Knowledgebase

How to Install Plesk on AnonVM

Plesk is a powerful web hosting control panel that simplifies server management and website administration. Whether you're managing a personal website or a business server, Plesk offers an intuitive interface for handling web hosting tasks such as managing databases, mail servers, DNS, and more. This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing Plesk on your AnonVM server.

Prerequisites

Before you begin installing Plesk, ensure your AnonVM server meets the following prerequisites:

• VPS or Dedicated Server with root or sudo access.
• Operating System: Plesk supports CentOS, Ubuntu, and Debian. For this tutorial, we will use Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or Debian 10/11.
• A Public IP Address and optionally a domain name for SSL configuration.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before starting the installation process, it’s important to update your system to make sure you have the latest software and security patches.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems, run the following commands:

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Plesk requires a few necessary packages to function properly. Make sure these are installed before continuing.

Step 3: Install Plesk

Plesk offers a one-click installer script that automates the entire installation process. Here’s how to install Plesk using the official installer:

1. Download the Plesk Installer:

   You can download the Plesk installation script directly from the official Plesk repository using the following command:

    

   wget https://autoinstall.plesk.com/plesk-installer

2. Make the Script Executable:

   After downloading the installer script, you need to change its permissions to make it executable.

    

   chmod +x plesk-installer

3. Run the Plesk Installer:

   Now, run the installer to start the installation process. The script will guide you through the installation steps and automatically install Plesk with the necessary components.

    

   sudo ./plesk-installer

   The installation process can take some time, depending on your server’s performance and internet speed.

Step 4: Initial Setup

Once the installation is complete, you can access the Plesk control panel through your web browser. To do this, open your browser and go to:

• Username: admin
• Password: The password you set during the installation or the default root password if you did not specify one.

Step 5: Complete the First-Time Configuration

Upon logging into Plesk, you will be prompted to complete the first-time configuration. This involves:

1. Setting up your admin password if not already set.
2. Entering your contact email for notifications and system alerts.
3. Configuring your license key for Plesk. If you don't have one, you can choose the free trial version of Plesk to get started.

Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the setup.

Step 6: Secure Your Server with SSL

Plesk automatically supports SSL certificates, and it's a good practice to secure the Plesk interface and your websites with SSL/TLS.

1. Install SSL for Plesk Panel:

   Plesk allows you to install an SSL certificate for the control panel by going to Tools & Settings > SSL/TLS Certificates and selecting Get a Free SSL Certificate using Let’s Encrypt.

2. Secure Websites with SSL:

   To secure your websites with SSL, navigate to Domains > your domain > Hosting Settings, and enable SSL. Plesk will automatically configure the web server to serve the website over HTTPS.

Step 7: Add a New Domain

After completing the initial configuration, you can start adding websites (domains) to your Plesk server.

1. Go to Websites & Domains.
2. Click Add Domain.
3. Enter the domain name, admin email, and configure the other settings such as FTP and DNS.

Plesk will automatically configure the web server, DNS, and other components for the new domain.

Step 8: Set Up Email and DNS

Plesk makes it easy to set up email and DNS for your domains.

1. Email Setup: Plesk comes with a built-in Postfix email server. You can configure email services by going to Tools & Settings > Mail Server Settings and setting up email addresses for your domains.

2. DNS Setup: Plesk includes a DNS management tool. To set up DNS for your domains, navigate to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings.

Step 9: Set Up Databases

Plesk supports MySQL and MariaDB for database management. You can create and manage databases through the Databases section.

1. Navigate to Websites & Domains > Databases.
2. Click Add Database and fill in the required details.

Plesk allows you to create users for each database and assign appropriate permissions.

Step 10: Regular Maintenance and Updates

To ensure your Plesk installation stays secure and up to date, you should perform regular maintenance and updates:

1. Update Plesk: You can update Plesk using the following command:

    

   sudo plesk installer update

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

    

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 11: Install Additional Extensions (Optional)

Plesk supports a variety of extensions that can extend its functionality, such as:

• WordPress Toolkit for easy WordPress management.
• Let’s Encrypt for automatic SSL certificate generation.
• CloudFlare integration for enhanced website security and performance.

To install extensions, go to Plesk > Extensions and browse the Plesk Extensions Catalog.

Conclusion

You’ve now successfully installed Plesk on your AnonVM server! Plesk is a powerful, flexible control panel for managing websites, email accounts, databases, and much more. With its intuitive interface, Plesk is suitable for both beginners and experienced server administrators.

Key Takeaways:

• Install Plesk using the official installer script.
• Set up and manage domains, email accounts, databases, and DNS.
• Secure your server and websites using SSL/TLS certificates.
• Perform regular updates and use Plesk extensions to extend functionality.