Steven
Administrator
DirectAdmin is a lightweight and powerful web hosting control panel that helps manage websites, emails, and databases efficiently. This guide walks you through the installation process on a fresh Linux server.
Prerequisites
Before proceeding with the installation, ensure that you have:
Step 1: Update Your System
Before installing DirectAdmin, update your system packages to ensure stability.
For CentOS/AlmaLinux:
For Debian/Ubuntu:
Step 2: Set Hostname
DirectAdmin requires a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) as the hostname. You can set it using the following command:
Replace server.example.com with your actual domain or subdomain
Step 3: Disable SELinux (For CentOS/AlmaLinux Only)
Run the following command to disable SELinux:
Then, verify SELinux status with:
It should show SELinux status: disabled.
Step 4: Download and Run DirectAdmin Installation Script
Use the following command to download the installation script:
This will start the installation process.
Step 5: Follow Installation Prompts
During installation, you’ll be prompted for:
1. License Key: Enter the license details provided by DirectAdmin.
2. Operating System Selection: Choose the appropriate OS.
3. Additional Software Options: Select software like PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, Apache, Nginx, etc.
The installer will then configure and install DirectAdmin and its dependencies automatically.
Step 6: Access DirectAdmin
Once the installation is complete, you will see a success message with login details. By default, DirectAdmin runs on port 2222. You can access it via your web browser using:
For example:
You will be prompted to log in using the admin username and password generated during installation.
If you need to retrieve your login details, you can find them in:
Step 7: Configure Firewall (If Needed)
Ensure that port 2222 is open in your firewall. Use the following commands based on your system:
For CentOS/AlmaLinux (Firewalld):
For Debian/Ubuntu (UFW):
Step 8: Secure DirectAdmin
To enhance security, consider the following:
1. Change the Default Admin Password
Use this command to change the password:
2. Enable SSL for Secure Access
Run the following command to enable Let’s Encrypt SSL for DirectAdmin:
Replace server.example.com with your hostname.
3. Change the Default Port (Optional, for Security)
Edit the DirectAdmin configuration file:
Find this line:
Change 2222 to another port (e.g., 8443), then restart DirectAdmin:
Step 9: Start Using DirectAdmin
You can now start managing websites, databases, and emails through DirectAdmin’s web interface.
Create a New User Account
To create a hosting account:
1. Log in as admin.
2. Navigate to Account Manager > Create a New User.
3. Fill in the required details (username, domain, package, etc.).
Your DirectAdmin server is now fully set up and ready to use!
Conclusion
Installing DirectAdmin is straightforward when following these steps. With a secure setup and firewall rules in place, your server will be ready to host websites and applications efficiently. If you encounter any issues, you can check the DirectAdmin logs using:
For more advanced configurations, refer to the official DirectAdmin documentation.
Prerequisites
Before proceeding with the installation, ensure that you have:
- A fresh server installation of CentOS 7/8, AlmaLinux 8/9, Debian 9/10/11, or Ubuntu 18/20/22
- Root access to the server
- A valid DirectAdmin license (purchase from DirectAdmin’s official website)
- A static public IP address
Step 1: Update Your System
Before installing DirectAdmin, update your system packages to ensure stability.
For CentOS/AlmaLinux:
Code:
yum update -y
Code:
apt update && apt upgrade -yStep 2: Set Hostname
DirectAdmin requires a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) as the hostname. You can set it using the following command:
Code:
hostnamectl set-hostname server.example.comStep 3: Disable SELinux (For CentOS/AlmaLinux Only)
Run the following command to disable SELinux:
Code:
setenforc 0
sed -i 's/SELINUX=enforcing/SELINUX=disabled/' /etc/selinux/configThen, verify SELinux status with:
Code:
sestatusIt should show SELinux status: disabled.
Step 4: Download and Run DirectAdmin Installation Script
Use the following command to download the installation script:
Code:
bash <(curl -fsSL https://www.directadmin.com/setup.sh)Step 5: Follow Installation Prompts
During installation, you’ll be prompted for:
1. License Key: Enter the license details provided by DirectAdmin.
2. Operating System Selection: Choose the appropriate OS.
3. Additional Software Options: Select software like PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, Apache, Nginx, etc.
The installer will then configure and install DirectAdmin and its dependencies automatically.
Step 6: Access DirectAdmin
Once the installation is complete, you will see a success message with login details. By default, DirectAdmin runs on port 2222. You can access it via your web browser using:
Code:
http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:2222
or
https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:2222 (if SSL is enabled)For example:
Code:
https://192.168.1.100:2222If you need to retrieve your login details, you can find them in:
Code:
cat /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/setup.txtStep 7: Configure Firewall (If Needed)
Ensure that port 2222 is open in your firewall. Use the following commands based on your system:
For CentOS/AlmaLinux (Firewalld):
Code:
firewall-cmd --add-port=2222/tcp --permanent
firewall-cmd --reloadFor Debian/Ubuntu (UFW):
Code:
ufw allow 2222/tcp
ufw reloadStep 8: Secure DirectAdmin
To enhance security, consider the following:
1. Change the Default Admin Password
Use this command to change the password:
Code:
passwd admin2. Enable SSL for Secure Access
Run the following command to enable Let’s Encrypt SSL for DirectAdmin:
Code:
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/letsencrypt.sh request_single server.example.com 40963. Change the Default Port (Optional, for Security)
Edit the DirectAdmin configuration file:
Code:
nano /usr/local/directadmin/conf/directadmin.conf
Code:
port=2222
Code:
service directadmin restartStep 9: Start Using DirectAdmin
You can now start managing websites, databases, and emails through DirectAdmin’s web interface.
Create a New User Account
To create a hosting account:
1. Log in as admin.
2. Navigate to Account Manager > Create a New User.
3. Fill in the required details (username, domain, package, etc.).
Your DirectAdmin server is now fully set up and ready to use!
Conclusion
Installing DirectAdmin is straightforward when following these steps. With a secure setup and firewall rules in place, your server will be ready to host websites and applications efficiently. If you encounter any issues, you can check the DirectAdmin logs using:
Code:
tail -f /var/log/directadmin/error.logFor more advanced configurations, refer to the official DirectAdmin documentation.