How to Install cPanel on a CentOS 7 VPS or Dedicated Server: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to web hosting, managing your server and websites effectively is crucial. That's where cPanel steps in as a powerful control panel to make your life easier. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, installing cPanel on a CentOS 7 VPS or dedicated server will set you up for seamless web management. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process, highlighting each step, as well as sharing tips and tricks that will ensure everything runs smoothly.

Key Takeaways

Before we dive into the installation process, here’s a quick recap of the important points:

Perl must be installed before setting up cPanel.
cPanel is a paid service with a 15-day free trial.
cPanel requires a static IP address, not a dynamic one.
You need a CentOS 7 server, a valid cPanel license, and a root account for installation.

Let’s walk through the entire process of installing cPanel from scratch!

What Is cPanel?

Understanding the Control Panel

cPanel is one of the most popular web hosting control panels that enables you to manage your server and websites through a graphical user interface (GUI). With cPanel, you can easily perform tasks such as:

Managing emails
Uploading files
Handling databases
Managing website settings

If you’re looking for a user-friendly platform to manage your server, cPanel is the way to go. It’s suitable for beginners and professionals alike and helps automate several tasks, saving you time and effort.

Why cPanel is Popular

cPanel shines due to its intuitive interface. Unlike other hosting management tools that may require extensive learning, cPanel’s simplicity allows new users to get started quickly. Not to mention, it’s highly customizable and lets you automate server management tasks, making it a go-to choice for many webmasters.

Features of cPanel

When you install cPanel, you’re unlocking a treasure trove of features that will simplify your web hosting experience:

Easy-to-use GUI to control your server
Backup & restoration options
Email encryption and security features
SSH access for secure command-line management
API authentication tokens for integration with other systems
MySQL database management via phpMyAdmin
AutoSSL for securing your domains

As you can see, cPanel is more than just a dashboard. It’s a comprehensive tool designed to streamline the way you manage your hosting services.

Pricing of cPanel

While cPanel offers a 15-day free trial, you’ll need to purchase a license to continue using it after the trial period ends. The cost of a cPanel license depends on the number of accounts you wish to manage on your server:

$15.99 per month for 1 account (VPS)
$24.99 per month for up to 5 accounts (Admin Plan)
$35.99 per month for up to 30 accounts (Pro Plan)
$53.99 per month for up to 100 accounts (Premier Plan)

These plans give you flexibility depending on the size of your business or website needs.

Why Choose CentOS 7 for cPanel?

CentOS 7 is one of the most popular Linux distributions for servers. It offers stability and security, making it a reliable choice when installing cPanel. The combination of CentOS 7 and cPanel creates a robust foundation for your hosting environment.

Requirements for Installing cPanel on CentOS 7

Before jumping into the installation, ensure your server meets the following requirements:

Static IP address (cPanel won’t work with a dynamic IP)
CentOS 7 VPS or dedicated server
Valid cPanel license
Root access to the server
1 GB RAM minimum (2 GB recommended)
20 GB Disk Space minimum (40 GB recommended)

With these requirements in place, you're ready to install cPanel!

Pre-Installation Steps

Before starting the cPanel installation, there are a couple of steps you need to complete to ensure a smooth process.

Step 1: Install Perl

cPanel relies on Perl to function, so you need to install this programming language first. You can do so by running the following command:

bash

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sudo yum install perl

Additionally, you may need to install screen to ensure that your installation process continues even if your internet connection drops:

bash

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sudo yum install screen wget

Step 2: Set the Hostname

Next, set a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) for your server. The hostname is important as it helps identify your server. To set it up, run:

bash

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hostname vps.yourdomain.com

Replace vps.yourdomain.com with your actual domain. This ensures that your server is recognized properly during the cPanel installation.

Installing cPanel on CentOS 7

Once the pre-installation steps are done, you can proceed to install cPanel. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 3: Start the Installation

After setting up Perl and the hostname, you’re now ready to begin the cPanel installation. First, download the latest cPanel package using the wget command:

bash

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wget -N http://httpupdate.cpanel.net/latest

Then, run the installation script to begin the installation:

bash

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sh latest

Step 4: Handle Installation Errors

Sometimes, you might encounter issues during the installation. One common error is:

vbnet

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ERROR: NetworkManager installed by default and active. Must be disabled.

To fix this, disable the NetworkManager and rerun the installation process.

Step 5: Let the Installation Run

The installation process may take a while, depending on your server’s speed and internet connection. Be patient, as this is a crucial step that will lay the foundation for cPanel on your server.

Accessing cPanel and WHM

Once the installation is finished, you’ll receive a URL to access your server. Typically, you can access WebHost Manager (WHM) via:

bash

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http://your-server-ip:2087

From here, you can begin setting up your cPanel user.

Finalizing the Setup

Step 6: Create a cPanel User

After logging into WHM, it’s time to create your cPanel user. Once you’ve completed the setup, you can log into cPanel via:

bash

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http://your-server-ip/cpanel

You’ll be prompted to activate your cPanel license and enter your login credentials. Don’t forget to agree to the terms and conditions, and check your email for verification instructions.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve now installed cPanel on your CentOS 7 VPS or dedicated server. With this powerful tool, you can easily manage multiple websites and services from one platform. As long as you have a static IP address and meet the server requirements, you’re good to go.

Next Steps

Now that cPanel is up and running, what’s next? You can:

Explore cPanel’s powerful features to manage your websites.
Consider installing additional security measures like SSL certificates.
Get familiar with the WHM interface for server management.

If you’re new to web hosting, don’t hesitate to explore tutorials and guides to make the most of your cPanel experience.

FAQs

1. Is cPanel free?

While cPanel offers a 15-day free trial, it is a paid service after that period. Pricing depends on the number of accounts you want to manage.

2. How long does it take to install cPanel?

The installation can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on your server’s resources and network speed.

3. How do I change the hostname in CentOS?

You can change the hostname through WHM by navigating to the "Change Hostname" section and updating it.

4. What are the system requirements for installing cPanel?

The minimum requirements are:

1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
20 GB disk space (40 GB recommended)
Static IP address

5. Can I install cPanel on other Linux distributions?

Yes, cPanel can also be installed on other Linux distributions, such as RedHat and CloudLinux.

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