Knowledgebase

How to Install ISPConfig on AnonVM

ISPConfig is a powerful open-source hosting control panel that enables users to manage multiple servers from a single interface. It allows you to easily manage websites, email, DNS, databases, and more. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of installing ISPConfig on your AnonVM VPS or dedicated server.

Prerequisites

Before installing ISPConfig, ensure your AnonVM server meets the following prerequisites:

• VPS or Dedicated Server with root or sudo access.
• Operating System: The tutorial is compatible with Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or Debian 10/11.
• Public IP address and domain name (optional but recommended for SSL configuration).

Step 1: Update Your System

Before beginning the installation, update the system’s package lists and upgrade the installed packages to ensure you have the latest software versions.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

Step 2: Install Required Packages

ISPConfig requires some essential packages and dependencies for the installation. These packages include Apache, Nginx, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP, and others.

Install essential packages:

Step 3: Install the LAMP/LEMP Stack

ISPConfig can run with both the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP) or LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP) stack. You can choose the one that fits your needs.

For LAMP Stack (Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP):

For LEMP Stack (Nginx, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP):

Once the installation is complete, ensure the web server and database services are running.

Step 4: Secure MySQL/MariaDB Installation

It’s essential to secure your MySQL/MariaDB installation. Run the following command to set up a root password and secure your database server:

Follow the on-screen prompts to set a root password and configure other security options.

Step 5: Install ISPConfig

Now it’s time to download and install ISPConfig.

1. Download ISPConfig installation script: ISPConfig provides a script to automatically install the control panel. Run the following commands to download and start the installation:

2. Start the ISPConfig installation: The installation script will automatically begin. The script will prompt you to select the components you want to install, such as:

• Web server: Apache or Nginx
• Database server: MySQL or MariaDB
• PHP versions: You can select the version(s) of PHP you want to use.

By default, the script installs Apache, MariaDB, and PHP-FPM. You can customize the installation to your requirements.

Step 6: Configure the ISPConfig Control Panel

Once the installation script completes, you can access ISPConfig from your web browser.

1. Access ISPConfig Panel: Open your web browser and navigate to:

2. Login to ISPConfig: The default login credentials are:
   • Username: admin
   • Password: admin

You will be prompted to change the password upon your first login.

3. Set up the ISPConfig Interface: After logging in, you can configure the control panel by setting up your server’s hostname, DNS settings, and other configurations based on your needs.

Step 7: Create Websites, Email Accounts, and Databases

After logging into ISPConfig, you can begin managing your websites, email accounts, and databases through the control panel.

1. Add Websites:

   • Navigate to Sites > Website in ISPConfig to create a new website.
   • You can add domains, configure SSL certificates (including free Let’s Encrypt certificates), and manage site settings.

2. Create Email Accounts:

   • ISPConfig allows you to manage email accounts for each domain. To create new email accounts, navigate to Email > Mailboxes.

3. Set Up Databases:

   • In the Databases section, you can create MySQL or MariaDB databases for your websites or applications.

Step 8: Secure Your ISPConfig Server

Security is vital when managing a server, and ISPConfig offers several ways to harden your setup.

1. Set Up a Firewall:

   • You can configure UFW or CSF for firewall management. ISPConfig allows you to control firewall settings from the control panel.

2. Enable SSL:

   • Configure SSL certificates for your domains and for the ISPConfig panel itself. You can use Let’s Encrypt for free SSL certificates.

3. Regular Backups:

   • Set up regular backups for your websites, emails, and databases through ISPConfig.

Step 9: Update ISPConfig Regularly

To ensure your ISPConfig installation is secure and up-to-date, you should regularly update the software.

1. Check for updates: You can check for updates directly from the ISPConfig control panel under the System tab.

2. Manually update ISPConfig: Run the following command to update ISPConfig manually:

Step 10: Troubleshooting and Logs

If you run into any issues during the installation or while using ISPConfig, you can check the logs for more details.

• ISPConfig logs are stored in /var/log/ispconfig/ and can be accessed for error details.
• Apache or Nginx logs can be found in /var/log/apache2/ or /var/log/nginx/ for web server issues.
• MySQL/MariaDB logs are available in /var/log/mysql/.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed and configured ISPConfig on your AnonVM server. ISPConfig is a powerful and versatile control panel that makes web hosting management easy and efficient. It provides a centralized interface for managing your websites, email accounts, databases, and more.

By following this tutorial, you should be able to:

• Install ISPConfig on your Ubuntu or Debian server.
• Manage websites, email accounts, and databases easily.
• Configure SSL, DNS, and other essential services.
• Keep your server secure with regular updates and backups.

ISPConfig is an excellent choice for individuals and businesses looking for a free and robust web hosting control panel that can manage all aspects of their hosting infrastructure.