Panels are web-based applications you can install on your VPS
that aim to make managing a server easier. However, many of the
more advanced panels are targetted towards "resellers" who wish to
divide up their server among a number of clients (ie, provide
shared hosting).
Linux
- WebMin is a free panel
with basic functionality that can control Apache, FTP, MySQL, SSH
and some other servers. Its a good choice if you have low memory
(256MB or less) because it has no dependencies - its up to you what
services you control with it. Also worth considering if you are to
be the only user. We have a Webmin
quick-install guide in our Knowledge base.
- VirtualMin is a free panel that can
configure web, email, FTP, and databases; it also has some
performance graphs. Its primarily intended for use if you want to
provide multiple people with their own hosting. It requires at
least 512MB of memory and installs a number of components you may
not require like ClamAV and ProFTPd.
- CPanel is
available for an additional $15.00 per month. CPanel is pretty much
the gold standard of control panels in the shared hosting space. If
you are already familiar with CPanel or need to use CPanel's site
migration feature, this will be the right choice. We have an
installation guide for customers who have purchased cPanel in our
Knowledge base.
Windows
Most customers are familiar with using Windows directly via its
desktop, so control panels for Windows are not particularly popular
for VPS. There are some options though:
- WebSitePanel is a free panel (previously
known as DotNetPanel). It can configure web, email, FTP and
databases.
- Parallels
Plesk is a suite of panels that can control Windows servers.
Their licensing structure is designed around shared hosting so
unfortunately its not really cost effective for a VPS.
Is there a panel we've omitted? Let us know.