aaPanel is a visual server management panel based on Linux. I have used many server panels, and it is undeniable that aaPanel is currently the most user-friendly for beginners among all panels. Due to its popularity, aaPanel has been controlled by the domestic government, transforming it into the infamous "Backdoor Panel." The domestic version of aaPanel has backdoors that will transmit your server data to certain undisclosed departments. Beginners creating X sites should not foolishly install the domestic version of aaPanel; be careful of the authorities knocking on your door at midnight to invite you for tea!
There is an international version of aaPanel that serves international users. Whether it has backdoors is unknown, but it is theoretically safer (please use a double jump login). Moreover, it does not require mandatory binding of a mobile phone number for login like the domestic version. Therefore, beginner webmasters can start with this, and once they have improved their skills, they should try to install it manually or use other open-source panels.
There are also many so-called happy versions and cracked versions of aaPanel available online. These can be used for testing environments but are not recommended for production environments. It is very likely that after using them, your website will experience inexplicable redirects, your server will mine cryptocurrency for others daily, or it will become someone else's "zombie."
aaPanel Official Website#
aaPanel Installation Tutorial#
For this tutorial, I chose the CentOS 7 server system; in practical applications, you can choose different versions based on your needs.
Connecting to the Server#
There are two methods to connect to a Linux server: the first is to use an SSH connection tool, and the second is to use the command line that comes with Windows. If you have special needs, you can also connect directly using your mobile phone.
- I recommend using the open-source Electerm (https://github.com/electerm/electerm) as the SSH tool; it has a Chinese interface and is simple to use.
- Open CMD command prompt in Windows, and enter
ssh root@ip -p port【Example:ssh [email protected] -p 22】, whereipis your server's IP address, and the port is usually defaulted to 22. If you cannot connect to 22, log in to your server provider's backend to see if there are other ports in use. Pay attention to the spaces in the command! You will then be prompted to enter "yes," and then paste the password to connect. - For Android phones, use the Termius app; after entering the server IP, account password, and port, you can connect to the server. I have not tested it on Apple phones yet, but webmasters in need can look for related software. Domestic X webmasters, considering their own security, can use overseas SIM cards and then connect to a VPN to manage the server using their phones.
Installing aaPanel#
After connecting to the server, open the aaPanel official site and click the green button in the middle.
Then click this green copy button, paste the entire command, and press Enter to enter the installation program.
After entering the command, it will automatically enter the installation program. When prompted, enter "y" to proceed with the installation.
Once the installation is complete, it will look like the image below.
- The first and second lines are the login addresses for aaPanel; copy them into your browser to access. The aaPanel Internet Address will show two lines if your server has both IPv6 and IPv4 addresses; if your server only has an IPv4 address, it will show duplicates.
- The third and fourth lines are the login account and password for aaPanel.
aaPanel Maintenance#
If there are issues with aaPanel, connect to the server using the SSH tool, enter "bt," and press Enter to access the aaPanel maintenance script.
Below is the Chinese version of the translation.
Setting Up the Server's Basic Environment#
The basic environment of the server is generally determined by the programs used by your website. Currently, the most common programs for X sites are Apple CMS, WordPress, and other CMSs. We can choose to install the following basic environment and adjust it as needed later.
Remember to select Compiled at the bottom!