What is cPanel?

cPanel

 What is cPanel? 

cPanel is one of the most popular Linux-based control panels for web hosting accounts. You can conveniently manage all services in a single place. Currently, cPanel is the industry standard and most web developers are familiar with it.

Intuitive and easy to use, CPanel empowers you to manage a web hosting account with maximum efficiency. Whether creating new FTP users and email addresses or monitoring resources, creating subdomains and installing software.

cPanel enables website users to manage their web hosting with a user-friendly dashboard, rather than relying on complex coding or using a dedicated IT expert. This do-it-yourself approach is in line with the rise of self-designed and self-powered websites, as more and more people switch to building businesses online.

What is cPanel hosting?

The cPanel hosting is essentially about Linux web hostingwhich includes the installation of cPanel. cPanel has its pros and cons, but works well in most cases and is a reasonable choice if you are looking for a control panel solution. Here's what to expect:

Advantages of cPanel:

  • Easy to learn
  • Easy to use
  • Saves time and money
  • Tried and tested
  • Contains automatic autoinstaller
  • Numerous tutorials / support available online

cPanel Tutorial: How to use cPanel

Different cPanel installations contain different features, but the good news is that it's pretty easy to get to know the different sections. When you log in for the first time, you'll usually see some metrics that log your resource usage (like CPU usage, available memory, and memory usage). This way you can keep an eye on the overall performance of your website.

After you have familiarized yourself with the performance of your website, you should take a look at the different modules. Below you will find an overview of the most important cPanel modules.

File module:

cPanel web hosting mysql

With these modules, you can upload and manage files directly in cPanel without using an FTP client. You can also specify privacy levels, create backups, and more. Common modules include:

  • Backup
  • Backup Wizard
  • Directory Privacy
  • Hard disk usage
  • File manager
  • FTP accounts
  • FTP connections
  • Images
  • Webdisc

Settings

cPanel mysql what is cpanel

Here you can customize the layout of your cPanel installation to better fit your needs. Common modules include:

  • Change language
  • Change main domain
  • First Steps Wizard
  • Manage resources
  • Key combinations
  • Update contact information
  • Video instructions

At ORC Webhosting, some standard features have been disabled or replaced with custom ones.

Databases:

MySQL databases

If your website uses a content management system (CMS), it uses a MySQL database to store posts, settings, and other information. So, this section is only about managing these databases. Common modules include:

  • MySQL Database Wizard
  • MySQL databases
  • phpMyAdmin
  • Remote MySQL

Web applications:

cpanel web applications

In this section you can install different types of software with your cPanel installation. It includes everything from blogs and portals to CMSs and forums. Common modules include, for example:

  • Drupal
  • Joomla
  • phpBB
  • WordPress

Domains:

Domain DNS Zone Editor

It's not uncommon for webmasters to use one hosting account for multiple websites or set up subdomains and redirects. In this section you will be able to manage that. Common modules include:

  • Addon Domains
  • Aliases
  • DNS Manager
  • Preview website
  • Redirects
  • Subdomains

Metrics:

If you run a website, you want to keep track of its performance. That's where metrics modules come in. It's all about giving you access to comprehensive insights that can help you better decide how your website is performing. Common modules include:

  • Awstats
  • Bandwidth
  • CPU and simultaneous connection usage
  • Error
  • Raw access
  • Visitors
  • Webalizer
  • Webalizer FTP

Safety:

Security is a major concern for most webmasters, especially when storing sensitive information like usernames, passwords or financial information. This module will help you keep an eye on the most important security settings of your hosting account. Common modules include:

  • Hotlink protection
  • IP Blocker
  • Leech protection
  • SSH access
  • SSL / TLS

Software:

cPanel software

These modules are mainly PHP and Perl. They are not strictly required unless you are an advanced user. Common modules include:

  • Softaculus Apps Installer
  • Optimize website
  • Perl modules
  • PHP PEAR packages
  • CloudFlare
  • PHP version selection

Enhanced:

cpanel orcwebhosting

As the title suggests, these settings are also useful for advanced users. Common modules include:

  • Apache handler
  • Scheduled tasks
  • Error pages
  • Indexes
  • MIME types
  • Track DNS

Email:

cpanel email features

All web hosting packages from ORC Webhosting include emails with unlimited email accounts. This is where you manage all of these email accounts. Common modules include:

  • Address importer
  • Apache SpamAssassin
  • Autoresponder
  • Default address
  • Email Wizard
  • Encryption
  • Redirects
  • Global filters
  • MX record
  • Track delivery
  • User filter

So what is cPanel?

cPanel is one of the most popular Linux-based web hosting control panels. It displays the most important metrics about your server's performance and gives you access to a number of modules, including Files, Preferences, Databases, Web Applications, Domains, Metrics, Security, Software and Advanced and Email modules that can save you a lot of work. You can manage many settings with just a few mouse clicks.

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Silvio Mazenauer

For more than 20 years, I've been helping our customers get up to speed with web hosting, domains, websites or cPanel. And I'm here to help you too.

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