As businesses become more data-centric and web-enabled, the need for reliable, secure servers to manage and store data has grown significantly.
Linux servers are popular due to their open-source foundation and cost-effectiveness.
Administrators often rely on control panels to easily configure and maintain the environment to further maximize Linux server performance.
This article will discuss 11 of the most popular control panels available for managing Linux servers.
From those with intuitive interfaces for ease of use to others that offer comprehensive monitoring solutions – there is an option suitable for a variety of server management needs.
What is a Control Panel?
A control panel is a web-based interface to manage and configure a website or server.
It provides access to essential features such as creating user accounts, configuring email, setting up databases and security options, and much more.
Why Should You Get One?
These control panels are usually designed with an easy-to-use graphical interface that makes managing a website or server straightforward even for those who lack technical expertise.
With this tool, you can easily monitor the performance of your server in real time as well as keep track of changes made to their site’s configuration.
They also provide support for popular web applications such as WordPress and Drupal.
And most importantly, many control panels offer automated backups and can be used to set up scheduled tasks such as system maintenance routines or sending emails regularly.
That said, let’s look at some of the best control panels for managing Linux servers.
a. cPanel
cPanel is one of the most popular control panels for managing Linux servers, and for a good reason.
It provides a user-friendly graphical interface that makes it easy to configure, manage, and monitor servers.
cPanel also offers an intuitive web hosting automation platform that simplifies server administration by automating common tasks related to setting up, running, and maintaining websites.
This control panel lets you quickly set up email accounts, databases, and web applications like WordPress in minutes.
Also, access advanced features such as FTP access management or PHP version selection with just a few clicks of the mouse.
Not to mention, cPanel comes with a powerful API that allows users to integrate third-party applications into their server environment easily.
b. Plesk
Plesk is a popular web hosting control panel like cPanel, for Linux servers.
It allows administrators to easily manage web hosting accounts, databases, domains, and more.
Like cPanel, Plesk offers a host of features designed to make the experience of managing your server easy and efficient.
One of the main benefits of Plesk is its flexibility; it can be installed on almost any Linux distribution, including CentOS and Ubuntu.
You can choose from a range of language-specific packages like Perl or Python to customize your server environment according to your needs.
Not to mention, Plesk provides an intuitive interface with various graphs and charts that make it easier to monitor resource usage and track performance over time.
You also get access to powerful security features such as customizable firewall protection, malware scanning and removal tools, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and SSL/TLS encryption options.
c. Webmin
WebMin is a powerful and functional web hosting control panel, designed to make managing Unix and Linux platforms simple.
It can handle various web-based components, from setting up a webserver to maintaining FTP and email servers.
So of its prominent features, you will find handy in managing your Linux server include:
- Configure and create a virtual server on Apache.
- Manage, install, or delete a software package (RPM format).
- For security, you can set up a firewall.
- Modify DNS settings, IP address, and routing configuration.
- Manage database, tables, and fields on MySQL.
d. VestaCP
VestaCP is an open-source control panel for Linux servers that offers a powerful and flexible web hosting solution.
Like the other control panels, VestaCP has a user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to manage websites, databases, files, and more with just a few clicks.
VestaCP also provides support for a variety of popular web services including Apache, Nginx, PHP, MySQL and PostgreSQL.
And you get automated backups for restoring data quickly in case of an emergency.
How about security?
Besides backups, the software has built-in security features such as IP address blocking and password protection to help keep your server secure from malicious attacks.
Then there are detailed log reports, which provide useful information regarding server usage and performance, which can be used to identify potential problems before they become serious.
e. Ajenti
Ajenti is another powerful open-source control panel that makes managing Linux servers easier.
With its intuitive web interface, you can access the full range of server configuration options, from setting up web hosting to deploying applications.
Like Plesk, Ajenti supports major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian.
And in addition to server management features, Ajenti offers a range of other useful features, such as file sharing and remote access. It also has plugins for popular applications like WordPress and LAMP stack.
Ajenti’s user-friendly interface makes it an ideal choice for both experienced admins and novices alike.
The control panel’s modular design allows users to quickly install the modules they need without going through complicated setup processes.
The software also comes with detailed documentation that helps users get started quickly and easily manage their servers without any prior experience or technical knowledge.
f. ISPConfig
ISPconfig is an open-source, multilingual control panel that allows users to manage multiple servers within one panel.
Licensed under the BSD license, this panel is equipped to administer FTP, SQL, BIND DNS, Database, and Virtual servers.
g. CyberPanel
CyberPanel is an open-source control panel developed by Cyberius Technologies LLC.
It provides comprehensive server management solutions for Linux servers, offering a fast and easy-to-use web-based interface.
This control panel includes the most frequently used features such as creating multiple websites and managing databases, DNS records, FTP accounts, emails and security settings.
It can be integrated with other applications like WordPress to provide additional functionality.
And is optimized for performance and scalability and supports multiple database engines including MariaDB/MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB.
It also offers support for Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates to secure websites with a single click.
Its powerful caching mechanism allows users to expect their websites to load faster than ever, making it ideal for high-traffic sites.
h. DirectAdmin
DirectAdmin is an easy-to-use control panel for managing Linux servers.
Comes with a comprehensive set of tools for website owners to configure and manage their web hosting environments.
With it, you can view complete usage statistics, create and modify administrators and resellers, as well as administer DNS records.
Its graphical interface simplifies the process of configuring websites, setting up email accounts, and creating databases.
DirectAdmin integrates seamlessly with popular web technologies such as Apache, PHP, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
Like Plesk and others, DirectAdmin has built-in support for scripting languages like Perl.
Such a capability lets users quickly set up custom applications on their server.
Don’t let its simple yet powerful features fool you.
DirectAdmin is an ideal solution for beginners who want to get started in web hosting without the hassle of learning complex command line commands or hiring an experienced system administrator.
i. CWP (CentOS Web Panel)
CentOS WebPanel (CWP) is a fast-growing web hosting control panel for Linux servers.
Its main feature is its easy-to-use graphical interface, making it ideal for those new to server administration.
With CWP, you can easily access an array of tools, allowing you to manage your hosting environment quickly and efficiently.
One of the best features of CWP is its wide range of options.
It supports multiple domain name management, DNS configuration, database management, file management and other website-related tasks such as webmail setup.
CWP also provides a comprehensive statistics package that helps users understand how their server resources are used.
And admins can configure security settings including firewalls and intrusion detection systems with just a few clicks.
j. aaPanel
aaPanel is an easy-to-use, yet powerful control panel that offers a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for managing web servers.
With its one-click installation of LNMP/LAMP development environments and software on Linux systems, aaPanel helps system administrators save time on deployment, allowing them to focus on their projects.
k. BlueOnyx
BlueOnyx is another popular and powerful control panel for managing Linux servers.
Comes with enterprise Linux with a control panel for virtual hosting on RHEL8 clone and it is easy to install via provided ISO images.
The software also provides users with brute force login detection and prevention mechanisms (pam_abl) which help protect their system from malicious attacks.
BlueOnyx includes an integrated web-based GUI which allows users to easily manage server configurations, applications, packages, and even databases.
The robust scripting language lets administrators quickly create custom scripts tailored to each user’s needs.
Conclusion
Managing Linux servers can be daunting, especially for those without extensive technical experience.
Fortunately, plenty of user-friendly control panels are available to make the process easier.
Control panels enable users to quickly and easily manage their server without knowing complicated command line instructions.
This blog post explored 11 of the most popular control panels for managing Linux servers.
Each panel offers unique features that may be better suited for certain types of users or applications.