When you first get your VPS here at Name.com with cPanel, your first login to WHM will prompt you to do some initial setup. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll see and how to make appropriate selections.

Step 1: Accepting the End-User License Agreement

Your first course of action will be to accept the End-User License Agreement, or, EULA. This goes over the terms of using the software. If you accept the terms, you may select "I Agree / Go to Step 2."

Step 2: Setup Networking

Your first real task is to do some basic setup. Here, you will fill out the main contact email address for the server. This is used to send you any configuration issues, service restart notifications, any IP and resolver issues, etc. You can also opt to enter in a phone email address to receive shorter messages at, an AIM username / password for the server to use to send notifications, and, ICQ.

The second section here asks you to enter your hostname. This must be a fully qualified domain name, of, FQDN. It must be in the format of a subdomain; so, something like vps.name.com or similar. You'll want this name to resolve as well, so be sure to set appropriate DNS records for it!

Third, you'll select resolvers. By default, we have the following selected:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

These resolvers belong to Google. You can read more about the public DNS they offer here.

Lastly, select the main interface for your server. You won't want to modify this. Leave it set to venet0:0

Step 3: Setup IP Addresses

This page is simply cPanel showing you what IP's are assigned to your server and added up. Chances are, you have a single IP here. You can go to step 4. If things look wrong, or, if you have any additional IP's that aren't here, you can add these after you're in cPanel. If you still have trouble, contact support for assistance.

Step 4: Nameservers

On this page, you will first choose a program that will manage DNS for your server. Secondly, you will select what name servers will be configured by default for domains on the server. At current, you have 3 program options, and, an option to disable name server functionality completely. The best option for you lies in whatever you feel comfortable with. cPanel provides basic information on the different options available and their recommendations for what environments each thrives in. If you're comfortable with supporting bind, then regardless of your environment, that would probably be your best bet. If you feel comfortable with another DNS option, certainly, choose that one.

To note, the default here is bind. We recommend using this one if you don't mind which to utilize, or, aren't necessarily familiar with any of the ones listed.

Secondly, you will choose what name servers to use. If you plan on using custom name servers, here's where you'll enter in their configuration; both the name servers you'll be using, and, the IP's they'll utilize. If you need to register those name servers from your name.com account, we have a handy knowledge base article on doing so here!

Even if you don't plan on using custom name servers. something needs to be set here, unless, you've disabled DNS completely. If you're not sure and do not plan to use custom name servers, you can safely click through to the next step.

Step 5: Services

It's now time to setup a few services for your server, such as FTP, POP3 / IMAP, and cPHulk.

First, select what FTP you'd like to use. Typically, there are two options: Pure-FTPD and ProFTPD. Similarly to DNS programs, choose which feels more comfortable. By default, Pure-FTPD is selected and is recommended. Again, you have the option to disable FTP as well, however, you will not be able to upload files and folders via this method if disabled.

Secondly, choose a mail server. Incoming and outgoing mail used a mail transfer agent called exim already, so here, you're choosing what will handle mail communication between the server and your computer or devices connecting via POP3 and IMAP. Here, courier is the default option, however, if you'd like to utilize something else, or disable completely, you may do so from this page.

If you're migrating any email inboxes from legacy systems, or other systems that may be using a different mailbox format, do select to convert those to your system here on cPanel. If you're importing from a current cPanel system that doesn't need to be checked. To be safe, keep that selected.

Lastly, select if you'd like to utilize cPHulk. cPHulk is a brute force detection option in cPanel that helps identify and block brute force attacks. You can disable this at any time, however, it's pretty lightweight and does a great job at blocking malicious activity, so I'd recommend keeping it enabled. If you'd like more information about cPHulk, please click here.

Once you're done here, move on! Only one more step!

Step 6: Set Up Quotas

Finally, it's time to set quotas. If you wish to keep track of disk space each cPanel account utilizes, select to "Use file system quotas." If you don't wish to track this, select to "Do not use file system quotas." Easy enough!

Once you've completed the setup wizard, you're ready to start using cPanel / WHM! Most of the settings you've set above can be modified from various menus in cPanel. While you cannot revisit the wizard, you certainly can revert or change most settings. If you have any questions, feel free to check out some of the other KB articles we have available, or, contact us!