There are many different features found in Web Host Manager (WHM) that are useful in maintaining your dedicated server. However, not all of them are available to the default user you were given when you signed up. Determining what requires root access can be complicated. We take the guesswork out of that with the chart below. It lists the features found in the WHM and whether or not you need root access to use it. The list order follows the default listing of categories found in the left hand menu of the WHM. Keep in mind, if you’re not logged in as root, you will not see all the options below.
Copy and Account From Another Server With an Account Password
Yes
Copy Multiple Accounts/Packages From Another Server
Yes
Review Transfers and Restores
Yes
Transfer Tool
Yes
Themes
Feature
Requires Root Access
Change WHM Theme
Theme Manager
Yes
Packages
Feature
Requires Root Access
Add a Package
Edit a Package
Delete a Package
Feature Manager
DNS Functions
Feature
Requires Root Access
Add a DNS Zone
Add an Entry for Your Hostname
Yes
Delete a DNS Zone
Yes
Edit a DNS Zone
Yes
Edit MX Entry
Edit Zone Templates
NS Record Report
Yes
Park a Domain
Yes
Perform a DNS Cleanup
Yes
Reset a DNS Zone
Yes
Set Zone Time To Live (TTL)
Yes
Setup/Edit Domain Forwarding
Yes
Synchronize DNS Records
Yes
SQL Services
Feature
Requires Root Access
Additional MySQL Access Hosts
Yes
Change MySQL User Password
Yes
Database Map Tool
Yes
Manage Database Users
Yes
Manage Databases
Yes
Manage MySQL Profiles
Yes
MySQL Root Password
Yes
phpMyAdmin
Yes
Repair a MySQL Database
Yes
Show MySQL Processes
Yes
IP Functions
Feature
Requires Root Access
Add a New IP Address
Yes
Assign IPv6 Address
Yes
Change a Site’s Address
Yes
Configure Remote Service IPs
Yes
IP Migration Wizard
Yes
IPv6 Ranges
Yes
Rebuild the IP Address Pool
Yes
Show IP Address Usage
Yes
Show or Delete Current IP Addresses
Yes
Show/Edit Reserved IPs
Yes
Software
Feature
Requires Root Access
EasyApache 3
Yes
EasyApache 4
Yes
Install a Perl Module
Yes
Install an RPM
Yes
Module Installers
Yes
MySQL/MariaDB Upgrade
Yes
Rebuild RPM Database
Yes
System Update
Yes
Update Server Software
Yes
Email
Feature
Requires Root Access
Greylisting
Yes
Mail Delivery Reports
Mail Queue Manager
Yes
Mail Troubleshooter
Repair Mailbox Permissions
Yes
Spamd Startup Configuration
Yes
View Mail Statistics Summary
Yes
View Relayers
Yes
View Sent Summary
Yes
System Health
Feature
Requires Root Access
Background Process Killer
Yes
Process Manager
Yes
Show Current Disk Usage
Yes
Show Current Running Processes
Yes
cPanel
Feature
Requires Root Access
Branding
Change Log
Install cPAddons Site Software
Yes
Manage cPAddons Site Software
Yes
Manage Plugins
Yes
Modify cPanel & WHM News
Reset a Mailman Password
Yes
Synchronize FTP Passwords
Upgrade to Latest Version
Yes
x3 Branding
SSL/TLS
Feature
Requires Root Access
Generate an SSL Certificate and Signing Request
Install an SSL Certificate on a Domain
Manage SSL Hosts
Purchase and Install an SSL Certificate
Yes
SSL Storage Manager
Market
Feature
Requires Root Access
Market Provider Manager
Restart Services
Feature
Requires Root Access
DNS Server (BIND/NSD/MyDNS)
FTP Server (ProFTPd/PureFTPd)
HTTP Server (Apache)
IMAP Server
Mail Server (Exim)
Mailing List Manager (Mailman)
SQL Server (MySQL)
SSH Server (OpenSSH)
Development
Feature
Requires Root Access
x3 Plugin File Generator
Yes
Apps Manage by AppConfig
Yes
cPanel Development Forum
cPanel Plugin File Generator
Yes
Manage Hooks
Yes
Software Development Kit
Plugins
Feature
Requires Root Access
Add IP to Firewall
Google Apps Wizard
Yes
Softaculous – Instant Installs
At this point, you should understand what functions within WHM require root access. If you need root access, please review our article on how to request root access.