How to Install DirectAdmin on a Linux Server
Check the DirectAdmin system requirements, install it on a clean Linux VPS, and compare DirectAdmin with cPanel before you buy a licence.
This guide shows how to install DirectAdmin on your Linux server.
Check the system requirements
Make sure that you meet the system requirements: a clean OS install and at least one external IP address.
- At least 4 GB of memory and 4 GB of swap, plus 2 GB of free disk space after the OS is installed.
Supported OS
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its derivatives: CentOS Stream, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux
- Debian
- Ubuntu
DirectAdmin lists the supported versions and their end-of-life dates on its system requirements page. Use a 64-bit (amd64 or arm64) system.
Make sure your license information is correct
Sign in to your client account and click the "view" link next to your license here: https://www.directadmin.com/clients/
Verify that the server IP address and operating system is correct. Also make sure that the license is Active and Verified (if it isn't, then DirectAdmin's billing system hasn't processed your order yet).
Begin the installation
Log in as root to your server, download the installation script, and run it:
sh <(curl -fsSL https://download.directadmin.com/setup.sh)The script performs the initial system setup and prints a URL. Open that URL in your browser to finish the installation. To install from the command line instead, add your licence key, which uses the default configuration options:
sh <(curl -fsSL https://download.directadmin.com/setup.sh) 'YOUR-LICENSE-KEY'The hostname should not be the same as the primary domain name. For example, gary.com is not a good hostname, where server.gary.com is. Having the same host/main domain name will cause e-mail and FTP problems. Also, make sure the hostname resolves once you set up DNS.
Access the control panel
DirectAdmin can be accessed at http://server.ip.address:2222. Use the Admin username/password from the output information provided by setup.sh (the same information is saved in the /usr/local/directadmin/conf/setup.txt file).
DirectAdmin vs cPanel
Both are commercial control panels and both need a paid licence. cPanel pairs with WHM for server-level administration. DirectAdmin uses one interface with admin, reseller and user levels. Compare the current licence prices and supported operating systems on each vendor's website before you choose. If you want a free panel, see CyberPanel or CentOS Web Panel.