aaPanel is a free, lightweight, and user-friendly control panel that simplifies server management for websites, databases, and other essential functions. It is ideal for developers, small business owners, and web hosting providers due to its intuitive web-based interface. In this guide, we’ll provide a step-by-step tutorial for installing aaPanel on your UnderHost VPS or dedicated server, optimized with the latest requirements and installation commands.

Why Choose aaPanel?

aaPanel is one of the most versatile control panels available, offering:

  • Easy-to-Use Interface: Manage server settings, files, websites, and databases through an intuitive web-based panel.
  • One-Click Setup: Quickly deploy software stacks like LAMP, LNMP, and OpenLiteSpeed.
  • Lightweight Performance: Optimized for minimal system resource usage.
  • Built-In Tools: Includes SSL management, firewall settings, backups, and monitoring tools.
  • Wide Compatibility: Works with popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS.

Requirements

Before installing aaPanel, ensure your server meets the following system requirements:

  • Memory: Minimum 512 MB (768 MB or more recommended for optimal performance).
  • Disk Space: At least 100 MB of free disk space (aaPanel itself uses about 20 MB).
  • Operating System:
    • Ubuntu 20, 22, or 24 (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is recommended).
    • Debian 11 or 12.
    • CentOS 9.
  • Clean Installation: Ensure the server is fresh, with no pre-installed software like Apache, NGINX, PHP, or MySQL.

Installation Command

Install aaPanel on your server in just two minutes using the following command:

URL=https://www.aapanel.com/script/install_7.0_en.sh && if [ -f /usr/bin/curl ];then curl -ksSO "$URL" ;else wget --no-check-certificate -O install_7.0_en.sh "$URL";fi;bash install_7.0_en.sh underhost

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

1. Log into Your Server

Use SSH to connect to your server as the root user:

ssh root@your_server_ip

2. Update Your System

Before running the installation, ensure your server packages are updated:

  • For Ubuntu/Debian: 
    apt update && apt upgrade -y
  • For CentOS: 
    yum update -y

3. Run the aaPanel Installation Script

Run the following command to install aaPanel. This command downloads and installs the control panel within minutes:

URL=https://www.aapanel.com/script/install_7.0_en.sh && if [ -f /usr/bin/curl ];then curl -ksSO "$URL" ;else wget --no-check-certificate -O install_7.0_en.sh "$URL";fi;bash install_7.0_en.sh underhost

Once the installation is complete, the system will display:

  • The URL to access the aaPanel dashboard (e.g., http://your_server_ip:8888).
  • The default username and password for logging in.

4. Access the aaPanel Dashboard

Open your browser and enter the URL provided during installation. Use the default credentials to log in and begin configuring your server.

5. Initial Setup

After logging in, follow these steps to complete the initial configuration:

  • Select the software stack you want to install (LAMP, LNMP, or OpenLiteSpeed).
  • Update the admin password to secure your aaPanel installation.
  • Enable SSL for the aaPanel dashboard to protect access with HTTPS.

Post-Installation Tasks

Once aaPanel is installed, optimize your server with the following steps:

1. Install Additional Software

From the aaPanel dashboard, navigate to the “App Store” and install necessary components:

  • Web servers like NGINX, Apache, or OpenLiteSpeed.
  • Database servers like MySQL or MariaDB.
  • Multiple PHP versions for application compatibility.

2. Configure Security

Use aaPanel’s security features to harden your server:

  • Enable the built-in firewall to protect against unauthorized access.
  • Install and configure Fail2Ban for brute-force attack prevention.
  • Change the default SSH port to secure remote access.

3. Schedule Backups

Set up automated backups for your websites, databases, and files. Use the built-in backup tool to schedule local or remote backups to services like AWS S3 or Google Drive.

4. Issue SSL Certificates

Secure your websites by issuing Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates. Navigate to the “Website” section, select your domain, and enable SSL with a single click.

Why Choose UnderHost for aaPanel?

UnderHost offers a hosting environment optimized for aaPanel, ensuring smooth and secure server management:

  • High-Performance Hosting: Our SSD-powered servers ensure fast performance for your aaPanel setup.
  • Offshore Privacy: Enjoy privacy-focused hosting in offshore locations for data security.
  • 24/7 Expert Support: Our team is always available to assist with installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

With aaPanel and UnderHost, managing your VPS or dedicated server has never been easier. Explore UnderHost Hosting Plans and start using aaPanel today!