How To Install Plesk on Debian 11 | Best Control Panel

In this comprehensive guide, brought to you by Orcacore, we will delve into the process of How To Install Plesk on Debian 11. Plesk has emerged as a leading web-based control panel, rapidly gaining popularity among web hosting providers. Its intuitive interface and streamlined configuration empower web hosting companies to effortlessly manage numerous virtual hosts on a single server.

Plesk offers a comprehensive suite of functionalities that are essential for webmasters in managing their websites. With Plesk, webmasters can easily handle routine website management tasks, including setting up mailboxes, creating FTP accounts, managing DNS autoresponders, adding domains, managing domain files, and creating MySQL databases. The Plesk control panel is often included at no extra cost in various web hosting plans, such as shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.

For additional information on the best control panels available, you can refer to our guide on Introducing Best Web Hosting Control Panels.

Before proceeding with this guide, ensure you have logged into your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges and have configured a basic firewall. You can follow our guide on Initial Server Setup with Debian 11 for detailed instructions.

1. Plesk Control Panel Setup on Debian 11

There are multiple methods for installing Plesk. In this guide, we will focus on installing Plesk on Debian 11 using the installer console.

Download Plesk Installer on Debian

First, update your local package index using the following command:

sudo apt update

Next, use the wget command to download the Plesk installer on Debian 11:

sudo wget https://autoinstall.plesk.com/plesk-installer

Once the download is complete, make the file executable with the following command:

sudo chmod +x plesk-installer

Now, execute the script to install Plesk using the following command:

sudo ./plesk-installer

You will be prompted with several questions. First, you must agree to the terms of service by pressing F. Second, choose whether to send information about upgrading and installation issues by entering Y or N as you wish.

In the next step, select the type of Plesk installation on Debian 11. Enter F for the recommended installation.

Then, enter F to upgrade software packages.

Once the installation is complete, you should see output similar to the following:

[Paste Image Here: plesk1-1.webp]

Note: The URL provided in the output will be used to access the Plesk web interface for the first time on Debian 11.

2. Manage Plesk on Debian 11

After the installation is complete, start the Plesk service on Debian 11 using the following command:

sudo service psa start

Verify that the service is active and running on your server with the following command:

sudo service psa status

The output should be similar to the following:

[Paste Image Here: plesk2.webp]

3. Configure Firewall For Plesk

Assuming you have enabled UFW as per the prerequisites, you now need to allow Plesk traffic through the firewall. Use the following commands:

sudo ufw allow 8880/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8443/tcp

Reload the firewall to apply the new rules:

sudo ufw reload

4. Access Plesk Dashboard

Access the Plesk web interface using the URL provided during installation on Debian 11. Alternatively, you can enter your server’s IP address in your web browser, followed by port 8880 (insecure) or 8443 (secure):

http://server_Ip_Address:8880

https://server_Ip_Address:8443

You will be presented with the Plesk login screen.

Enter your server’s root user and password, and click Login to proceed.

[Paste Image Here: plesk-login-sc.webp]

Next, you need to enter your Plesk contact details and set a password for the Plesk admin user. You will also be prompted to provide a License or continue with the free version (trial version). Then, click the Enter Plesk button.

[Paste Image Here: plesk-admin-info.webp]

You will now see your Plesk dashboard, ready for use.

[Paste Image Here: plesk-dashbo.webp]

As mentioned earlier, Plesk allows webmasters to conveniently perform various routine website management tasks, including setting up mailboxes, creating FTP accounts, managing DNS autoresponders, adding domains, managing files on the domain, and creating MySQL databases.

Conclusion

In this guide, you have successfully learned How To Install Plesk on Debian 11. Plesk on Debian 11 simplifies web hosting, server management, and website automation. It offers a user-friendly control panel, security features, and support for multiple domains, making hosting efficient and secure. The How To Install Plesk on Debian 11 process detailed here offers a straightforward path to using this powerful control panel.

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Alternative Installation Methods for Plesk on Debian 11

While the installer console method is generally recommended for its simplicity and ease of use, there are alternative methods to install Plesk on Debian 11 that may be suitable in specific scenarios, such as automated deployments or when needing greater control over the installation process. Here are two alternatives:

1. Automated Installation Using a Script

For scenarios where automated deployments are required, a custom script can be created to automate the Plesk installation process. This script can leverage the Plesk installer console but can also pre-configure certain settings, eliminating the need for manual intervention during the installation.

Explanation:

This approach involves creating a bash script that downloads the Plesk installer, sets the necessary execution permissions, and then runs the installer with predefined arguments. This allows for a completely hands-off installation process, making it ideal for automated server provisioning or repeatable deployments. The key is to use the -console argument with the installer, along with appropriate flags to pre-select options.

Code Example:

#!/bin/bash

# Update package index
apt update

# Download Plesk installer
wget https://autoinstall.plesk.com/plesk-installer

# Make the installer executable
chmod +x plesk-installer

# Run the installer with predefined options (replace with your desired settings)
./plesk-installer --source-type=network --target=/opt/psa --installation-type=recommended --agree-license --no-anonymous-info --upgrade-packages -y

# Start Plesk service
service psa start

# (Optional) Configure firewall (UFW)
ufw allow 8880/tcp
ufw allow 8443/tcp
ufw reload

echo "Plesk installation complete! Access Plesk at https://your_server_ip:8443"

Important Considerations:

• Replace your_server_ip with the actual IP address of your server.
• The --installation-type flag can be set to recommended, full, or custom depending on your needs.
• The -y flag automatically answers "yes" to all prompts, ensuring a completely automated installation. Use with caution.
• This script assumes UFW is used for firewall management. Adapt the firewall configuration commands if you are using a different firewall.

2. Installation via Docker

Another alternative, especially suitable for development or testing environments, is to install Plesk using Docker. This involves running Plesk within a Docker container, which provides isolation and portability.

Explanation:

Docker allows you to package Plesk and its dependencies into a container, making it easy to deploy and manage across different environments. This approach can be particularly useful for developers who want to test Plesk without affecting their host system or for running multiple instances of Plesk.

Code Example:

First, make sure Docker is installed on your Debian 11 system. If not, install it with:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Then, run the following command to deploy the Plesk Onyx Docker image:

docker run -d -p 80:80 -p 443:443 -p 8443:8443 -p 8880:8880 
  -v /path/to/plesk/data:/data 
  -v /path/to/plesk/config:/config 
  plesk/plesk-onyx

Explanation of Docker Command:

• docker run -d: Runs the container in detached mode (in the background).
• -p 80:80 -p 443:443 -p 8443:8443 -p 8880:8880: Maps the necessary ports from the container to the host system. This allows you to access Plesk through your browser.
• -v /path/to/plesk/data:/data: Mounts a volume on the host system to the /data directory in the container. This is where Plesk data will be stored. Replace /path/to/plesk/data with an actual directory on your host.
• -v /path/to/plesk/config:/config: Mounts a volume on the host system to the /config directory in the container. This stores Plesk configuration. Replace /path/to/plesk/config with an actual directory on your host.
• plesk/plesk-onyx: Specifies the Docker image to use. You might need to specify a particular tag (e.g., plesk/plesk-onyx:latest)

Important Considerations:

• Make sure to replace /path/to/plesk/data and /path/to/plesk/config with actual directories on your host machine. These volumes ensure that your Plesk data and configuration are persistent, even if the container is stopped or removed.
• Running Plesk in Docker may have performance implications compared to a native installation. This is typically acceptable for development and testing purposes.
• Consider using Docker Compose for more complex deployments involving multiple containers.
• The plesk/plesk-onyx image might not be the most recent. Consult the Docker Hub for Plesk to find the latest version and tags.

These alternative methods offer different approaches to installing Plesk on Debian 11, catering to various use cases and preferences. While the installer console method remains the simplest for most users, automation scripts and Docker deployments can provide greater flexibility and control in specific scenarios. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and technical expertise. The core task remains How To Install Plesk on Debian 11, and these are just different paths to the same destination.