This is the user guide for Plesk Multi Server extension. It explains the purpose of Multi Server, how to install, configure and use the extension.

Plesk Multi Server uses much of Plesk logic and mirrors Plesk user experience. For that reason, this guide is composed so as to highlight the difference in working with Plesk and working with Plesk Multi Server, and should be used in conjunction with Plesk user documentation.

What is Plesk Multi Server?

Plesk Multi Server is designed to provide its users with Plesk user experience in managing a multi-server environment. In other words, working with a single Plesk user interface to run hosting services on multiple servers.

To that end, Plesk Multi Server is comprised of the following:

  1. Two or more Plesk instances (nodes) interconnected by means of Plesk extensions SDK;
  2. Two types of nodes: a Management node – the one node used for managing all other nodes, and Service nodes;
  3. Plesk Multi Server extension is installed at all the nodes;
  4. Management node is not used for hosting, but for management only;
  5. All the nodes must have the same unified configuration;
  6. Proper product license keys must be installed on all nodes.

Who is Plesk Multi Server intended for?

With Plesk Multi Server, you can manage customers and subscriptions hosted on multiple Plesk servers from a single Plesk server.

Such a system is most useful for the following types of business:

  • Web design and development studios that also host the clients’ web sites;
  • Small and medium-sized shared hosting providers;
  • Larger hosting providers for reselling to customers, who are small and medium-sized shared hosting providers.

Who is Plesk Multi Server not intended for?

Plesk Multi Server is most likely not suitable for the following types of business:

  • Large hosting providers expecting a full-scale centralized server management solution similar to OSA (Odin Service Automation);
  • Hosting providers delivering high load and/or high availability services.

How is Plesk Multi Server different from Plesk?

From a user perspective, Plesk Multi Server differs from Plesk in the following aspects:

  • Plesk Multi Server UI is adapted for seamless work with multiple service nodes.
  • Plesk Multi Server is installed in a different way.
  • Plesk Multi Server has its own API, which is an extension of the Plesk API, meaning that it adds new commands. You can use both standard Plesk API and Multi Server API. Some existing commands of the Plesk API have differences in Multi Server. Refer to Plesk Multi Server API Reference.
  • Plesk Multi Server uses different licensing.

How is Plesk Multi Server different from OSA?

It is important to distinguish Plesk Multi Server from OSA. OSA is a more versatile and complex infrastructure deployment and management system. Plesk Multi Server is a lightweight and easy to work with solution designed with a specific purpose of extending Plesk user experience of managing shared hosting across multiple servers. To sum up:

  • Plesk Multi Server is not suitable for managing a hosting infrastructure,
  • All nodes are deployed manually,
  • All nodes are Plesk servers of unified configuration,
  • Multi Server’s task is to efficiently distribute customer accounts and subscriptions to the connected nodes.

Learning about Plesk Multi Server

Plesk University provides a course on Plesk Multi Server.