Getting Started
with cPanel

Where to Start

If you remember all the way back to the beginning of this guide, we mentioned that WHM interfaces with the server itself (whereas cPanel works with your websites). So, we're going to have to get into WHM to work on maintaing your server.

To Access WHM

1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. Click Servers.
3. Next to the account you want to use, click Launch.
4. In the cPanel Sites section, click Manage Server (WHM).

On the left, you'll see a vast array of options to manage and maintain your server. We're going to highlight the most important ones:

Update System Software checks cPanel's repository for any system-level software that has a more recent version. For those with admin experience, this is essentially the same as running yum update. This service must be run manually.

Update Preferences lets you control how your server updates cPanel and WHM, as well as its operating system and SpamAssassin. By default, these are all set to update automatically.

EasyApache maintains the software your websites need to be accessible from the Internet: Apache, PHP, and Tomcat. EasyApache is configured by default to update automatically.

MySQL Upgrade will upgrade your server's version of MySQL. This is a little bit more complicated than other updates because a MySQL upgrade might have architectural changes that impact your site's functionality. Before upgrading, it's always best to search for the new version's release notes.

Of course, you should also maintain the software you run on your site: applications like WordPress® or Joomla!®. Outdated applications can pose a real threat to your server's and your visitors' security — however, that stuff's managed through cPanel (more info).