How to Install and Configure cPanel on Your Dedicated Server

Setting up a dedicated server without a control panel can feel like navigating a ship without a compass. That’s where cPanel comes in—the industry-leading web hosting control panel that simplifies server management for millions of websites worldwide.

Whether you’re a hosting provider setting up client accounts or a business owner taking control of your web infrastructure, this guide walks you through every step of the cPanel installation process on your dedicated server.

What is cPanel and Why Do You Need It?

cPanel is a Linux-based web hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting a website. Paired with Web Host Manager (WHM), it becomes a complete server management solution.

Key Benefits of cPanel for Dedicated Servers

• Simplified server management – Manage domains, emails, databases, and files through an intuitive interface
• Account provisioning – Create and manage multiple hosting accounts with resource limits
• Security features – Built-in tools for SSL certificates, firewalls, and malware scanning
• Automation – Automated backups, updates, and monitoring
• Feature manager – Control which features are available to different account types

Prerequisites for cPanel Installation

Before starting the cPanel installation process, ensure your dedicated server meets these requirements.

Hardware Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
RAM	2 GB	4 GB or higher
Disk Space	20 GB	40 GB or higher
Processor	1.1 GHz	Multi-core processor

Supported Operating Systems

cPanel supports the following Linux distributions:

• AlmaLinux 8 and 9
• Rocky Linux 8 and 9
• CloudLinux 8 and 9
• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (experimental)
• CentOS 7 (legacy support)

Pre-Installation Checklist

• Fresh OS installation (no other control panels installed)
• Root access to your dedicated server
• Valid hostname configured (FQDN format: server.yourdomain.com)
• Static IP address assigned
• Active internet connection
• cPanel license (trial or purchased)

Step-by-Step cPanel Installation Guide

Follow these steps to install cPanel on your dedicated server running CentOS or AlmaLinux.

Step 1: Connect to Your Server via SSH

Access your server using SSH with root credentials:

ssh root@your_server_ip

Step 2: Update Your Operating System

Before installation, update all system packages:

# For AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux/CentOS
yum update -y

# For Ubuntu
apt update && apt upgrade -y

Step 3: Configure Your Hostname

The hostname setup is critical for cPanel to function correctly. Set a fully qualified domain name (FQDN):

hostnamectl set-hostname server.yourdomain.com

Verify the hostname:

hostname -f

Step 4: Disable NetworkManager (CentOS/RHEL-based systems)

cPanel manages network configurations independently. Disable NetworkManager to prevent conflicts:

systemctl stop NetworkManager
systemctl disable NetworkManager
systemctl enable network
systemctl start network

Step 5: Configure Firewall and Open cPanel Ports

cPanel requires specific ports to be open. Here are the essential cPanel ports:

Port	Service	Purpose
2082	cPanel	cPanel access (HTTP)
2083	cPanel	cPanel access (HTTPS)
2086	WHM	Web Host Manager (HTTP)
2087	WHM	Web Host Manager (HTTPS)
2095	Webmail	Webmail access (HTTP)
2096	Webmail	Webmail access (HTTPS)

Open these ports using firewalld:

firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2082/tcp
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2083/tcp
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2086/tcp
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2087/tcp
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2095/tcp
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2096/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload

Step 6: Download and Run the cPanel Installer

Navigate to the home directory and download the installation script:

cd /home
curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest
sh latest

Step 7: Monitor the Installation Progress

The installer will display progress in your terminal. You can also monitor the installation log:

tail -f /var/log/cpanel-install.log

Post-Installation WHM Configuration

After the installation completes, access WHM to complete the initial setup wizard.

Accessing WHM for the First Time

Open your browser and navigate to:

https://your_server_ip:2087

Login using:

• Username: root
• Password: Your server’s root password

Complete the Initial Setup Wizard

WHM’s initial setup wizard guides you through essential configurations:

Agreement and Contact Information

• Accept the cPanel license agreement
• Enter administrator email address
• Configure contact preferences for alerts

Networking Configuration

• Verify server hostname
• Configure resolver settings (DNS)
• Set main network interface

Nameserver Configuration

Choose your nameserver setup:

• BIND – Traditional DNS server (recommended)
• PowerDNS – Alternative DNS server with MySQL backend
• Disabled – Use external DNS services

Service Configuration

• Configure FTP server (Pure-FTPd recommended)
• Select mail server (Dovecot recommended)
• Enable cPHulk brute force protection

License Activation

After initial setup, activate your cPanel license:

1. Navigate to WHM → Server Configuration → Manage cPanel License
2. If you have a license, it will be automatically detected by IP
3. For trial licenses, click “Get Trial License”
4. Verify license status shows as “Active”

Essential Post-Installation Tasks

Complete these configurations to optimize your cPanel dedicated server setup.

Configure PHP Versions

Set up multiple PHP versions using EasyApache 4:

1. Navigate to WHM → Software → EasyApache 4
2. Click “Customize” on your current profile
3. Select PHP versions (7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3)
4. Choose required PHP modules
5. Review and provision changes

Set Up Package Creation

Create hosting packages to standardize account provisioning:

1. Go to WHM → Packages → Add a Package
2. Define resource limits:
   • Disk quota
   • Bandwidth limit
   • Maximum email accounts
   • Maximum databases
   • Maximum addon domains
3. Configure Feature Manager settings
4. Save the package

Configure Feature Manager

Control which cPanel features are available to users:

1. Navigate to WHM → Packages → Feature Manager
2. Create custom feature lists
3. Enable or disable specific features:
   • File Manager access
   • SSH access
   • Backup tools
   • Database management
   • Email tools
4. Assign feature lists to packages

Security Hardening

Implement these security measures:

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

1. Go to WHM → Security Center → Two-Factor Authentication
2. Enable for all accounts
3. Configure using authenticator apps

Configure SSL/TLS Settings

1. Navigate to WHM → Service Configuration → Apache Configuration → Global Configuration
2. Set minimum TLS version to 1.2
3. Disable weak cipher suites

Enable AutoSSL

1. Go to WHM → SSL/TLS → Manage AutoSSL
2. Select cPanel (Powered by Sectigo) provider
3. Configure automatic certificate renewal

Creating Your First cPanel Account

With WHM configured, create a hosting account:

Account Provisioning Steps

1. Navigate to WHM → Account Functions → Create a New Account
2. Enter account details:
   • Domain name
   • Username (auto-generated or custom)
   • Password (use strong password generator)
   • Email address
3. Select package and settings:
   • Choose hosting package
   • Select feature list
   • Configure DNS settings
4. Click “Create” to provision the account

Accessing the cPanel Account

Users can access their cPanel through:

https://yourdomain.com:2083
or
https://your_server_ip:2083/~username

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Address these common problems during cPanel installation:

Installation Fails at Network Check

Solution: Ensure your hostname resolves correctly:

# Check hostname resolution
dig +short server.yourdomain.com

# Verify /etc/hosts file
cat /etc/hosts

License Not Found Error

Solution: Your IP may not be registered. Contact your license provider or run:

/usr/local/cpanel/cpkeyclt

Port Connection Refused

Solution: Verify firewall settings and service status:

# Check if cPanel services are running
/scripts/restartsrv_cpsrvd

# Verify port is listening
netstat -tlnp | grep 2087

Insufficient Disk Space

Solution: Clean up unnecessary files:

# Check disk usage
df -h

# Clear yum cache
yum clean all

Maintaining Your cPanel Server

Keep your server running optimally with regular maintenance:

Regular Updates

Enable automatic updates in WHM:

1. Navigate to WHM → Server Configuration → Update Preferences
2. Set update tier (STABLE recommended for production)
3. Enable automatic daily updates

Backup Configuration

Configure comprehensive backups:

1. Go to WHM → Backup → Backup Configuration
2. Enable scheduled backups
3. Configure retention period
4. Set backup destination (local or remote)

Monitoring Server Resources

Use WHM’s built-in monitoring:

• Service Status – Monitor running services
• Process Manager – Track resource usage
• Server Status – View system information

Conclusion

Installing cPanel on your dedicated server transforms complex server management into a streamlined experience. With WHM configuration complete and accounts provisioned, you’re ready to host websites professionally.

Remember to keep your server updated, maintain regular backups, and implement security best practices. For businesses seeking hassle-free cPanel hosting, consider managed dedicated servers where experts handle the technical complexities while you focus on growing your business.