Basic ISPmanager Lite Setup Guide

After installing ISPmanager Lite, you need to configure it properly to host websites, manage domains, databases, emails, and SSL certificates.

1 Log In to ISPmanager

1. Open your web browser.
2. Go to:
   https://your-server-ip:1500
3. Enter your root username and password.
4. Click Log In.

Now you're inside ISPmanager's control panel!

2 Add a Website (Domain Configuration)

To host a website, you must add a domain to ISPmanager.

1. Go to "WWW" > "Domains".
2. Click "Create" button.
3. Enter the following details:
   • Domain Name: yourdomain.com
   • Document Root: /var/www/yourdomain.com
   • PHP Version: Select appropriate PHP version (e.g., PHP 8.1)
4. Click "Save".

Your domain is now linked to your ISPmanager server and ready for file upload.

3 Upload Website Files

Option 1: Use ISPmanager File Manager

1. Go to "File Manager" in the main menu.
2. Navigate to /var/www/yourdomain.com/.
3. Click "Upload" button.
4. Select your website files from your computer.
5. If uploading a ZIP archive, select it and click "Extract" after upload.

Option 2: Use FTP (FileZilla)

Now your website files are on the server and ready to be served.

4 Create a MySQL Database (For WordPress, Joomla, etc.)

If your website requires a database (like WordPress, Joomla, or custom PHP applications), follow these steps:

1. Go to "Databases" > "MySQL".
2. Click "Create" button.
3. Enter database details:
   • Database Name: yourdatabase (e.g., wp_yourdomain)
   • Username: dbuser (e.g., wp_user)
   • Password: securepassword (use strong password)
   • Character Set: utf8mb4 (recommended for WordPress)
   • Collation: utf8mb4_unicode_ci
4. Click Save.

Now your database is ready to use with your web application!

5 Set Up an SSL Certificate (HTTPS)

To enable HTTPS on your website for secure connections:

1. Go to "WWW" > "Domains".
2. Select your domain from the list.
3. Click "Edit" button.
4. Find and enable "SSL Certificate" option.
5. Check "Use Let's Encrypt" checkbox.
6. Click Save.

Now your website is secure with SSL and accessible via https://yourdomain.com.

6 Create Email Accounts

Step 1: Create Mail Domain

1. Go to "Mail" > "Mail Domains".
2. Click "Create".
3. Enter domain details:
   • Domain: yourdomain.com
   • Mail Server Type: Postfix (default)
4. Click Save.

Step 2: Add Email Mailbox

1. Go to "Mail" > "Mailboxes".
2. Click "Create".
3. Configure email account:
   • Email Address: admin@yourdomain.com
   • Password: strong password
   • Mailbox Quota: Set storage limit (e.g., 1024 MB)
4. Click Save.

Now you can send and receive emails using Webmail or email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.).

7 Configure Backups

To prevent data loss and ensure recovery options:

1. Go to "System" > "Backups".
2. Click "Create Backup" button.
3. Select backup type:
   • Full Backup: All data (websites, databases, emails)
   • Partial Backup: Select specific items to backup
4. Configure backup settings:
   • Backup Type: Full or Custom
   • Compression: Enable to save space
   • Storage Location: Local server or remote FTP
5. Click "Start Backup".

Now your data is protected with regular backups.

8 Secure Your ISPmanager Server

Change Default SSH Port

1. Open SSH configuration file:
   sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
2. Find the line:
   #Port 22
3. Change it to (use port between 1024-65535):
   Port 2222
4. Save file and restart SSH service:
   sudo systemctl restart sshd

Enable Firewall (UFW)

Now your server is more secure against unauthorized access.

9 Optimize Performance

To speed up your website and improve server performance:

• Enable Caching: Install caching plugins for WordPress/Joomla
• Optimize PHP: Adjust PHP-FPM settings in ISPmanager
• Database Optimization: Regular MySQL optimization
• Content Delivery: Consider CDN for static files
• Image Optimization: Compress images before uploading
• GZIP Compression: Enable in web server settings

10 Troubleshooting ISPmanager Issues

11 Summary

Now your ISPmanager Lite is fully set up and ready for production use!