Installing HudsonPanel

HudsonPanel is a complete hosting and server management platform designed for a VPS or dedicated server. It manages web, mail, DNS, database, FTP, firewall, and panel services as one integrated stack, while also supporting delegated hosting accounts and more advanced development environments with persistent applications, custom runtimes, and complex dev stacks.

Server requirements

A clean Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS amd64/x86_64 system. Do not install over another control panel or an existing production hosting stack.
At least 4 GB RAM and 40 GB of free disk space. More resources are recommended for multiple hosting accounts, mail, backups, or application workloads.
Root access with a usable Linux root password. Installation manages operating-system packages and services, and the root password becomes the initial HudsonPanel administrator password.
A static public IPv4 address. The licensed address, panel hostname, websites, DNS, and mail must continue to identify the same server.
A dedicated hostname. Choose a name such as host.example.com and point its public A record to the server before installing.
Unused TCP ports 80 and 443. The installer refuses to replace another web service. Provider-level firewalls must also allow the web, DNS, mail, FTP, and SSH services you intend to use.

1. Set the hostname and DNS

Set the server’s final hostname. Use a hostname such as host.example.com.

hostnamectl set-hostname host.example.com
hostname -f

The second command must print the complete hostname you selected. If it does not, update the server’s /etc/hosts entry so the hostname resolves locally before continuing:

127.0.1.1 host.example.com host

Add an A record with your DNS provider pointing the hostname to the server’s public IPv4 address:

Type: A
Name: host
Value: SERVER_IP

For example:

host.example.com -> 192.0.2.10

Reverse DNS, or PTR, is recommended if the server will send email, but it is not required to install HudsonPanel. rDNS is normally configured through your VPS or dedicated server provider.

2. Update Ubuntu and reboot

Install all available Ubuntu 24.04 updates after setting the hostname. The reboot at the end applies operating-system updates and gives every service a clean start with the final hostname, so a separate hostname reboot is not needed. Choose the standard update if you want to review Ubuntu’s questions, or use the no-prompt update on a fresh VPS to accept package defaults automatically.

Standard update

Shows prompts

Ubuntu may ask about language, country, keyboard, configuration files, changelogs, or service restarts.

apt-get update
apt-get full-upgrade
reboot

No-prompt update

Fresh VPS

Uses package defaults, keeps existing configuration files, and automatically restarts affected services.

export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
export NEEDRESTART_MODE=a
export APT_LISTCHANGES_FRONTEND=none
apt-get update
apt-get -y -o Dpkg::Options::="--force-confold" full-upgrade
reboot

After reconnecting, confirm the final hostname is active and there are no remaining updates:

hostname -f
apt-get update
apt list --upgradable

3. Activate the HudsonPanel license

Start or purchase a HudsonPanel license for the server’s public IP address before running the installer.

The licensed IP should be the server’s primary public IPv4 address.

4. Set the root password

Cloud images often allow root SSH keys while leaving the Linux root password locked. Set a strong password now and save it securely. This password is also used for the initial HudsonPanel administrator sign-in.

passwd root

5. Install HudsonPanel

While logged in as root, download the installer and then run the saved copy:

curl -fsSLo /root/hudsonpanel-install.sh https://get.hudsonpanel.com
bash /root/hudsonpanel-install.sh

Saving the installer first makes it easier to inspect or retry. The shorter curl -fsSL https://get.hudsonpanel.com | bash command remains supported and runs the same script.

The standard URL installs from the Release channel. Administrators using a dedicated testing server can intentionally request Current or Edge:

Current channel

curl -fsSLo /root/hudsonpanel-install.sh 'https://get.hudsonpanel.com?startcurrent'
bash /root/hudsonpanel-install.sh

Edge channel

curl -fsSLo /root/hudsonpanel-install.sh 'https://get.hudsonpanel.com?startedge'
bash /root/hudsonpanel-install.sh

Current and Edge are testing tracks and should not be selected for a normal production server. HudsonPanel will automatically install and configure the required web, database, PHP, DNS, mail, FTP, security, and panel services. The secure hostname shown at completion is the recommended address. Direct access by server IP remains available over HTTPS or HTTP as a DNS-independent recovery path. HTTP is unencrypted and the sign-in page displays a security warning when it is used.

6. Complete installation checks

At the end of installation, HudsonPanel runs final acceptance checks before reporting success.

Verify that:

HudsonPanel is reachable
Required services are running
The hostname resolves correctly
SSL is active
The server IP matches the license
Required firewall access is available

Do not continue until the installation check passes.

7. Finish setup in HudsonPanel

Review server and service status
Review security settings
Connect or configure DNS
Create your first hosting plan
Create your first hosting account

Optional items such as reverse DNS, external monitoring, custom firewall rules, third-party email services, and additional DNS records can be configured afterward.