Plesk VPS Server: Learning The Ropes With A VPS Control Panel

If you’re considering a move from a shared to a VPS server, you’re bound to have questions. Despite the improved performance you can see thanks to the use of a VPS server as well as the ability to install whatever apps or OS you prefer, it can be daunting to consider the leap to a self-managed server. Many small business owners wonder about how complicated it will be to administer their server and if they will have the technical expertise necessary to ensure that they get the most from their new virtual environment.

Step One – The Server Purchase

VPS server hosting begins with choosing a provider that meets your needs. You’ll want to look for a host that can offer consistent performance and uptime, as well as scalable choices like RAM and hard drive space. In addition, consider a provider that has been in the business for a while and that has positive reviews on public forums. Once you’ve nailed down a solid provider, your next choice will be to ensure that they can supply you with an easy to use control panel for managing your piece of the server.

Step Two – The Control Panel

Buying a slice of a VPS server is easy, but making sure it performs as well as possible is not always so straightforward. Thankfully, there are a number of options on the market to assist in controlling all aspects of your VPS, and one of the most popular is the Plesk Panel. This application can come pre-loaded onto a VPS server. A Plesk VPS will provide you with a graphical interface to keep track of all aspects of your server, as well as to receive notifications if something has gone wrong. Plesk VPS hosting allows you to simplify the technical aspects of managing a server and allow common administrative tasks to be run “under the hood” and without your direct supervision, meaning that you can spend more time running your business instead of worrying about your server.

Important Plesk VPS Features

The Plesk control panel is constantly being updated with new features; new versions are rolled out once or twice a year. Plesk VPS hosting packages will include access to lists of apps recommended to work well with the panel. Newer versions of the app come with enhanced support for billing programs and allow you to set access to the panel based on user roles. Plesk Panel 10 also comes with a server health monitoring tool that will simplify the server troubleshooting that you have to do and can be configured to set off an alarm under pre-programmed or customized thresholds. Easy, one-click installation of apps on your VPS server means you won’t have to worry about technical details getting in the way of performance, and the Plesk provider storefront allows you to sell premium applications to customers if you choose to use your VPS space for reseller hosting.

Setting up websites, managing content and installing applications can seem daunting when combined with the move from a shared or local server to a VPS option but, with the addition of a Plesk control panel, you’ll be able to start using your server instantly and quickly get your site up and running. Many providers will offer this control panel as a part of their basic VPS service, meaning that you can simply purchase your virtual server space, get your administrator access and begin installing, creating and monitoring, all without having to be an IT guru. A Plesk control panel makes learning the VPS ropes simple, streamlined and painless.