web hosting

How Control Panels Automate the Web Hosting Operation

These days, the average web hosting company has thousands of websites to maintain and even more customers to keep happy.  Manually performing all of the required tasks across multiple web servers is prohibitively costly and in many environments, impossible.  Being that web hosting is such a demanding operation, even seemingly trivial processes such as creating email accounts would be overwhelming difficult.  This is where control panels and automation come into play.  With a quality control panel application, hosting providers can get an efficient handle on server administration while their customers can manage virtually every aspect of their own websites without intervention from the host.

Control panel software is designed to automate various aspects of server administration, taking the pain out of intensive manual labor.  Some of the most notable include creating email accounts, SQL databases, access control and facilitating software installations among other administrative functions.  Most of these programs work by providing each domain and website owner with a unique access ID, which gives them access to the user interface of the control panel.  When the user logs in to their hosting account via the software, they are then able to perform a number of different server administration tasks based on the available features, resources and access permissions.  A good control panel will not only allow you to accomplish server administration with relative ease, but also monitor your resource usage, view server logs and manage your files right on the software.

Commercial vs. Custom Control Panels

When it comes to control panel applications, web hosting firms generally have two options.  They can choose to purchase an out of the box commercial solution, or build their own custom software in-house.  A large number of companies have elected to build their own software programs due to their proprietary hardware infrastructure, assured compatibility and to elude the often expensive licenses that come along with commercial products.  On the other hand, developing custom automation software in-house can prove to be both time consuming and expensive.   Most importantly, it could result in a much steeper learning curve for the hosting provider’s customers.  Therefore, most companies utilizing generic software and hardware components are better suited for out of the box commercial solutions as they typically offer the utmost in convenience for the end customer.  These type of control panels eliminate the cost and complexities of designing the application and also cut down on technical support as customers will be less likely to rely on assistance from the host.

Summary

Control panel software enables web hosting companies to drastically reduce overhead expenses through the simplistic power of automation.   This in turn, allows them to be more competitive in terms of pricing and even extend that power and control onto their customers who can perform a number of server administration tasks regardless of their technical knowledge.  From cPanel and Plesk to DirectAdmin and Helm, control panel software plays a key role in making sure web hosting is simple and affordable.

Efficient VPS Management with HyperVM

It is often said that a VPS (virtual private server) is the perfect compromise between a shared and dedicated server.  However, what many don’t understand is the technical challenges involved with maintaining a virtualized platform.  While this type of environment isn’t recommended for the rookie webmaster, it can be greatly simplified with the aid of powerful control panel software.  There are many control panels designed to run with a VPS but the one we will discuss in this article is a program known as HyperVM.

What is HyperVM?

HyperVM is a software product that enables the easy provision and management of VPS platforms based on OpenVZ and Xen virtualization technology.  Because the package is tightly integrated with the Kloxo hosting control panel, it essentially gives web hosts the power to deploy a fully functional web hosting system right out of the box.  HyperVM performs with the utmost efficiency in the virtualization environment, allowing VPS end-users to maintain their operations transparently across multiple servers.  The software includes a mechanism that has the ability to manage networking configurations such as gateways and IP addresses independent of the control panel and also offers an IP address pool to support larger scale administration.

Advanced Virtualization Technology

HyperVM is a multi-tiered, multi-server, multi-virtualization program.  Here are additional details on the relevance of each key component.

Multi-Tiered - Multi-tiered describes the application’s ability to run partially on one server while other parts of it run on another or multiple servers.  This technology serves as added protection just in case on of the virtual servers happens to crash.  If something of this nature does occur, HyperVM’s multi-tiered structure ensures that your data can still be accessed from the other available servers.

Multi-Server – By acting as a multi-server platform, HyperVM allows hosting providers to move customer accounts from one server to another.  By doing so, they can prevent overcrowding and better assure that customers enjoy an optimal performance.

Multi-Virtualization – The implementation of multi-virtualization technology enables VPS hosting providers to offer different forms of virtualization technology to their customers all from a single control panel.  HyperVM currently supports OpenVZ and Zen but compatibility with other virtualization platforms are said to be in the works.

HyperVM Control Panel Features

The HyperVM VPS control panel delivers a wealth of features that customers can use to effectively maintain their accounts.  Listed below are just some of the features that have made it one of the premier control panels on the VPS hosting market:

Comprehensive Administrative Tools – HyperV comes included with Kloxo, a website configuration and comprehensive interface that allows you to manage and update your site with ease.  This tool offers many of the same capabilities as control panels like cPanel and Plesk.

Centralized Console – With HyperVM, you can manage all the vital aspects of your hosting account from a single location.

Complete Management Authority – HyperVM defines what a VPS solution is all about, providing you with extreme control from configurations and rebooting to reloading and monitoring.

The HyperVM control panel gets the job done in the virtualized hosting environment.  If you have been considering VPS lately, this is one tool you may want to look out for.

Introduction to Webmin

The number of control panels on the market keeps expanding into an even greater variety.  Almost everyone is familiar with cPanel along with rivals such as Plesk and H-Sphere.  One control panel you may not be familiar with is Webmin, a super-functional application that certainly warrants a closer look.

What is Webmin?

Webmin is a software tool designed to simply the process of managing Unix and Linux platforms.  The program is compatible with virtually any web browser, permitting various administrative tasks through a cleanly designed, user-friendly interface.  Webmin provides the ability to manage various aspects of the web hosting environment from setting up a web server and creating accounts to maintaining FTP and mail servers.

Webmin Features and Capabilities

The Webmin control panel allows you to do the following:

• Use NFS protocol to exports files and directories to other systems
• Set up quotas to control how much disk space is allocated to users
• Install, manage and delete software packages in formats such as RPM
• Modify the systems’ DNS settings, IP address and routing configuration
• Set up firewalls for added security or to provide LAN access to the internet
• Create and configure virtual servers on Apache
• Manage databases, tables and fields on MySQL or PostgreSQL database servers

These are just some of the capabilities offered by the Webmin software.  Because it is accessed via a browser, you can login from any system connected to your own through a network.  There is no difference between running Webmin locally or remotely.  The software is built on a modular design, meaning each of its functions are contained in a module that can be installed or uninstalled independent of the rest of the application.  This structure alone makes Webmin very distinctive of your average control panel.

Although Webmin is primarily used on the Linux platform, it also integrates with Unix flavors such as FreeBSD, HP/UX and Solaris.  One of its greatest strengths is the ability to adjust its behavior and interface in accordance to the underlying platform.  For example, Webmin can conceal the obvious differences between Linux and other Unix variants by presenting an interface that is either identical or quite similar regardless of what system you are using.

Webmin Disadvantages

Webmin offers many advantages but is not very useful on its own accord.  This is because unlike cPanel which acts as a server, Webmin is merely a configuration tool and therefore, it depends on other applications to perform.  For instance, in order to user the Apache module, the actual Apache web server application must be installed on the system.  The good thing is that all of these servers and services it relies on are included standard with Unix-like distributions or can be freely downloaded and implemented.

Who Needs Webmin?

The Webmin control panel is designed for users with a familiarity of Linux commands but are not all that familiar with the intricacies of server administration.  This software assumes that the user is familiar with basic networking concepts such as DNS servers, IP addresses and hostnames as well as the layout of the Unix file system.   Those who possess these capabilities can enjoy everything from the power to set up FTP accounts and simple website management to root privileges and custom software installations.

Why You Need a Good Control Panel

Regardless of the company, every web host offers some type of control panel.  This software application is what allows a webmaster to manage and control all the essential aspects of their web hosting account.  You generally get administrative control over your domains, email accounts, databases and web stats among other features.  While the functionality varies among programs, most control panels are designed with user-friendliness in mind, allowing you to manage just about everything from a centralized interface.  A good program will give you the ability to manage your account with ease regardless of technical experience.

The main objective of a control panel is to enrich the webmaster’s experience by providing a number of tools that dramatically reduce administrative challenges.  One of the most widely used control panels on the market is cPanel and its counterpart WHM (Web Host Manager).  Both are incredibly easy to use, offering a Graphical User Interface with icons well designed on the main page.  cPanel comes integrated with a variety of features and tools that allow you to control various aspects of your web hosting account and even provides details on bandwidth and other vital statistics.

Similar to most technologies related to the web hosting arena, control panels have evolved tremendously over the years.  Aside from the basic functionality such as creating email accounts and adding domains, most of today’s software offer the ability to transfer files via FTP, database management, marketing tools and backup utilities.  The average control panel typically comes included with pre-designed templates and software that allows you to build your entire site.  Other advanced functionality that has become common is the inclusion of application installers.  For example, cPanel is integrated with Fantastico which enables the easy one-click installation of additional software such as WordPress, Cube Cart and Joomla.

There are several factors that must be considered when looking for web host and the control panel is one of the most important of all.  Although the software for you will largely depend on your personal requirements, a good control panel should offer the following qualities:

Interface: The control panel interface is the main page and the first thing you will see upon logging into your account.  Look for a program that has all the essential features located on the interface as this will make your management tasks much easier.

Platform: In the web hosting world, platform simply refers to the operating system installed on the web host’s server.  The platform is crucial as control panels tend to be designed for one system or another.

Features: Control panels are all about features.  The more features you get, the greater level of control you will have over your website.

There are numerous control panels on the market and taking the time to choose a good one is extremely important.  If you would like to get more hands on, look for a web host that offers a demo version so you can test out the control panel for yourself.

Reseller Control Panels

There is a lot that needs to be taken into consideration when investing in a reseller account.  One of the most important factors of all is the control panel.  Since the control panel interface is where you will spend most of your time, it is essential to find an intuitive program that meets the needs of your reseller business.

What is a Control Panel?

A control panel is a software program that allows you to administer your hosting account.  This type of software acts as the back-end of your account and can only be seen by you.  Nearly every web hosting provider offers some type of control panel though not all programs are created equal.

Some applications are clunky, poorly designed and limit the control you have over the account.  The average software used in the modern day hosting industry will grant you various administrative powers including the ability to create email accounts, add domains, upload files via FTP, backup your website and more.  There is a big difference between the software used for a typical shared hosting account and a reseller account.  However, two of the most popular control panels tend to perform well in both environments – cPanel and Plesk.

cPanel vs Plesk

cPanel and Plesk are respectively the most widely used control panels on the market.  Both are very powerful and offer a GUI (graphical user interface) that can be easily accessed by nearly any web browser.  Both provide you with basic options for configuring your account and advanced configurations as well.  And while the interfaces of both programs are clean and easy to maintain, these two programs are very distinct.

A reseller account that comes with the cPanel package offers the highest level of administrative capabilities in a control panel known as WHM (Web Host Manager).  Unlike the cPanel software on a shared hosting account, WHM is strictly intended for the administrator as it interacts directly with the server.  This program allows you to create individual web hosting accounts, perform backups for the entire system and also make configurations for a number of services hosted on the server.  Your web hosting clients are provided with the cPanel interface which gives them administrative control over their sites.  One of cPanel’s best features is the Fantastico script installer which gives individual users the ability to incorporate of number of free programs such as the Wordpress blogging application and the Joomla CMS.  The latest version of Fantastico comes loaded with over 40 programs.

Plesk has established a solid reputation for being stable and secure.  Resellers and end-users both appreciate its simple interface and ability to create professional sites.  Plesk grants control on four different levels: Administrator, Client/Reseller, Domain Owner and Mail User.  Users at each level have control over their own operation  For instance, control at the mail user level will allow clients to access messages, change their password and configure autoresponders all without needing to access the control panel intended for the domain owner.  Plesk comes packed with features and also supports a number of add-ons including Site Builder, a module that offers more than 300 templates, allowing users to create sites without any knowledge of FTP or HTML.

Conclusion

As a reseller, the control panel is one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal.  With the backing of a reliable program, managing your clients will be much easier, putting you a step closer to becoming successful in the web hosting industry.