Installing Plesk on web hosting involves a set of steps to follow. Here is a general guide on how to install Plesk on a web hosting server:
- Access the Server: Go to the web hosting server using SSH or any other remote access method provided by your hosting provider.
- Update the Server: Before proceeding with the installation, update the server to ensure that you have the latest software packages and security patches.
- Download the Installer: Visit the Plesk website and download the Plesk installer suitable for your hosting environment. Make sure to select the correct operating system and version.
- Run the Installer: Use the command prompt or terminal to navigate to the directory where the Plesk installer is located. Execute the installer script to begin the installation process.
- Choose Installation Parameters: During the installation, you will be prompted to select various parameters such as the installation type, components to be installed, network settings, and database preferences. Make the appropriate selections based on your requirements.
- Set up an Admin User: Create an administrative username and password for Plesk. This will be used to log in and manage the server.
- Configure Email Settings: Specify the email settings, including the mail server type, port numbers, and SSL/TLS preferences. These settings determine how Plesk handles email services.
- Secure Plesk: Configure security settings, such as enabling SSL/TLS encryption for secure connections and setting up a firewall to protect the server.
- Complete the Installation: Once you have configured all the necessary settings, the installation process will continue, and Plesk will be installed on your web hosting server.
- Access Plesk: After the installation is complete, access the Plesk control panel by entering the server's IP address or domain name followed by the appropriate port number (typically 8443) in a web browser. Log in using the administrative credentials created earlier.
- Initialize Plesk: Upon logging in for the first time, you may be prompted to initialize Plesk. This involves accepting the license agreement, choosing the interface language, and configuring other initial settings.
- Set up Additional Features: Explore the Plesk control panel and configure any additional features or settings required for your specific hosting environment.
That's it! You have successfully installed Plesk on your web hosting server and can now begin managing and configuring your websites and applications through the Plesk control panel.
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What is the recommended PHP version for Plesk?
As of September 2021, the recommended PHP version for Plesk is PHP 7.4. PHP 7.4 offers improved performance and security features compared to earlier versions, making it a recommended choice for most Plesk installations. It is always recommended to keep PHP updated to the latest stable version for optimal performance and security.
How to secure the Plesk admin panel from unauthorized access?
There are several steps you can take to secure the Plesk admin panel from unauthorized access:
- Strong Password: Use a strong, unique, and complex password for your Plesk admin panel. Avoid using common passwords or easily guessable combinations.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable two-factor authentication for the Plesk admin panel. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification method, such as a code from a mobile app or a text message.
- Restrict IP Access: Configure Plesk to only allow access from specific IP addresses or ranges. This can be done using the "Access to Plesk" option in the server settings. By restricting access to trusted IP addresses, you can prevent unauthorized access from other sources.
- Firewall Configuration: Ensure that your server's firewall is properly configured to block unwanted traffic and only allow necessary ports and services. You can use a software firewall or a hardware firewall appliance for this purpose.
- Regular Updates: Keep your Plesk installation up to date by regularly installing the latest updates and patches. Plesk releases updates to address security vulnerabilities and improve the overall security of the panel.
- Secure Connection (HTTPS): Use HTTPS instead of HTTP to access the Plesk admin panel. HTTPS encrypts the communication between the server and the client, making it more difficult for attackers to intercept or manipulate the data.
- Account Security: Regularly monitor and review the user accounts in Plesk. Disable or remove any unnecessary accounts to minimize the potential attack surface.
- System Security: Ensure that your underlying server and operating system are secure. Regularly update and patch your server's software, use antivirus and malware detection software, and follow security best practices.
- Monitor Logs: Monitor the logs of your Plesk server for any suspicious activity. Unusual login attempts or access patterns should be investigated promptly.
- Regular Backups: Perform regular backups of your Plesk configuration and data. In case of a security breach, you can quickly restore the system to a known good state.
By implementing these security measures, you can significantly enhance the security of your Plesk admin panel and protect it from unauthorized access.
How to troubleshoot common issues during Plesk installation?
When installing Plesk, you may encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve them:
- Check system requirements: Ensure that your server meets the minimum system requirements specified by Plesk. Verify the operating system version, available disk space, and sufficient memory.
- Verify prerequisites: Plesk has specific prerequisites that must be met before installation. Ensure that you installed all necessary software components, such as web server (Apache or Nginx), database server (MySQL or PostgreSQL), and mail server (Postfix or Qmail).
- Check firewall settings: Make sure that the firewall on your server is correctly configured to allow incoming connections on the required ports for Plesk and its services. By default, Plesk uses ports 8443, 8880, and 8447.
- Review error logs: Check the installation log files for any error messages. The main log file is located in /var/log/plesk/install/autoinstaller3.log. Review the contents to identify any specific errors or warnings that could be causing the issue.
- Verify network connection: Ensure that your server has a working and stable internet connection. Slow or intermittent network connectivity can cause issues during the installation process.
- Disable non-essential services: Temporarily disable any non-essential services running on the server, such as antivirus or firewall software, as they may interfere with the installation process. Disable them before starting the installation and re-enable them after the installation completes.
- Clear temporary files: Remove any temporary files or cache related to the installation. Use the following command to clear temporary files: rm -rf /tmp/* && rm -rf /var/cache/yum/*
- Run Plesk Installer with debug mode: Use Plesk Installer with the debug mode enabled. This will provide more detailed information about the installation process, including any errors or warnings encountered. Run the installer using the following command: sh <(curl https://installer.plesk.com/unix/latest) --debug
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to seek further assistance from Plesk support or consult their documentation for specific troubleshooting steps related to your installation scenario.
What are the system requirements for installing Plesk?
The recommended system requirements for installing Plesk are as follows:
- Operating System: CentOS/RHEL 7.x, 8.x Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS Debian 9.x, 10.x Microsoft Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019
- CPU: Intel/AMD 1.5 GHz or faster processor (for Linux) Intel/AMD 1.4 GHz or faster processor (for Windows)
- RAM: Minimum 2 GB of RAM (recommended: 4 GB or more)
- Disk Space: Minimum 40 GB of free disk space (recommended: 80 GB or more)
- Network: A stable internet connection is required for enabling updates, managing licenses, and accessing the Plesk panel.
- Database: Plesk requires one of the following databases: MySQL 5.5 or higher (recommended: MariaDB 10.x) PostgreSQL 9.0 or higher
Please note that these requirements may vary depending on the specific version of Plesk and any additional components or features you choose to install.
How to manage customer accounts in Plesk?
To manage customer accounts in Plesk, you can follow these steps:
- Log in to Plesk as an administrator.
- In the left-hand menu, go to "Customers" under the "Directories" section.
- You will see a list of existing customer accounts. You can click on any customer to view their details or make changes.
- To create a new customer account, click on the "Add a Customer" button.
- Fill in the required information for the customer, such as their username, password, contact details, and subscription settings.
- Assign the customer to a service plan. A service plan specifies the resources and features available to the customer.
- Choose the domain name template for the customer's subscription. This template defines the default settings for new domains under the customer's account.
- You can also specify additional settings for the customer, such as the customer's locale, preferred interface view, and security policy.
- Once you have filled in all the necessary information, click on the "OK" button to create the customer account.
- You can now customize the customer's account further by managing their subscriptions, adding or removing domains, and adjusting resource limits.
- To manage the customer's subscriptions, go to "Subscriptions" under the "Services" section in the left-hand menu. From there, you can view the customer's existing subscriptions, create new subscriptions, manage add-on services, and make changes to the subscription settings.
- To add or remove domains for the customer, go to "Websites & Domains" under the "Hosting Services" section in the left-hand menu. From there, you can add new domains, manage existing domains, set up email accounts, configure SSL/TLS certificates, and perform other website-related tasks.
- To adjust resource limits for the customer, go to "Resources" under the "Service Plans" section in the left-hand menu. From there, you can define the maximum amount of disk space, bandwidth, and other resources that the customer's subscriptions can use.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage customer accounts in Plesk, including creating new customer accounts, customizing account settings, managing subscriptions, and adjusting resource limits.
