Setting up a dedicated server from scratch

[Veronem]

hello,

i just bought a dedicated server with Parallels Plesk Panel, and was wondering what i should do next before using it?
should i install any security software or modify anything? should i install SQL or it comes with the control panel?

a tutorial would really help.
thanks a lot.

[hellnoire]

Well, check with the person you bought it from to see what it has by default. Most servers I know, Windows or Linux, are just bare shells, nothing more. You need to provide everything. This might not be the case with you, but check with the company you bought it from.