Linux VPS with cpanel. Getting Started Guide

Transcription

1 Linux VPS with cpanel Getting Started Guide First Edition October 2010

2 Table of Contents Introduction...1 cpanel Documentation...1 Accessing your Server...2 cpanel Users...2 WHM Interface...3 cpanel Interface...3 Webmail...3 Shell (SSH)...4 Understanding our Support Policy...5 Caveats...5 Changing the Hostname...5 DNS...5 Features and Usage...5 Default cpanel Applications...6 Getting Started...8 cpanel/whm Updates...8 Changing the Update Preferences:...8 Setting Timezone...8 Change System Mail Preferences...8 Enable Backups...9 Create a Reseller Account...9 Table of Contents i

3 Table of Tables Table 1: Default cpanel Applications...6 Table of Tables ii

4 Introduction Thank you for choosing the Linux VPS with cpanel product! This document provides basic information of the Linux with cpanel server. It provides a general overview of the cpanel interface, the WHM (Web Hosting Manager) interface, access levels for users, support policy and general getting started steps to help you begin using your server. Linux VPS with cpanel features a Linux-based web hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting websites. Linux VPS with cpanel offers separate partitions of the server, which provide increased security and faster performance, without the complexity of a dedicated server. The easy-to-use control panel and setup wizards simplify website administration. In addition you can still benefit from advanced functionality for managing essential tasks like adding users, mailboxes and scheduling backups. Sections of this document include: Accessing your Server on page 2. Understanding our Support Policy on page 5. Getting Started on page 8. cpanel Documentation In addition to this Getting Started Guide, support documentation for cpanel can be found within the cpanel website. As a quick reference, here are the links to each User Guide for the cpanel and WHM interfaces. cpanel User Guide WHM User Guide Introduction 1

5 Accessing your Server There are many ways to access your Linux VPS with cpanel server. In Specific, cpanel comes with two interfaces: the WebHost Manager and the cpanel interface. The WebHost Manager or WHM interface is used for configuring server-wide settings and creating additional cpanel users. The cpanel interface is used for website administration tasks. The primary means of accessing applications and utilities to manage your server will be through the WHM and cpanel interfaces. Shell access is also available but should be used with caution (Refer to the Shell (SSH) section). cpanel Users The Linux VPS with cpanel is automatically provisioned with two users: the root user and an initial cpanel user with reseller privileges. The root user (login: root) is used to log into the WHM interface for server administration tasks like creating accounts, managing security patches, and installing applications. The second user is a super-user (in WHM terms, a reseller user) who has limited access to WHM but has full access to the cpanel interface for website and management; this is the user associated with the cpanel user name, password, domain name, and address you input during the order process. There are three main user levels within the cpanel user hierarchy. They are the root user, reseller accounts, and hosting account owners. The main differences between the users are outlined below: Root User - The root user has complete control and access to all of the features within the cpanel and WHM interface. The root user can create and access any account on the server. The root user can also manage all of the server wide settings. The root user can grant root level access via the Reseller Center to other users. Reseller Reseller accounts are accounts that have some administrative capabilities and are created in order to resell or manage multiple cpanel accounts. They have limited access to the WHM interface and cannot create additional reseller accounts. Reseller accounts can only manage web sites assigned to them. Their administrative capabilities are limited by the root user. In regards to a standard VPS server, a reseller is similar to an admin user. Hosting Account Owner Hosting account owners manage domains that they have been given ownership of. They have the ability to manage statistics, databases, and backups for their sites. They also have the ability to create mail and FTP accounts. All of the actions of the hosting account owner are performed through the cpanel interface. Hosting account owners do not have access to the WHM interface. In regards to a standard VPS server, the hosting account owner is similar to a Domain Admin. Accessing your Server 2

6 WHM Interface The WebHost Manager or WHM interface is used for server wide administration. The WHM interface is used by the root user and reseller accounts although reseller accounts have limited access. The WHM interface can be used to recompile Apache and PHP or setup security settings. Additional reseller accounts can be created in the WHM interface. The WHM Interface can be accessed using the hostname assigned to your server (or by using a domain name once a domain has been setup). You will need to log in using the root user (login: root) and the root password you specified during the order process. The WHM interface can be accessed using a URL similar to the following: Note: Replace [ACCOUNTID] with your Linux with cpanel server account ID. cpanel Interface The cpanel interface is used for website administration such as domains, users, and site statistics. It is the interface used by hosting account owners in order to manage their sites. Reseller accounts also have access to the cpanel interface. Hosting account owners can create accounts, create FTP accounts, upload files, create databases, and edit web pages. cpanel allows the hosting account owner to install site software, view PHP configuration settings, install Ruby on Rails applications and other administrative tasks such as hotlink protection. Changes made in the cpanel interface will only affect the site(s) the hosting account owner manages and not the entire server. cpanel can be accessed by using the domain name you specified during the order process. You will need to login using the cpanel login and the cpanel password also specified during the order process. The cpanel interface can be accessed using a URL similar to the following: Note: Replace [domain.com] with the domain you entered during the order process. If HighSpeedHostingSolutions.com DNS was selected, then this domain will function; otherwise, you will need to make sure the domain is resolving before this URL will work. To access other cpanel user accounts, you will need to create the account and setup a domain. Webmail cpanel has many webmail programs available for use. Depending on what webmail programs are enabled, you can select a webmail program to auto load each time you login. Or if no webmail program is selected to auto load then you can select the webmail program to use after you login. To access webmail use a URL similar to the following: Note: Replace [domain.com] with the domain you entered during the order process. If HighSpeedHostingSolutions.com DNS was selected, then this domain will function; otherwise, you will need to make sure the domain is resolving before this URL will work. To access other cpanel user accounts, you will need to create the account and setup a domain. Accessing your Server 3

7 Shell (SSH) Linux VPS with cpanel can be accessed through secure shell (SSH). You can access your server shell using an SSH Client and the IP address or the hostname of your server. You will need to log in using the root user (login: root) and the root password you specified during the order process. Caution: You are responsible for ensuring compatibility of the actions you perform from the command line interface with the cpanel software. Our strong recommendation is to use the cpanel software for administrative tasks; however, if you must use the command line, we recommend using extreme caution and making sure you understand the function and impact of your actions. For more information please refer to the CentOS and cpanel documentation: CentOS - cpanel - Accessing your Server 4

8 Understanding our Support Policy Linux VPS with cpanel: Getting Started Guide Support is available for general server functionality and the default installation of cpanel. General server functionality includes network availability, hardware, installation of the OS and its core services (see the Default cpanel Applications section), scripting languages, and the WHM and cpanel interfaces. The default DNS configuration is also supported. The default installation of cpanel includes support for the installation (STABLE BUILD) and licensing of cpanel. Support for features within cpanel is limited to the default configuration. Custom installations or configurations of cpanel will not be supported. Support specifically excludes any features related to the customization of networking setup, DNS, security settings, FrontPage, and branding feature changes. It is recommended if you have a custom installation or configuration that you use the documentation provided by cpanel. If cpanel or any portion of it has had configuration alterations or if the product is a custom installation itself, support will not be provided other than a reinstallation. Caveats Some features or actions have been identified as possible risks in working with your Linux with cpanel. The following section identifies those risks and provides more information if available in order to help you make an informed decision before using the feature. Changing the Hostname Our strong recommendation is to leave your server unchanged. However, if you must change the hostname, you must complete this task in the WHM interface. It is important to choose a hostname that you will not be using for any account. You should choose something that will be socially acceptable, as it will appear in all mail headers. Your hostname must be a fully qualified domain name. Basically a hostname should consist of a name and a domain name. All valid hostnames should have 2 dots in them. Hostnames should never begin with "www". Hostnames should also not begin with a digit, nor end with a hyphen ("-"). Sample hostnames: fred.em445webhosting.com. DNS HighSpeedHostingSolutions.com provides both Authoritative and Reverse DNS. Reverse DNS is handled by a caching name server being run on the physical server. You can use HighSpeedHostingSolutions.com s authoritative name servers (ns1.secure.net and ns2.secure.net), which includes DNS management from the Backroom. This is the only DNS configuration supported. If you choose to use the DNS features in cpanel or do your own or 3 rd party DNS, we cannot support you. Features and Usage You are responsible for understanding the features of the software, documentation, and help files associated with the cpanel software. You are also responsible for creating and configuring domains and users; configuring backups; and configuring update preferences. Understanding our Support Policy 5

9 Default cpanel Applications The following table describes the applications which are installed as part of the default configuration of cpanel. Some of these applications may be familiar to you as they are similar applications found in the default configuration of a standard VPS server. cpanel is highly customizable and many if not all of these applications can be changed to meet your needs. However, do so with caution as some of the applications that are available may not be supported. For instance, within the WHM interface you are able to select ProFTPd or PureFTP as the FTP server software. ProFTPd is the default application and is supported. You can select to use PureFTP but it is not supported. Table 1: Default cpanel Applications Default Application Easy Apache (Web server) Description Easy Apache allows you to easily rebuild Apache using the Service Configuration module within the WHM interface. Only the default Apache configuration is supported. SSL Support (Digital Certificates) OpenSSH (SSH service) SSL can be managed through the SSL/TLS module within the WHM interface. Note: Shared SSL certificates are not provided with the default cpanel VPS configuration. OpenSSH provides connectivity tools that encrypt all traffic (including passwords) to eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks. OpenSSH also supports secure tunneling capabilities and several authentication methods, and supports commonly used versions of the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. ProFTPD (FTP server) proftpd provides anonymous configuration and support for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols such as anonymous File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and FTP server processes. SFTP (via SSH) is also supported. Dovecot (POP3 server) Dovecot is a powerful and efficient POP and IMAP server. POP over SSL is also supported. Dovecot (IMAP server) Dovecot is a powerful and efficient POP and IMAP server. IMAP over SSL is also supported. Understanding our Support Policy 6

10 Default Application Exim (SMTP server) Description Exim is a flexible and configurable SMTP server. SMTP with TLS is also supported. By default SMTP is configured to use port 25. The default port can be changed within the WHM interface. Ruby Ruby provides interpreted scripting language for object-oriented programming. Perl Perl provides a cross-platform programming language. Python Python provides a cross-platform programming language. GCC GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) provides program language compilers. Understanding our Support Policy 7

11 Getting Started The following steps are to help you get started and become familiar with using your Linux with cpanel server. cpanel/whm Updates There are many update options available in order to maintain the current version of your software and system. It is your responsibility to configure these settings so you are receiving timely updates and patches to ensure proper function and security. It is important that you either accept the default update settings or change them within the Update Preferences section. For more information on cpanel Updates, please see the following URL: Changing the Update Preferences: To change the Update Preferences or accept the defaults, follow these steps: 1. Login to the WHM interface as the root user. 2. Within the Server Configuration module, click Update Preferences. The Update Preferences window appears. 3. Select the desired settings for each update section. Note: The default setting for each Update is set to automatic. This means that the Update will run automatically once a week at random times during the night hours. 4. Click Save. The Update Preferences window refreshes with a message informing you that the Update Preferences have been saved. An Update Now button also appears. You do not need to click this button unless you want to manually run the Updates. Setting Timezone To set the server timezone, follow these steps: 1. Login to the WHM interface as the root user. 2. Within the Server Configuration module, click Server Time. The Server Time window appears. 3. Select the appropriate timezone from the Configure drop-down menu. 4. Click Change TimeZone. The Server Time window refreshes with a message informing you that the timezone has been changed. Change System Mail Preferences To set the system mail preferences, follow these steps: 1. Login to the WHM interface as the root user. 2. Within the Server Contacts module, click Change System Mail Preferences. The Change System Mail Preferences window appears. Getting Started 8

12 3. Locate the root s mail section and enter the address in the Mail should be forwarded to: field. 4. Click Change. The Change System Mail Preferences window refreshes with a message informing you that root s mail is now forwarding. Enable Backups To enable backups, follow these steps: 1. Login to the WHM interface as the root user. 2. Within the Backup module, click Configure Backup. The Configure Backup window appears. 3. Locate the Backup Status section and select Enabled. 4. In addition you can select other backup configuration settings. Select these options as desired. 5. Click Save. The Configure Backup window refreshes with a message informing you that backup configuration changes have been saved. Create a Reseller Account To create a reseller account, follow these steps: 1. Login to the WHM interface as the root user. 2. Within the Account Functions module, click Create a New Account. The Create a New Account window appears. 3. Locate the Domain Information section and enter the domain in the Domain field. 4. Enter the username in the Username field. 5. Enter the password in the Password and Re-type Password fields. 6. Check the password strength in the Strength field. 7. Enter the address in the field. 8. Locate the Package section and choose a package from the drop-down menu if available or select Select Options Manually. 9. Select the desired resource options from the Manual Resource Options section. 10. Locate the Settings section and select the desired options. 11. If this new account is going to be a Reseller, locate the Reseller Settings section and select the desired settings. 12. Locate the DNS Settings section and select the desired settings. 13. Locate the Mail Routing Settings section and select the desired setting. 14. Click Create. The Create a New Account window refreshes with a message informing you that the new account has been created. Getting Started 9