How to Install CloudPanel on an Ubuntu/Debian VPS with AvaHost

CloudPanel is a lightweight, open-source control panel optimized for performance, ideal for managing web applications on an AvaHost VPS. This guide simplifies installing CloudPanel on Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or Debian 10/11, with practical examples and tips for a secure, efficient setup.

Introduction

CloudPanel offers a modern, user-friendly interface for managing websites, databases, and server settings, making it a great alternative to cPanel or DirectAdmin. Paired with AvaHost’s VPS, CloudPanel ensures fast, reliable hosting for your projects.

Prerequisites:

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

  • A fresh VPS running Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or Debian 10/11.

  • Root access or a user with sudo privileges.

  • A basic understanding of working with the Linux terminal.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing any software, it’s important to update your system to ensure all packages are up to date.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

CloudPanel requires a few dependencies to be installed. These include curl, wget, and sudo. Install them by running:

sudo apt install curl wget sudo -y

Step 3: Add CloudPanel Repository and Key

CloudPanel provides an official installation script, but first, we need to ensure that the repository and its GPG key are set up.

wget -qO- https://packages.cloudpanel.io/installer.sh | sudo bash

This command will download and execute the installer script directly from CloudPanel’s servers.

Step 4: Run the Installation Script

After running the command above, the installation script will start. It will automatically install CloudPanel and all required components (including Nginx, MySQL, PHP, and Redis).

The script will ask you a few configuration questions during the installation:

  1. Server Type: Choose the appropriate option based on your server.

  2. Database: The script will set up MariaDB by default. You can choose a different database if you prefer.

Once the installation process is complete, the script will give you a summary of the server details, including:

  • Your CloudPanel login URL (e.g., https://your-ip-address:8443)

  • Your admin username and password.

Step 5: Access the CloudPanel Dashboard

Once the installation finishes, you can log in to CloudPanel by navigating to the IP address of your VPS followed by the port 8443 (e.g., https://your-vps-ip:8443).

You will be prompted to enter the admin credentials that were generated during the installation. Once logged in, you can start managing your server, creating websites, and configuring databases.

Step 6: Configure Firewall (Optional)

If you’re running a firewall (like ufw), you’ll need to allow traffic on port 8443 for CloudPanel access.

sudo ufw allow 8443/tcp

Additionally, open ports for HTTP (80) and HTTPS (443) if you plan to serve websites:

sudo ufw allow 80,443/tcp

Step 7: Secure Your Server (Optional)

For better security, it’s highly recommended to install an SSL certificate for the CloudPanel login page. You can use Let’s Encrypt to obtain a free SSL certificate.

  1. Log into CloudPanel.

  2. Go to Settings and navigate to the SSL section.

  3. Follow the prompts to install a free SSL certificate via Let’s Encrypt.

Step 8: Start Using CloudPanel

Now that CloudPanel is installed and running, you can use it to:

  • Create and manage websites.

  • Manage DNS settings.

  • Set up databases.

  • Configure email and FTP accounts.

CloudPanel’s user-friendly interface allows you to manage multiple servers easily, giving you full control of your VPS and hosted applications.

Conclusion

CloudPanel’s lightweight, modern interface makes managing your AvaHost VPS simple and efficient. The steps above, with examples like setting up panel.yourdomain.com, ensure a quick installation on Ubuntu or Debian. With AvaHost’s reliable infrastructure and features like AutoSSL, you can manage websites, databases, and more with ease. Secure your setup, monitor performance, and leverage CloudPanel’s tools to power your web applications.