March 5, 2025 12:36 4 min

How to Install DirectAdmin on a VPS (CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian)

DirectAdmin is a lightweight, user-friendly web hosting control panel, ideal for managing websites, emails, and databases on a VPS. This guide provides a step-by-step process to install DirectAdmin on an AvaHost VPS running CentOS, Ubuntu, or Debian, using simple commands and practical examples.

Introduction

DirectAdmin simplifies server management with its intuitive interface and low resource usage, making it a great choice for AvaHost VPS users. This guide ensures a smooth inst

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, make sure you have the following:

A VPS running a supported Linux distribution (CentOS, Ubuntu, or Debian).
Root (administrator) access to the VPS.
A valid DirectAdmin license. You can purchase a license from the DirectAdmin website.
Basic knowledge of Linux commands.

Update Your System

It’s always a good idea to update your system before installing any software to ensure that all existing packages are up-to-date. This will help avoid compatibility issues during the installation.

For Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Set Hostname

DirectAdmin requires a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) to be set up on the server. You can set the hostname using the following command:

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname your-server.domain.com

Make sure to replace

your-server.domain.com

with your actual domain name.

Install Required Dependencies

DirectAdmin requires several dependencies to be installed before the panel itself can be installed. To install them, use the following commands:

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install -y wget perl curl

Download the DirectAdmin Installation Script

Now that the necessary dependencies are in place, it’s time to download the DirectAdmin installation script. You can do this by using

wget

to fetch the script from DirectAdmin’s official repository.

Run the following command to download the installation script:

wget http://www.directadmin.com/setup.sh

Step 6: Make the Script Executable

Once the script is downloaded, you need to make it executable. Run the following command:

chmod 755 setup.sh

Step 7: Run the Installation Script

Now you can begin the installation of DirectAdmin. Run the script with the following command:

sudo ./setup.sh

The script will ask for your DirectAdmin license and hostname. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the necessary details:

License ID: Enter the license ID you received when purchasing DirectAdmin.
Hostname: Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) you set up earlier.

Once you enter the required information, the script will begin downloading and installing DirectAdmin along with its required components.

Step 8: Wait for the Installation to Complete

The installation process may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your VPS and the server’s resources. The script will automatically download the required files and set up the necessary services.

Once the installation is complete, the script will display a message indicating that DirectAdmin has been successfully installed.

Step 9: Access the DirectAdmin Control Panel

After installation, you can access the DirectAdmin control panel by visiting the following URL in your web browser:

https://your_IP_Address:2222

Replace

your-server.domain.com

with your VPS’s IP address or hostname. You will be prompted to enter the admin username and password. The default username is

admin

, and the password will be provided during the installation process.

Conclusion

Installing DirectAdmin on an AvaHost VPS running CentOS, Ubuntu, or Debian is straightforward with the steps above. The examples, like setting server.example.com and securing with Let’s Encrypt, ensure a secure, efficient setup. DirectAdmin’s lightweight design, paired with AvaHost’s reliable infrastructure, provides a scalable solution for managing websites, emails, and databases. Regularly update your system and monitor logs to maintain performance and security.

How to Install DirectAdmin on Debian VPS