Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:
System Requirements
- • RamNode VPS (1GB RAM minimum)
- • Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 or Debian 11/10
- • Root access to server
- • SSH client
Recommended
- • 2GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 40GB SSD
- • Domain name for SSL certificates
- • Basic SSH knowledge
- • Backup strategy in place
Choose and Deploy RamNode VPS
Select appropriate specifications for CloudPanel:
Recommended Specifications:
- • Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 11, or Debian 10
- • Minimum: 1GB RAM, 20GB storage, 1 CPU core
- • Recommended: 2GB RAM, 40GB storage, 2 CPU cores
💡 Tip: Note down the IP address and root credentials provided by RamNode after deployment.
Initial Server Setup
Connect to your server and prepare the system:
ssh root@your-server-ipapt update && apt upgrade -yhostnamectl set-hostname panel.yourdomain.com
echo "127.0.0.1 panel.yourdomain.com" >> /etc/hosts💡 Important: Replace "panel.yourdomain.com" with your desired hostname. This is important for SSL certificate generation and email functionality.
Configure Firewall
Secure your server with UFW before installing CloudPanel:
# Install UFW
apt install ufw -y
# Allow SSH access (important!)
ufw allow 22/tcp
# Allow HTTP and HTTPS
ufw allow 80/tcp
ufw allow 443/tcp
# Allow CloudPanel port
ufw allow 8443/tcp
# Enable firewall
ufw --force enable⚠️ Warning: Always allow SSH (port 22) before enabling UFW to avoid locking yourself out of the server!
Install CloudPanel
Download and run the CloudPanel installation script:
curl -sS https://installer.cloudpanel.io/ce/v2/install.sh -o install.sh
echo "3c6b50ad5c1d7bec24a4b3b3b9b7d08edcc2ebfedf7a162e9b9e3fe5b8b6b9b6 install.sh" | sha256sum -cbash install.shThe installation will automatically:
- • Install required dependencies
- • Configure Nginx web server
- • Set up PHP-FPM with multiple PHP versions
- • Install and configure MySQL/MariaDB
- • Create CloudPanel admin user
- • Configure SSL certificates
🚀 Progress: Installation typically takes 5-10 minutes depending on server specs and connection.
Access CloudPanel Interface
Once installation completes, access the CloudPanel interface:
https://your-server-ip:8443Or if you set up a domain:
https://panel.yourdomain.com:8443Initial Login Credentials:
The installation script displays credentials like:
=== CloudPanel CE successfully installed ===
URL: https://your-server-ip:8443
Username: admin
Password: [generated-password]🔐 Security: Save these credentials securely. Change the password after first login through the CloudPanel interface.
SSL Certificate Configuration
Set up SSL certificates for secure access:
CloudPanel Interface SSL:
- Point your domain's A record to your server IP
- In CloudPanel, go to Settings → SSL/TLS
- Select "Let's Encrypt" option
- Enter your domain and generate certificate
Alternative: Manual certificate with Certbot:
apt install certbot -y
certbot certonly --standalone -d panel.yourdomain.com
# Follow the prompts to complete certificate generation🔒 Success: Your CloudPanel interface is now secured with SSL encryption.
Website and Domain Management
Create your first website through CloudPanel:
Adding Your First Website:
- Log into CloudPanel admin interface
- Click "Sites" in the main navigation
- Click "Add Site" button
- Choose your application type (PHP, Node.js, Static HTML, etc.)
- Configure domain settings and SSL options
- Complete the site setup wizard
CMS Platforms
WordPress, Joomla, Drupal
E-commerce
WooCommerce, Magento
Frameworks
Laravel, Symfony, Node.js
Database Management
Set up and manage databases for your applications:
Creating Databases:
- Navigate to "Databases" section
- Click "Add Database"
- Enter database name and credentials
- Set user permissions and access
- Save configuration
Backup Configuration:
- Configure backup schedules
- Choose local or remote storage
- Set retention policies
- Test backup restoration
💡 Built-in Tools: CloudPanel includes phpMyAdmin for easy database administration with full MySQL/MariaDB management capabilities.
Email Services Setup
Configure email services for your domains:
Email Account Management:
- • Create email accounts for your domains
- • Configure forwarders and aliases
- • Set up autoresponders
- • Manage spam filtering
Server: your-domain.com
Port: 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL)
Authentication: Required
Username: your-email@your-domain.com
Password: [your-email-password]📧 Ready: Your email services are now configured and ready for use.
Security Hardening
Implement additional security measures:
Built-in Security:
- • Automatic security updates
- • Fail2Ban intrusion prevention
- • Malware scanning capabilities
- • Secure file permissions
Additional Hardening:
- • Change default SSH port
- • Enable two-factor authentication
- • Regular security updates
- • Monitor access logs
# Disable root login via SSH
sed -i 's/#PermitRootLogin yes/PermitRootLogin no/' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
# Change SSH port (example to 2222)
sed -i 's/#Port 22/Port 2222/' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
# Restart SSH service
systemctl restart sshd
# Update UFW rules
ufw allow 2222/tcp
ufw delete allow 22/tcp🔐 Important: Test SSH access with the new port before closing your current session.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
🎉 CloudPanel Successfully Installed!
Your CloudPanel installation is complete! You now have a modern, free web hosting control panel running on your RamNode VPS. You can manage websites, databases, email services, and server settings through the intuitive web interface.