---
title: "aaPanel: Basic Features and Initial Setup"
description: Learn how to get started with aaPanel, explore its key features, supported operating systems, advantages, limitations, and initial domain configuration.
---

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2. [Server Administration](https://help.ishosting.com/en/server-administration)
3. [aaPanel](https://help.ishosting.com/en/server-administration#aapanel)

# aaPanel: Basic Features and Initial Setup

## This article introduces the aaPanel control panel for VPS and explains how to perform initial setup after installation.

The [**aaPanel**](https://www.aapanel.com/) control panel can be installed automatically when you order a virtual or dedicated server (if specified in your order).

### aaPanel Supported OS

We install aaPanel on the **following OS**:

- AlmaLinux 8 x64
- AlmaLinux 9 x64
- CentOS 9 x64 (EOL)
- Debian 11 x64
- Debian 12 x64
- Debian 13 x64
- Ubuntu 20 x64
- Ubuntu 22 x64
- Ubuntu 24 x64
- RockyLinux 8 x64

### aaPanel's Key Advantages:

- Free to use with additional paid extensions.
- Simple and intuitive web interface.
- One-click installation of popular software (Nginx, Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP, Redis, Docker, etc.).
- Low resource consumption.
- Built-in file manager and terminal.
- Automatic SSL certificate management with Let's Encrypt.
- Support for local and cloud storage backup.
- Plugin architecture for extended functionality.

### Main disadvantages of aaPanel:

- Some advanced features require the paid professional version.
- The control panel is Linux-only.
- Limited built-in functionality for resellers compared to commercial panels.
- Some plugins and documentation are available primarily in English or Chinese.

### Key Features of aaPanel:

- Website and virtual host management.
- Domain and DNS integration.
- One-click web application deployment.
- PHP version management.
- MySQL/MariaDB database management.
- FTP account management.
- SSL certificate installation and renewal.
- File management via web interface.
- Recommended backup and restore.
- Security features, including a firewall and Fail2Ban integration.
- Docker and container management (plugin).
- Server monitoring for CPU, RAM, disk, and network usage.

### aaPanel Initial Setup

Before creating your first website, log in and register with the aaPanel control panel:

1. Open the aaPanel login URL provided in the server activation email.
2. To log in to aaPanel, use the administrator credentials provided in the email → click **Login**.   
   ![1 en](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/1%20en.png?width=548&height=542&name=1%20en.png)
3. When you first log in, aaPanel may notify you that the software has been successfully installed → click **Finish**.
4. aaPanel will then prompt you to install some software packages. Select the recommended package and wait for the installation to complete.   
   ![3 en](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/3%20en.png?width=670&height=304&name=3%20en.png)
5. After installation is complete, aaPanel will prompt you to create and register your account.   
   ![4](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/4.png?width=670&height=284&name=4.png)
6. After creating your aaPanel account, you will receive an email confirming your email address.   
   ![5](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/5.png?width=670&height=227&name=5.png)
7. Congratulations! You have now successfully registered with aaPanel.

### Creating a Domain in aaPanel

To create a website in aaPanel, follow these steps:

1. After installation and registration are complete, open the **Website** section in the panel menu → click **Add Site**.   
   ![6](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/6.png?width=670&height=303&name=6.png)
2. Fill in the required information: 
     - **Domain**: Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com).
     - **Root Directory**: Leave the default value or specify a different location.
     - **PHP Version**: Select the required PHP version.
     - **Database**: Create a new database if your website requires one.
     - **FTP**: Create an FTP account if necessary.
3. Click **Confirm**.  
   ![7](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/7.png?width=670&height=304&name=7.png)
4. If the website has been successfully created, it will appear in the list of websites.   
   ![8](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/aaPanel/aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/en-aapanel-basic-features-and-initial-setup/8.png?width=670&height=305&name=8.png)

After creating the website, you can:

- Upload your website files.
- Install an SSL certificate.
- Configure redirects and security settings.
- Manage databases and FTP accounts.
- Enable automatic backups and scheduled tasks.

Once your domain's DNS records point to your server, your website will be accessible online.

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