Hi everyone, I’m Estiuck Al Regun, and in this tutorial, I’ll guide you step-by-step through installing cPanel/WHM on a server running AlmaLinux 9. This guide is based on my personal experience and is written in a way that even beginners can follow with confidence.

⚠️ Important: Please follow each step carefully to avoid installation issues.

Why Choose AlmaLinux 9?

With CentOS 8 reaching its end-of-life and CentOS Stream no longer supported by cPanel, AlmaLinux has become a robust alternative. Developed by CloudLinux, AlmaLinux 9 is a secure, stable, RHEL-compatible OS with support until 2032—ideal for web hosting environments.

Minimum System Requirements

Make sure your server meets the following requirements:

• OS: AlmaLinux 9 (64-bit only)
• RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
• CPU: Minimum 1 core @ 1.1 GHz
• Disk Space: 20 GB (SSD preferred)
• IP: Static IPv4 address

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Connect to Your Server via SSH (Using PuTTY)

For Windows users:

1. Download and open PuTTY: https://www.putty.org/
2. Enter your server IP in the “Host Name” field.
3. Keep the default port 22 and connection type as SSH.
4. Click Open.
5. A terminal window will pop up. Log in as root and enter your server password.

For Linux/macOS users:

ssh root@your_server_ip

Pre-Installation Steps

Run these commands one by one after logging into your server:

✅ Update your system

dnf update -y

✅ Disable the firewall (optional but recommended for cPanel)

systemctl stop firewalld
systemctl disable firewalld

✅ Disable SELinux

sed -i 's/SELINUX=enforcing/SELINUX=disabled/' /etc/selinux/config
setenforce 0

✅ Install Perl (required for cPanel installation)

dnf install perl -y

✅ Install Curl (used to fetch the cPanel installer)

dnf install curl -y

✅ Set a valid hostname (FQDN is required)

hostnamectl set-hostname server.yourdomain.com

✅ Enable NetworkManager Service

systemctl enable NetworkManager
systemctl start NetworkManager

Installing cPanel on AlmaLinux 9

Run the following command to install cPanel:

cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latest

The installation process can take between 30 to 60 minutes depending on server speed.

After the installation, access WHM using your browser:

https://your_server_ip:2087

Activate Free 15-Day Trial License

1. Visit https://your_server_ip:2087.
2. Log in as root using your server password.
3. Accept the license agreement.
4. Sign in or register for a cPanel Store account.
5. Verify your IP and email.
6. Your 15-day free license will now be activated.

Upgrade to a Paid cPanel License

Once you’re satisfied, you can upgrade your license:

• Buy a license from cPanel Store or from your VPS provider.
• Verify license status:

curl -s https://verify.cpanel.net | bash

• Update license after purchase:

/usr/local/cpanel/cpkeyclt

Final WHM Configuration

Inside WHM:

• Add your admin contact email.
• Set up nameservers like ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com.
• Reboot the server to apply changes:

reboot

Alternative Control Panel: DirectAdmin

If you’re on a tight budget or need a lightweight panel, DirectAdmin is a fantastic alternative. It’s cheaper, easy to use, and resource-efficient. Check out our full guide on [DirectAdmin Installation and Features].

FAQ

Q: Is AlmaLinux 9 supported by cPanel?
Yes, cPanel version 110 and above officially supports AlmaLinux 9.

Q: Can I use IPv6 only for cPanel?
No. You still need an IPv4 address during installation.

Q: How can I uninstall cPanel?
Unfortunately, cPanel doesn’t support uninstallation. You’ll need to reinstall the OS.

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed cPanel/WHM on AlmaLinux 9. This guide is crafted from real experience, so feel free to follow it step-by-step. If you face any issues or have questions, leave a comment or reach out.