Installing and configuring CloudPanel

1. Introduction

CloudPanel is a modern server control panel designed specifically for PHP applications. It provides an intuitive web interface for managing web servers, making it easier to deploy and maintain PHP applications. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the installation and configuration process, covering everything from basic setup to advanced features.

2. System Requirements

Before beginning the installation, ensure your system meets these minimum requirements:

• Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS (recommended)
• RAM: Minimum 1GB (2GB or more recommended)
• CPU: 1 core (2 cores or more recommended)
• Storage: 20GB minimum
• Network: Active internet connection
• Clean server installation (no other control panels or web servers installed)

3. Prerequisites

Before installing CloudPanel, you need to prepare your system. Here’s what you need to do:

Update system packages

First, update your system’s package list and upgrade existing packages:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade -y

Set Correct Timezone

Ensure your server’s timezone is correctly set:

$ sudo timedatectl set-timezone UTC

Replace UTC with your preferred timezone if needed.

Install Essential Packages

Install required system utilities:

$ sudo apt install -y curl wget git unzip net-tools

4. Installation process

Download the installation script

CloudPanel provides an automated installation script. Download it using:

$ curl -sSL https://installer.cloudpanel.io/ce/v2/install.sh -o install.sh

Verify the Script (Optional but Recommended)

Check the script’s integrity:

$ sha256sum install.sh

Make the Script Executable

$ chmod +x install.sh

Run the Installation Script

$ sudo ./install.sh

The installation process will take approximately 5-15 minutes, depending on your server’s specifications and internet connection speed. The script will:

1. Install system dependencies
2. Configure the firewall
3. Install and configure Nginx
4. Install PHP versions
5. Install MySQL
6. Set up the CloudPanel interface

During installation, you’ll see various progress indicators and may be prompted for input occasionally.

5. Initial Setup and Configuration

Accessing the Control Panel

Once installation completes, you’ll receive the following information:

• CloudPanel URL (https://your-server-ip:8443)
• Admin credentials

Access the panel using these credentials. On first login, you’ll be prompted to:

1. Change the admin password
2. Configure email settings
3. Set up backup preferences

Email Configuration

To configure email notifications:

1. Navigate to Settings → Email
2. Choose your email provider:
   • SMTP
   • Amazon SES
   • Mailgun

For SMTP configuration:

$ sudo clp-email-config --smtp-host=smtp.gmail.com \
                       --smtp-port=587 \
                       --smtp-encryption=tls \
                       [email protected] \
                       --smtp-password='your-password'

6. Domain Management

Adding a New Domain

1. Click “Sites” in the left menu
2. Click “Add Site”
3. Enter domain details:
   • Domain name
   • PHP version
   • Document root
   • Application type

Configuring Domain Settings

For each domain, you can configure:

$ sudo clp-domain-config --domain=example.com \
                        --php-version=8.1 \
                        --document-root=/home/example.com/public

Setting Up Subdomains

To create a subdomain:

1. Navigate to the domain settings
2. Click “Add Subdomain”
3. Configure subdomain settings:
   • Subdomain name
   • Document root
   • PHP version (can differ from main domain)

7. Database Management

Creating a New Database

Via command line:

$ sudo clp-db-create --name=mydb \
                     --user=dbuser \
                     --password='secure_password'

Or through the web interface:

1. Navigate to Databases
2. Click “Add Database”
3. Fill in the required information:
   • Database name
   • Username
   • Password
   • Host access permissions

Database Backup

To backup a database:

$ sudo clp-backup-db --database=mydb --output=/backup/mydb.sql

Database Restoration

To restore a database:

$ sudo clp-restore-db --database=mydb --file=/backup/mydb.sql

8. SSL Certificate Configuration

Let’s Encrypt Integration

CloudPanel includes built-in Let’s Encrypt integration. To secure a domain:

1. Navigate to Sites → Your Domain → SSL
2. Click “Install Let’s Encrypt Certificate”
3. Verify domain ownership
4. Wait for certificate installation

Manual SSL Certificate Installation

To install a custom SSL certificate:

$ sudo clp-ssl-install --domain=example.com \
                       --cert=/path/to/certificate.crt \
                       --key=/path/to/private.key \
                       --chain=/path/to/chain.crt

9. PHP Configuration

Managing PHP Versions

CloudPanel supports multiple PHP versions. To install a new version:

$ sudo clp-php-install --version=8.2

PHP Configuration Options

Modify PHP settings through the web interface:

1. Navigate to Sites → Your Domain → PHP
2. Adjust settings:
   • Memory limit
   • Max execution time
   • Upload size limits
   • Error reporting

Or via command line:

$ sudo clp-php-config --version=8.1 \
                      --memory-limit=256M \
                      --max-execution-time=300

Installing PHP Extensions

$ sudo clp-php-ext-install --version=8.1 --extension=imagick

10. Server Optimization

Nginx Configuration

Optimize Nginx settings:

$ sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Key settings to consider:

worker_processes auto;
worker_connections 1024;
keepalive_timeout 65;
client_max_body_size 64M;

PHP-FPM Optimization

Adjust PHP-FPM pool settings:

$ sudo nano /etc/php/8.1/fpm/pool.d/www.conf

Recommended settings:

pm = dynamic
pm.max_children = 50
pm.start_servers = 5
pm.min_spare_servers = 5
pm.max_spare_servers = 35

MySQL Optimization

Optimize MySQL performance:

$ sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Key settings:

innodb_buffer_pool_size = 1G
innodb_log_file_size = 256M
max_connections = 150

11. Backup and Restore

Configuring Automated Backups

Set up daily backups:

$ sudo clp-backup-config --schedule=daily \
                        --retention=7 \
                        --type=full \
                        --destination=/backup

Manual Backup

Create a full system backup:

$ sudo clp-backup-create --type=full --destination=/backup

Backup Restoration

Restore from backup:

$ sudo clp-backup-restore --file=/backup/backup-2024-01-08.tar.gz

12. Security Best Practices

Firewall Configuration

Configure UFW firewall:

$ sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
$ sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
$ sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
$ sudo ufw allow 8443/tcp
$ sudo ufw enable

Secure SSH Access

Modify SSH configuration:

$ sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Recommended settings:

PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication no
Port 2222

Regular Security Updates

Set up automatic security updates:

$ sudo apt install unattended-upgrades
$ sudo dpkg-reconfigure --priority=low unattended-upgrades

13. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Log File Locations

Important log files:

• Nginx: /var/log/nginx/
• PHP-FPM: /var/log/php/
• MySQL: /var/log/mysql/
• CloudPanel: /var/log/cloudpanel/

Common Commands for Troubleshooting

Check service status:

$ sudo systemctl status nginx
$ sudo systemctl status php8.1-fpm
$ sudo systemctl status mysql

View real-time logs:

$ sudo tail -f /var/log/nginx/error.log
$ sudo tail -f /var/log/php/8.1/error.log

14. Advanced Configuration

Custom Nginx Configuration

Add custom Nginx configuration:

$ sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/custom.conf

PHP Custom Configuration

Create PHP custom configuration:

$ sudo nano /etc/php/8.1/fpm/conf.d/custom.ini

Database Replication Setup

Configure MySQL replication:

$ sudo clp-mysql-replication --master-host=master.example.com \
                            --master-user=repl \
                            --master-password='secure_password'

15. Maintenance and Updates

Updating CloudPanel

Update CloudPanel to the latest version:

$ sudo clp-update

System Maintenance

Regular maintenance tasks:

$ sudo clp-maintenance --clean-logs
$ sudo clp-maintenance --optimize-databases
$ sudo clp-maintenance --check-services

Monitoring System Resources

Install monitoring tools:

$ sudo apt install -y htop iotop

Monitor system resources:

$ htop
$ iotop

Conclusion

CloudPanel provides a robust and user-friendly interface for managing web servers and PHP applications. This guide covers the essential aspects of installation and configuration, but CloudPanel offers many more features and capabilities. Regular updates and maintenance will ensure optimal performance and security of your server.