---
title: "How to use your server panel"
description: "A tab-by-tab tour of your server panel: Console, File Manager, Databases, Schedules, Users, Backups, Network, Startup and Settings, and what each one is for."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/general/how-to-use-your-server-panel/"
category: "General"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/general/"
published: "2026-04-10T01:04:18.733Z"
updated: "2026-08-07T06:13:50.320Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# How to use your server panel

Your server panel is the control room for every one of our [game server hosting plans](/games/). This guide is the orientation tour: what each tab does and where the everyday jobs live.

## The Console

The landing view. Watch live server output, send commands, and use the **Start**, **Stop**, and **Restart** buttons. The **Address** at the top left is your server's IP and port, the thing players ask for most. Resource graphs alongside show CPU, memory, and network at a glance.

## File Manager

Browse and edit every server file in the browser: configs, saves, logs, mods. Files can be uploaded, downloaded, archived, and edited in place. For big transfers, SFTP is faster and more reliable; see [How to Upload Files via SFTP](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-upload-files-via-sftp/).

## Databases

Some games and plugins want a MySQL database. Create one in a click and get its credentials from the **Databases** tab; see [How to Create a Database via Your Panel](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-create-a-database-via-your-panel/).

## Schedules

Automation lives here: timed restarts, backups, and console commands on a cron timer. See [How to Setup Schedules](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-setup-schedules/).

## Users

Give friends and moderators their own logins with only the permissions you choose; see [How to Add Sub-Users to Your Panel](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-add-sub-users-to-your-panel/).

## Backups

Create, download, and restore snapshots of your server; see [How to Create a Backup](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-create-a-backup/). Take one before every risky change.

## Network

Your allocated IPs and ports. Some games use more than one port (query ports, RCON ports); this tab is where they all live. Unturned, for instance, uses your allocated port plus the next two; see [How to Make an Unturned Server](/knowledge-base/unturned/how-to-make-an-unturned-server/).

## Startup

The launch configuration: the variables your game's egg exposes (world names, passwords, slots) without touching raw files. Changes apply on the next start.

## Settings

Rename the server, and reinstall it from scratch when a fresh start is the right answer.

> [!CAUTION] Reinstall wipes the server files
> Back up first.

> [!TIP] When something breaks, read the Console first
> Nine times out of ten the error is printed right there in the output, and it is the first thing our support team will ask about too.

---

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