--- title: "Control Panel Guides" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/" description: "Manage your server without the command line. A control panel (GUI) helps you manage domains, email, and security. Compare cPanel, Plesk, and InterWorx." vertical: "Hosting" date: "2025-07-01" last_modified: "2026-07-02" --- # Control Panel Guides A Control Panel is a **web-based graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies the administration of a server** **or website**. Instead of requiring you to interact directly with the command line (which can be complex and intimidating for many), a control panel provides a user-friendly interface to perform common server management tasks. They can be useful for: - **Website and Domain Management:** Easily add, remove, and manage websites, domains, subdomains, and DNS settings. - **Email Management:** Create email accounts, set up forwarders, autoresponders, and manage spam filters. - **Database Management:** Manage databases and users, and work directly with your data using phpMyAdmin. - **File Management:** Upload, download, edit, and manage files on the server through a web-based file manager. - **Security Features:** Configure firewalls, manage SSL certificates, and set up password protections. - **Software Installation:** Quickly install popular applications like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal with a few clicks. - **Resource Monitoring:** View server resource usage (CPU, RAM, disk space) to identify potential issues. - **Backup and Restoration:** Schedule and perform backups of server data and easily restore them if needed. Essentially, a control panel **abstracts away the complexities of command-line operations**, and overall website or server management. They make managing your online resources more accessible to a wider range of users, from beginners to experienced administrators who want to streamline their workflow. Control Panel Articles 293 results At Liquid Web, we provide different Control Panel options depending on the underlying product, and or operating system. - ## [Add Files or Folders in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/file-management/add-files-or-folders-in-plesk/) Using the File Manager in Plesk, you can create files and directories. This allows you to create directories for images and other assets to your site and create files to directly edit them in Plesk. All you need is an internet connection. [Read more: Add Files or Folders in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/file-management/add-files-or-folders-in-plesk/) - ## [Adding a Domain in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/website-management/adding-a-domain-in-plesk/) Manage server settings and individual domains/websites seamlessly in Plesk. Easily add registered domains to begin website development. [Read more: Adding a Domain in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/website-management/adding-a-domain-in-plesk/) - ## [Adding a domain to your Control Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/adding-a-domain-to-your-control-panel/) Learn how to add and manage domains in WHM/cPanel, Interworx, or Plesk with these step-by-step guides. [Read more: Adding a domain to your Control Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/adding-a-domain-to-your-control-panel/) - ## [Adding a User in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/security/adding-a-user-in-plesk/) Plesk empowers server and domain control. Create users with custom permissions, restricting them to specific domains. [Read more: Adding a User in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/security/adding-a-user-in-plesk/) - ## [Adding Files and Folders in cPanel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/file-management/adding-files-and-folders-in-cpanel/) cPanel offers a secure File Manager tool. Learn how to add files and folders in this tutorial for enhanced security. [Read more: Adding Files and Folders in cPanel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/file-management/adding-files-and-folders-in-cpanel/) - ## [Adding Files and Folders in SiteWorx](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/file-management/adding-files-and-folders-in-siteworx/) SiteWorx provides you with the File Manager tool that is simpler to use than SFTP or FTP for a small number of files. This tutorial will walk you through adding files and folders in File Manager. [Read more: Adding Files and Folders in SiteWorx](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/file-management/adding-files-and-folders-in-siteworx/) - ## [Adding Firewall Rules in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/security/adding-firewall-rules-in-plesk/) Windows servers using Plesk can use firewall rules to manage help manage server traffic. You can also add firewall rules using Windows Firewall, but adding firewall rules in Plesk is a good first line of defense. [Read more: Adding Firewall Rules in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/security/adding-firewall-rules-in-plesk/) - ## [Adding IP Addresses Manually in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/adding-ip-addresses-manually-in-whm/) To avoid IP address denial, add addresses manually in WHM after creating them in your Liquid Web account. [Read more: Adding IP Addresses Manually in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/adding-ip-addresses-manually-in-whm/) - ## [Allowing a Domain User to Access RDP in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/security/allowing-a-domain-user-to-access-rdp-in-plesk/) Granting Remote Desktop Access to a customer on your Plesk server is uncommon but may be necessary for specific needs like unique installs or log searches. Plesk simplifies this process for Windows. [Read more: Allowing a Domain User to Access RDP in Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/security/allowing-a-domain-user-to-access-rdp-in-plesk/) - ## [Allowing Remote Database Access in Interworx](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/database-management/allowing-remote-database-access-in-interworx/) The InterWorx Control panel allows the ability to manage multiple external MySQL servers from a single installation of InterWorx, via MySQL server pooling. Once added, the remote MySQL Servers may be assigned to new SiteWorx accounts. From the Remote Servers page in NodeWorx, server administrators can add and remove remote MySQL servers, as well as… [Read more: Allowing Remote Database Access in Interworx](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/database-management/allowing-remote-database-access-in-interworx/) - ## [API Tokens for Remote Access in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/api-tokens-for-remote-access-in-whm/) Create and manage WHM API Tokens to allow secure, password-less remote access or to enable API functionality for your server. [Read more: API Tokens for Remote Access in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/api-tokens-for-remote-access-in-whm/) - ## [Blocking IP Addresses in InterWorx Web Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/security/blocking-ip-addresses-in-interworx-web-panel/) Learn to block a malicious IP address using ConfigServer Security & Firewall (CSF) on your Cloud VPS. This tutorial outlines the few simple steps. [Read more: Blocking IP Addresses in InterWorx Web Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/security/blocking-ip-addresses-in-interworx-web-panel/) - ## [Blocking IP Addresses in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/blocking-ip-addresses-in-whm/) Need to block an IP? This guide shows how to use ConfigServer Security & Firewall in WHM to permanently or temporarily deny any IP address. [Read more: Blocking IP Addresses in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/blocking-ip-addresses-in-whm/) - ## [Change a MySQL User Password via cPanel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/database-management/change-a-mysql-user-password-via-cpanel/) If you aren’t familiar with using the command line interface, using cPanel makes it easy to change MySQL user passwords. [Read more: Change a MySQL User Password via cPanel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/database-management/change-a-mysql-user-password-via-cpanel/) - ## [Change Email Passwords via cPanel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/email-management/change-email-passwords-via-cpanel/) Strong password security is vital for protecting your cPanel-managed server. Sometimes, however, you may need to change an email password due to your security policy or a compromise – a task you can quickly accomplish right within your cPanel dashboard. [Read more: Change Email Passwords via cPanel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/email-management/change-email-passwords-via-cpanel/) - ## [Change Email Passwords via Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/email-management/change-email-passwords-via-plesk/) Strong password security is vital for protecting your server and all the services Plesk helps you manage. If you use your server for email, you want to make sure your email passwords are secure and hard to guess. [Read more: Change Email Passwords via Plesk](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/email-management/change-email-passwords-via-plesk/) - ## [Change the Layout in Interworx](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/change-the-layout-in-interworx/) Customizing your control panel enhances user experience. InterWorx offers various options to personalize layout and design, making navigation easier. [Read more: Change the Layout in Interworx](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/change-the-layout-in-interworx/) - ## [Change Your cPanel Password](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/security/change-your-cpanel-password/) Changing the password in your cPanel account is a simple process and only takes a few moments. This tutorial covers only the main password, any other users created will still have the same passwords and access. [Read more: Change Your cPanel Password](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/cpanel/security/change-your-cpanel-password/) - ## [Change Your Hostname via WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/change-your-hostname-via-whm/) Easily change your server hostname via WHM, Plesk, InterWorx, or SSH—then update it in your Liquid Web account and DNS records. [Read more: Change Your Hostname via WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/change-your-hostname-via-whm/) - ## [Change Your Interworx Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/change-your-interworx-server-hostname/) Easily change your Interworx server hostname via NodeWorx — then update it in your Liquid Web account and DNS records. [Read more: Change Your Interworx Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/change-your-interworx-server-hostname/) - ## [Change Your Plesk Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/change-your-plesk-server-hostname/) Easily change your Plesk server hostname — then update it in your Liquid Web account and DNS records. [Read more: Change Your Plesk Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/change-your-plesk-server-hostname/) - ## [Change Your WHM / cPanel Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/change-your-whm-cpanel-server-hostname/) Easily change your WHM / cPanel server hostname via WHM — then update it in your Liquid Web account and DNS records. [Read more: Change Your WHM / cPanel Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/change-your-whm-cpanel-server-hostname/) - ## [Changing cPanel Passwords in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/changing-cpanel-passwords-in-whm/) With root WHM access, you can change any cPanel user’s password without knowing the old one. This also updates their email, FTP, and SSH passwords. [Read more: Changing cPanel Passwords in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/changing-cpanel-passwords-in-whm/) - ## [Changing Your Password in Interworx Web Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/security/changing-your-password-in-interworx-web-panel/) Security best practices recommend regular password changes. InterWorx Web Panel facilitates this with a few clicks on the main dashboard for easy password updates. [Read more: Changing Your Password in Interworx Web Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/security/changing-your-password-in-interworx-web-panel/) - ## [Changing Your Password in SiteWorx Web Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/security/changing-your-password-in-siteworx-web-panel/) As the server administrator, you can change domain user passwords from your panel, aiding users who have lost or forgotten their passwords. Alternatively, domain users can also change their own passwords within their control panel for added convenience. [Read more: Changing Your Password in SiteWorx Web Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/security/changing-your-password-in-siteworx-web-panel/) 1[2](?query-0-page=2)[3](?query-0-page=3)…[12](?query-0-page=12) [Next Page](/hosting/control-panel?query-0-page=2)