04-03-2020, 02:20 AM
@xdude I've just swopped two VPSs and of course had to start the new VPS from scratch. Installing my VestaCP was a pleasure. And absolutely no issues. I thought of sharing exactly how I do this so you can pick up what you do different, as I found absolutely no issues with it. This may also contain tips for those who wish to install WordPress from VestaCP. WordPress and Database are obviously very easy to install from the command line. But I prefer to set up the database with VestaCP.
Note I use CentOS minimal. VestaCP prefers the minimal of any OS you prefer to use. I've always used CentOS and once Debian. No issues with Debian.
For the VestaCP installation I followed the steps below - a sequence one needs to follow for it to be successful:
1. Set up Domain with Name Servers first important step BEFORE installation of VestaCP
I have the domain at Namecheap set up with its own Name Servers. Namecheap gives one the ability to create two name servers for a domain out of one IP. So when I move to a different VPS, all I need to do is change the IP of the Name Servers. And to check the two name servers are added to the domain at Namecheap. They are permanent since I only need to change the IP of the Name Servers when I change from one VPS to another.
Note: It's very important to only install VestaCP AFTER the domain has been set up like the above. I.e. the domain must be pointing at the IP with the Name Servers such as above.
2. Give the IP time to propagate, although yesterday when I made the change the DNS was almost immediately propagated and the Name Server IP successfully changed.
3. Once the Domain is properly set up I then SSH into the VPS.
4. I'm on CentOS so always do a passwd change and yum update first. Then for the heck of it always add the speedtest script just to check what the speed of the VPS is like.
5. Installation of VestaCP
For installation of VestaCP I always go to the VestaCP Install Page first:
https://vestacp.com/install/
It provides you a form for generating a VestaCP install command. I complete the form as follows:
![[Image: 7JE1PEf.png]](https://i.imgur.com/7JE1PEf.png)
Note that for FTP and Mail I said "NO". Reason being that if there is ever a security issue, hackers seem to be focused on those two features of any panel. I use FileZilla SFTP instead. And for mail if mail is needed I use Zoho Mail. That works very fast and very well for me. Or you can use your own preferred FTP and Email Client. Also note there is no File Manager. Hence the "no" for "File System Quote". No need for it however as FileZilla serves me just right, and I rarely have need to access the files.
Then click on Generate Install Command and voila you've got an install command.
6. VestaCP then provides you with the steps to add to your SSH on root with the install command - like so. Like it couldn't possibly be easier than that:
![[Image: f8IIBIo.png]](https://i.imgur.com/f8IIBIo.png)
7. How to navigate and set up VestaCP Panel
Next of course is to access VestaCP and set it up. If you followed the above steps with the domain, most of it is already set up but there are a few steps I learned through experience that usually makes a difference.
To access VestaCP (if you have correctly set up your domain), you should be able to access it with the domain.com:8083. User name is always Admin and the password the one you set up in your install command.
8. Once you're in VestaCP first thing you need to do is go to the User Account. It usually appears as the first page when you access the Panel. Or you can check the top address line for the User Link. You need to fix the Name Servers to your domain Name Servers that you set up at your domain registrar. That is an important first step.
To make the change you have to hover your mouse over the user area and it will then come up with a little tool bar that includes "edit" in it. Click on edit. And you can then make the change to the name servers.
Note: If you wish to add users you will see a big green plus sign to the left of the user page. Click on it and you will then be able to add a user.
9. Next check your domain is there by clicking on the WEB shortcut. Nothing needs to be changed, but if you need to edit anything same principle applies. Hover mouse over area for the little tool menu to appear. And when you want to add a domain, click on the green plus circle to the left of the page.
10. Next click on DNS. Hover your mouse over the user area and when the little tool menu appears click on edit.
You then have to make two changes on the resulting input screen.
1. Change the template to "child-ns" instead of default.
2. Change the SOA with your domain. I.e. ns1.domain.com.
11. Click on DNS again - hover your mouse over the user area and check the tool menu and you will see you now have 14 records that have been set up for you. Click on records to check through them and to make sure your domain name servers are correct.They will be reflected in the last two records. If you need to make a change to the records click on "edit".
12. Next step for me is to create a database. Click on DB in the top address line. Then on the green plus sign to the left of the DB user page, and you can set up a database. Note that the database and user name will be preceded by admin_name. Remember to write down the name and password.
13. How to install WordPress from command line with use of VestaCP database
If like me you want to create a Word Press site that is very easy too. You then go into root and complete the following steps.
13.1 With minimal CentOS OS I first check whether wget is loaded - with the minimal installation there is a good chance it is not. If not I then install it like so:
13.2 I then install wordpress tar.gz
13.3 I then unzip wordpress
13.4 Then remove the zip file
13.5 Then finally - and this is very important - give ownership to make changes to WordPress as Admin
14. If all went well, when you type your domain into the address line of your browser, it should come up with the WordPress install page. You can complete the steps with your VestaCP database name, user name and password. And start your installation.
15. How to set up of WordPress for import of backup copy with All in One WP Migration Plugin
When I'm setting WordPress up, first thing I do is to turn off all comments by clicking on discussion settings. I also delete the dummy posts and plugins that WordPress usually includes. Next I load my All in One WP Migration Plugin and the Add-on one one has to purchase (I found it for free many moons ago). Make sure the plugin is up to date and then upload my backup from the previous VPS. As easy as that.
16. VestaCP Support Tips
VestaCP is an intuitive panel. I.e. hovering your mouse over everything brings up tool menus. Right at the top in there are a few links you can explore for yourself.
17. If you need VestaCP support best is to Google the question, with VestaCP in front of the question, and you'll in all probability get to the VestaCP Forum or a geek blog, I've rarely had a situation when Google didn't come up with an answer. The VestaCP has grown into an awesome collection of inquiries. I've solved many issues in the past by checking through previously asked inquiries, or asking my own. In order to get full benefit of the Forum it is a good idea to become a registered member.
https://forum.vestacp.com/
18. VestaCP with Softaculous
VestaCP also features the free version of Softaculous - a mega-script installer. I've never really liked the free version as it doesn't offer WordPress. I'm not using Softaculous presently but did try it out. I tried the paid Softaculous subscription and it worked well. Installation of WordPress was like lightning. It installs the database for you automatically and the installation process can be advanced and more sophisticated with options to choose. Just one thing to remember you need to load ioncube so the server link in the VestaCP Panel Address Line will show Softaculous. And you then need to go into the Softaculous Admin Panel to change the server to VPS. Otherwise it won't work.
The reason why I prefer installing WordPress from the command line is that in the rare event VestaCP has an issue and it disappears, your WP sites that have been installed with Softaculous disappear as well. For some or other reason the database created with VestaCP is still OK however and you can still access your WP sites through the WP Admin Panel. However if the database was created by Softaculous it doesn't seem to be available any longer. Could be there is a workaround, but it's cheaper for me to not have the paid subscription of Softaculous, and also just as fast to create WP from the command line.
19. VestaCP alternative for bigger VPSs and Servers for your super geeks and tech specialists
OK, I'm a VestaCP fan because it is a light panel. But for those who are more technically minded and have large VPSs or servers to manage, I don't think VestaCP is the answer. Instead I think WebMIN is the better panel to use. Reason I'm using VestaCP is because it is so light to the touch. It uses very very little resources and you can use it even with a VPS with 512 MB RAM. But with WebMIN you need 1 GB RAM minimum, preferably 2 GB plus. If you are interested to try WebMIN you can try it out with the tutorial below.
Note I use CentOS minimal. VestaCP prefers the minimal of any OS you prefer to use. I've always used CentOS and once Debian. No issues with Debian.
For the VestaCP installation I followed the steps below - a sequence one needs to follow for it to be successful:
1. Set up Domain with Name Servers first important step BEFORE installation of VestaCP
I have the domain at Namecheap set up with its own Name Servers. Namecheap gives one the ability to create two name servers for a domain out of one IP. So when I move to a different VPS, all I need to do is change the IP of the Name Servers. And to check the two name servers are added to the domain at Namecheap. They are permanent since I only need to change the IP of the Name Servers when I change from one VPS to another.
Note: It's very important to only install VestaCP AFTER the domain has been set up like the above. I.e. the domain must be pointing at the IP with the Name Servers such as above.
2. Give the IP time to propagate, although yesterday when I made the change the DNS was almost immediately propagated and the Name Server IP successfully changed.
3. Once the Domain is properly set up I then SSH into the VPS.
4. I'm on CentOS so always do a passwd change and yum update first. Then for the heck of it always add the speedtest script just to check what the speed of the VPS is like.
5. Installation of VestaCP
For installation of VestaCP I always go to the VestaCP Install Page first:
https://vestacp.com/install/
It provides you a form for generating a VestaCP install command. I complete the form as follows:
Note that for FTP and Mail I said "NO". Reason being that if there is ever a security issue, hackers seem to be focused on those two features of any panel. I use FileZilla SFTP instead. And for mail if mail is needed I use Zoho Mail. That works very fast and very well for me. Or you can use your own preferred FTP and Email Client. Also note there is no File Manager. Hence the "no" for "File System Quote". No need for it however as FileZilla serves me just right, and I rarely have need to access the files.
Then click on Generate Install Command and voila you've got an install command.
6. VestaCP then provides you with the steps to add to your SSH on root with the install command - like so. Like it couldn't possibly be easier than that:
7. How to navigate and set up VestaCP Panel
Next of course is to access VestaCP and set it up. If you followed the above steps with the domain, most of it is already set up but there are a few steps I learned through experience that usually makes a difference.
To access VestaCP (if you have correctly set up your domain), you should be able to access it with the domain.com:8083. User name is always Admin and the password the one you set up in your install command.
8. Once you're in VestaCP first thing you need to do is go to the User Account. It usually appears as the first page when you access the Panel. Or you can check the top address line for the User Link. You need to fix the Name Servers to your domain Name Servers that you set up at your domain registrar. That is an important first step.
To make the change you have to hover your mouse over the user area and it will then come up with a little tool bar that includes "edit" in it. Click on edit. And you can then make the change to the name servers.
Note: If you wish to add users you will see a big green plus sign to the left of the user page. Click on it and you will then be able to add a user.
9. Next check your domain is there by clicking on the WEB shortcut. Nothing needs to be changed, but if you need to edit anything same principle applies. Hover mouse over area for the little tool menu to appear. And when you want to add a domain, click on the green plus circle to the left of the page.
10. Next click on DNS. Hover your mouse over the user area and when the little tool menu appears click on edit.
You then have to make two changes on the resulting input screen.
1. Change the template to "child-ns" instead of default.
2. Change the SOA with your domain. I.e. ns1.domain.com.
11. Click on DNS again - hover your mouse over the user area and check the tool menu and you will see you now have 14 records that have been set up for you. Click on records to check through them and to make sure your domain name servers are correct.They will be reflected in the last two records. If you need to make a change to the records click on "edit".
12. Next step for me is to create a database. Click on DB in the top address line. Then on the green plus sign to the left of the DB user page, and you can set up a database. Note that the database and user name will be preceded by admin_name. Remember to write down the name and password.
13. How to install WordPress from command line with use of VestaCP database
If like me you want to create a Word Press site that is very easy too. You then go into root and complete the following steps.
13.1 With minimal CentOS OS I first check whether wget is loaded - with the minimal installation there is a good chance it is not. If not I then install it like so:
Code: (Select All)
yum install wget13.2 I then install wordpress tar.gz
Code: (Select All)
wget http://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz13.3 I then unzip wordpress
Code: (Select All)
tar --strip-components=1 -xvf latest.tar.gz13.4 Then remove the zip file
Code: (Select All)
rm latest.tar.gz13.5 Then finally - and this is very important - give ownership to make changes to WordPress as Admin
Code: (Select All)
chown admin -R *14. If all went well, when you type your domain into the address line of your browser, it should come up with the WordPress install page. You can complete the steps with your VestaCP database name, user name and password. And start your installation.
15. How to set up of WordPress for import of backup copy with All in One WP Migration Plugin
When I'm setting WordPress up, first thing I do is to turn off all comments by clicking on discussion settings. I also delete the dummy posts and plugins that WordPress usually includes. Next I load my All in One WP Migration Plugin and the Add-on one one has to purchase (I found it for free many moons ago). Make sure the plugin is up to date and then upload my backup from the previous VPS. As easy as that.
16. VestaCP Support Tips
VestaCP is an intuitive panel. I.e. hovering your mouse over everything brings up tool menus. Right at the top in there are a few links you can explore for yourself.
17. If you need VestaCP support best is to Google the question, with VestaCP in front of the question, and you'll in all probability get to the VestaCP Forum or a geek blog, I've rarely had a situation when Google didn't come up with an answer. The VestaCP has grown into an awesome collection of inquiries. I've solved many issues in the past by checking through previously asked inquiries, or asking my own. In order to get full benefit of the Forum it is a good idea to become a registered member.
https://forum.vestacp.com/
18. VestaCP with Softaculous
VestaCP also features the free version of Softaculous - a mega-script installer. I've never really liked the free version as it doesn't offer WordPress. I'm not using Softaculous presently but did try it out. I tried the paid Softaculous subscription and it worked well. Installation of WordPress was like lightning. It installs the database for you automatically and the installation process can be advanced and more sophisticated with options to choose. Just one thing to remember you need to load ioncube so the server link in the VestaCP Panel Address Line will show Softaculous. And you then need to go into the Softaculous Admin Panel to change the server to VPS. Otherwise it won't work.
Code: (Select All)
/usr/local/vesta/ioncube/ioncube.shThe reason why I prefer installing WordPress from the command line is that in the rare event VestaCP has an issue and it disappears, your WP sites that have been installed with Softaculous disappear as well.
For some or other reason the database created with VestaCP is still OK however and you can still access your WP sites through the WP Admin Panel. However if the database was created by Softaculous it doesn't seem to be available any longer. Could be there is a workaround, but it's cheaper for me to not have the paid subscription of Softaculous, and also just as fast to create WP from the command line.19. VestaCP alternative for bigger VPSs and Servers for your super geeks and tech specialists
OK, I'm a VestaCP fan because it is a light panel. But for those who are more technically minded and have large VPSs or servers to manage, I don't think VestaCP is the answer. Instead I think WebMIN is the better panel to use. Reason I'm using VestaCP is because it is so light to the touch. It uses very very little resources and you can use it even with a VPS with 512 MB RAM. But with WebMIN you need 1 GB RAM minimum, preferably 2 GB plus. If you are interested to try WebMIN you can try it out with the tutorial below.