High Performance Server Setup: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

High performance server setups cater to a wide range of modern web hosting needs, from virtual servers to dedicated servers. In this article, we will cover the step-by-step installation of a high-performance server using AlmaLinux with cPanel or Plesk.

1. Preparing the Server Infrastructure

The first step is to check your server's infrastructure. Using NVMe SSD is critical for high performance. Make sure your server has an SSD installed. You can check your current disk configuration with the following SSH command:

lsblk

2. Installing AlmaLinux

To install AlmaLinux, you need a bootable USB or an ISO image. Prepare an appropriate installation media for your server and adjust the boot options in the BIOS settings.

Installation Steps:

• Download the ISO file and create a bootable USB.
• Boot the server from the USB.
• Follow the installation wizard and configure the disk.

3. Connecting to the Server via SSH

Once the installation is complete, connect to your server via SSH:

ssh root@

4. Installing Required Packages

Ensure that the necessary dependencies are installed for cPanel or Plesk:

dnf install -y perl wget

5. Installing cPanel

To install cPanel, follow these steps:

wget -N http://httpupdate.cpanel.net/latest 

sh latest

Note your server's IP address during the installation for later use.

6. Installing Plesk

To install Plesk, use the following command:

sh <(curl https://get.plesk.com/oneclick/installer)

7. Security Settings

After installation is complete, implement the following steps to secure your server:

• Set a strong root password.
• Create a user for SSH and disable root access:

adduser new_user

passwd new_user

usermod -aG wheel new_user

echo 'PermitRootLogin no' >> /etc/ssh/sshd_config

systemctl restart sshd

8. DDoS Protection

To protect against DDoS attacks, install fail2ban and configure iptables:

dnf install -y fail2ban

systemctl start fail2ban

systemctl enable fail2ban

9. Installing SSL Certificate

To enhance the security of your website, implement SSL certificate installation. You can obtain a free SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt:

dnf install -y certbot

certbot --apache -d exampledomain.com

Conclusion

In this article, we covered the step-by-step installation of a high-performance server. When used with AlmaLinux, cPanel, or Plesk, you provide an effective web hosting solution. Taking security measures post-installation is critical for the sustainability of the server.