Introduction

cPanel is a popular web hosting control panel that simplifies the process of managing websites and servers. Installing and configuring cPanel using SSH (Secure Shell) can provide you with more control and security. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of installing and managing cPanel on your server using SSH.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

1. A VPS or Dedicated Server: You need a server with a fresh installation of CentOS 7 or CentOS 8. Ensure that your server meets the minimum requirements for cPanel.

2. SSH Access: You should have SSH access to your server with root privileges.

3. A Valid cPanel License: You'll need a valid cPanel license to complete the installation.

Step 1: Connect to Your Server

Open your terminal or SSH client and connect to your server using SSH. Use the following command, replacing your_server_ip with your server's IP address:

You will be prompted to enter your root password.

Step 2: Prepare Your Server

Before installing cPanel, ensure your server is up to date. Run the following commands:

Step 3: Download the cPanel Installation Script

Download the cPanel installation script using the following command:

Step 4: Run the Installation Script

Run the cPanel installation script:

The installation process may take some time. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 5: Access cPanel

Once the installation is complete, you can access the cPanel WHM (Web Host Manager) interface by opening your web browser and navigating to:

Log in using your root credentials.

Step 6: Initial Configuration

Follow the initial setup wizard in WHM to configure your server settings, including setting up your hostname, nameservers, and other preferences.

Step 7: Add Domains and Websites

Now that cPanel is installed, you can start adding domains and websites to your server using the cPanel interface.

Step 8: Security Considerations

Ensure you regularly update cPanel to the latest version to receive security updates. Additionally, configure firewall rules and implement other security measures to protect your server.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully install and manage cPanel on your server using SSH. cPanel provides a user-friendly interface to manage web hosting accounts, domains, databases, and more, making it a valuable tool for website administrators and server managers.