Posted on June 28, 2024 by darshin

What is cPannel/WHM

For web hosting professionals and enthusiasts alike, cPanel stands as one of the most popular and user-friendly control panels available. Offering a robust suite of features, it simplifies server and site management, making it an essential tool for anyone managing multiple websites or web applications. If you’re running CentOS 7 and looking to harness the power of cPanel, this guide will walk you through the entire installation process step-by-step. From preparing your server to completing the installation, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and get your CentOS 7 server ready with cPanel, ensuring you can manage your web hosting environment with ease and efficiency.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the installation process, ensure that you have the following:

• A fresh installation of CentOS 7.

• A minimum of 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended).

• At least 20 GB of free disk space.

• Root access to the server.

• A valid cPanel license. You can obtain a license from cPanel’s official website.

Step 1: Update Your Server

Before installing any software, it’s essential to update your server to ensure all existing packages are up to date. Run the following command to update your CentOS 7 server:

yum update -y

Step 2: Set the Hostname

cPanel requires a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) as the hostname. You can set the hostname using the hostnamectl command. Replace your.hostname.com with your desired hostname:

hostnamectl set-hostname your.hostname.com

Verify the hostname:

hostname

Step 3: Disable SELinux

cPanel does not support SELinux, so you need to disable it. Open the SELinux configuration file:

nano /etc/selinux/config

Find the line SELINUX=enforcing and change it to SELINUX=disabled:

SELINUX=disabled

Save and close the file, then reboot your server:

reboot

Step 4: Install Required Packages

cPanel requires Perl and several other packages to run correctly. Install them using the following command:

yum install -y perl curl

Step 5: Download and Install cPanel

Navigate to the /home directory:

cd /home

Download the latest cPanel installer using curl:

curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest

Start the installation process:

sh latest

The installation process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on your server’s speed and resources. During the installation, cPanel will install all necessary dependencies and set up the control panel.

Step 6: Access cPanel and WHM

Once the installation is complete, you can access cPanel and WHM (Web Host Manager) using your server’s IP address. Open your web browser and navigate to:

https://your-server-ip:2087

You will see the WHM login screen. Log in using the root username and the root password of your server.

Step 7: Complete the Setup Wizard

After logging in, you’ll be greeted by the WHM setup wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial configuration of cPanel and WHM. This includes:

1. Agreeing to the license agreement.

2. Setting up your contact information.

3. Configuring basic networking settings.

4. Configuring nameservers.

Step 8: Secure Your cPanel Installation

To enhance the security of your cPanel installation, follow these steps:

• Enable a firewall (e.g., CSF – ConfigServer Security & Firewall).

• Use strong passwords for all accounts.

• Regularly update cPanel and installed software.

• Enable automatic backups.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed cPanel on your CentOS 7 server. With cPanel and WHM, you can now manage your web hosting environment with ease and efficiency. Remember to keep your system updated and secure to ensure smooth operation.