Step-by-step help for your hosting

• Website error codes explained: 403, 404, 500, 502, 503 and 504

  What each common HTTP error code means, the usual cause on cPanel hosting or a VPS, and the first thing to check to get your website back online.

  BeginnercPanel hosting3 min read

• How to read server logs to troubleshoot your website

  Where to find web, PHP, mail, database and system logs on cPanel hosting and a Linux VPS, and how to search them quickly to find the cause of an error.

  IntermediatecPanel hosting and Linux VPS2 min read

• Install Portainer to manage Docker containers from a web UI

  Run Portainer CE on your Docker VPS, secure it with HTTPS and use it to start, stop, update and inspect containers, stacks, volumes and networks.

  BeginnerLinux VPS3 min read

• Common Docker errors and how to fix them

  A quick reference to the Docker and Docker Compose errors you meet most often on a VPS, what each one means and the command that fixes it.

  IntermediateLinux VPS3 min read

• What is Node.js? A plain-English guide for website owners

  Learn what Node.js is, how it differs from PHP hosting, what npm does and which hosting plan you need to run Node.js apps such as Next.js or Express.

  BeginnercPanel hosting and Linux VPS3 min read

• Put a Node.js app behind Nginx, Apache or LiteSpeed (reverse proxy)

  Serve a Node.js app on port 80/443 by proxying a domain to it with Nginx, Apache or OpenLiteSpeed, including headers, WebSocket support and testing.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Node.js environment variables: .env files, cPanel and PM2

  Set environment variables for Node.js apps safely using .env files, the cPanel Setup Node.js App screen, PM2 ecosystem files and systemd, and read them in code.

  BeginnercPanel hosting and Linux VPS2 min read

• Secure your Virtualizor account with 2FA and SSH keys

  Change your Virtualizor panel password, enable two-factor authentication, restrict login IPs, add SSH keys for OS installs and review the panel's login and task logs.

  BeginnerVirtualizor VPS2 min read

• Add IP pools and OS templates in the Virtualizor admin panel

  As a Virtualizor admin, create IPv4 and IPv6 pools with gateway and netmask, set nameservers, download OS templates and ISOs so new VPS get working networks and images.

  AdvancedVirtualizor admin2 min read

• Install SolusVM 1 master and slave nodes on AlmaLinux or CentOS

  Install the SolusVM 1 master control panel and KVM slave nodes, connect them, and understand when the newer SolusVM 2 or Virtualizor is the better choice.

  AdvancedDedicated servers3 min read

• Install Softaculous on a cPanel & WHM server (root)

  Install Softaculous on your own cPanel & WHM VPS or dedicated server as root: licence requirements, ionCube, the install command, and first checks in WHM.

  AdvancedWHM2 min read

• MySQL command-line cheat sheet for server admins

  The MySQL and MariaDB commands you use most on a VPS, from logging in and listing databases to finding slow queries, killing them and checking server status.

  BeginnerLinux server5 min read

• How to check database and table sizes in MySQL and MariaDB

  Find out how much space each MySQL or MariaDB database and table uses, spot the biggest tables, and compare the numbers with real disk use on your VPS.

  BeginnerLinux server5 min read

• Use the SSH config file to save hosts and shortcuts

  Save every server's address, user, port and key in ~/.ssh/config so you can connect with a short name, share settings with wildcards and avoid key errors with IdentitiesOnly, on Windows, macOS and Linux.

  IntermediateLinux server4 min read

• Server not responding? First checks before contacting support

  A short checklist for an unreachable server: check its status in your VPS provider's control panel, test the network and port, look through the browser console, restart if needed and test from another network before opening a ticket.

  Beginner5 min read

• Manage several SSH keys for different servers

  Keep separate SSH keys for different servers, clients or devices, tell SSH which key to use per host with IdentityFile and IdentitiesOnly, name keys clearly, rotate them and remove old keys from authorized_keys.

  IntermediateLinux server5 min read

• Find recently changed files in Linux

  List files changed in the last minutes, hours or days with find -mmin and -mtime, compare against a reference file, and read atime, mtime and ctime with stat.

  IntermediateLinux server4 min read

• Find the largest files and folders on a Linux server

  Track down what is filling your Linux VPS disk with du, sort, find -size and ncdu, staying on one filesystem so the search is fast and the results make sense.

  BeginnerLinux server4 min read

• Connect to a Windows server from a Mac with Windows App

  Use Microsoft's free Windows App on macOS to connect to your Windows server at IP:3389, with saved credentials, display, folder and keyboard settings.

  BeginnerWindows server5 min read

• The find command: search for files in Linux

  Search your Linux server for files by name, type, size, age, owner or permissions with find, act on the results with -exec or -delete, and skip folders you do not need.

  BeginnerLinux server4 min read

Browse by topic

• Getting startedYour first hour with a new server: access, logins and basics.83 guides
• cPanelFiles, databases, email, domains and every cPanel tool, step by step.67 guides
• WHM & resellingWHM, packages, reseller accounts, WHMReseller and running a hosting brand.53 guides
• WordPressInstall, secure, speed up, migrate and fix WordPress sites.49 guides
• Email & webmailMailboxes, webmail, forwarders, spam filters and email delivery.67 guides
• DomainsRegistering, transferring and managing domains and nameservers.27 guides
• SSL certificatesFree AutoSSL, Let's Encrypt, paid certificates and HTTPS.41 guides
• CloudLinuxCloudLinux setup and use: LVE limits, CloudLinux Manager, CageFS and PHP/Node.js selectors.31 guides
• LiteSpeedLiteSpeed Web Server, LSCache and the LiteSpeed Cache plugin: install, settings and tuning.35 guides
• Imunify360Malware scanning, firewall and proactive defence with Imunify360.24 guides
• SoftaculousInstall, update, clone and back up apps with Softaculous.24 guides
• WP SquaredcPanel's WordPress platform: sites, plugins, staging and backups.9 guides
• SitePadBuild and publish websites with the SitePad builder.9 guides
• SitejetDesign, edit and publish sites with the Sitejet builder.9 guides
• WHMResellerAlpha and master resellers with WHMReseller: install, setup and use.12 guides
• VirtFusionInstall, set up and manage VirtFusion: hypervisors, packages, servers and WHMCS integration.28 guides
• VirtualizorManage your VPS with Virtualizor: power, OS reinstall, VNC, IPs and backups.44 guides
• PleskWebsites, email, databases and settings in the Plesk panel.53 guides
• DirectAdminUsers, domains, email and reseller tools in DirectAdmin.41 guides
• WHMCSBilling, automation, products and client management with WHMCS.52 guides
• Control panelscPanel & WHM, Plesk, DirectAdmin and other panels on your VPS.107 guides
• SecurityKeys, passwords, firewalls and keeping a server patched.138 guides
• Networking & DNSIP addresses, reverse DNS, ports and traffic.72 guides
• Websites & appsWeb servers, WordPress, PHP, Node.js, SSL and app hosting.83 guides
• DatabasesMySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis and MongoDB on a VPS.80 guides
• Billing & accountInvoices, renewals, the client area and your account.9 guides
• TroubleshootingWhen something is not working: checks and fixes.127 guides
• Linux VPSSSH, packages, services and everyday Linux administration.265 guides
• Windows VPS & RDPRemote Desktop, Windows Server settings and Admin RDP tips.73 guides
• Docker & DevOpsContainers, Git deploys, automation, monitoring and backups.82 guides