Step-by-Step Virtual Server Setup: cPanel/Plesk on AlmaLinux

Introduction

Virtual server setups are an integral part of web hosting services today. In this article, we will go step-by-step through the installation of cPanel or Plesk on AlmaLinux. The goal is to optimize your server's performance and enhance its security.

1. Server Preparation

The first step is to ensure your server is up to date. Use the following commands to perform AlmaLinux updates:

sudo dnf update -y

2. Installing Required Packages

Before installing cPanel or Plesk, some essential packages need to be installed on the system. Run the following commands to install the required packages:

sudo dnf install perl curl -y

3. cPanel Installation

Before proceeding with the cPanel installation, ensure you have a designated domain name and IP address. Then, use the following command to install cPanel:

cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latest

After the installation is complete, start cPanel with the following command:

sudo /usr/local/cpanel/scripts/upcp

4. Plesk Installation

If you wish to use Plesk, you can install it using the command below:

curl -O https://autoinstall.plesk.com/one-click-installer && chmod +x one-click-installer && ./one-click-installer

5. Configuration Files

After installation, you will need to make some configuration settings for both panels. For example, you can modify the httpd.conf file by running:

nano /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

Add or modify the following lines:

ServerTokens Prod
ServerSignature Off
TraceEnable Off

6. MySQL Optimizations

It is also essential to optimize MySQL. Edit the my.cnf file to make the following settings:

nano /etc/my.cnf

Add the following lines:

[mysqld]
innodb_buffer_pool_size=1G
max_connections=300
query_cache_limit=1M
query_cache_size=16M

7. Security Settings

Configure the firewalld for server security:

sudo systemctl start firewalld
sudo systemctl enable firewalld
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

8. SSL Certificate Installation

Secure your website by installing an SSL certificate. You can obtain a Let's Encrypt certificate through cPanel or Plesk.

Conclusion

By following the steps above, you can successfully complete the installation of cPanel or Plesk on your AlmaLinux server. Don't forget to regularly check for updates to enhance your server's performance and security.