To install Plesk on a VPS (Virtual Private Server), follow these steps:
- Log in to your VPS using SSH (Secure Shell) or any other remote access method provided by your hosting provider.
- Update the system packages by running the command: sudo apt update
- Install the necessary dependencies for Plesk by executing the following command: sudo apt install curl wget
- Download the Plesk installation script using the wget command, as follows: wget https://installer.plesk.com/plesk-installer
- Make the downloaded file executable by running: chmod +x plesk-installer
- Start the Plesk installation by running the Plesk installer script: sudo ./plesk-installer
- Plesk installer will prompt you to choose an installation type. You can either install Plesk with the default options or customize the installation as per your requirements. Use the highlighted keys to navigate and select the desired options.
- Once you have selected the installation type, the installer will download and install Plesk along with all the necessary components and dependencies.
- During the installation process, you will be prompted to provide an email address to create the Plesk administrator account. Enter a valid email address and set a secure password for the administrator account.
- After the installation completes, you will receive a success message. You can then access the Plesk control panel by opening a web browser and entering the IP address or domain name of your VPS followed by "/admin". For example: https://your-ip-address-or-domain-name/admin.
That's it! You have successfully installed Plesk on your VPS. You can now start managing your server and hosting multiple websites using the Plesk control panel.
Best Cloud Hosting Providers in 2024
What is the backup and restore process in Plesk on a VPS?
The backup and restore process in Plesk on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) typically involves the following steps:
- Login to Plesk: Access your Plesk control panel by entering the appropriate URL and logging in with your credentials.
- Navigate to Backup Manager: Once logged in, go to the "Server Management" section in the left sidebar and click on "Backup Manager".
- Generate Backup: In Backup Manager, you can initiate a new backup by clicking on the "Back Up" button. Specify the preferred backup type, such as full server backup or specific domains/subscriptions.
- Configure Backup Settings: Customize the backup settings according to your preferences. You can include/exclude specific content, databases, mail configurations, etc.
- Initiate Backup Process: Once all the backup settings are configured, start the backup process by clicking on "OK" or "Run" button.
- Monitor Backup Progress: You can keep an eye on the backup progress in the "Backup Manager" window. It will show the backup task status, estimated time remaining, etc.
- Download or Store Backup: Once the backup process is completed, you can choose to download the backup file to your local system or store it in a specific location.
To restore the backup in Plesk:
- Login to Plesk: Access your Plesk control panel using your login credentials.
- Navigate to Backup Manager: In the left sidebar, click on "Backup Manager" under the "Server Management" section.
- Choose the Backup File: In the Backup Manager, locate the backup you want to restore and click on its name to select it.
- Initiate Restore Process: Click on the "Restore" button to begin the restoration process.
- Configure Restore Settings: Customize the restore settings as needed. You can choose whether to restore all or specific content, databases, mail configurations, etc.
- Start Restoration: Once the restore settings are configured, initiate the restoration process by clicking on "OK" or "Restore" button.
- Monitor Restore Progress: You can monitor the progress of the restoration process in the Backup Manager window. It will display the restore task status, estimated time remaining, etc.
- Verify Completion: Once the restore process is finished, verify that the necessary data, configurations, and websites are restored correctly.
Note: The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the specific version and configuration of Plesk being used. It's always recommended to refer to the official Plesk documentation or consult your hosting provider for the most accurate instructions.
How to install additional software/applications in Plesk on a VPS?
To install additional software/applications in Plesk on a VPS, you can follow these steps:
- Log in to your Plesk control panel.
- Go to the "Applications & Websites" tab.
- Click on the "Applications" option.
- On the Applications page, click on the "Add Application" button.
- Search for the desired software or application using the search bar on the top.
- Once you have found the application you want to install, click on it.
- Review the details and requirements of the application.
- Click on the "Install" button to start the installation process.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to configure the installation settings, such as website URL, admin credentials, database connection, etc.
- Once you have completed the configuration, click on the "Install" button to start the installation process.
- Wait for the installation to complete. You can check the installation progress on the Applications page.
- Once the installation is finished, you will receive a notification. You can then access and manage the application from the Applications page in Plesk.
Note: The availability of applications may vary depending on your Plesk license and server configuration.
What is the process for integrating Plesk with other control panels in a VPS environment?
Integrating Plesk with other control panels in a VPS environment generally follows these steps:
- Choose the control panel: Decide which control panel you want to integrate with Plesk. Plesk supports various control panels like cPanel, DirectAdmin, and Webmin.
- Prepare the VPS environment: Make sure your VPS meets the requirements of both Plesk and the control panel you want to integrate. Ensure that the necessary software and dependencies are installed.
- Install Plesk: Install Plesk on your VPS following the standard installation process. This will involve downloading the installer, running it, and providing necessary information such as license key and administrator credentials.
- Install the other control panel: Install the control panel you want to integrate with Plesk following its standard installation process. This will involve downloading the installer, running it, and setting up necessary configurations.
- Configure the control panel: Once the other control panel is installed, you need to configure it according to your requirements. This may involve setting up server settings, configuring DNS, and managing user accounts.
- Set up integration: Plesk provides integration tools and extensions to integrate with other control panels. These tools allow you to manage the other control panel from within Plesk and provide a unified interface for managing your VPS.
- Install integration extension: Install the integration extension specific to the control panel you want to integrate with Plesk. This extension will provide the necessary functionality for integration.
- Configure integration extension: Configure the integration extension by providing the required information such as the control panel's IP address, port number, and API credentials.
- Test integration: Verify that the integration is working correctly by performing various tasks like creating and managing websites, managing DNS, and managing user accounts. Make sure all actions are reflected in both Plesk and the integrated control panel.
- Monitor and maintain: Regularly monitor the integrated setup to ensure it is functioning correctly. Check for any updates or security patches for both Plesk and the integrated control panel and keep them updated to maintain a secure environment.
Note: The exact steps may vary depending on the specific control panel you want to integrate with Plesk. It is recommended to refer to the documentation and guidelines provided by Plesk and the control panel for detailed instructions.
How to ensure proper firewall settings for Plesk on a VPS?
To ensure proper firewall settings for Plesk on a VPS, follow these steps:
- Log in to Plesk Panel as an administrator.
- Go to the "Tools & Settings" section.
- Under the "Security" group, click on "Firewall."
- Make sure the firewall is enabled by checking the "Enable firewall rules management" checkbox.
- Configure the firewall rules by clicking on the "Add Firewall Rule" button.
- Add rules to allow specific services, such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, or any custom ports required for your applications. For example, to allow HTTP traffic, set the "Port" field to 80, select the "TCP" protocol option, and click "OK."
- Configure rules to block unwanted traffic. For example, you can block incoming requests from specific IP addresses or entire IP ranges. Click on the "Add Firewall Rule" button, select the "deny" action, set the "Port" field to "All," enter the IP address or range to block, select the "Any" protocol option, and click "OK."
- Review the default firewall rules. Plesk sets some predefined rules automatically based on common services. You can modify or remove these rules if necessary.
- Click on the "Apply Changes" button to apply the new firewall settings.
- Test your firewall by accessing your VPS from another machine and verifying that only the intended services and IP addresses are allowed.
Regularly review and update your firewall settings to ensure the proper security configuration for your VPS, adjusting rules as needed based on the applications and services you have running on your server.
How to secure the Plesk installation on a VPS?
To secure the Plesk installation on a VPS, you can follow these steps:
- Keep your server software up to date: Regularly update your server's operating system, web server software, and other components to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
- Configure a firewall: Set up a firewall to control network traffic to and from your server. Allow only necessary ports and protocols, and block everything else.
- Use a strong password: Set a strong, unique password for your Plesk control panel. Avoid using common passwords and consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
- Limit administrative access: Restrict administrative access to Plesk only to specific IP addresses or networks that you trust. This can be done by configuring firewall rules or Plesk's built-in access management feature.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Set up 2FA for your Plesk control panel to provide an extra layer of security. This usually involves using a mobile app or receiving SMS codes along with your login credentials.
- Enable security settings in Plesk: Plesk offers various security settings that can be enabled to enhance the overall security of your installation. These settings include enabling HTTPS for secure communication, enabling Fail2Ban to protect against brute-force attacks, and enabling web application firewall (ModSecurity) to filter malicious traffic.
- Regularly backup your data: Regularly perform backups of your Plesk installation and the websites hosted on it. This ensures that you can quickly recover in case of any data loss or security breach.
- Monitor and log activities: Implement a monitoring solution to keep track of server activities and log files. Monitoring helps to detect and respond promptly to any suspicious activities or anomalies.
- Secure your VPS: Implement proper security measures for your VPS itself, such as regularly updating the operating system, using secure SSH keys instead of passwords, and disabling unused services.
- Regularly review and audit: Regularly review your server configurations, access logs, and security measures to identify any potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses. Stay updated with the latest security best practices and keep educating yourself about new threats and mitigation techniques.
By following these steps, you can significantly enhance the security of your Plesk installation on a VPS.
How to upgrade Plesk to a newer version on a VPS?
To upgrade Plesk to a newer version on a VPS, you can follow the steps below:
- Log in to your Plesk control panel using your administrator credentials.
- In the left-hand menu, click on "Updates & Upgrades" under "Server Management."
- On the "Updates & Upgrades" page, you will see the available Plesk updates. Click the "Install or Upgrade Product" option.
- Plesk will check for available updates and display the list of products that are ready for upgrade. Select the latest version of Plesk you want to upgrade to and click "Continue."
- On the next page, you will see the Plesk components you can upgrade. By default, all components are selected, but you can choose specific components if needed. Click "Continue."
- Plesk will now fetch necessary files and start the upgrade process. This may take some time depending on the size of your installation and the speed of your VPS.
- Once the upgrade is complete, you will see a confirmation message. Click "OK" to finish the process.
Note: Before proceeding with any upgrade, make sure to back up your Plesk configuration and data to avoid any potential data loss.
After the upgrade, you can verify the new Plesk version by logging in to your control panel and checking the footer area, which displays the installed Plesk version.
