When you want to expand your business the first thing that comes to mind is to use platforms where the product and the business will flourish for this purpose websites are created. After the creation of a website, the next step involves managing the website and making it user-friendly and secure. This is done using Web hosting control panels such as hPanel, Plesk, etc.
This article will go through the following topics in detail.
- Web Hosting Control Panel
- What is Plesk?
- Why Use Plesk?
- How does Plesk work?
- Features of Plesk
- Advantages of Plesk
- Disadvantages of Plesk
- Comparison between cPanel and Plesk
- Conclusion
Web Hosting Control Panel
To manage a hosting account there is a need for a control panel that manages everything related to the website or the web application. Through these control panels, one can manage email, update websites, install different applications, etc.
Some of the popular web hosting control panels are cPanel, hPanel, Plesk, Webmin, and DirectAdmin.
What is Plesk?
Plesk is considered a solution to handle all the applications, websites, and servers. It is known as a web hosting control panel that offers multiple features for private, dedicated, and virtual servers in a user-friendly environment. It comes with a certain price but you can use it on a trial basis for 14 days.
Why Use Plesk?
The main purpose of Plesk is to provide a user-friendly website or a web application that other users may access on the internet. It is not only confined to the Windows Operating system but is also supported by Linux. Virtual Private Servers and dedicated servers are also managed using Plesk.
How does Plesk Work?
To get hands-on with Plesk, let us go through the following steps:
1. Buying a Domain Name
The first and foremost step involves buying a domain name that is easily accessible by the users. The hosting provider you are using will help you register a domain name easily.
2. Add Domain to Plesk
The domain is added to Plesk which helps to upload content on the website and use the content management system and presence builder to manage the website.
3. Create a Website
There are three basic ways to create a website. The first one is using a professional designer to build a website but is quite expensive at certain times. The second way is through the presence builder which comes with Plesk and provides multiple templates that can be easily used. The third option is using the CMS or Content Management System which helps create and maintain a website it.
4. Create a Database
The next step involves the creation of a database once the website is created. Database servers supported by Plesk are MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MSSQL. The data can be added, updated, and deleted using these databases.
5. Add Other Functionalities
When the database is created, other major functionalities include the creation of mail, uploading files, and customizing the website.
6. Backup the Website
After the website is created and all the necessary information is updated to the website, it is time now to back up the website to avoid any issues in the future.
Features of Plesk
Certain features of Plesk help to enhance the website and create a better view. Some of the key features are discussed below.
1. Web Project Cycle
Plesk contains all the functions that help to streamline the web project life cycle which makes it easier for the user to handle the applications and the websites. Plesk is useful for maintaining, updating, and developing all applications and websites.
2. Restore and Backup
Plesk allows the creation of the backup of the content and entire data of the website on the cloud. The backup data is uploaded on the control panel of the Plesk. It not only provides a backup for the data but also saves the website from cyber attacks.
3. Change in Domain Names
The domain name of the website can be easily changed using Plesk. Plesk lets you add, update or even change the domain name according to the requirements.
4. Email Management
Plesk is a hosting panel that automatically configures the email address of the clients therefore it speeds up the process using the auto discovery feature.
5. Web Stack
The website can be deployed easily and quickly using the webstack which is a part of Plesk. The web stack consists of the following:
- Composer: All software libraries and dependencies can be installed very easily without getting any hassle about compatibility.
- Docker Hub: Additional services can be run on the docker hub using the docker integration present in Plesk.
- Database: All the tasks related to the database can be handled efficiently with the help of the control panel.
6. Security
Virtual Private Server can have performance and security issues. To cater to these issues Plesk comes with built-in security features that are discussed below:
- Firewall Management: It saves the server from certain connections that are a threat to the security.
- Server Name Identification: It saves third parties from spying on the emails thus making the security better.
- Repair Tools: The repair tools diagnose the issues and provide suitable solutions to solve these issues.
- Secure Sockets Layer(SSL): The Pesk dashboard comes with an option to buy and configure the SSL certificates for the security of the website.
- Advanced Monitoring: This helps to monitor any performance-related issues in the server.
7. ToolKit for WordPress
This helps to manage the CMS-based websites since Installing, staging, securing, and updating becomes an easier task. Let us go through each of these separately.
- Installing: The WordPress plugins as well as themes can be directly installed using the ControlPanel.
- Staging: to test the changes made and deploy these changes on the website.
- Security: Finds the issues and improves the security.
- Updating: It updates the WordPress website along with all the themes and Plugins.
Advantages of Plesk
Like every other web hosting control panel, Plesk also comes with several advantages:
1. It can be first used on a trial basis before actually purchasing it.
2. Plesk is also easy to install without any fear of security, unlike other web hosting control panels.
3. Plesk can be easily installed on Windows therefore, it is easy to use.
4. Plesk can easily work in a compact environment and minimal resources.
Disadvantages of Plesk
1. There are still security concerns linked with Plesk although it is improving its security and fixing the bugs regularly.
2. Backup and restore options are available in Plesk but it requires a lot of free space.
Comparison Between cPanel and Plesk
The major differences between cPanel and Plesk are discussed below:
1. Operating System:
The main difference between cPanel and Plesk is that cPanel works on Linux whereas Plesk works both on Linux and Windows Operating System.
2. User Interface
Another difference is that in the user interface. The user interface of Plesk is similar to WordPress and easy to use whereas, for some users, the cPanel interface looks a bit typical to understand.
3. Backups:
The backups in cPanel are a bit complicated but are quite easy to manage in Plesk.
4. Pricing:
Plesk is quite suitable for regular businesses and individuals whereas due to pricing issues, cPanel is not suitable.
This brings an end to the topic of Plesk along with its working.
Conclusion
Plesk is a web hosting platform that allows one to set up websites, email accounts, and databases through the control panel. This article has discussed the purpose of Plesk, the working of Plesk, and its key features. It also includes the comparison between cPanel and Plesk in detail.
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