely free-and it also allows you to upgrade for additional commercial plugins.
It has a very user-friendly interface that makes it suitable for both novice and experienced users.
What is even more important is that it supports both remote and local uploading,
which means that you can install it locally on your computer or remotely from anywhere in the world.
In fact, it can be installed on both Windows and Linux operating systems, which makes it very convenient for a wide range of users.
What’s more, Vesta CP comes with a variety of additional features that make it a very convenient and helpful tool for webmasters.
You can use it to create as many websites as you like, and you can install different designs and skins as well.
The best part is that it is completely free of charge.
How to Find the Right One for You Choosing the right control panel requires research and analysis.
Ideally, you want to find a control panel that is compatible with your current hosting provider.
It should also offer useful features that are tailored to your specific needs.
To find the right control panel for you, you’ll need to do some research.
You should start by reading reviews and comparing different products.
You can also ask your hosting provider for recommendations.
How to Find the Right One for You
When selecting a control panel, it’s important to choose one that’s compatible with your hosting provider.
Ideally, you want to find a control panel that is compatible with your current hosting provider.
It should also offer useful features that are tailored to your specific needs.
Choosing the right control panel requires research and analysis.
Here are some of the factors you need to consider when choosing a control panel.
– Compatibility Once again, compatibility should be your top concern.
Ideally, you want to find a control panel that is compatible with your current hosting provider.
It should also offer useful features that are tailored to your specific needs.
– Ease of Use You don’t want to spend a lot of time learning how to use a new control panel.
Ideally, you want a control panel that’s easy to use.
You should be able to set it up in a matter of minutes.
– Useful Features Not all control panels are created equal.
Ideally, you want to find a control panel that offers useful features.
These features should make managing your servers more efficient.
– Support and Community How well does the control panel’s manufacturer support their product?
Ideally, you want to find a control panel that has an active community and a responsive support team.
These factors can help you get started faster and resolve issues more easily.
Conclusion
A server control panel is a software platform that provides web-based administration of servers and other network devices.
These are also known as web hosting control panels, or HCPs.
The primary function of a server control panel is to centralize the management of various services running on your servers.
It also provides a single point of access for configuring alerts and notifications on various services.
Choosing the right control panel requires research and analysis.
Once again, compatibility should be your top concern. Ideally, you want to find a control panel that is compatible with your current hosting provider.
It should also offer useful features that are tailored to your specific needs.
Timothy Mbiti
I am an entrepreneur and co-founder at PicketMaze. I specialize in search engine optimization and digital marketing.
