10-09-2026, 10:18 AM
What do you need before installing aaPanel?
You need a clean supported Linux server, its IP address, SSH access and administrator privileges. A domain is optional for the initial installation, but you will need one you control for the domain-based website and trusted HTTPS tutorials. Prepare recovery access and backups before changing the server.
Review status: Official requirements checked on 9 October 2026. This is a preparation checklist. Our fresh-VPS walkthrough, exact tested versions and original screenshots will be added after testing.
1. A VPS or other suitable Linux server
aaPanel runs on the server; buying a domain alone does not provide a place to install it. A VPS is convenient for this tutorial series, but a suitable dedicated server can also be used. An ordinary shared-hosting account without server administration access is not equivalent.
Before choosing an image, check the current official aaPanel installation requirements for the OS release and architecture you intend to use. At this review date, Quick Start lists an installation minimum of 1 CPU core, 512 MB RAM and 1 GB storage. These figures are an installation floor, not a guarantee of capacity for a web server, database and live application.
Leave room for your application, PHP workers, database, logs, updates and backups. Record the actual CPU, RAM, storage and OS version. Do not install aaPanel over another hosting panel or an existing production stack without a supported migration plan.
2. Server IP, SSH and administrator access
Have the correct server IP and the initial username supplied by the provider. Check that SSH works and that you have root access or a sudo-capable account with the privileges required by the installer. Use an SSH client on your computer, such as its existing OpenSSH client.
Keep credentials in a password manager. Never publish passwords, private SSH keys, API tokens or the panel's private entrance URL. Keep a working session open while adjusting access rules.
3. Recovery console, updates and a baseline backup
Open and test the provider's recovery console before changing SSH or firewalls. Confirm how rescue mode and snapshot recovery work. Update the clean OS using its supported package manager, verify server time and plan any required reboot.
Take a baseline snapshot if available. If the server already contains data, make an independent backup and plan recovery or migration before installing anything. A snapshot in the same provider account is useful for rollback but is not an independent off-site backup.
Follow 15 Things to Do After Buying a New VPS for the detailed preparation sequence.
4. A domain and DNS access for the website tutorials
Do I need a domain to install aaPanel?
No. Initial installation can start with the server IP and SSH. Save the actual management address produced by your own installation; do not assume a port or entrance path from another tutorial.
When do I need a domain?
Use a domain you control when connecting a named website and setting up the hostname-based HTTPS examples. A subdomain of an existing domain is enough for the tutorial lab. For example:
These are placeholders. You need access to the authoritative DNS provider, which may be different from the domain registrar. Preserve existing website, mail and verification records. Use a separate test hostname so the exercise does not move a live site's traffic.
Do I have to buy a second domain?
No. You can use suitable subdomains of one you already control, or a spare domain. Check which DNS records the chosen certificate validation method requires.
5. Access to both firewall layers
Be able to manage the provider/cloud firewall and the server firewall. Preserve your actual SSH port. After installation, restrict the actual panel management port to your management IP or VPN where practical. Public website ports and management access serve different purposes; do not open every port in an example list.
If using IPv6, verify the corresponding routing and access rules before publishing an AAAA record. Test a fresh administrative connection after changes while the recovery console remains available.
6. Know what website you plan to run
Decide whether the first test is static HTML or a PHP application. A static test does not require a database. For an application, check its supported PHP/database versions and required extensions before selecting the stack. Install only the services you need; mail, FTP and optional plugins do not have to be part of the first exercise.
Ready-to-install checklist
Next: install aaPanel and create a website
Official source: aaPanel Quick Start. Recheck its current requirements before installing; supported releases and installer instructions can change.
Need help checking your setup? Share your OS version, CPU/RAM, intended website and whether you have DNS access. Leave credentials and private connection details out of your post.
You need a clean supported Linux server, its IP address, SSH access and administrator privileges. A domain is optional for the initial installation, but you will need one you control for the domain-based website and trusted HTTPS tutorials. Prepare recovery access and backups before changing the server.
Review status: Official requirements checked on 9 October 2026. This is a preparation checklist. Our fresh-VPS walkthrough, exact tested versions and original screenshots will be added after testing.
1. A VPS or other suitable Linux server
aaPanel runs on the server; buying a domain alone does not provide a place to install it. A VPS is convenient for this tutorial series, but a suitable dedicated server can also be used. An ordinary shared-hosting account without server administration access is not equivalent.
Before choosing an image, check the current official aaPanel installation requirements for the OS release and architecture you intend to use. At this review date, Quick Start lists an installation minimum of 1 CPU core, 512 MB RAM and 1 GB storage. These figures are an installation floor, not a guarantee of capacity for a web server, database and live application.
Leave room for your application, PHP workers, database, logs, updates and backups. Record the actual CPU, RAM, storage and OS version. Do not install aaPanel over another hosting panel or an existing production stack without a supported migration plan.
2. Server IP, SSH and administrator access
Have the correct server IP and the initial username supplied by the provider. Check that SSH works and that you have root access or a sudo-capable account with the privileges required by the installer. Use an SSH client on your computer, such as its existing OpenSSH client.
Keep credentials in a password manager. Never publish passwords, private SSH keys, API tokens or the panel's private entrance URL. Keep a working session open while adjusting access rules.
3. Recovery console, updates and a baseline backup
Open and test the provider's recovery console before changing SSH or firewalls. Confirm how rescue mode and snapshot recovery work. Update the clean OS using its supported package manager, verify server time and plan any required reboot.
Take a baseline snapshot if available. If the server already contains data, make an independent backup and plan recovery or migration before installing anything. A snapshot in the same provider account is useful for rollback but is not an independent off-site backup.
Follow 15 Things to Do After Buying a New VPS for the detailed preparation sequence.
4. A domain and DNS access for the website tutorials
Do I need a domain to install aaPanel?
No. Initial installation can start with the server IP and SSH. Save the actual management address produced by your own installation; do not assume a port or entrance path from another tutorial.
When do I need a domain?
Use a domain you control when connecting a named website and setting up the hostname-based HTTPS examples. A subdomain of an existing domain is enough for the tutorial lab. For example:
Code:
lab.example.com test website
panel-lab.example.com panel management hostnameDo I have to buy a second domain?
No. You can use suitable subdomains of one you already control, or a spare domain. Check which DNS records the chosen certificate validation method requires.
5. Access to both firewall layers
Be able to manage the provider/cloud firewall and the server firewall. Preserve your actual SSH port. After installation, restrict the actual panel management port to your management IP or VPN where practical. Public website ports and management access serve different purposes; do not open every port in an example list.
If using IPv6, verify the corresponding routing and access rules before publishing an AAAA record. Test a fresh administrative connection after changes while the recovery console remains available.
6. Know what website you plan to run
Decide whether the first test is static HTML or a PHP application. A static test does not require a database. For an application, check its supported PHP/database versions and required extensions before selecting the stack. Install only the services you need; mail, FTP and optional plugins do not have to be part of the first exercise.
Ready-to-install checklist
- A clean server with an OS/architecture supported by the current aaPanel release.
- CPU, RAM and disk capacity planned for the workload, not just the installer.
- Correct IP, working SSH and the required administrator privileges.
- Tested recovery-console access and a baseline snapshot or backup.
- OS updates and server time checked.
- Access to provider and server firewall controls.
- A private place to store credentials and installation details.
- For the website/HTTPS stages: a test hostname and authoritative DNS access.
- A record of the OS and, later, aaPanel/web-server/PHP versions actually used.
Next: install aaPanel and create a website
- aaPanel setup guide for a new VPS
- Secure aaPanel after installation
- Create your first website, connect a domain and enable SSL
Official source: aaPanel Quick Start. Recheck its current requirements before installing; supported releases and installer instructions can change.
Need help checking your setup? Share your OS version, CPU/RAM, intended website and whether you have DNS access. Leave credentials and private connection details out of your post.