What Can WebHost Manager (WHM) do ?

WHM, short for WebHost Manager, is a web-based tool which is used for server administration.

There are at least two tiers of WHM, often referred to as “root WHM”, and non-root WHM (or Reseller WHM). Root WHM is used by server administrators and non-root WHM (with fewer privileges) is used by others, like entity departments, and resellers to manage hosting accounts often referred to as cPanel accounts on a web server.

WHM is also used to manage SSL certificates (both server self generated and CA provided SSL certificates), cPanel users, hosting packages, DNS zones, themes, and authentication methods. The default automatic SSL (AutoSSL) provided by cPanel is powered by Let’s Encrypt.

Additionally, WHM can also be used to manage FTP, Mail (POP, IMAP, and SMTP) and SSH services on the server.

As well as being accessible by the root administrator, WHM is also accessible to users with reseller privileges. Reseller users of cPanel have a smaller set of features than the root user, generally limited by the server administrator, to features which they determine will affect their customers’ accounts rather than the server as a whole.

From root WHM, the server administrator can perform maintenance operations such as upgrading and recompiling Apache and PHP, installing Perl modules, and upgrading RPMs installed on the system.

WebHost Manager (WHM) is a powerful administrative tool for managing web hosting servers, primarily used by hosting providers, resellers, and system administrators.

It’s the backend interface of cPanel, providing various tools and options to manage multiple cPanel accounts, server settings, and resources.

Here are some key features and functions WHM provides:

WHM (WebHost Manager) offers an extensive array of features that make it a comprehensive tool for web hosting server administration. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of WHM’s capabilities:

1. Account and User Management

Create and Modify cPanel Accounts: Create new accounts, specifying resources, domain name, contact email, and more. Modify existing accounts by adjusting resource limits, primary domain, and password.
List and Search Accounts: View all accounts, filter them by domain, username, IP, etc., and view specific account details.
Account Suspension/Unsuspension: Suspend accounts due to non-payment, TOS violations, or any reason, and unsuspend when needed.
Password Reset and Contact Information Update: Reset passwords and update account contact details.
Account Transfer Tool: Transfer accounts between servers or resellers, simplifying server migrations.
Reseller Account Management: Assign, modify, and manage reseller accounts and their permissions, allowing them to manage their client’s hosting accounts.

2. Domain, DNS, and Networking Management

DNS Zone Editor: Create, modify, and delete DNS records, including A, CNAME, TXT, and MX records.
Nameserver Setup and Management: Configure and manage nameservers, add new nameservers, and assign IP addresses.
DNS Clustering: Set up a network of synchronized DNS servers to improve DNS availability and reliability across multiple servers.
Manage SSL Certificates: Install, view, delete, and manage SSL/TLS certificates for secure HTTPS connections.
IP Address Management: Assign, release, and monitor IP addresses, as well as configure shared IP pools for accounts.

3. Package and Plan Management

Create Hosting Packages: Design hosting packages with predefined resource limits (disk space, bandwidth, email accounts, databases) to streamline account provisioning.
Assign Packages to Accounts: Apply predefined packages to new or existing accounts for easy management.
Modify and Delete Packages: Edit or remove packages to meet changing business requirements or adjust resources.
Feature Manager: Customize features available to users in cPanel, including file managers, email tools, databases, and web applications.

4. Server Resource Management

Server Status and Performance Monitoring: View detailed server status, including CPU, RAM, disk, and network usage, to ensure optimal performance.
Process Manager: View and manage active processes on the server, with options to terminate unresponsive or high-resource-consuming tasks.
Bandwidth Limiting and Monitoring: Set account-specific bandwidth limits, track usage, and receive notifications of overages.
Disk Space Management: Monitor overall and individual account disk usage, enforce quotas, and manage cleanup to avoid storage issues.
CPU and I/O Limiting for Accounts: Set limits on CPU, I/O, memory, and concurrent processes to prevent one account from impacting server performance.

5. Security and Access Control

Firewall and IP Blocking: Configure firewall settings to allow or block IP addresses, manage access control lists, and enforce security policies.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for additional security on both cPanel and WHM logins.
Brute Force Protection (cPHulk): Detect and block brute force login attempts by IP, username, or country, with customizable rules and alert notifications.
Password Strength Requirements: Set minimum password strength requirements for cPanel accounts and ensure strong password usage.
Security Advisor: Receive security recommendations based on current settings and system scans.
Virus and Malware Scanning: Schedule or run on-demand virus scans to check for malware and remove suspicious files.

6. Backup and Disaster Recovery

Automated Backups: Schedule full or partial backups, including files, databases, and configurations, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Incremental Backups: Save server resources and storage by enabling incremental backups, which only back up changes since the last backup.
Account-Specific Backup Restoration: Restore full cPanel accounts or specific files and databases from a backup.
Remote Backup Storage: Configure remote destinations for backups, including S3, FTP, Google Drive, and other cloud storage options.

7. Email Management and Anti-Spam Controls

Email Account Creation and Limits: Allow users to create email accounts, set email storage limits, and configure forwarding and autoresponders.
Anti-Spam Tools: Configure and manage SpamAssassin, BoxTrapper, and RBLs (Realtime Blackhole Lists) to reduce incoming spam.
Mail Queue Management: View and manage the email queue, including retrying, deleting, and resending messages.
Email Rate Limiting: Set limits on outgoing email rates for accounts to prevent spam and protect server reputation.
SMTP Restrictions: Restrict direct SMTP access to ensure all email traffic is monitored through the mail server.

8. Database and Storage Management

MySQL and PostgreSQL Management: View and manage databases, users, and privileges for MySQL and PostgreSQL databases.
phpMyAdmin Access: Direct access to phpMyAdmin for advanced database management and queries.
Database Disk Usage Monitoring: Track disk usage for databases to monitor for overages and optimize storage.
Database Backups: Include databases in automated backup schedules and restore individual databases as needed.

9. Application, Plugin, and API Management

Install and Update Plugins: Install, manage, and update plugins like Softaculous, CSF (ConfigServer Security & Firewall), and others.
Application Installer Management: Manage auto-installers for popular applications like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and others for easy customer access.
Manage cPanel API Access: Enable and configure API access for integrations with third-party applications, billing software (e.g., WHMCS), and automation tools.
Command Line Interface (CLI): Use the command line to perform many WHM functions for advanced scripting and automation.

10. Logs and Advanced Reporting

Server Logs: Access raw logs for Apache, FTP, mail, and system activities, essential for troubleshooting and security monitoring.
Access Logs: View and analyze who has accessed WHM or cPanel, including failed and successful login attempts.
Resource and Performance Reports: Generate usage reports for disk, bandwidth, CPU, and other critical metrics over time.
Error Logs and Troubleshooting: Access error logs to troubleshoot website, server, and configuration issues.

11. Customization and Branding

Custom cPanel Branding: Customize the look and feel of the cPanel interface, add logos, color schemes, and custom messages to align with your brand.
Language and Localization: Change the language settings for cPanel, providing localized user experiences for different regions.
Notification Customization: Set up email or SMS notifications for critical events, such as quota overages, backups, and security alerts.

12. System Configuration and Maintenance

System Updates: Schedule and manage system updates, including cPanel updates, security patches, and package updates.
Configure PHP and Apache Settings: Set PHP versions, configure handlers, change timeout settings, and enable/disable modules.
Kernel and Software Updates: Update the Linux kernel and key software packages for improved performance and security.
Cron Job Management: View and manage cron jobs, scheduling repetitive tasks to automate server maintenance and account-level activities.

13. Migration and Server Transfers

Full Account Transfer Tool: Migrate cPanel accounts, DNS records, and files from one server to another with minimal downtime.
Backup Restoration for Migration: Use backups from other cPanel/WHM servers to facilitate migrations.
IP Migration and DNS Update: Easily reassign IPs and update DNS settings during server moves, minimizing downtime.

WHM is essential for managing hosting environments, allowing administrators to control nearly every aspect of server configuration, account management, and security. Its extensive feature set makes it a robust solution for hosting providers, resellers, and IT teams who need high-level control and efficiency in server and account management.

WHM provides hosting providers and resellers the control they need to efficiently manage servers and accounts, enabling scalability, security, and streamlined server administration.