This guide outlines the necessary hardware, software, and networking
prerequisites to successfully install cPanel & WHM on an Ubuntu server.
Overview
cPanel & WHM can be installed on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. This guide covers the
system requirements and configuration settings needed for a smooth installation and
operation of the software.
Important:
- Supported Versions: cPanel & WHM supports Ubuntu LTS (Long-Term Support)
versions. New Ubuntu releases are supported in alignment with the corresponding
cPanel & WHM LTS version.
- IPv4 Requirement: You must have at least one valid IPv4 address, as cPanel &
WHM does not support IPv6-only configurations.
- License: Each cPanel & WHM installation requires a unique license, which can
be purchased via the cPanel Store.
Installation Requirements
Hardware Specifications
| Operating System | Processor | RAM | Disk Space | Architecture |
|---|
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | Minimum: 1.1 GHz
Recommended: 2 GHz | Minimum: 2 GB
Recommended: 4 GB | Minimum: 20 GB
Recommended: 40 GB | 64-bit |
Note:
We recommend at least 3 GB of RAM for users planning to install Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV).
Hardware Considerations
- For websites with high traffic or CPU-intensive applications, additional processing
power, RAM, and disk space will be necessary.
- Hosting environments with numerous email accounts or databases require more system
resources for optimal performance.
- cPanel & WHM needs a minimum of 5 GB additional disk space in the /usr/local/cpanel
directory for installation and upgrades.
Networking Requirements
- Hostname: Must be a valid, registered, fully-qualified domain name (FQDN) that is no
more than 60 characters in length.
- IP Addresses: Your server must have at least one valid static IP address. If operating
on a NAT-configured network, a 1:1 NAT and NAT loopback setup are required.
- Ethernet Configuration: The system will automatically detect and configure Ethernet
devices during installation. Avoid using dynamically assigned IP addresses.
Firewall Setup
- Before Installation: Disable any OS firewalls to avoid installation issues. We recommend
disabling the firewall temporarily using:
iptables-save >~/firewall.rules
systemctl stop
ufw.service
systemctl disable ufw.service
- After Installation: Configure a third-party firewall such as APF or CSF.
File System & Partition Setup
- Recommended file systems include XFS® or ext4 for optimal performance.
- Allocate minimum 1,000,000 inodes for the base cPanel installation, plus 50,000 inodes
per cPanel account.
Perl Installation
- Perl must be installed on the server. If missing, the installer will attempt to install
it automatically.
Virtual Environment Compatibility
cPanel & WHM supports several virtual environments, including:
- KVM, Xen, VMware: No additional restrictions.
- Linux Containers: Requires additional configuration.
- Virtuozzo™: Supported for KVM and container environments.
Browser Compatibility
For the best user experience, cPanel & WHM is optimized for the
following browsers:
- Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari (latest versions on MacOS, Windows, and Linux).
- Mobile versions of these browsers are also supported.
Database Support
cPanel & WHM automatically installs MySQL 8.0 during the installation
process, but users can check supported versions for other databases in our documentation.
Conclusion
Ensure that your server meets the hardware, software, and network
requirements for a smooth cPanel & WHM installation. With proper configuration, cPanel & WHM
will provide a robust platform for managing hosting services on your Ubuntu server.
