How to Install ISPConfig Hosting Control Panel with Apache Web Server on Ubuntu 24.04

ISPConfig is an open source control panel that allows users to manage multiple servers from a single interface. Designed for Linux-based systems, ISPConfig allows admins to handle multiple hosting services, including web, email, DNS, and FTP, among others.

ISPConfig supports Apache and Nginx web servers and provides a user-friendly, web-based control panel for managing websites, user accounts, and databases. It is popular among web hosting providers and system administrators due to its flexibility, extensibility, and ease of use. ISPConfig also offers a multilingual interface, making it accessible to a global audience.

This guide will show you the steps to install ISPConfig Hosting Control Panel on Ubuntu 24.04 using the auto-install script provided by ISPConfig. This guide covers installing ISPConfig with an Apache web server.

Step 1: Update server

Before installing any software, you should make sure your server is up to date. Run the following command to update the package list and upgrade all installed packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Set a suitable server name

The ISPConfig installer requires a valid server name to function properly. Make sure your server has a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) set up. The server name must exist in DNS to receive a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate. You can check your current server name with:

hostnamectl

If you need to set or change the server name, use the following command:

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname yourserver.domain.com

Make sure to replace yourserver.domain.com with the actual FQDN of the server.

Step 3: Install ISPConfig via the auto-installer

The ISPConfig auto-installer simplifies the installation process because it configures everything for you. The installer will set up the Apache web server, MariaDB database server, Postfix, Dovecot, BIND, pure-ftpd, and other services needed to host. You can run the installation script by executing the following command:

wget -O - https://get.ispconfig.org | sh -s -- --use-ftp-ports=40110-40210 --unattended-upgrades

Command explanation:

1. wget -O - https://get.ispconfig.org : Download the ISPConfig installation script and pass it to the shell.
2. sh -s -- : Tells the shell to execute the downloaded script.
3. --use-ftp-ports=40110-40210 : Configure ISPConfig to use custom FTP ports in the range 40110-40210, used to avoid firewall issues.
4. --unattended-upgrades : Enable automatic system updates for security and stability.

The script will automatically install and configure the following components:

1. Apache : Web server for serving web pages.
2. MariaDB : Database server for database management.
3. Postfix : Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) for sending and receiving email.
4. Dovecot : IMAP and POP3 server for sending emails.
5. BIND : DNS server for domain name resolution (optional).
6. PureFTPd : FTP server for uploading and managing files.

During installation, the script may ask for certain configuration information such as:

1. Password for admin user.

Please provide accurate information or use the default values ​​if you are unsure. The script is designed to streamline this process, so most of the heavy lifting is done automatically.

Step 4: Complete the installation

The installation process may take a few minutes, depending on your server resources and Internet connection. Once the installation is complete, the ISPConfig interface will be accessible via a web browser.

The default URL to access the ISPConfig dashboard is:

https://yourserver.domain.com:8080

Step 5: Log in to ISPConfig

Open a web browser and navigate to the ISPConfig control panel URL (as shown above). The auto-installer has configured a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate to protect your login information if your server is accessible from the Internet and has a valid server name.

Log in using the following default credentials:

1. Username : admin
2. Password : The installer script automatically shows you the password at the end of the installation or you enter a custom password during the installation.

Once logged in, you will see the ISPConfig dashboard, where you can start managing your web hosting services, including websites, mail servers, DNS, etc.

In case you need to reset the password for the admin user, use this command:

sudo ispc user set-password admin

Step 6: Post-installation steps

After logging into ISPConfig, you may want to change the default password. Navigate to: Tools > User User Settings. Change the password for the admin user.

Jessica Tanner

Update 09 December 2024