How To Install Webmin on Ubuntu/Debian

Clara - VPS Hosting Team

Introduction

Webmin is a powerful web-based interface for managing servers through a user-friendly graphical interface. With just a web browser, you can access and configure your host system effortlessly.

Key Features of Webmin:

Manage user accounts
Update and configure system settings
Install, update, and remove software packages
View system logs and emails
Configure the firewall
Set disk quotas to control user storage
Create virtual hosts

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing the latest version of Webmin on Ubuntu (starting from 20.04) and Debian (starting from version 11).

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, you’ll need to ensure a few additional tools are installed and adjust firewall settings. Required tools include:

vi (text editor)
UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall)

Install UFW:

To install UFW, use the command:

apt install ufw

Enable it with:

ufw enable

Allow port 22 (SSH) if newly installed:

ufw allow 22

Install vi (or vim):

Install the text editor using:

apt install vim

Note: On Debian, the default vi editor is minimal. For a better experience, consider using nano or installing the enhanced vim.

Installation Guide

1. Update Your System

First, update your system:

apt update
apt upgrade

2. Download the Webmin Repository Script

Run the following command to download and execute the Webmin repository script:

curl -o setup-repos.sh https://raw.githubusercontent.com/webmin/webmin/master/setup-repos.sh; bash setup-repos.sh

Agree to any prompts by typing y.

3. Install Webmin

Install Webmin with:

apt install --install-recommends webmin -y

Check the status of Webmin:

systemctl status webmin

If running correctly, Webmin will be accessible at:

http://your_hostname:10000

4. Secure Webmin with Let's Encrypt

To secure the connection:

Allow HTTP port (80) for Let's Encrypt:

ufw allow 80/tcp

Install Certbot:

apt install certbot -y

Generate SSL certificates (replace your_domain and admin@email.ltd with actual values):

certbot certonly --standalone -d your_domain -m admin@email.ltd --agree-tos

Merge the certificate and key into a .pem file:

cat /etc/letsencrypt/live/your_domain/fullchain.pem /etc/letsencrypt/live/your_domain/privkey.pem > webmin.pem
mv webmin.pem /etc/webmin/

Update the Webmin configuration file:

vi /etc/webmin/miniserv.conf

Locate the line starting with keyfile= and set it to:

keyfile=/etc/webmin/webmin.pem

Restart Webmin:

systemctl restart webmin

5. Adjust Firewall Rules

Configure the firewall for Webmin:

Allow Webmin (port 10000):

ufw allow 10000

Allow HTTPS:

ufw allow https

Deny HTTP:

ufw deny http

Check the rules with:

ufw status

6. Test Webmin

Access Webmin securely in your browser at:

https://your_hostname:10000

Conclusion

With Webmin installed and secured, you can now efficiently manage your server via a web browser. From user management to system configuration, Webmin simplifies server administration for both beginners and experienced users.