How to Choose the Best Cloud Server Control Panel

• Factors to consider before choosing a Cloud Server Control Panel

• Conclusion

Factors to consider before choosing a Cloud Server Control Panel

1. User interface

A cloud control panel should offer a UI that is easy to use and navigate.

The panel should be operable by beginners and experienced Linux users. You can run a server without needing expertise with the command line.

The user interface should reduce the number of steps required for various processes.

Check if the panel offers a clean dashboard for server monitoring.

2. Performance & Technology Stack

A suitable control panel is built on a high-performance stack and lightweight components. Frequently updated technology will ensure that you get maximum performance for your applications.

Some of the essential technology components should include:

• Debian 10 A stable GNU/Linux distribution with over 29000 different pieces of software. You can upgrade it without reinstalling it.

• NGINX 1.18 The open-source web server is highly scalable. It powers more than 400 million websites. Its high performance can get up to 10 times faster than Apache.

• MySQL 5.7 (Percona) Percona Server for MySQL is a free, fully compatible, and open-source replacement for any MySQL database. It is optimized for the cloud and provides high performance & scalability.

• PHP versions PHP is the widely used web development programming language. With the right panel, you should be able to install web applications with multiple PHP versions.

• Redis 5 Redis is an open-source, in-memory data structure store. It is used as a database, cache, and message broker. Redis provides sub-millisecond latency & improves application speed.

• PHP-FPM PHP FastCGI Process Manager (PHP-FPM) is an alternative FastCGI implementation for PHP. It allows websites to handle high loads.

• Node.js 14 Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime that runs on Chrome’s V8 engine. It executes code outside the web browser and is designed to build scalable network applications.

• Yarn 1.22 Yarn is a distributed operating system for big data applications. It is a package manager for your code. It stands for Yet Another Resource Negotiator.

The technology stack is optimized for speed and security. It should also offer flexibility for PHP applications.

A robust stack is capable of providing the same performance when you scale your applications.

3. Security

The cloud-based server is protected with OS-level firewalls. You also have to perform regular security updates. A control panel can help filter out malicious traffic and keep out the intruders.

Security features in a cloud control panel include:

• Two-Factor Authentication
• Firewalls
• SSL/TLS Encryption certificates
• IP Whitelisting
• Bot protection
• Regular backups

The panel should offer one-click installation of SSL certificates by Let’s Encrypt or a custom provider. You can configure the SSL to comply with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and NIST.

Server logging will enable traceability by configuring event logs. It lets you follow up on any suspicious activity on account logins. You can check system configuration changes and permission changes.

4. Application compatibility

Some server control panels come with pre-installed software components. That way, you do not have to install them manually. It can also offer one-click installations of your preferred applications.

The control panel should allow you to install CMS such as:

• WordPress
• WooCommerce
• Drupal
• Joomla
• Magento
• TYPO3

Check to see if the panel is compatible with your preferred applications. You should be able to configure your servers and web applications quickly.

5. Cloud functionalities

A cloud control panel will offer support for all major clouds. The top cloud providers are AWS, DigitalOcean, Google Cloud, and Vultr.

Some panels allow multiple account logins from a single dashboard. You can manage the cloud services, databases, and scheduled cron jobs from the interface.

The panel should come with cloud-specific features. That way, you can perform routine cloud server management tasks.

6. Pricing

Cloud control panels have various pricing models. These options can range from:

• Free server control panel
• Monthly subscription
• Yearly subscription

There are many good options for a free cloud-based control panel. However, ensure that the quality is not compromised due to lack of pricing.

Some panels have subscription pricing, but they can be expensive. You can get the same functionalities on many free cloud control panels.

If paid support is an absolute requirement, some panels will provide additional support for a fee.

It is recommended to choose a free server control panel that offers all the required features.

7. Support

Check to see if the panel has proactive community support. There can be forums and social media channels to discuss the panel’s features.

You can clear your doubts and resolve any issues. See if the community is friendly and supportive.

An active community will help you make the best use of the panel. Support also comes with good documentation. You can get in touch with the provider for specific inquiries.

Conclusion

A cloud control panel helps simplify the tasks in cloud server management. The panel sits between you as a customer and the cloud infrastructure provider. It should help remove the complex intricacies in managing your servers.

While choosing the right cloud control panel, look for ease-of-use, essential features, security, and performance.

Cloud-based control panels offer a wide range of functions. Analyze your cloud server requirements and see if the panel has those services.

Check out this article to learn more about free server control panels.