Archive for Plesk
Hybrid Servers: Helping the Environment One Byte at a Time
Posted by: | CommentsInternet solutions provider, Future Hosting, recently announced the addition of hybrid servers to the Washington, D.C. and Chicago areas in an attempt to further expand the company’s global environmental footprint. Future Hosting provides online solutions to international enterprise systems. They have also developed the Future Engineer product.
Hybrid Servers
A hybrid server is a high-end VPS found on other hybrid servers. The difference is the share of the CPU given to the customer is much higher resulting in maximum speed and performance. Hybrid servers offer many advantages including reliability, flexibility, performance, ease of use and constant upgrades.
The Goods
The new hybrid servers are top-of-the-line virtual private servers that offer high availability, first-rate bandwidth, access to the best control panels available (cPanel or Plesk) and come with full management abilities. These servers provide one CPU per server accompanied with high-quality RAM, network connections and a large amount of storage space.
The servers are automatically backed up by Future Protect, a company-owned data protection program. The initial hosting plans include 80GB of storage, 2GB of RAM and 2,000GB of bandwidth. The company guarantees their uptime at 99.9%.
Future Hosting’s Goal
Their goal is to provide solutions for clients globally. Over the past two years, the company has quadrupled their international authority by offering high quality solutions across the world. Adding hybrid servers to two international cities boosts their geographic diversity to expand in the future.
Future Engineer
Future Hosting developed Future Engineer which is an automated technical support system created to repair tasks on virtual private servers as well as computerize server configurations. This will help to decrease the amount of time it takes for systematic configurations and give clients a higher level of support. Since technicians will no longer be spending their time completing basic tasks, they can focus on larger, more complication problems.
DNS System
As recently as June, Future Hosting launched a DNS management addition to their Future Hosting Management Portal (FHMP). This gives dedicated server customers control and customization over their server from a remote location. In the future, FHMP will also incorporate the newly installed hybrids to give clients the ultimate control.
As Future Hosting expands, they continue to connect the world by providing international internet solutions. With additional hybrid servers available in London and Dallas, they are slowly growing so all areas of the world are covered.
Control Panel Industry Overview – 4 Top Competitors
Posted by: | CommentsMany webmasters and technically inclined internet specialists will tell you that a web server is only as valuable as the control panel used to administer it. Without a good control panel, the web server is practically useless, at least to the average webmaster. Control panels simplify the administration of complex tasks that are performed every day by web servers. Since these applications are in such high demand, it is easy to see why the control panel industry is so competitive. With every control panel claiming to be the best, we deemed it necessary to provide a comprehensive comparison of the 4 top competitors in the control panel industry.
1. cPanel
cPanel is by far the most recognized name in the control panel industry. There exists no other control panel that can compete with the overall popularity and simplicity of cPanel. In fact, the words cPanel and control panel have become practically synonymous. The popularity of cPanel has created somewhat of a snowball effect, in that the large population of users is what continues to increase its popularity. As more people utilize it, more people publish tutorials on how to use it, then more people want to use it. However, what made this control panel so popular to begin with? If the main attributes of control panel had to be summed up into two simple words; simplicity and functionality. cPanel is one of the only control panels that can be learned in less than an hour, using only videos found on YouTube.
2. Plesk
Plesk is a close second to cPanel, for the simple fact that it is one of the few control panels that is fully compatible with both Windows and Linux based servers. As Microsoft based applications become increasingly popular in today’s market, so does Plesk, as it is very compatible with programming tools such as ASP, IIS and MS SQL. If the main attributes of this control panel had to be summed up into words; efficiency and stability.
3. Virtuozzo Power Panel
Parallels Virtuozzo Power Panel is another control panel that offers both Windows and Linux solutions. This control panel allows users to administer server functions directly from within the browser interface. Users can reboot servers, manage and analyze server data, and complete just about every other basic server function within their favorite web browser. As far as VPS hosting is concerned, Virtuozzo is by far the most capable control panel solution.
4. ServerCP
ServerCP is a Linux-based simplified control panel that is often seen in the VPS hosting environment. This control panel offers a user-friendly yet extensive and feature-rich administrative interface. ServerCP lets users manage an unlimited amount of domains, and offers a simple installation application that makes the process of installing your favorite web applications quick and easy. This control panel is offered in two forms, the standard version and the lite version.
Conclusion
All four of the above control panels have proven themselves to be capable solutions, and the ultimate decision should be determined based on the need for certain features. Before making a final choice, I’d recommend you check out the full features list of each control panel, and conduct the necessary research.
H-Sphere: Possibly The Most Competent Control Panel
Posted by: | CommentsIt 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.
The Unique Advantages of Plesk
Posted by: | CommentsThe current control panel market is extremely competitive in nature and constantly expanding with new software. These software titles claim to be the best, or the most suitable for a certain situation, yet only a few actually can come close to fulfilling this promise. One of the few control panels that could be placed in the top 3 would be Plesk. Parallel’s Plesk is a unique and powerful control panel that simplifies administrative tasks and improves the functionality of your website. Since the features of Plesk are so diverse, we deemed it necessary to create a full overview of Plesk’s most unique and powerful features.
Compatibility
Perhaps one of the most notable features of Plesk is it’s unique ability to work with both Window and Linux operating systems. Plesk is also compatible with virtually any server environment and thrives in the VPS server environment. Plesk can also be used with any web hosting account, letting users take their control panel with them when they decide to change web hosts. Plesk also includes a language pack that lets users customize the software using their own language, making it a multilingual control panel as well. This compatibility truly makes Plesk a suitable option for any user, regardless of their nationality or system/server configuration.
Reselling
Another unique feature of Plesk is the ability to customize the look and feel of the control panel for re-branding and reselling. Users can change the color of the control panel and many other options, and then rename it and resell it under a different name. Of course to do this, you’ll need to purchase the appropriate Plesk plan, but it is a feasible and plausible way to make extra money with your control panel, especially if you’re already reselling hosting packages.
Stability
Plesk is also one of the most stable control panels, protecting your site from hackers, server crashes, and dreaded downtime. Using Plesk gives you the ability to relax knowing that you control panel is secure and therefore the administrative interface of your site is protected. Plesk’s performance also adds to the stability of the program, as each feature can be learned with ease and use to it’s maximum capabilities by even the most novice user. Plesk also has integrated troubleshooting features that automatically catch and repair errors within the administrative system, ensuring maximum reliability.
Site Builder
The patented Plesk site builder includes a variety of extremely useful tools that let you create, edit and organize your web pages with ease. The entire control panel is fully expandable and can be enhanced with the few clicks of the mouse and the addition of a few web applications, although the default settings are more than capable of carrying out complex tasks. The site builder itself is extremely simple to use, due to it’s user-friendly five step wizard that walks users through the process of creating a web page with ease.
Although many people prefer solutions such as cPanel, Plesk has proven itself as a worthy competitor time and time again. If you’re using dual operating systems, or if you just need a highly capable control panel solution, then I would highly recommend Plesk.
Selecting a Control Panel – Crucial Attributes to Compare
Posted by: | CommentsBuilding a website is often a fairly difficult process for novice users, there are a lot of decisions to make before the process can even begin, and perhaps one of the most difficult decisions to make is which control panel is going to be used. Since control panels are included with web hosting packages, the decision will largely be based on which hosting company you choose. However, one of the primary factors when choosing a hosting provider is the control panel provided by the company.
Control panels are by far one of the most important components in the website production and maintenance process, so it is important to know what you’re looking for when selecting your control panel. For this reason we’ve compiled a short list of the most important attributes that absolutely must be compared during the selection process. The following aspects should not be overlooked when deciding which control panel would best suite your needs.
User-Friendliness
The most important attribute a control panel can have us usability. Regardless of how many fancy features the control panel has, if the user cannot use these features then they are worthless, Therefore it is important to consider your skill level in the website management field, and research the simplicity of all prospective control panels before deciding on your final choice. Many control panels are designed for different purposes, some for business and some for casual websites. It is important to remember that the simplicity of the software should hold precedence over the amount of features it offers, especially for novice users.
Appearance
Another factor that will greatly determine your ability to use the control panel effectively is the look and feel of the user interface. This aspect contributes greatly to the aforementioned attribute of usability, and should not be overlooked. For this reason, considering an open source control panel with modifiable themes may be advisable.
Flexibility
Once you’ve narrowed your list down to a few control panels that are easy to use and visually appealing, then you’ll want to start comparing the various options offered by the software. Having a plethora of options available for website management is crucial in the long term, especially as your site expands and the traffic increases. Therefore it is important to make sure the control panel has key features such as effective database management, email access management, and FTP account management.
Platform
Before selecting a control panel, make sure it is compatible with your operating system and your server environment. Failing to carry out this simple step could result in a lot of unnecessary hassle. If you frequently use various platforms then you may want to choose a control panel that has cross compatibility, like Plesk.
Performance
Last but most definitely not least, is performance. Even with a long list of features, a control panel must be able to carry out those features efficiently without slowing down. If the control panel is slow in the least bit, your productivity will suffer. In regards to performance, it is important to make sure you read plenty of user reviews before deciding upon a particular control panel.
Plesk: The Most Diverse Control Panel
Posted by: | CommentsPlesk is one of the most widely used control panels currently available, and along with cPanel is a contender for the best control panel on the market. As Plesk also provides cost efficiency benefits to hosting providers, it is being offered increasingly as a default control panel solution by many web hosting services. Unlike it’s top competitor cPanel, Plesk is completely compatible with both the Windows and Linux operating systems, broadening the spectrum of what control panels are capable of in terms of compatibility. Aside from being compatible with the two major operating systems, Plesk is also suitable for virtually any type of server environment, including dedicated, shared and virtual private hosting services.
Plesk and Shared Hosting
Due to it’s multi-level user interface, Plesk is a suitable administrative tool for shared hosting users. Plesk simplifies the task of managing multiple domains through a fully customizable interface specially designed for detailed hosting tasks. Even novice users with no technical training have the ability to manage and create user accounts on their server. Plesk also allows webmasters to manage their domains without needing the support of a server administrator, ultimately saving support costs for the web hosting provider. Plesk’s simplicity and power offers benefits to both the end user and the web hosting provider, providing administrative tools for small and complex tasks alike.
Plesk and VPS Hosting
Plesk is also being used increasingly in the virtual private server environment, due to it’s compact size combined with it’s comprehensive functionality and efficacy. One of the most beneficial features of Plesk for the virtual server user is that it can be used with a third-party software called Virtuozzo. Virtuozzo lets administrators make use of the templates and interfaces of several control panel’s simultaneously, giving Plesk users the ability to benefit from other control panel features outside of the Plesk software. This software combination is a priceless advantage on a virtual platform such as VPS. Using Plesk with Virtuozzo has been proven to increase the investment returns of web hosting service providers while also accommodating the needs of the end user.
Plesk and Dedicated Hosting
Plesk’s modular design and RPM installation gives dedicated hosting providers the ability to offer an effective administrative tool to the more technical savvy group as well. Plesk is also a very expandable software that can be modified using various third-party applications, making it perfect for users with plenty of dedicated server space and innovation. Webmasters have access to a particularly interesting feature known as XML-API, an integrated interface that fully automates the overseeing process, while also facilitating the use of the various third-party applications. Integrated software development kits such as XML-API and other back-end utilities gives end-users and hosting providers the ability to enhance their products and services using Plesk.
Whether you have a dedicated or shared server, Plesk offers advantageous features that can greatly increase the productivity of your online business. The compatibility of Plesk with multiple operating systems and server environments has made it a top contender for the best control panel available.