If you are familiar with web hosting, you’ve probably heard of cPanel before. In fact, cPanel is one of the most widely used control panels for web hosting providers. According to recent statistics, over 70% of the top web hosting companies in the world use cPanel as their control panel of choice. But what exactly is cPanel, and how is it different when used on a virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated server versus a shared hosting account?
In this article, we will explore how to use cPanel on a VPS or dedicated server and the differences from using cPanel on a shared hosting account. We will also provide step-by-step instructions to help you navigate through cPanel and optimize its features for your website.
Using cPanel on a VPS or Dedicated Server
Using cPanel on a VPS or dedicated server is similar to using it on a shared hosting account, with a few key differences. In this section, we will explore these differences and provide step-by-step instructions on how to use cPanel on a VPS or dedicated server.
Logging into cPanel
To access cPanel, you will need to have your login credentials. If you are using a VPS or dedicated server, you can typically access cPanel by typing the IP address of your host followed by “:2083” into your web browser. This will take you to the cPanel login page where you can enter your username and password.
Navigating cPanel
Once you have logged in, you will be taken to the cPanel dashboard. From here, you can navigate to various sections such as Email, Files, Databases, etc. by clicking on the corresponding icons. You can also use the search bar to quickly find the feature or tool you need.
It is important to remember that with a VPS or dedicated server, you have root access to the server, which means you have complete control over the host and can perform advanced tasks such as installing custom software or configuring server settings that are not available on a shared hosting account.
Managing Email Accounts
Simply navigate to the Email section of cPanel and click on the “Email Accounts” icon to begin managing your email accounts. You may set up email forwarding, create new email accounts, manage current email accounts, and a lot more from this central location. Webmail clients such as Roundcube, Horde, or SquirrelMail can also be used to view your email accounts directly from within cPanel. This is another option.
Managing Databases
Click on the “MySQL® Databases” link inside the Databases section of cPanel when you want to manage your databases. You can build new databases, administer existing databases, and manage database users all from this single location. You also have access to phpMyAdmin, a web-based interface for administering MySQL databases. phpMyAdmin is available to you.
Installing Applications
One of the most useful features of cPanel is the ability to install applications with just a few clicks. To install an application, go to the Software section and click on “Softaculous Apps Installer”. From here, you can browse through hundreds of popular applications such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and more. Once you have selected the application you want to install, simply follow the prompts to complete the installation process.
Differences from using cPanel on a shared hosting account
While using cPanel on a VPS or dedicated server is similar to using it on a shared hosting account, there are some differences to be aware of. In this section, we will explore these differences and provide some tips on how to optimize cPanel for a VPS or dedicated server.
Root access
As mentioned earlier, with a VPS or dedicated server, you have root access to the server. This means you have complete control over the server and can perform advanced tasks that are not available on a shared hosting account. However, with great power comes great responsibility. It is important to be careful when performing advanced tasks as they can potentially harm your server if not done correctly.
Resource allocation
On a shared hosting account, your website shares server resources with other websites. This means that the amount of resources available to your website can vary depending on the usage of other websites on the same server. With a VPS or dedicated server, you have dedicated resources allocated to your website, which can result in faster website performance and better overall website stability.
Server management
With a VPS or dedicated server, you are responsible for managing the host yourself. This includes tasks such as host updates, security configurations, and backups. While this may seem daunting at first, there are many tools and resources available to help you manage your server effectively.
Optimizing cPanel for a VPS or Dedicated Server
Here are some tips on how to optimize cPanel for a VPS or dedicated server:
Use the latest version of cPanel
Make sure to always use the latest version of cPanel to ensure that you have access to the latest features and security updates.
Disable unused services
By disabling unused services, you can free up resources on your server and improve its overall performance. For example, if you are not using the FTP service, you can disable it in cPanel to free up resources.
Implement security measures
With a VPS or dedicated server, you are responsible for implementing your own security measures. This includes installing firewalls, configuring secure passwords, and enabling SSL certificates. There are many security plugins available in cPanel that can help you secure your server.
Regular backups
Regular backups are important to ensure that your data is safe in case of a server failure or data loss. You can use the backup features in cPanel to schedule automatic backups and store them on remote locations such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
Conclusion
To summarize, utilizing cPanel on a VPS or dedicated server is quite comparable to utilizing it on a shared hosting account; however, there are a few important changes. You will be responsible for the management of the host whether you use a virtual VPS or a dedicated server because you will have root access to the server and dedicated resources. Managing a VPS or a dedicated server may be a gratifying experience, provided that the administrator has access to the appropriate tools and resources. cPanel is a highly effective tool that will assist you in the efficient management of both your website and server. If you follow the advice in this article, you will be able to optimize cPanel for your VPS or dedicated server, hence improving the stability and speed of your website.
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