What is cPanel and How to Use It?

In this article, I will discuss what is cPanel and how to use it. After knowing all the features, benefits and functions of cPanel, I will discuss how to use cPanel for your server.

What is cPanel Hosting?

CPANEL

cPanel is a control panel that is used to make settings on web hosting services which include file management, database, domain, security, software and other configurations. Without cPanel, web hosting settings can only be done via text commands. cPanel makes it easy for users to perform various configurations through an attractive and easy-to-operate user interface.

cPanel is usually installed on a Dedicated Server or Virtual Private Server (VPS) that uses the Linux, FreeBSD, and similar operating systems. Applications supported by cPanel include Apache, PHP, mySQL, Postgres, Perl, Python, and BIND, with email such as POP3, IMAP, SMTP services.

Security Management

In this tool you can also control the server using SSH Access. Quoted from cpanel.com, for security management there are Hotlink Protection and IP Blocker menus. You can block certain IPs that indicate website spamming using an IP Blocker. To further strengthen website security, you can add paid SSL in the SSL/TLS Menu for more security.

Change Password, User Data, Language and Display

If you are bored with the same appearance, you can change the appearance of cPanel Hosting at will. You can also change the password and user hosting data directly in cPanel. Lazy with English? You can change the language settings in the Change Language Menu.

cPanel Hosting Dashboard

Cpanel Dashboard

Through this support, your cPanel hosting can do the following things.

I will discuss the full functions and features of cPanel in the next section.

Functions & Benefits of cPanel

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

In simple terms, the function of cPanel is to make it easier to manage websites that are in your hosting account. cPanel greatly simplifies configuration related to domains and hosting. In addition, cPanel can also add several additional applications that need to be installed to support the website to work properly.

So, the main function of cPanel is to make it easier for users. Below are the aspects that are made easier by the presence of cPanel:

File Management

With cPanel Hosting, you don’t need to go to the server to just move files, create new files, upload website files and so on. With the File Manager menu, you can do all these things easily. There is also a Backup and File Restoration menu that makes it easier for you in the backup restore process. Want to know how much hosting capacity can still be used? You can click the Disk Usage Menu.

Database Management

The presence of a website cannot be separated from the database. For ordinary people, manually creating a database on hosting may be difficult. Well, the presence of these tools will make it easier for you of course. In cPanel, there are 2 popular databases that can be used, such as MySQL and PostgreSQL. There is also a menu for phpMyAdmin, phpPgAdmin, to remote MySQL.

Domain Management

cPanel can also be used for domain management, you know. You can create addon domains, create subdomains, redirect domains, Aliases settings and DNS settings. This DNS setting is very useful for those of you who want to direct the domain to another server, do a custom domain or direct the domain to hosting. For DNS settings, please select Zone Editor for those of you who are still beginners.

Email Management

With this tool, you can create email with your own domain, using the Email Accounts menu. You can also select the Autoresponders menu to make email replies automatically. There is also an Email Filters menu to filter incoming email. According to panel.com, there is an Apache SpamAssassin menu and Authentication for email security.

Graphs and Data

In addition to settings and configuration matters, you can view graphs and data from the website. You can view monthly website visitor data by selecting Menu Visitors. You can also view website logs by selecting Menu Errors, Awstats and Webalizer. Want to know your running bandwidth? Please select the Bandwidth Menu.

Choose cPanel or Plesk?

Actually there are various web hosting control panels that can be used such as Plesk or Webuzo. But according to ReviewHell in cPanel vs Plesk: Picking The Right Control Panel, there are several reasons why you should choose cPanel over the Plesk hosting control panel.

Getting to Know the Features in cPanel

When you first see the appearance of cPanel, you may be confused because of the many menus available. So that you don’t get confused when you want to use it, let’s get acquainted with the features in cPanel.

1. Website File Management Features

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

Broadly speaking, cPanel provides file management features that can be used to delete, edit, and copy website files that are on the hosting. In addition, there are also FTP settings that you can use to access website files from the FTP Client application without having to login to cPanel first.

For more details, here is an explanation of cPanel features related to file management:

2. Domain Management Features

DOMAIN MANAGEMENT

One of the cPanel menus allows you to set up the domain. The menu contains features of addon domains, subdomains, redirects, and so on. The features available there can be used to control how cPanel handles requests when the browser accesses your domain.

For more details, here is an explanation of cPanel’s features related to domains:

3. Email Settings & Management Features

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

cPanel also provides a menu containing various features related to email. You can create a new email address with your own domain name here. In addition, there is also a feature to open and view incoming emails, complete with the storage capacity used for each email account.

So that you can get a clearer picture, here is a description of cPanel features related to email management:

4. Database Management Features

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

You can also manage databases through the menus found in cPanel. One of the features contained in the database menu is the feature to open phpMyAdmin. In that menu, you can also add delete existing databases and grant access rights to authorized accounts.

5. Features of the PHP Module Configuration Used

Feature view for managing PHP in cPanel

One of the most important parts of web hosting is its ability to run the system or website properly. The requirements that usually need to be adjusted are the PHP version used and the available modules. cPanel is able to provide that convenience by providing a feature for selecting the PHP version you want to use. You can even install PHP Extension yourself from a separate file.

6. Security Settings Features on Hosting

Security menu display in cPanel

cPanel is able to simplify your work in managing security on the website. You can use all of the features below to avoid crime in cyberspace.

7. Website Backup and Restore Process Features

Another important cPanel feature is the ability to perform backups and restores. You can enjoy a full backup facility that instantly backs up all data including databases. This is certainly very helpful. For a complete guide to backing up data, please read → How to Download Website Backup Files on cPanel

How to Use cPanel

In the previous section you were familiar with the features of cPanel, right? There are so many, you probably won’t use them all right away. However, there’s nothing wrong with learning to use cPanel’s features so that you’re ready when you need them. Let’s learn one by one!

How to Use cPanel File Manager

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

File manager is a feature to access all your website files. With it, you can manage files, such as delete, move, and copy them.

If you are using a Windows device, you may be familiar with the cPanel file manager interface. The interface can be divided into four sections:

1. Folder List in File Manager

The list of folders is located on the left of the screen. To open a folder, you just click one time.

2. List of Folder Contents in File Manager

When you open a folder, its contents are displayed on the right side of the screen. The folder’s table of contents also displays some file information, such as:

To open a file or folder in this section, you need to double-click it.

3. Navigation Menu in File Manager

The navigation menu is a row of menus located above the list of folders and their contents. The following are the available menus and their functions:

4. File and Folder Management Menu

Just above the navigation menu is another row of menus for file management. However, you can also access these menus by right-clicking on a file or folder. The following are the available menus and their functions:

How to Check Disk Space Usage in cPanel

disk space cpanel

As a website owner, it is mandatory for you to pay attention to the portion of your hosting disk space usage. Well, in cPanel there are two ways to check it. First, you can immediately see the remaining storage capacity on the right side of the cPanel under the Disk Usage text .

If you want to see disk space usage statistics, you can click the Disk Usage menu in the Files menu category .

In this menu, cPanel displays the folders in your hosting account and their sizes. You can click the > sign to see the folders in a folder. If you click on a folder name, you will be taken to that folder in the file manager.

How to Backup Website in cPanel

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

It is important for you to do periodic backups to have a backup of website data. Well, in cPanel there are three types of backups that you can make, namely:

The guide below will explain how to create each of these types of backups.

1. How to Make a Full Account Backup in cPanel

cPanel creates full account backups automatically. So, all you have to do is download the backup for storage. To access those backups, click Full Account Backups in the JetBackup menu category .

On the next page, select the backup you want to download and click Generate Download .

The Add to Download Queue button will appear . Click the button to start the backup download. The process will take some time.

Now a Download button appears next to the backup you selected. Click the button to download it.

2. How to Make a Full Website Backup in cPanel

To create a full website backup, click Backup Wizard in the Files menu category .

On the next page, click Backup .

On the next page there are two options, namely full and partial backups. Because you want to back up all website data, choose full.

The next step is to choose a place to save your backup. There are four options for you to choose from:

If you have already selected, click Generate Backup . The option to download the backup will appear once the process is complete.

3. How to Create a Partial Website Backup in cPanel

As you’ve seen earlier, the option to create a partial backup is also in the Backup Wizard menu. To use it, you just have to choose one of the following three types of data:

On the next page you don’t need to select a backup storage location. You just click on the existing download button.

How to Check Bandwidth in cPanel

Check Bandwidth in cPanel

Like disk space, you also have to pay attention to hosting bandwidth usage. Especially if your hosting plan’s bandwidth is limited. Well, how to check it in cPanel is easy.

To check bandwidth usage in general, check the list of statistics on the main cPanel page.

However, if you want to know the usage in more detail, click the Bandwidth menu in the Metrics menu category .

In this menu, you can see graphs of bandwidth usage in the last 24 hours, one week, and one year. The graph also shows the types of protocols that use your bandwidth, such as HTTP, FTP, IMAP, POP3, and SMTP.

How to Create a MySQL Database in cPanel

Create a MySQL Database in cPanel

Creating a database may be confusing if you are new to IT. Luckily, cPanel makes it easy for you. The steps are described below.

1. Create a MySQL Database

Click MySQL Databases on the main cPanel page.

On the next page, specify a new database name and click Create Database .

2. Create a MySQL User

Every database must have a user. To create a user for your new database, scroll to the Add New User section . There, specify the desired username and password. Click Create User if you have.

Now you need to insert the user you just created into the new database. Scroll to the Add User to Database section . Click the User column to select a user. Then, select the new database in the Database column . If so, click Add . You will be taken to the Manage User Privileges page .

3. Granting Access Rights to Users

On the Manage User Privileges page there are many types of access rights. Now, check the checkbox of the permissions you specified for the new user. Click Make Changes when you’re done.

How to Create Addon Domain in cPanel

Addon Domain in cPanel

Domain addon is a solution for those of you who want to have a new domain in one hosting account. Well, how to make it in cPanel is not complicated. Let’s follow the steps below.

First of all, click on the Addon Domains menu on the main cPanel page.

On the next page you will find a form to create an addon domain. The following is the information you should enter in each of the fields:

If you want to create an FTP account for this addon domain, you need to check the Create an FTP account associated with this Addon Domain checkbox . The username and password fields for the FTP account will appear. When finished, click Add Domain .

Addon domains that you create will appear in the Modify Addon Domains list . In this list, you can also remove the addon domain or specify the URL that you want to redirect to the addon domain.

How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

Perhaps you want to create a subdomain for a separate section of an existing website. If so, one way is to create a subdomain in cPanel. Here’s how.

To create a subdomain, click the Subdomains menu on the main cPanel page.

Under the text Create a Subdomain , you’ll find three columns. Well, below are the fields along with the information that you must fill in:

If so, click Create to create a subdomain.

Next, you just need to upload the files that the website needs to the main subdomain folder via the cPanel file manager.

How to Add Parked Domain in cPanel

Parked Domain in cPanel

You might buy a domain with multiple extensions at once to maintain the brand. If so, you can connect it to your primary domain as a parked domain. Below is how to do it in cPanel.

1. Adding Aliases

Access the Aliases menu on the main cPanel page.

In the field below the text Create a New Alias , type your parked domain and click Add Domain .

2. Linking Aliases to Main Domain

In the Aliases menu, scroll down until you find the Remove Aliases text . Parked domains you’ve added will be listed under the text. Well, now you just click Manage Redirection . On the next page, type the primary domain in the field provided, then click Save .

How to Add or Change DNS Records in cPanel

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

As a domain owner, you may need to tinker with its DNS records. For example, when you want to connect a domain with email marketing tools or free hosting services. To do this, you can use the DNS zone editor in cPanel.

First of all, you have to access the Zone Editor menu .

On the next page, you will find an interface as shown below:

To add a DNS record to your domain, all you have to do is click the desired type (A, CNAME, or MX record).

However, you can also add other types of DNS records, such as SRV and TXT records. To do this, click the Manage button .

On the next page, find the Add Record button as indicated by the arrow in the following image.

Then, click the button with the down arrow symbol to the right of it. A list of DNS record types will appear for you to choose.

On this page you can change DNS record settings or delete them. To do this, all you have to do is click Edit or Delete to the right of the DNS record you want.

How to Create an Email Account in cPanel

Email Account in cPanel

Your hosting account already includes features for using email. Well, to create an email account, you have to do it in cPanel. Follow the steps below.

1. Access the Email Accounts Menu

To create an email account, click Email Accounts on the main cPanel page.

If you have entered the menu, click the Create button as shown in the following image. A new page will appear.

2. Fill in the Email Account Form

On the page that appears there is a form that you must fill out to create an email account. Now, enter the username and password you want in their respective fields.

If you want to make additional settings, click Edit Settings . In these additional settings, you can specify three things, namely:

To finish creating an email account, click Create .

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication in cPanel

Two-Factor Authentication in cPanel

Two-factor authentication has become the online security standard. Your cPanel needs it too. Fortunately, cPanel offers an easy way to enable two-factor authentication. Follow the method below.

1. Setup Two-Factor Authentication

On the main cPanel page, click Two-Factor Authentication .

After entering the menu, click Set Up Two-Factor Authentication .

2. Connect cPanel with Two-Factor Authentication App

cPanel will provide a QR code for you to scan with a two-factor authentication application. This QR code is used to connect cPanel with the application.

However, if you can’t scan the QR code, you can enter your cPanel username and key code into the two-factor authentication application. Place the username and key code under the QR code.

3. Enter the Security Code

After scanning the QR code or entering your username and key code, the two-factor authentication app will provide you with a security code. Enter this code into the column provided under the key code. If so, click Configure Two-Factor Authentication .

How to Create Error Pages in cPanel

What is cPanel and How to Use It?

An error page is a page that notifies website visitors that there was an error when they accessed your website. An example is a 404 error which indicates that the URL that the visitor went to is not available on the website.

Well, you can create error pages for various types of website errors in cPanel. In this guide we will create a 404 error page as an example.

1.Choose an Error Type

First of all, click on Error Pages on the main cPanel page.

On the next page, select the domain whose error page you want to create. Then click the error type whose page you want to create. You will be taken to a page to create an error page.

2. Creating Error Pages

The error page editor page contains an HTML editor that you must fill in. To help you, cPanel provides several HTML tags that can be inserted into the editor, namely:

When you’ve finished creating your error page, click the Save button at the bottom of the editor.

How to Create a Cron Job in cPanel

Cron Job in cPanel

Cron jobs are a way to automatically schedule Linux commands and scripts on web servers. If you are already familiar with cron jobs, cPanel provides features to use them. Follow the steps below to take advantage of this feature.

1. Setup Cron Email

Find and click Cron Jobs on the main cPanel page.

You should know that cPanel sends a report every time a cron job is run to your domain’s email address. If you want to redirect the report to a different email address, type the address in the field below the Cron Email text .

However, if you don’t want to get the cron job report, you can run the command mycommand >/dev/null 2>&1 in the command column which will be explained in the next step.

2. Create a Cron Job

Under the Cron Email field you will find a form to fill out to create a cron job. The following is the information you must enter on the form:

After setting up the cron job, click Add New Cron Job .

3. Manage Cron Jobs

Cron jobs that you have created will appear in the list under the text Current Cron Jobs . In this list, you can change the cron job settings or delete them. To do so, click the Edit or Delete button .

How to Use Website Optimization Tools in cPanel

You can increase website loading speed by compressing the files. Well, you don’t need to install a WordPress plugin to do that. You can compress files via the Optimize Website menu in cPanel.

In the Optimize Website menu there are three options that you can choose from:

If so, click Update Settings .

Conclusion

cPanel is a control panel that has many features that are very helpful for users in terms of managing web hosting. Not only limited to website management, users also have the flexibility to manage incoming email to their domain.

Thanks for reading the article about what cPanel is and how to use it. If you still have questions about what cPanel is, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below. Hopefully after reading this article you have understood the cpanel function, the meaning of cpanel, where to download cpanel, the benefits of cpanel, what is cpanel and how to use it. See you

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