WP Squared is installed on its own server, like cPanel & WHM, and is licensed separately. This guide gives server owners an overview of planning, installation and first configuration. MdmHost customers using a WP Squared service do not need any of this; the server is run for you.
Before you start
- A fresh VPS or dedicated server running an operating system that cPanel lists as supported for WP Squared. Do not install over an existing cPanel server.
- A WP Squared licence for the server's IP, bought from cPanel or a licence distributor.
- A fully qualified hostname, for example
wp1.example.com, with an A record pointing to the server. - Root SSH access.
Plan resources
| Item | Guidance |
|---|---|
| CPU and RAM | Above cPanel's minimum; WordPress with caching benefits most from RAM and fast single-core speed |
| Storage | NVMe SSD, with room for sites, staging copies and local backups |
| Backups | Remote destination (S3-compatible or another server) in addition to local copies |
| IP addresses | One public IPv4; IPv6 recommended |
Install
- Log in as root and set the hostname:
hostnamectl set-hostname wp1.example.com. - Follow cPanel's official WP Squared installation documentation. The installer is fetched from cPanel's servers and selects the WP Squared product; it takes from tens of minutes to over an hour.
- Never run installer commands copied from unofficial sites.
- When it finishes, open the administration interface in a browser on the port and URL shown at the end of the installation, and log in as root.
First configuration
- Accept the licence agreement and confirm the licence is active.
- Set the contact email for server notifications.
- Configure nameservers or decide to use external DNS.
- Check that a valid SSL certificate is issued for the server hostname, so the admin interface and site logins are secure.
- Configure backups with a remote destination and run a first backup.
- Review firewall and brute-force protection, and restrict SSH (keys only, non-default port if desired).
Provision sites
Create sites from the administration interface, or connect the server to your billing system if your WHMCS or other module supports WP Squared provisioning. Test one site end to end: creation, SSL issuance, login to wp-admin, staging, backup and restore.
Keep it updated
- Leave automatic product updates on and read cPanel's release notes, since WP Squared is under active development.
- Keep the operating system patched through the product's update mechanism.
- Monitor disk space; staging copies and backups grow quickly.
Troubleshooting
- Installer stops early: unsupported OS, existing control panel software or too little RAM. Start again on a clean supported install.
- Licence not found: the licence is bound to another IP or the server cannot reach cPanel's licence servers.
- Sites get no SSL: their DNS does not point to the server yet, or CAA records block the provider.
WP Squared or cPanel with WordPress tools?
If your customers only run WordPress and you want a simpler, site-centred interface, WP Squared fits well. If they also need email hosting, non-WordPress applications or the full cPanel tool set, a classic cPanel & WHM server with Softaculous and WordPress management tools is usually the better platform. Many providers run both: WP Squared servers for WordPress-only plans and cPanel servers for everything else.
Prefer not to run your own server? Contact us about MdmHost managed options.