Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » H-Sphere http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Control Panel B Team – A World Beyond cPanelhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/07/control-panel-world-beyond-cpanel/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/07/control-panel-world-beyond-cpanel/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:10:19 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=2187 The popularity of cPanel can mask the fact that it is far from the only control panel option out there.  It is also not the only good one.  Dozens of well-supported feature-rich control panels exist, and as not every host even uses cPanel, the beginner who is facing the question of choosing a new web host might want to know whether or not the control panel system that they use adds value to their web hosting package or not.

So let’s do a brief rundown of some of the other common web hosting control panels out there, so you know how much you should smile when you see that your host offers it.

Plesk

Short for Parallels Plesk Control Panel, Plesk has gone through many revisions, and is considered by some to be even more stable than cPanel.  Also, if you are going with a Windows-based host, then Plesk’s support for it is several years older, meaning that it’s going to be even more stable (and secure: a Windows-based control panel is a double-whammy of potential security holes).  It also has extensive module support, and can be used in multiple speaking languages.  On the negative side, a number of users have complained that Version 10 is too overloaded and slow.

Kloxo

Formerly known as Lxadmin, Kloxo is an open-source control panel for CentOS and Red Hat Linux servers.  It had a troubled history to get where it is now, including a number of security holes, but users now report their satisfaction with using it.  One drawback to it is that support is only available via community forums, though word is that the software is growing enough in popularity that paid consultants are stepping up to the plate.

H-sphere

For a software package available on multiple platforms (Unix, Linux and Windows), H-sphere gets its share of mixed reviews.  Some of the negative points are elements that the end user won’t see: it is expensive for a host to purchase and it’s described as difficult to install.  There are also complaints about its ease of use.  On the other hand, its help documentation is extensive, and it has multi-lingual support in 10(!) languages.  It certainly has its devotees: in one online poll 15% of users listed it as their favorite control panel.

Interworx

Interworx is a control panel that’s quickly growing in popularity, though it’s more for backend purposes.  It supports load balancing and server clustering, and uses real-time graphs; what this means for you as the end user is greater stability both with the panel and on the server.  It’s described as not only being easy to use but also being very command-line friendly, something that doesn’t always get much control support.  It includes a module called ScriptWorx that is described as letting the user install just about any third-party software package.

There is a lot of energy being put into making competing control panel software packages.  So when you go to a new web host and see a name there that isn’t cPanel, don’t panic.  Many of these packages are high quality, and some would argue are better.  Take a close look at the plus and minuses, but definitely don’t just write them off. If cPanel is still your choice check best cPanel hosting providers.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/07/control-panel-world-beyond-cpanel/feed/ 0 H-Sphere: Possibly The Most Competent Control Panelhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/03/30/h-sphere-possibly-the-most-competent-control-panel/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/03/30/h-sphere-possibly-the-most-competent-control-panel/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:11:32 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=822 It is hard to compete with popular names in the control panel industry like cPanel and Plesk, especially with the amount of web host’s that promote these control panels by default. However there is a competitor that can be compared to both of these control panels, yet many have never even heard of it; H-sphere. Although this software is not as popular as some of the top contenders, it certainly provides features that are just as appealing, if not more than what it’s competitors have to offer.

One attribute that makes H-sphere a greatly underrated control panel is it’s compatibility. H-sphere is compatible with all three of the major operating systems; Windows, Linux and Unix. H-sphere is also compatible with virtually all databases, including MSSQL PostgreSQL and MySQL. This compatibility has earned H-sphere a lot of recognition recently, and many are beginning to prefer it over the more popular control panels.

Functionality and Compatibility Combined

One attribute of H-sphere that cannot be overlooked is it’s compatibility. Although the control panel can be used by virtually any novice, it is also packed with features, and can accommodate any server environment. The software is also compatible with all of the major payment gateways (over 30 to be exact) including PayPal. The tools that are included with H-sphere make designing and building your website a extremely simple and time efficient, and you can also write your own scripts for the software as well. H-sphere also gives you access to an integrated support module that let’s you contact your web hosting service provider with ease, without ever having to leave the administrative interface.

Security and Reliability

H-sphere has also been shown to be more secure and reliable than all of the more popular control panels. Even though safety was a main focus of the developers, don’t underestimate H-sphere’s ability to accommodate the needs of multiple servers at once. Adding servers to the interface is also extremely simple.  Although it may take a little bit of time to learn your way around this control panel, you can rest assured that your site administration is completely secure at all times. Most novice users will find this control panel to be difficult to use, while the advanced webmasters will have more appreciation for the in-depth features of this control panel.  This is not to say that the novice user could not easily learn the software with the plethora of information that is included with the software.

Is H-sphere for You?

Although H-sphere offers features that most control panels do not, this comes at a price. H-sphere is more expensive than other control panels for this reason, and is generally not recommended for small business with only one server to manage. If you’re looking for a basic control panel that will be extremely simple to use, then H-sphere is probably not for you. However, if you want the most competent and comprehensive control panel solution to manage multiple servers, then you may find H-sphere to be useful.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/03/30/h-sphere-possibly-the-most-competent-control-panel/feed/ 0 Top Three Control Panels to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosthttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/07/top-three-control-panels-to-consider-when-choosing-a-web-host/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/07/top-three-control-panels-to-consider-when-choosing-a-web-host/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:44:44 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=653 Selecting the right control panel for your web hosting account is imperative. This decision will affect the overall productivity of your online business. Depending on your goals, you’ll want to choose a control panel that is both user-friendly and feature packed, to ensure you get the most out of your web hosting experience. Choosing the wrong control panel can result in countless hours of frustration and confusion, so it is important that one reviews their options carefully before making a final decision.

This article will allow one to make the most informed decision possible, by providing a detailed summary of the top three web hosting control panels .

cPanel

cPanel is likely the most common control panel used today. It’s popularity can be attributed to its user-friendly interface and wide array of features.  The standard cPanel account comes equipped with two different hosting interfaces that make it ideal for managing an online business. These two interfaces are the WHM and cPanel itself.  WHM (Web Host Manager), is the software used to create new hosting accounts and packages.  The WHM is used to perform various management functions, such as adding/spending customer accounts, monitoring resource usage, changing passwords, parking domains, and installing SSL certificates . One of the biggest advantages of a cPanel account is the included  third-party application “Fantastico” that allows one to enhance their site’s overall quality by incorporating a wide array of useful add-on applications.

H-Sphere

H-Sphere is a highly versatile control panel that supports both Windows and Linux platforms. This control panel lets administrators manage several different servers from one computer.  H-Sphere behaves much like a server itself, offering a variety of turn-key features like payment processing, account configuration,  domain name registration and email notification.  It also includes support for more than twenty payment gateways, and it even comes with a built-in billing module. Since H-sphere is equipped with  so many useful features it is often considered much less user-friendly than most of the other control panels available. Although the overall design of H-sphere gives it a steep learning curve,  this control panel can still be mastered with very little foreknown knowledge in PHP, HTML, or FTP.

Plesk

Plesk is well-renowned as one of the most secure and stable control panels on the market today.  Many of it’s users appreciate it’s easy-to-learn navigation, well designed interface, and overall appearance in general.  Plesk offers a variety of beneficial features, including an automated application installer that is much like Fantastico. Plesk also comes equipped with a site builder and a powerful spam filter, Spam Assassin.  This particular control panel also works well with other solutions offered by its developer; SWsoft. The most notable application that Plesk integrates well with is HSP. HSP fully automates the process of administrative tasks such as payment processing and email notification.

Regardless of which control panel you decide to use, all of the control panels mentioned here are a viable solutions for all of your web hosting tasks.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/07/top-three-control-panels-to-consider-when-choosing-a-web-host/feed/ 0 Options for Your Reseller Softwarehttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/07/13/options-for-your-reseller-software/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/07/13/options-for-your-reseller-software/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:10:13 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=416 There is much to consider when choosing a control panel, but one of the most important of all is its user-friendliness.  This is especially true for a reseller as your hosting customers will likely range from newcomers to more advanced users.  An ideal solution would be finding a control panel that bridges that gap between both types of users.  It is understandable that everyone would prefer a control panel which is simple to navigate as it makes it much easier to find the tools and services they need to access.  The control panel market is expanding rapidly, but we have listed some of the best options for your reselling hosting endeavors.

HostFlow

Though a relative newcomer, the HostFlow control panel is quickly shaking up the web hosting control panel market and serving as worthy competition to the industry leading players.  As of now, HostFlow is the only control panel that allows hosts to sell web hosting plans, bulk web services and dedicated servers through both direct and indirect sales channels.  A complete hosting automation system, it supports a number of modules that facilitate server, customer, order and billing management, allowing users to get the most of their reseller business.  If you are a seeking a product with the ability to automate virtually every aspect of the hosting delivery process, HostFlow could the solution for you.

Ensim

The Ensim software makes another great choice for a control panel.  It offers a wide variety of features as well four levels of administration, reseller option included.  Ensim makes it easy to create hosting accounts, manage your clients, monitor bandwidth and much more.  All of your administrative tasks can be handled in far less time as everything goes through a streamlined, centralized interface.  Ensim is known as a very flexible solution that supports both Linux and Windows platforms.

H-Sphere

H-Sphere also runs on both Linux and Windows servers.  This is perhaps one of the most advanced and complex of all web hosting control panels on the market.  The major plus as that the software gives you a lot of power as the features are virtually unlimited.  This software is ideal for experienced users as it streamlines the reselling process with extensive billing options and total automation.  If you want a reseller hosting control panel that does it all, H-Sphere is definitely worth a closer look.

Zervex DSM

While it is not as well known as the other options, Zervex DSM is one control panel that demands attention.  The software has a clean, easy navigable interface that benefits both server administrators and webmasters alike.  Zervex allows you to administer multiple websites or a multitude of servers through a powerful web-based interface.  The software has three levels: Server Administrator, Reseller and End User.  Each interface is identical from a graphical aspect, providing easy to use tools at ever level.  Equipped with the built-in Plug-ins manager, your customers will enjoy the ability to install well over 30 open-source software applications with the click of a button.  Zervex DMS makes a solid choice if you want to give back to your loyal clients.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/07/13/options-for-your-reseller-software/feed/ 0 Introduction to Webminhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/04/06/introduction-to-webmin/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/04/06/introduction-to-webmin/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:19:25 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=274 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.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/04/06/introduction-to-webmin/feed/ 0 Control Panel Options for Resellershttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/02/27/control-panel-options-for-resellers/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/02/27/control-panel-options-for-resellers/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:39:36 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=219 As a reseller, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is choosing a control panel.  When selecting the right software, you can save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration.  This article will give you an overview on some of the most popular control panels available for reseller hosting.

cPanel

cPanel makes a great choice for reselling because it is incredibly easy to use and loaded with features.  The standard cPanel reseller package comes with two separate applications: WHM and cPanel.  WHM (Web Host Manager) is the control panel used to create user accounts and web hosting packages.  Other features include the ability to modify plans, add and suspend sites, park domains, view bandwidth statistics and perform other administrative tasks.  Clients of the reseller are provided with the end-user version of cPanel to manage their own sites.

A cPanel reseller hosting package also includes an optional application called WHM Autopilot.  This program allows you to configure account creation and suspensions, email notifications and other automated functions.  WHM Autopilot can be seamlessly integrated with numerous payment gateways and includes a built-in helpdesk, invoice module and several administrative tools.

H-Sphere

H-Sphere is a cross-platform control panel that allows resellers to set up hosting plans on both Windows and Linux systems.  It provides the unique ability to manage sites on different servers from a single interface even though the control panel is actually on a separate server.  H-Sphere completely automates the management processing, allowing you to easily make configurations, process credit card payments, handle domain name registrations and send out email notifications.  This control panel also has a built-in helpdesk, a billing module and supports more than 20 payment gateways.

The advanced features and functionality of H-Sphere results in a steeper learning curve than other control panels.  For this reason, beginners may find this software a bit too complex for their needs.  On the other hand, more advanced users appreciate the flexibility and control H-Sphere offers.  Aside from the features mentioned, H-Sphere also comes with the SiteStudio website builder that allows end-users to create websites from a number of pre-designed themes.  This gives domain owners the ability to build professional sites regardless of their experience with FTP or HTML.

Plesk

The Plesk control panel is known as one of the most stable and secure on the market.  Resellers and end-users both admire the software’s clean interface, simple navigation and professional appearance.  Plesk offers control on four different levels: Server administrator, Client/Reseller, Domain owner and Mail user.  Each level gives users control of their particular level along with the level below them.  For instance, the server administrator can view information about the reseller, the reseller can view the details on their clients and so forth.

Plesk’s developer Swsoft, also offers Site Builder through the control panel, a program that provides end-users with an easy way to create their sites.  Site Builder has more than 300 templates in numerous categories, allowing reseller clients to create sites with no programming or FTP knowledge.  When combined with HSPcomplete, another Swsoft creation, Plesk delivers automation that allows you to process credit card payments, send email notifications and much more.

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