What Is Plesk?
Plesk is a control panel that helps you manage websites, but it does much more than that. It's a hosting automation tool with cloud support, making it easier to host, run, and manage your website. Plesk not only helps in the early stages of website hosting but also automates many advanced features once your site is live. Its cloud support improves data security and scalability. These features make Plesk stand out from other control panels like cPanel. If you're interested in learning more about hosting panels, Plesk is a great alternative to cPanel.
Plesk Features
Here are five key features that make Plesk one of the most popular web hosting control panels:
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1.Extension Friendly:
Plesk supports over 100 extensions to customize your experience. You can add features with just a few clicks. Some of these extensions are made by Plesk, ensuring better compatibility compared to third-party add-ons.
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2.Advanced Cloud Compatibility:
Plesk is designed to work well with cloud services. It can integrate with popular cloud platforms like Amazon AWS and Google Drive, making tasks like data management and automation easier, especially for large or data-heavy websites.
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3.VPS-Friendly:
Plesk is optimized for Virtual Private Servers (VPS). It detects if you're using a VPS and adjusts its settings automatically for better performance and efficiency.
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4.Security:
Plesk is known for its strong security features. It has two layers of protection: one for the control panel itself and another for safeguarding the operating system. You can also customize security settings for additional protection.
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5.Server Monitoring and Analysis:
Plesk offers detailed server monitoring, allowing you to track performance and make improvements. This feature helps you maintain and optimize both your website and server health.
Plesk Requirements
Before we start the step-by-step installation of Plesk, let's review the system requirements for both Windows and Linux.
Windows
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Plesk supports all Windows versions starting from Windows 7.
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If you are installing on Windows Server, it must be at least the 2012 64-bit standard version or later.
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Hardware requirements: At least 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space.
Linux
Plesk supports a variety of Linux distributions. Here are the supported ones:
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Debian: Versions 10 and 11 (64-bit)
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Ubuntu: Versions 18.04, 20.04, 22.04 (64-bit)
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CentOS: Version 7 (64-bit)
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RedHat: Enterprise Linux 7 and 8 (64-bit)
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CloudLinux: Versions 7 and 8 (64-bit)
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AlmaLinux: Version 8 (64-bit)
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Rocky Linux: Version 8 (64-bit)
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Virtuozzo Linux: Version 7 (64-bit)
For hardware, you’ll need 20GB of storage space, 1GB of RAM, and an additional 1GB of swap RAM.
How to Install Plesk on Windows?
You can easily install Plesk on Windows by visiting the official website, downloading the latest version with your license, and following the installation wizard. However, for those who use remote servers without a graphical interface (GUI), it’s better to install Plesk using the Command Prompt.
Once you’ve confirmed that your system meets the requirements and you have your Plesk license, just follow the steps, and you’ll have Plesk installed in no time!
Step 1: Open Command Prompt and Start the Installer
First, download the Plesk installer. Then, go to the bottom-left corner of your screen and click the Windows logo. Find "Command Prompt," right-click it, and select "Run as Administrator." Next, switch to the folder where you saved the Plesk installer.
plesk-installer.exe --console
Type "F" and press Enter. Then press Enter again. If you want to install an older version, you can repeat the process using a different command.
Plesk-installer.exe --console --all-versions
Step 2: Choose the Version and Start the Download
If you used the first command, you won't need to select a version. However, if you used the second command and pressed F and Enter, you'll need to choose a version. Type "S" to select installation options. Here, you can pick the download location (the default is Plesk servers), select the Plesk version, and set your proxy settings if needed. If you change any of these settings, exit the installer and restart it to apply the changes. Choose the recommended installation option; you can adjust these settings later if needed. Press Enter, and you'll see a final set of configuration prompts. Select your preferred directories, set a password for your Plesk admin account, and press Enter to start the download.
Plesk is quite big, so it will take some time to download. Just wait for it to finish installing, and that's it! You've successfully installed Plesk on Windows using the command prompt, without needing a graphical interface.
How to Install Plesk on Linux?
Most Linux servers connect without a graphical interface (GUI) using protocols like SSH. We will follow a similar method as installing Plesk on Windows, but this time using the terminal in Ubuntu 20.04. If you use a different Linux distribution, the commands may vary, but the general steps will be the same. Let’s get started with installing Plesk on Linux!
Step 1: Update the Server
Use the following two commands to update the server and the repository to avoid any bugs during installation:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Restart the server, and we can begin the installation process.
Step 2: Begin the Download and Installation
Installing on Ubuntu is easier compared to Plesk on Windows. Use this command to download the installer:
wget https://autoinstall.plesk.com/plesk-installer
chmod +x plesk-installer
sudo ./plesk-installer
If you're setting up a new server, press "F" when prompted. Then, choose the recommended installation option. Let the download and installation finish automatically. Congrats, you've successfully installed Plesk on Ubuntu !
FAQ
Whether Plesk is better than cPanel depends on what you need it for. Both are great choices for paid web hosting control panels. However, Plesk is often more affordable for managing multiple websites on one server.
Plesk keeps track of both its own security and the security of the operating system to help prevent attacks. Overall, it is considered one of the safest web hosting services available.
Installing Plesk can take some time. Depending on your internet speed and computer, it may take between 30 to 90 minutes on Windows and about 45 minutes to an hour on Linux.
Yes, there is a free version called the web admin edition. This basic version is designed for one domain and is a good choice if you only need a single business or personal website.
Plesk can support up to 300 domains on one server, which is more than most individuals or medium-sized businesses need. This means you get good value for the price of a Plesk license.
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