Server Configuration
Over the years, I’ve utilized shared hosting, VPS servers, and dedicated servers. In my experience, VPS servers stand out as the best option. Data centers typically launch an instance within minutes, and setting up a website hosting environment has become incredibly simple—no need to incur additional costs for C-Panel or other hosting control panels.
A few years ago, VestaCP was the go-to open-source control panel, but it seems to have lacked support in recent times. HestiaCP, which appears to be a derivative of VestaCP, is compatible with the latest Linux versions and offers an almost effortless setup process.
To install HestiaCP, visit HestiaCP and follow the provided instructions. After installation, log in with the credentials generated by the install script, add your domains, and you’ll find one-click setups for most major CMS scripts. It’s possible to set up a WordPress-powered website in less than a minute.
After completing the setup, use an SSH tool like Termius or PuTTy to halt the service by entering: service hestiacp stop. This command secures your control panel by stopping the service.
Moving on, you’ll also require a TLD (domain name, for example, scottpdaugherty.com). I purchase all my domains from Namecheap, which offers competitive pricing, quick provisioning, and excellent customer service compared to other registrars I’ve used. I’ve migrated all my domains from GoDaddy, 1&1(Ionos), BlueHost, GatorHost, and OVH to Namecheap. Further discussions will cover website management and where to find robust business email solutions—interestingly, I no longer host my own email, nor do I use Namecheap for that service.
If you opt to configure the server yourself, it will take a bit more time, but that’s a topic for another discussion. For now, let’s assume you have a running Ubuntu instance, although you’re free to choose CentOS or any other preferred distribution. Personally, I have Fedora, CentOS, and Ubuntu running in production environments, with Ubuntu being the most user-friendly.
Firstly, set your server’s timezone to your local timezone by executing the command: timedatectl set-timezone {Your Timezone}. For example, I use America/Chicago, which aligns with the CST/CDT timezone. Next, it’s advisable to configure your server’s name using: hostnamectl set-hostname {Your Domain} – for me, that’s scottpdaugherty.com.
After these configurations, you’ll need to install Apache at the very least. This can be done with the command: sudo apt install apache2.
Should you require PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Python, or other services, they must be installed separately. However, HestiaCP will handle these installations for you. HestiaCP also sets up ClamAV antivirus, Dovecot, Exim, firewalls, and more. Therefore, I suggest opting for HestiaCP for a comprehensive installation.
Leave a Reply