Convert AlmaLinux to CloudLinux (DirectAdmin/Plesk)

CloudLinux OS adds per-account resource limits (LVE), file system isolation (CageFS) and PHP Selector to a standard RHEL-compatible server. An existing AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux server can be converted in place. This guide covers DirectAdmin, Plesk and servers without a panel; for cPanel see install CloudLinux on a cPanel server. Why it matters: what CloudLinux does.

Before you start

OS: AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux 8 or 9, 64-bit, fully updated. CentOS 7 conversions are legacy.
Licence: a CloudLinux OS activation key, or an IP-based licence from your provider.
Kernel: a standard boot setup the converter can manage. Some VPS types (OpenVZ/LXC) cannot run CloudLinux; KVM and dedicated servers can.
A full backup or snapshot, and console access in case the reboot fails.

Prepare the server

Update everything and reboot into the latest kernel:
```
dnf -y update && reboot
```
Make sure the control panel is fully up to date (DirectAdmin CustomBuild ./build update_versions; Plesk plesk installer update).

Convert to CloudLinux

Download the converter:

wget https://repo.cloudlinux.com/cloudlinux/sources/cln/cldeploy

Run it with your key (or -i for an IP-based licence):
```
sh cldeploy -k YOUR-ACTIVATION-KEY
```
When it finishes, reboot into the CloudLinux kernel:
```
reboot
```
Confirm the conversion:
```
cat /etc/redhat-release && uname -r
```
The release should read CloudLinux and the kernel should contain lve (on CloudLinux 8/9 the standard kernel includes LVE support).

Install the management tools

dnf -y install lvemanager lve-utils lve-stats cagefs alt-php*

Then initialise CageFS and enable it for all users:

cagefsctl --init
cagefsctl --enable-all

Panel-specific steps

DirectAdmin: enable CloudLinux support in CustomBuild and rebuild PHP so PHP Selector works:
```
cd /usr/local/directadmin/custombuild
./build set cloudlinux yes
./build set cagefs yes
./build update
./build rewrite_confs
```
CloudLinux Manager then appears at admin level.
Plesk: CloudLinux Manager appears under Extensions after installing lvemanager. Set default limits there and enable PHP Selector for subscriptions.
No panel: manage limits on the command line with lvectl, for example lvectl set-user USERNAME --speed=100% --pmem=1G --maxEntryProcs=20.

Post-install settings

Set sensible default limits (CPU, physical memory, entry processes, I/O) in CloudLinux Manager.
Enable PHP Selector and choose the default alt-php version.
Turn on the notification emails for users who hit limits.

Verify

lvectl list shows default limits; lveinfo starts collecting statistics.
cagefsctl --list-enabled lists users in CageFS.

Troubleshooting

cldeploy fails on registration: the key is wrong or the IP licence is not active yet; check with your provider.
Server does not boot after conversion: pick the previous kernel from the console boot menu and contact CloudLinux support with the cldeploy log in /var/log/cldeploy.log.
PHP Selector shows no versions: install alt-php* packages and refresh with cagefsctl --force-update.

Next steps

Was this guide helpful?

Still stuck?

Ask MdmHost AI for a quick answer, or open a ticket and our team will take a look. We are here 24/7.

Ask MdmHost AI Open a ticket