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How to Install Virtualmin on AnonVM

Virtualmin is a popular and feature-rich web hosting control panel for managing websites, domains, and other hosting tasks. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the installation of Virtualmin on your AnonVM server running Ubuntu/Debian. Virtualmin is often chosen for its versatility and ease of use, making it a perfect tool for managing servers with multiple websites, email accounts, databases, and more.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, ensure that your AnonVM server meets the following prerequisites:

• VPS or Dedicated Server with root or sudo access.
• Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or Debian 10/11 are supported.
• Public IP Address and optionally a domain name for SSL configuration.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before proceeding with the installation, it’s important to update the system to ensure you have the latest software and security patches.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Virtualmin requires some essential packages and dependencies to function properly. These include web servers (Apache or Nginx), MySQL/MariaDB, PHP, and others.

Install essential packages:

Step 3: Install Web Server (Apache or Nginx)

You can choose between Apache or Nginx as your web server. Virtualmin supports both, but we’ll install Apache for this tutorial. If you prefer Nginx, you can choose that instead.

For Apache:

For Nginx (if preferred):

Step 4: Install MySQL/MariaDB Database Server

Virtualmin works with both MySQL and MariaDB. For this tutorial, we’ll install MariaDB, but you can opt for MySQL if needed.

Install MariaDB:

After installation, start and secure the database:

Follow the prompts to set a root password and secure your MariaDB installation.

Step 5: Install Virtualmin

Now that the necessary dependencies are installed, you can install Virtualmin.

1. Download and Install Virtualmin Installation Script: Virtualmin provides an easy-to-use installation script that automates the entire setup process.

2. Run the Installation Script: Change the script’s permissions to make it executable and then run it:

The script will automatically download and install Virtualmin and all of its dependencies. This may take some time, depending on your server’s performance and network speed.

Step 6: Configure Virtualmin

After the installation completes, you can configure Virtualmin by accessing the web interface. To access Virtualmin, open your web browser and navigate to:

Step 7: Login to Virtualmin

• Username: root
• Password: The root password of your server

You’ll be prompted to log in to the Virtualmin interface. Upon the first login, you will need to complete the setup wizard. This includes:

• Configuring the hostname.
• Setting up the administrative email.
• Configuring the default settings for websites, databases, and email.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process.

Step 8: Add Virtual Hosts (Websites)

Once the setup is complete, you can start adding virtual hosts (websites) in Virtualmin.

1. Go to the Virtualmin dashboard and click on Create Virtual Server.
2. Enter the domain name and server settings.
3. Set up email, DNS, databases, and other features as required for your website.

Virtualmin will automatically configure the web server (Apache or Nginx), MySQL/MariaDB database, and DNS settings for each virtual server.

Step 9: Secure Your Server with SSL

It’s highly recommended to secure your Virtualmin panel and your websites using SSL/TLS certificates.

1. Install Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate: Virtualmin has built-in support for Let’s Encrypt, which provides free SSL certificates.

   To enable SSL for your server, navigate to Server Configuration > SSL Certificate and choose the option to Request a Let’s Encrypt certificate for your domain.

2. Secure Virtualmin: You can also secure the Virtualmin login interface. Navigate to System Settings > Virtualmin Configuration and enable SSL for the Virtualmin web interface.

Step 10: Set Up Backups

Virtualmin has built-in backup features to safeguard your data. You can set up automated backups for your virtual hosts, databases, and configuration files.

1. Go to System Settings > Backup and Restore.
2. Configure backup schedules and backup destinations.

Regular backups are crucial for ensuring the security and reliability of your server.

Step 11: Install Additional Modules (Optional)

Virtualmin supports a wide range of additional modules, including:

• Mail server: You can set up email services for your domains using Postfix, Dovecot, or other mail servers.
• DNS server: Virtualmin allows you to configure and manage DNS services.
• Web apps: You can install and manage popular web applications such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal through Virtualmin’s script installer.

You can install these modules from the Virtualmin dashboard by navigating to Webmin > Webmin Configuration > Webmin Modules.

Step 12: Regular Maintenance and Updates

To ensure your Virtualmin installation remains secure and up-to-date, you should regularly check for updates.

1. Update Virtualmin: To update Virtualmin and its components, run the following command:

2. Update the Server: Ensure your server’s operating system and all installed packages are up to date with:

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed and configured Virtualmin on your AnonVM server. Virtualmin provides an easy-to-use web interface to manage websites, databases, DNS, and email services, making it an excellent choice for managing virtual servers and websites.

By following this tutorial, you should be able to:

• Install Virtualmin on Ubuntu or Debian servers.
• Set up and manage virtual servers (websites) with ease.
• Secure your server and websites with SSL certificates.
• Automate backups and perform server updates regularly.

Virtualmin is a robust control panel that simplifies server management, making it ideal for both individual web hosting projects and larger web hosting businesses.