Create your own HIGH PERFORMANCE CyberPanel-OpenLiteSpeed web-server in just 10 minutes (with $10).
- Want your own super fast web server?
- Don’t want to pay for a control-panel or managed sys-admin support?
- Want a full-functioning control panel?
- Want enterprise-grade caching?
- Want to manage all this (almost) without messing with the command line?
You’ve come to the right place!
1. Get a VPS account
If you want to copy me exactly in this video, go open a Linode account. Here’s my Linode referral link (if you’d like to support).
You can totally choose any other VPS provider you’d like. It doesn’t matter. All will work. I feel Linode will be easiest for newbies because of: A) you get to choose simpler root password initially, and B) you can copy-paste right into Linode’s web console.
If you get another VPS provider, there’s a good chance you’ll have to connect in with a proper SSH program, and get lost figuring out which SSH port to use, etc and etc. If you want to be quick-and-easy, Linode will be a little faster.
2. Create a VPS instance
Choose a STANDARD VPS option. Not one of the CPU or GPU or MEMORY optimized ones. Those are for special application uses and you probably won’t notice much difference for your web server.
If you don’t know which size to get… I recommend the standard $20/month (2CPU-core/4GB-memory). It can handle a million hits easily if your site is not so bloated and you cache properly. You can also get the smaller $5-10/month plans or larger $40-80/month plans. You can also resize your server later on.
Pick the latest version of 64-bit CentOS that you see. Why CentOS and not Ubuntu? CentOS is generally considered more stable and more secure. Ubuntu can be considered as getting updated more often but unfortunately this has downsides of being buggy sometimes or less stable. CentOS is the safe choice, super compatible with everything, and chosen more for web-servers than any other Linux distribution..
Once the server finishes building, make sure you boot. Once it’s running, you can log into it and start install software.
3. Log into SSH/root
- For everyone that choose Linode, simply launch the console and log into root access.
- For the folks that chose another VPS, you can figure out an SSH program or just spend extra time typing commands perfectly into the command line without copy-paste function.
4. Install yum updates
You can even skip this step if you want but I like to do it. From the command line (after logging into root), enter yum update and hit ENTER. It will update all your server packages. There will be 2 prompts where it asks if you’re ok with the package sizes, simply press y and hit ENTER to continue. Once yum updates are finished, we can start installing CyberPanel.
5. Install CyberPanel
Enter the command below and hit ENTER:
sh <(curl https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh || wget -O - https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh)
- NOTE: you can always check the official install page for the exact instructions.
- When prompted, make sure you pick to install CyberPanel and CyberPanel with OpenLiteSpeed.
- When prompted to create an admin password, choose whichever option you want.
- For jsDelivr, I like to choose NO (type
nand hit ENTER). - For all the object caching options, Memcached/Redis/etc, I choose YES for all (type
yand hit ENTER).
CyberPanel installs very quickly. Usually within 10 minutes, which is very fast compared to 30-45 mins for most control panels. Once the installation is completely, you’ll simply enter your server IP and the CyberPanel port 8090 into your web-browser.
- Example:
https://123.123.123.123:8090
From there just log in, and enjoy using CyberPanel! While everything is ready to be used, there are probably some further configurations below.
That’s it?! Does this mean I can run my own web-server forever now?!
Errrr…..ALMOST. It’s a great option to learn, save money, and have fun. But if you have a serious money-making production site, don’t mess around. Pay the money and have it taken care of by experts who have years of experience dealing with all the random issues that show up. There’s no point in trying to save $10-50/month only to lose a bunch of sales or cause yourself so much stress when something goes wrong.
Installing CyberPanel on Vultr (or maybe other VPS):
- My instructions above aren’t working? You can try my install guide for Vultr below.
- Log into root.
- Update yum with this `yum update -y`
- Then `cd ~`, and then `wget -O installer.sh https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh`
- Finally `chmod 755 installer.sh` and `sh installer.sh`
- Then follow the same install steps as above.
Some extra CyberPanel configuration tips
- If you chose an insecure root password, go create a strong one and change…make one up or generate it.
- Go to firewall and open TCP port 7080 for LS console.
- Use the command line to do following tasks: 1) get LS console password and go tweak LS settings, 2) get mySQL root password for phpmyadmin.
- You CAN but I recommend not using your web server for DNS. Just host your domains with Cloudflare and point them to your server IP. (Can disable DNS service on server.)
- If you can afford it, I highly HIGHLY recommend getting LiteSpeed Enterprise license. It’s cheap and comes with extra performance, security, and many other benefits (too many to list).
- More CyberPanel configurations and common fixes
Now would be a great time to learn some basic Linux commands, also server configuration and security. Sure you can get by with very minimal and this is about as easy as it gets but you definitely will need to know more in the long run especially when issues arise or your server gets attacked or overloaded. Etc.
NOTE: for those wondering about the RACK911 Labs security review of CyberPanel’s flaws, they have already been patched. Control panels and pretty much all software will be exposed to security vulnerabilities from time to time. What’s important is that they are fixed immediately.
And openlitespeed it’s free?
Yes….FREE! (I repeat…totally full-functioning and FREE.)
Single site license is also free for Litespeed enterprise 🙂
Yes, indeed! But that can be a hassle if you want to add another site. CyberPanel cannot [easily] downgrade from LS enterprise back to OLS. So then it’s like you have to pay the moment you add it. LS ent is totally worth it but I try to avoid causing friction for users.
What about htaccess?does it support http2,php7.3,gzip,brotli,modsecurity,selinux,softaculous? Anyway to setup openlitespeed as front end reverseproxy and apache as backend?kindly give steps to do?
All these questions easily answered from the CyberPanel.net website. This is a modern highly-updated control panel and web-server. YES to many relatively standard features like: htaccess, http2/http3, php.7.3, gzip/brotli, mod-security, SElinux. Just FYI, many control panels need SElinux disabled to work properly. Softaculous I don’t believe has an integration for CyberPanel yet BUT CyberPanel already has 1-click installs for WordPress.
Setting up Apache as backend is currently built-in but not fully available to the public. I think if you beg on the forum and support the cause, they may decide to release it later. I’d much rather wait for that than to try setting it up myself.
Hi,
Could you explain how to do the following please:
Go to firewall and open TCP port 7080 for LS console.
Use the command line to do following tasks: 1) get LS console password and go tweak LS settings, 2) get mySQL root password for phpmyadmin.
Thanks for the review also the review of SpinupWP, which gives you a better performance?
The performance is almost equal. I think CP might be a tiny bit faster. But I prefer CP for LScache and actually having more features in the panel. You can try CP for free at no cost (just pay for the VPS, of course).
cyberpanel is not free ?
CyberPanel is FREE. Please go to the LiteSpeed site for details.
thanks you Johnny, which vps fo you recommend for wordpress along witj cyberpanel ? ty
Pick what you like…or checkout my Best WordPress Hosting Reviews guide.
Hi Johnny,
I am very tempted to move away from shared hosting and use Linode (not sure on the size yet), with CP.
I was wondering, is this what you’re currently using? I know you use Linode, but do you actually use CP personally?
Is it safe to use after the RACK911 auditing?
Also, do you suggest/prefer to use CyberPanel with OpenLiteSpeed for free, or an enterprise plan?
Hi Joe!
– Yes, I use CyberPanel for some of my clients on huge production sites.
– I left a note about Rack911’s security audit…it is safe, and was patched immediately afterwards. Many other panels failed the audit and was patched as well, not only CyberPanel.
– Of course, I prefer LiteSpeed Enterprise for more features.
Hey Johnny, I just discovered your blog and learned about Swift, Cyber panel and Open LiteSpeed and it’s super exciting stuff.
Do you have any guides or resources for managing sites on Cyberpanel? I set it up on Upcloud today for a dev site and I’m really loving the how fast Litespeed is.
You mentioned it’s not worth managing yourself, but in general what would be required to keep it running smoothly on a high traffic site?
Hey Steve, really glad you enjoyed. I plan to make a page with common CyberPanel configurations and fixes. But keep in mind that new issues will always pop up and you’ll need a bit of Linux skills to keep up. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to manage your own web server but not for the feint of heart.
What’s required to keep a web server running smoothly? Oh boy, there’s no good general answer for that. Deal with server load and plugin conflicts. Deal with hackers and security issues. Doing regular software updates while mitigating downtimes. Act as point of contact for all issues related to all layers of the OSI networking model. Having to take blame for your server when client sites/software fails (even when it’s not your fault). Clean house for messing clients that hog resources (space, memory, CPU, etc). The list goes on and on.
Thanks Johnny for your great tutorial . I am confused about how can add my domains to wordpress sites ..
Would i use Linode DNS manager or use Cyberpanel DNS manager ?
I am confused ..
I followed your instructions and It works fine .. and I installed 2 sites using Cyberpanel WordPress One click install .. also how can install SSL for each site ?
what after that ?
Questions to your questions:
– By “adding domains”, do you mean a domain alias for existing sites or a separate domain to be used as a separate website?
– You can install SSL by going to “list websites” and click “Issue SSL”.
, I have installed a WordPress on Linode using the image Openlitespeed WordPress Image by LiteSpeed .
After that I configured the MultiSite Network as here :
https://openlitespeed.org/mediawiki/index.php/How_to_setup_a_wordpress_multisite_network
and it works fine .. with my main domain :
https://www.zagdesigner.com/
then I added a new site named it : Lacklouk.com
it created a default URL : https://www.zagdesigner.com/lacklouk/
It works great .. : https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-08-181334.png
So I changed the domain name to lacklouk.com ” whic have the same DNS of http://www.zagdesigner.com ” it doesn’t work ..
I want to create multiple sites with multiple domains not a sub-directory ..
I don’t know what I have to do .. Do you think cyberpanel would help ?
I tried to do some configurations in OLS :
https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-08-184146.png
https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-08-184102.png
https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-08-184120.png
https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-08-183953.png
I am lost now and exhausted from trail and error ..
I’m confused. I know you’re explaining what’s not working but I didn’t see what you did. I think it’s easier to install CyberPanel and do it from scratch.
Hello Johnny ,
I installed CyberPanel as instructions and logged in and created a website as this :
https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-09-130245.png
then go to websites list and I used APPLICATION INSTALLER to install wordpress :
https://www.zagdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Annotation-2020-01-09-130553.png
I don’t know what i have to do after that to make a website live with a domain .
There is something wrong I don’t know :
https://176.58.122.102:8090/preview/lacklouk.net/
Thanks Johnny, it works great now but it took may be 23 hours to be fully propagated
Also , I deleted CyberPanel and rebuilt the linode with Openlitespeed-wordpress image that doesn’t include CyberPanel .
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
libmariadbclient-dev : Depends: libmariadbclient18 (= 1:10.1.44-0ubuntu0.18.04.1) but 1:10.4.12+maria~bionic is to be installed
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.
command failed, exiting…
root@test:~#
It doesn’t moves forward anymore
Where/how/when did you get that message?
Hi Johnny,
I am not sure I understand the licenses from Litespeed (what a complicated business model).
I want to get the enterprise option, but I get here:
https://www.litespeedtech.com/products/litespeed-web-server/choosing-a-license
And I have no idea if I will need more than 1 Worker or not.
Do you use/recommend the Owner/Owner plus or Web Host ones?
Thanks
Unfortunately, the license description are designed for server admins and not for regular users. I’m happy to help you. If your traffic is 10 million monthly visits or less, you’ll be fine with 1-core license (or any of the cheaper ones). I would start with the monthly webhost ones to know exactly which plan fits you before before trying the OWNED licenses.
Hi Thanks, but I do not think you have checked the link I shared.
The Owner and Owner plus are not the Owned licenses. That is not the question I was asking.
I do not consider myself a regular user and the “worker” could means a lot of things on a server environment.
Another point to what I was saying, they have a complicated license system. Any business consultant will tell them that.
🙂
Thanks for sharing this guide, really liking CyberPanel and the openlitespeed server.
You’re very welcome. Thank you, Alessio.
Hi Johnny, great article!
I have just had cyberpanel installed on Vultr….
Is it stable over time?
I mean, I am no programmer so I cant manage it if something goes down.
Is this a gamble?
Thanks, Jason. CyberPanel is indeed stable and reliable for production use. The biggest issue I have from time to time are SSL’s not automatically renewing. If you only manage a few sites and you’re on there regularly, it’s not a big deal. But if you have many sites and they belong to clients, you’ll be quite irritated when it happens.
Hi Johnny! A few questions
1 – Is the Digital Ocean 1 click image same as the above configuration?
check – https://marketplace.digitalocean.com/apps/cyberpanel
2 – Is Brotli supported only in Litespeed Enterprise?
3 – I tried installing everything as per your guide on Linode but it seems the Cyberpanel login page just won’t open. I found out that port 8090 was closed so I tried opening it after reading some guides and then it gave a 503 server error. Any idea what’s going on?
1. I didn’t build the DO 1-click image so I really don’t know but I probably wouldn’t use that one since it has Ubuntu (I prefer CentOS).
2. Brotli is supported by OLS.
3. I think have to open firewalls, also restart litespeed.
I am can’t install WordPress on my cyberpanel website, getting int error.
it seems your site is working…
The latest configuration asks for remote sql option. Shall we choose yes or no?
Definitely no for standard use.
Fantastic article with little to no fuss!
How about an 2020 update on the topic?
I’m really excited switching from Plesk to Cyberpanel (mid. november) 🙂
I am Using Cyberpanel and Ites great, but however, Cyberpanel does not support free scanner like ClamAV.
I personally don’t care much for server-based scanners. I feel app-specific scanners do a better job.
Is there any way I can split the resource of my server between several websites Manually?
and stop one website to take all the resources.
without buying cloudlinux ?
Not really. The problem is you can do PHP limits, but you can’t divide up server resources so easily…like clock cycles and memory. But really if you only have a couple sites, you could simply optimize the the troublemakers a bit. Moments like this could benefit from having a dev and admin on hand.
Have a many problems, from installation to futures that is not OK or are missing (compared to other alternatives) and it’s free only if you are Linux “guru”. If you are not guru everything stop to work in the moment when you stop to pay “cloud” assistance (literally hours later) even if configuration and all setting are has previously been made, tuned and managed by the “professionals” of CyberPanel. If you have more accounts, they make you switch to Enterprise and the more expensive support (even if you only have 1 ticket) … your support leaves and shuts down even if the server is down (through their fault). Not to mention the complaint and correct attitude … I am very disappointed and do not recommend!
I’m sorry to hear that about your experience (mine was different) but I appreciate you sharing it here.
Any idea on how to change the default directory where the websites are stored? Default seems to be /home but I would like to change that to another location.
BTW self hosting on an unbuntu 20.04 server.
Why would you do that?
Cyberpanel installs on the root drive with the OS which has limited space, I have a zfs pool with mirrored 8TB disks available to store everything else (/data).
Why don’t you mount that storage to the home directory? (Or can split up different amounts per user.) Way less hassle and technical complication IMO than changing your home directory.