setup webmin

How to setup webmin on a VPS?

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Today’s topic is how to setup webmin. Webmin is a web-based interface for system administration for Unix-like systems like Linux. It offers a comprehensive set of features to manage your system including system management, networking, storage, and security. Webmin is a free and open source software that is licensed under the GNU, General Public License.

You can set up user accounts, Apache, DNS, file sharing, and more using any modern web browser.

In this guide, we will learn how to install Webmin on a VPS, an Ubuntu server, and a Debian-based server.

But before that, let’s take a look at the benefits of Webmin and why we need it.

Why did we need to use Webmin on VPS?

Webmin is a web-based system administration tool and using it, you can manage your server through a web browser from anywhere in the world. It has a wide range of modules to cover many common tasks and can be expanded with additional modules if required. Some people even say Webmin is the winner of Webmin vs cPanel.

There are many advantages to using Webmin on a VPS. Here are some notable ones:

  1. Perhaps the most important advantage is that Webmin is free and open source. So, you don’t have to worry about your budget.
  2. Webmin is easy to use and learn. It provides an easy-to-use graphical interface to manage your server. This can be very helpful if you are new to server administration, as it allows you to easily perform tasks such as creating user accounts, configuring Apache, and managing your database.
  3. Webmin supports all major Linux distributions and you don’t have to worry about changing your server.
  4. When you install Webmin on a VPS, it can save you time by providing shortcuts to commonly used commands.
  5. It also eliminates the need to edit configuration files and use command-line tools to run commands.
  6. Webmin provides an API for integrating third-party applications into the Webmin system.
  7. Another benefit of webmin hosting on a VPS is that it can help you stay organized. Since all your server settings and configurations are stored in one place, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. This can be especially helpful if you make frequent changes to your server settings.
  8. Also, install Webmin on a VPS to be safe.
  9. Finally, it has a large user community with plenty of helpful documentation and support forums. So, don’t worry about its credibility.

Now that you know the importance of learning how to install Webmin on a VPS, let’s get started.

How to setup or install Webmin on a CentOS server or RHEL-based server

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use interface to manage your VPS, Webmin is a great option. Let’s know how to install Webmin on a VPS (Virtual Private Server).

First of all, you need to install the dependency packages.

sudo yum install nano -y

We need to add the webmin repository to the list of repositories. Open up a terminal and type the following command:

sudo nano /etc/yum.repos.d/webmin.repo

Add the following lines to the file:

  [Webmin]

  name=Webmin Distribution Neutral

  #baseurl=http://download.webmin.com/download/yum

  mirrorlist=http://download.webmin.com/download/yum/mirrorlist

  enabled=1

Now, you need to download and install the GPG key using the following command:

  wget http://www.webmin.com/jcameron-key.asc
sudo rpm --import jcameron-key.asc

Update the repository:

sudo yum check-update

Then, you can install Webmin by entering the following command:

  sudo yum install webmin -y

If the installation fails because the dependencies are not ready, re-enter the installation command.
Start the service and start it automatically:

  chkconfig webmin on
  service webmin start

If you have a firewall, you need to enable webmin through the firewall by entering the following command:

  firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=10000/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload

Now, you can log into webmin. Open following website in your browser:

 https://your-ip-addres:10000

Enter your username and password using HTTPS protocol.

By default, the username is the root and the password is the password of the root user

Configure your VPS

Now, time to configure your VPS with Webmin by going to “Webmin Configuration”.

Change standard port

If your Webmin VPS has a public IP, go to “Ports and Addresses” and set the standard port to “Something”.

Here you go. Now you should know how to install webmin on a VPS.

If you want to change your Webmin password, you can type this command:

 /usr/libexec/webmin/changepass.pl /etc/webmin root NEWPASSWORD

But it is not recommended to change the specific user password for webmin.

Setup Webmin Virtual Host

One of Webmin’s many features is Webmin Virtual Host. It lets you host multiple websites on a single server. After you install Webmin on a VPS, you can create a virtual host by following these steps:

  • Go to the control panel.
  • Update your Webmin to make sure you are using the latest version of it
  • Log in to Webmin and click on the server icon.
  • Click on Apache WebServer.
  • Select “Any address” in the “Create a new virtual server” section.
  • In the “Port” section, enter 80 and select the last radio button.
  • In the “Document Root” section, name the HTML file that will be your virtual host.
  • Enter the domain name in the “Server Name” field.

Now, you have created Webmin virtual host.

How to setup Webmin on an Ubuntu server or Debian-based server

Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux operating system popular for its ease of use and wide range of software packages. Ubuntu is one of the most common Linux distributions used on web servers, thanks to its well-integrated webmin tool. Webmin provides an intuitive graphical interface to manage server settings, including Apache, MySQL, and user accounts. This makes configuring an Ubuntu server much easier for those not familiar with Linux command line syntax.

First, you must need to install the dependency packages.

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https -y

Add the Webmin repository and GPG key.

sudo wget -q http://www.webmin.com/jcameron-key.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.webmin.com/download/repository sarge contrib"

Finally, we can install Webmin:

sudo apt install webmin -y

If you have a firewall, you should allow it using this command:

sudo ufw allow 10000/tcp

That was it. Default username is “root” and password is your current root password.

Now, you should open your web browser and navigate to the following address:

https://localhost:10000/

Sometimes Debian or Ubuntu distributions do not allow users to log in and pass as the “root” user. In this case, you need to type “sudo” for the username.
After you log in, you will be able to configure your web server as per your needs and goals.

Conclusion

Webmin is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used to administer a VPS. It’s an open-source, free tool that’s easy to install and use. It provides a lot of options for managing your server.

So, if you’re looking for an easy way to manage your server and keep it running smoothly, I suggest you take another look at our guide and find out how to install Webmin on a VPS or Ubuntu. Read this article to know how to solve the VPS connection problem.

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