CloudPanel is a modern, free web hosting control panel that makes server management simple and efficient. When combined with RamNode’s reliable and affordable VPS hosting, you get a powerful platform for hosting websites, managing databases, and handling email services. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of setting up CloudPanel on a fresh RamNode VPS.
What You’ll Need
Before we begin, ensure you have:
- A RamNode VPS with at least 1GB RAM (2GB recommended for better performance)
- Root access to your server
- A domain name pointing to your server’s IP address (optional but recommended)
- Basic familiarity with SSH and command-line operations
Choose and Deploy Your RamNode VPS
First, log into your RamNode Cloud panel and deploy a new VPS. For CloudPanel, we recommend:
Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 11, or Debian 10
Minimum Specifications: 1GB RAM, 20GB storage, 1 CPU core
Recommended Specifications: 2GB RAM, 40GB storage, 2 CPU cores
Once your VPS is deployed, note down the IP address and root credentials provided by RamNode.
Initial Server Setup
Connect to your server via SSH:
ssh root@your-server-ip
Update your system packages:
apt update && apt upgrade -y
Set up a proper hostname (replace panel.yourdomain.com with your desired hostname):
hostnamectl set-hostname panel.yourdomain.com
echo "127.0.0.1 panel.yourdomain.com" >> /etc/hosts
Configure Firewall
Install and configure UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):
apt install ufw -y
ufw default deny incoming
ufw default allow outgoing
ufw allow ssh
ufw allow 80/tcp
ufw allow 443/tcp
ufw allow 8443/tcp
ufw --force enable
Install CloudPanel
CloudPanel provides an automated installation script that handles all dependencies. Run the installation command:
curl -sS https://installer.cloudpanel.io/ce/v2/install.sh | sudo bash
The installation process will:
- Install required packages (Nginx, PHP, MySQL, Node.js, etc.)
- Configure the web server
- Set up the CloudPanel interface
- Create necessary user accounts and permissions
This process typically takes 10-15 minutes depending on your server specifications and internet connection.
Access CloudPanel
Once installation is complete, you can access CloudPanel through your web browser:
https://your-server-ip:8443
Or if you’ve configured a domain:
https://panel.yourdomain.com:8443
Important Security Note: The installer will display the admin username and password. Make sure to save these credentials securely.
Initial CloudPanel Configuration
After logging in for the first time:
- Change the default password: Go to Users → Admin and update your password
- Configure SSL certificate: If using a domain, set up Let’s Encrypt SSL
- Update system settings: Configure timezone, backup settings, and notification preferences
- Set up email: Configure SMTP settings for system notifications
Optimize Your RamNode VPS for CloudPanel
PHP Configuration
Edit PHP settings for better performance:
nano /etc/php/8.3/fpm/php.ini
Adjust these values based on your VPS specifications:
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_vars = 3000
Restart PHP-FPM:
systemctl restart php8.1-fpm
MySQL Optimization
For VPS with limited RAM, optimize MySQL:
nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf
Add these optimizations:
[mysqld]
innodb_buffer_pool_size = 128M
innodb_log_file_size = 32M
query_cache_limit = 1M
query_cache_size = 16M
Restart MySQL:
systemctl restart mysql
Create Your First Website
- Log into CloudPanel at
https://your-server-ip:8443 - Navigate to “Sites” in the left sidebar
- Click “Add Site”
- Choose your application type (WordPress, static HTML, PHP, etc.)
- Configure domain name and other settings
- Click “Create”
CloudPanel will automatically:
- Create the necessary directories
- Configure Nginx virtual host
- Set up SSL certificate (if domain is properly configured)
- Create database if required
Security Best Practices
Enable Automatic Updates
apt install unattended-upgrades -y
dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades
Regular Backups
Configure automated backups in CloudPanel:
- Go to Settings → Backup
- Set up automated daily/weekly backups
- Consider using RamNode’s backup services for additional redundancy
Fail2Ban Installation
Protect against brute force attacks:
apt install fail2ban -y
systemctl enable fail2ban
systemctl start fail2ban
Regular Security Updates
Keep CloudPanel updated:
clp-update
Troubleshooting Common Issues
CloudPanel Won’t Load
- Check if the service is running:
systemctl status cloudpanel - Verify firewall settings:
ufw status - Check available disk space:
df -h
Performance Issues
- Monitor resource usage:
htop - Check MySQL slow query log
- Review Nginx error logs:
tail -f /var/log/nginx/error.log
SSL Certificate Issues
- Ensure domain points to server IP
- Check Nginx configuration
- Verify port 80 and 443 are accessible
Maintenance and Monitoring
Regular maintenance tasks include:
- Weekly: Check system updates and apply security patches
- Monthly: Review backup integrity and storage usage
- Quarterly: Audit user accounts and permissions
Use CloudPanel’s built-in monitoring tools to track:
- Server resource usage
- Website performance metrics
- SSL certificate expiration dates
- Database growth and optimization needs
Conclusion
You now have a fully functional CloudPanel installation on your RamNode VPS. This powerful combination provides you with enterprise-level web hosting capabilities at an affordable price point. CloudPanel’s intuitive interface makes server management accessible, while RamNode’s reliable infrastructure ensures your websites stay online and perform well.
Remember to keep both your system and CloudPanel updated regularly, maintain proper backups, and follow security best practices. With this setup, you’re ready to host multiple websites, manage databases, and handle email services with ease.
For additional support, consult the CloudPanel documentation at docs.cloudpanel.io and RamNode’s knowledge base for VPS-specific guidance.