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Plesk is a popular and powerful web hosting control panel that provides an intuitive interface for managing web hosting services, websites, email accounts, and databases. Installing Plesk on AlmaLinux 8 offers a stable and secure platform for web hosting providers and server administrators. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Plesk on AlmaLinux 8 step-by-step.

Step 1: Prepare Your AlmaLinux 8 Server

Before installing Plesk, ensure that your AlmaLinux 8 server is ready. You need to have a clean installation of AlmaLinux 8 with internet access and SSH access to the server. Additionally, make sure your server meets the following requirements:

System Requirements for Plesk:

• Operating System: AlmaLinux 8 (64-bit)
• RAM: Minimum 1 GB (2 GB recommended)
• Disk Space: Minimum 10 GB (20 GB recommended)
• CPU: 1 CPU core (2 cores recommended)
• SSH Access: Required for installation

Step 2: Update AlmaLinux 8

Before starting the installation process, it is important to update your AlmaLinux 8 system to ensure all packages are up-to-date:

1. Log in to your server via SSH:

    ssh root@your_server_ip

Run the following comands to update your system

sudo dnf update -y
sudo dnf upgrade -y
sudo reboot

Step 3: Install Plesk

Plesk offers an automated installation script, which makes the installation process simple and efficient. To install Plesk on your AlmaLinux 8 server, follow these steps:

1. Download and Run the Plesk Installer: Plesk provides an official installer script that automatically handles the installation process. Run the following command to download and execute the script:

    

   curl -sSL https://get.acme.sh | sh

2. Start the Plesk Installation Process: After the script is downloaded, run the Plesk installation command:

    

   sh /root/plesk-installer

   This command will start the installation wizard and prompt you to choose the installation settings. The process can take 15-30 minutes depending on your server's performance and internet speed.

3. Select the Plesk Edition: During the installation process, you’ll be prompted to choose the Plesk edition you want to install. Plesk offers several versions:

   • Plesk Web Admin (Free version)
   • Plesk Web Pro (Paid version)
   • Plesk Web Host (Paid version)

   Select the edition that best fits your needs.

4. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The installer will guide you through several steps, including the installation of necessary dependencies. Simply follow the prompts and wait for the installation to finish.

Step 4: Access Plesk

Once the installation is complete, you will be provided with the link to access the Plesk control panel. Typically, you can access Plesk at:

Replace your_server_ip with the actual IP address of your server. Use HTTPS to ensure a secure connection.

1. Open your browser and visit the above URL.
2. You will be prompted to log in using the admin username and password provided during the installation.
3. The first time you log in, Plesk will ask you to complete the initial setup. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your hostname, email, and other essential configurations.

Step 5: Configure Firewall and Security Settings

1. Open Necessary Ports: If your server uses a firewall (such as firewalld), you need to allow access to Plesk’s web interface (port 8443) by running:

    

   sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=8443/tcp --permanent sudo firewall-cmd --reload

2. Install SSL Certificates: It’s important to secure your Plesk interface with SSL. You can use the free Let’s Encrypt certificate or purchase an SSL certificate for your Plesk panel. You can enable SSL by going to Tools & Settings > SSL/TLS Certificates in Plesk.

Step 6: Finalizing the Setup

Once Plesk is installed and accessible, you can start configuring your server to host websites, manage domains, set up email accounts, and more.

1. Create Web Hosting Accounts:
   Go to Websites & Domains and add new websites to start managing them via Plesk.

2. Set Up Email Accounts:
   You can set up email accounts by navigating to Mail in Plesk’s dashboard and creating the necessary email accounts for your domains.

3. Install Additional Extensions:
   Plesk supports a variety of extensions that can be installed from the Plesk Extensions Catalog, such as WordPress, SEO tools, backups, and security enhancements.

Conclusion

Installing Plesk on AlmaLinux 8 is a smooth process that enables you to manage your hosting environment with ease. Whether you're managing one website or several, Plesk provides a robust and user-friendly interface to simplify tasks such as domain management, email configuration, and website security. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll have Plesk up and running on AlmaLinux 8 in no time.