DirectAdmin as Control Panel for Server Management

When it comes to professional control panels for server management, most users are only familiar with two names. Plesk and cPanel are among the market leaders in this field, with cPanel holding the top spot by a wide margin. A less well-known alternative is the DirectAdmin control panel. However, its lower level of recognition does not imply that this software is less powerful compared to the competition. The following article will showcase the features this application offers and the type of users it is suitable for.

What is DirectAdmin?

DirectAdmin is a control panel that provides features for effective server management. The software is distributed by the Canadian tech company JBMC Software based in Edmonton.

After its initial introduction by the designers in 2003, DirectAdmin has been continuously developed with new features being added regularly.

In addition to active development by JBMC Software, DirectAdmin undergoes regular security audits by Rack911 Labs. In the realm of control panels for server management, DirectAdmin is one of the few solutions recommended by the American internet security company.

Thus, users receive a secure and comprehensive tool for administering complex server structures.

The features of DirectAdmin

The panel by JBMC Software impresses with numerous features in the base version, covering most use cases. However, for those desiring more functionalities, the program can be expanded with various plugins.

The program's general features include:

• an integrated ticket support system,
• two-factor authentication via smartphone app,
• automatic live updates,
• a fully customisable graphical interface, and
• a plugin system to extend the program with additional modules.

In addition to the standard functions the panel brings, there is the option to define three user roles. These are

• Administrator,
• Reseller, and
• User.

Each role is characterised by specific access rights and options. The following explains in more detail the three roles that DirectAdmin offers.

Administrator

Users with the Administrator role have maximum access rights to the program. These should be experienced IT specialists who can handle complex software structures.

In DirectAdmin, administrators can

• create and edit additional administrators or resellers,
• create reseller packages to define the functionality of reseller accounts,
• manage all user accounts in the system,
• manage DNS entries and IP addresses,
• view, stop, start, or reboot system and server services,
• protect the system from spam using the numerous integrated tools, and
• manage licenses and updates.

Reseller

In the Reseller role, primarily intended for employees of a web hosting provider who enter specific customer offers into the system.
For this purpose, resellers can at DirectAdmin

• Create, edit, and delete user accounts,
• Create packages for user accounts,
• Send messages to users,
• Assign specific IP addresses to certain customers,
• Create personalised name servers for customers,
• Integrate design skins for the graphical user interface, and
• View system and server information in the form of various statistics.

User

Behind the user role are the customers of hosting providers who need a clear and logically structured dashboard to manage their product. DirectAdmin offers numerous features for users to

• Create, manage, and delete email mailboxes and addresses,
• Create FTP accesses,
• Manage DNS entries,
• Create subdomains,
• Edit, save, delete files using a file manager, and protect directories with passwords,
• Insert SSL certificates,
• Administer MySQL databases, and
• Configure various PHP options.

System Requirements for DirectAdmin

The Canadian control panel requires a Linux architecture as its foundation. It runs optimally on Debian-based systems like Ubuntu. However, CentOS, Cloudlinux, or AlmaLinux are also possible alternatives. Additionally, a web server such as Apache 2 or Nginx must be installed on the system.

DirectAdmin requires at least 2 GB of HD storage and 4 GB of RAM. A processor of at least 500 MHz is recommended by the manufacturer. As the software is designed to simplify server management, resources for servers and websites must also be considered.

How Much Does DirectAdmin Cost?

JBMC Software offers the Control Panel in 4 different licenses. The cheapest option (Personal) is priced at 1 USD per month. This includes the software and an administrator account. Additionally, 10 domains can be created.

With each additional license, the number of possible admin accounts and internet addresses increases. There are also additional services such as software installation and configuration by the development company.

For example, the Standard license at 29 USD per month provides unlimited accounts and domains, as well as a complete installation on a cloud or a dedicated server.

Use our web hosting Control Panel comparison to find out which admin tool is best suited to your individual needs.

Our article is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:
https://www.directadmin.com/ (official website of DirectAdmin)

Image credit:
Gerd Altmann on Pixabay