How To Install Froxlor Server Management on Debian 12

Are you looking for a way to manage your hosting platform with ease?

If you’re after a free Linux hosting control panel, then a Froxlor Server is the best choice–simplifying the management of multiple websites on a single server. 

In this post, we will guide you step-by-step on installing and setting up Froxlor Server Management on your Debian 12 machine.

Let’s dive right in!

What You’ll Need

Before we proceed with learning how to install Froxlor Server Management on Debian, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• A working Debian 12 system (guide)
• Root or sudo access to the server (guide)
• A valid hostname is set for the server (will be shown below)
• A working MySQL database (guide)
• Basic knowledge of server management and command-line operations 

If you have all the above requirements, you may proceed with the steps below to install and set up the Froxlor Server on Debian 12.

How to Install Froxlor Server Management on Debian 12: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Your Server

Before you start working on the Froxlor Server, it is important to prepare your server as all the changes are made while installing and setting up the Froxlor server. 

Here are steps on how to do so: 

1. Start by updating and upgrading your server, as it helps the server stay up to date and makes it capable of handling all the modifications. Open your terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  

Note: While updating or upgrading the server, enter ‘Y‘ to continue the process if it displays an additional disk space required prompt.

2. Once you update and upgrade your server, set a hostname using the following command:

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname [enter_your_hostname_here]

3. Now make sure to map the entry in etc/hosts as well. You may use any text editor of your choice. Here is the command to open hosts.conf using the Vim editor:

sudo vim /etc/hosts

4. Once the hosts.conf is open, enter the text below. We have provided an example as well for better understanding:

[ip_address] [hostname]
Example: 127.0.0.1 floxlor.distroid.com

5. After you have mapped the entry on the config file, save and exit by typing in :wq command in the Vim editor.

With this step, you have finished preparing the server and proceed to the next one to download and install Froxlor on your Debian 12.

Step 2: Download and Install Froxlor

On Debian, Froxlor can be downloaded and installed in multiple ways–tarball,  Apt or Git. However, to make it simple and easy for you to follow, we have provided steps on installation through Apt, which Froxlor also recommends.

1. Open your terminal and ensure you have stable internet. Now, type in the below commands to add the repository that provides packages necessary for Froxlor server management software installation:

sudo apt -y install apt-transport-https lsb-release ca-certificates curl gnupg

sudo curl -sSLo /usr/share/keyrings/deb.froxlor.org-froxlor.gpg https://deb.froxlor.org/froxlor.gpg

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/deb.froxlor.org-froxlor.g

Note: You don’t have to enter each command but can execute all commands simultaneously, as the installation process is combined and automated.

2. For better practice, update the apt package index using the following command:

sudo apt update

3. As the repository and package index are updated, you can install Froxlor using the following command:

sudo apt install froxlor

Note: While installing Froxlor, enter ‘Y‘ when prompted to continue the installation process, as it provides access to additional disk space.

4. Once the installation is finished, you’re displayed with the postfix configuration. Set the General mail configuration type to Internet Site.

5. After you set the general mail configuration, set the system hostname when prompted, as shown in the screenshot below:

With these steps, you have now successfully installed Froxlor on your device. Continue reading to work on the database to create a privileged database user.

Step 3: Set Up a Database

For this step to work, it is important to have MySQL installed (guide) prior. Follow the steps below to set up a database for the Froxlor Server Management:

1. Start by accessing the database shell using the following command:

sudo mysql -u root

2. Once the database is accessed, create a database and user. Replace the ‘your_password_here’ below with your own password:

CREATE USER 'froxroot'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password_here';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'froxroot'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

(Optional) Step 4: Finish the Froxlor Installation via Web UI

For seamless installation of Froxlor through the Web UI, follow the below steps provided.

1. Ensure necessary ports are allowed through the firewall using the following command:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp

2. After the ports are allowed through the firewall, you can access the Froxlor Web UI through the hostname or IP address. Here are the commands for both:

http://your_domain_name/froxlor
http://your_ip_address/froxlor

Ensure you replace the domain name or IP Address while entering the browser’s hyperlink.

3. After loading the Froxlor Web UI, click the Start Install button to open the system check. You can proceed further if there are no issues with the system check.

If your device doesn’t match the requirements, address it immediately before proceeding.

4. Now proceed with the rest of the installation by providing the necessary details to create the database and unprivileged database user.

Note: Ensure you create the main administrator user and add details of your server during the installation to manage resources and system configurations.

5. During the final step of the installation process, ensure that you turn the toggle on to configure the services, and finish the setup manually.

Also read: How to Integrate Sudoers with OpenLDAP Server in Linux

Step 5: Configure Froxlor Server Management

Once you’re done with the installation, you are left to configure the Froxlor Server Management. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Since you’ve not configured Froxlor Server Management yet, you will find a notification on the top stating “System not configured yet”. Click on the button Setup starten on the notification to start the configuration process:

2. Once you’re in the configuration window, set the distribution of your choice to see an overview of the available services configuration templates.

Note: If you’re manually configuring, ensure you know the changes you’re making. If confused, you can opt for the Select Recommended button at the bottom, which will recommend services based on your current settings. 

3. After making the necessary changes, click proceed and wait for the command to generate:

4. Now consider the generated command and run it on the shell as a root using the following command: 

sudo –i

/var/www/html/froxlor/bin/froxlor-cli froxlon.config-services-apply=/var/www/html/froxlor/install/75390dc1dfad5fb77df7148f33e26daa.json

rm /var/www/html/Froxlor/install/75390dc1dfad5fb77df7148f33e26daa.json

After you have run it on the shell, the page gets refreshed, and the notification disappears completely, as you’ve successfully configured.

Conclusion

Congratulations on successfully installing and configuring Froxlor Server Management on Debian 12!

Once you have configured and can access the resources, you can proceed to manage customers, admins, domains, SSL certs, IPs, ports, MYSQL servers, etc. 

Take your time to explore the Froxlor environment and the various features and options it provides.

We suggest checking out the documentation in case of an issue with any steps above. If that doesn’t help, you can try the Froxlor Forum or Debian user forums for better assistance.