CloudPanel is a robust, lightweight server control panel designed to simplify website and server management. Optimized for modern needs, CloudPanel provides powerful tools for managing websites, applications, and databases efficiently. With support for technologies like Node.js, PHP, Mailcow, and WordPress tools, CloudPanel is the ideal solution for developers and business owners. This guide walks you through the installation process on an UnderHost Ubuntu or Debian server, along with an overview of its advanced features and additional integrations.

Why Choose CloudPanel?

CloudPanel offers a range of benefits, making it a top choice for hosting and development:

  • Lightweight and Fast: Uses minimal resources, ensuring optimal performance even on smaller servers.
  • Built-In Security: Includes firewalls, Let’s Encrypt SSL integration, and automatic updates.
  • Multi-Stack Support: Pre-configured support for Node.js, PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, and more.
  • CloudPanel CLI: A command-line interface for managing applications and services efficiently.
  • Application Guides: Includes configurations for tools like Mailcow and WordPress email sending.
  • DPLOY Integration: Simplifies deployments with Git-based automation.

Prerequisites

Before installing CloudPanel, ensure the following:

  • Supported Operating Systems:
    • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or 24.04 LTS
    • Debian 11 LTS or 12 LTS
  • Root Access: Ensure you have root or sudo user privileges for the server.
  • Fresh Installation: CloudPanel requires a clean server without pre-installed web services (e.g., Apache, NGINX).
  • Firewall Configuration: Ensure port 8443 is open. For added security, limit access to your IP address.

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

1. Log into Your Server

Access your server via SSH using one of the following methods:

  • Using a Private Key: 
    ssh -i path_to_your_private_key root@your_server_ip
  • Using a Password: 
    ssh root@your_server_ip

2. Update the System

Update the system and install necessary packages:

apt update && apt -y upgrade && apt -y install curl wget sudo

3. Download and Install CloudPanel

Run the following commands to download and verify the CloudPanel installer:

curl -sS https://installer.cloudpanel.io/ce/v2/install.sh -o install.sh; \
echo "a3ba69a8102345127b4ae0e28cfe89daca675cbc63cd39225133cdd2fa02ad36 install.sh" | \
sha256sum -c && sudo bash install.sh

4. Choose Your Database Engine

During installation, select your preferred database engine:

  • MySQL 8.0
  • MariaDB 11.4
  • MariaDB 10.11

Select the database engine that suits your project needs.

Advanced Features and Integrations

1. CloudPanel CLI

For advanced users, CloudPanel includes a powerful command-line interface (CLI) for managing servers and applications:

  • Create a Website: 
    cloudpanel add:website
  • Manage Services: Start, stop, or restart services like NGINX and MySQL: 
    cloudpanel service:restart nginx
  • Generate SSL Certificates: 
    cloudpanel ssl:install

2. Node.js and PHP Support

CloudPanel makes it easy to deploy applications built with Node.js or PHP:

  • Node.js: Deploy apps with NGINX reverse proxy and manage them effortlessly.
  • PHP: Configure multiple PHP versions for different websites using PHP-FPM pools.

3. Mailcow Email Integration with CloudPanel

CloudPanel seamlessly supports Mailcow, a dockerized email hosting solution that simplifies managing mail services for your domains. This section will guide you through setting up Mailcow on CloudPanel, including configuring a reverse proxy for secure access.

System Requirements for Mailcow

  • CPU: At least 1 core
  • RAM: Minimum of 6 GB
  • Disk Space: At least 20 GB

Steps to Set Up Mailcow

  1. Disable Postfix: Stop and disable Postfix to avoid conflicts: 
    systemctl stop postfix && systemctl disable postfix
  2. Install Docker and Docker Compose: Run the following command to set up Docker: 
    curl -sSL https://get.docker.com/ | CHANNEL=stable sh && apt install docker-compose-plugin
  3. Clone and Configure Mailcow: Clone Mailcow’s repository and configure: 
    git clone https://github.com/mailcow/mailcow-dockerized /opt/mailcow-dockerized
cd /opt/mailcow-dockerized/ && ./generate_config.sh

    Set the hostname (e.g., mail.domain.com) and modify the configuration file:

    nano /opt/mailcow-dockerized/mailcow.conf

    Change the HTTP/HTTPS ports:

    HTTP_PORT=7080
HTTP_BIND=127.0.0.1
HTTPS_PORT=7443
HTTPS_BIND=127.0.0.1
  4. Start Mailcow: Launch Mailcow’s Docker containers: 
    cd /opt/mailcow-dockerized/ && docker compose pull && docker compose up -d
  5. Configure Reverse Proxy: In CloudPanel, create a reverse proxy with your domain (e.g., https://mail.domain.com) and forward traffic to https://127.0.0.1:7443. Issue an SSL certificate for security.

Once completed, you can access Mailcow at https://mail.domain.com using the default credentials:

  • Username: admin
  • Password: moohoo

Accessing CloudPanel

  1. Launch CloudPanel in a Browser: Once the installation is complete, open your browser and visit: 
    https://your_server_ip:8443
  2. Ignore the Self-Signed Certificate Warning: Click Advanced and then Proceed to bypass the warning temporarily.
  3. Create an Admin User: Log in immediately after installation to create your admin account for enhanced security.

Why Use CloudPanel with UnderHost?

UnderHost provides optimized hosting environments for CloudPanel, offering:

  • Offshore Hosting: Protect your data with privacy-focused server locations.
  • 24/7 Support: Our expert team is always available to assist with setup and management.
  • Performance Optimized Servers: SSD-powered servers ensure your applications run smoothly.

Explore Our Hosting Plans and take advantage of CloudPanel’s full potential with UnderHost today!