FastPanel on the Server

FastPanel is a free, open-source hosting control panel for Linux servers. This guide explains how to install and configure FastPanel on your server.

What is FastPanel?

FastPanel is a modern, lightweight hosting control panel designed for Linux servers. It provides an intuitive web interface for managing websites, domains, databases, email, and server configurations.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source - No licensing fees
  • Lightweight - Minimal resource usage
  • Modern interface - User-friendly web UI
  • Multi-domain support - Manage multiple websites
  • Email management - Create and manage email accounts
  • Database management - MySQL/MariaDB support
  • SSL certificates - Automated Let's Encrypt

System Requirements

  • OS: CentOS 7/8, AlmaLinux 8/9, Rocky Linux 8/9, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04, Debian 11/12
  • RAM: Minimum 512 MB (1 GB recommended)
  • Disk: Minimum 10 GB free space
  • Network: Internet connection for installation

Installation

Step 1: Connect to Your Server

Connect to your server via SSH:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Step 2: Download Installation Script

Download the FastPanel installation script:

wget https://repo.fastpanel.direct/install.sh

Or using curl:

curl -o install.sh https://repo.fastpanel.direct/install.sh

Step 3: Make Script Executable

chmod +x install.sh

Step 4: Run Installation

Execute the installation script:

bash install.sh

The installation process will:

  1. Check system requirements
  2. Install necessary dependencies
  3. Configure web server (Nginx)
  4. Set up database server (MariaDB)
  5. Install PHP and required extensions
  6. Configure FastPanel

Installation typically takes 5-15 minutes depending on server speed.

Step 5: Access FastPanel

After installation, access FastPanel at:

https://your-server-ip:8888

Use the credentials provided at the end of installation.

Initial Configuration

Step 1: Change Default Password

Upon first login, change the default admin password.

Step 2: Configure Network Settings

Set your server's hostname and configure network settings.

Step 3: Set Up SSL Certificate

Install SSL certificate for FastPanel interface (recommended for security).

Step 4: Configure Firewall

Ensure port 8888 is open in your firewall:

# For UFW (Ubuntu/Debian)
ufw allow 8888/tcp

# For firewalld (CentOS/RHEL)
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8888/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload

Creating Your First Website

Step 1: Add Domain

  1. Log into FastPanel
  2. Go to "Websites" section
  3. Click "Add Website"
  4. Enter your domain name
  5. Choose document root directory
  6. Select PHP version

Step 2: Configure DNS

Point your domain's DNS records to your server IP:

  • A record: @ → your-server-ip
  • A record: www → your-server-ip

Step 3: Install SSL Certificate

  1. Go to website settings
  2. Navigate to "SSL" tab
  3. Click "Install Let's Encrypt Certificate"
  4. FastPanel will automatically configure SSL

Database Management

Creating a Database

  1. Go to "Databases" section
  2. Click "Add Database"
  3. Enter database name
  4. Create database user
  5. Set password
  6. Grant permissions

Accessing Database via phpMyAdmin

FastPanel includes phpMyAdmin for database management:

https://your-server-ip:8888/phpmyadmin

Email Configuration

Creating Email Account

  1. Go to "Mail" section
  2. Click "Add Mailbox"
  3. Enter email address
  4. Set password
  5. Configure mailbox size limit

Email Client Configuration

Use these settings for email clients:

  • IMAP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
  • SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
  • Ports: 143 (IMAP), 587 (SMTP)
  • Encryption: STARTTLS

Backup and Restore

Creating Backup

  1. Go to "Backups" section
  2. Click "Create Backup"
  3. Select what to backup (files, databases, emails)
  4. Backup will be stored in /usr/local/fastpanel/backups/

Restore from Backup

  1. Go to "Backups" section
  2. Select backup to restore
  3. Choose restore options
  4. Click "Restore"

Troubleshooting

FastPanel Won't Start

Check service status:

systemctl status fastpanel

Restart service:

systemctl restart fastpanel

Cannot Access Web Interface

  1. Check if port 8888 is open: netstat -tlnp | grep 8888
  2. Verify firewall rules
  3. Check FastPanel logs: /usr/local/fastpanel/logs/error.log

Website Not Loading

  1. Check web server status: systemctl status nginx
  2. Verify domain DNS records
  3. Check website error logs in FastPanel

FAQ

Is FastPanel really free?

Yes, FastPanel is completely free and open-source with no licensing fees.

Can I use FastPanel with existing websites?

Yes, but you may need to reconfigure existing websites to work with FastPanel's structure.

Does FastPanel support multiple PHP versions?

Yes, FastPanel supports multiple PHP versions (7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2) and allows per-domain PHP version selection.

How do I update FastPanel?

FastPanel can be updated through the web interface. Go to "Settings" → "Updates" to check for available updates.