--- title: "DirectAdmin: Basic Features and Initial Setup" description: Learn how to get started with DirectAdmin, explore its key features, supported operating systems, advantages, limitations, and initial domain configuration. --- [Skip to content](https://help.ishosting.com/en/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup#main-content) - [English](https://help.ishosting.com/en/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup) - [Русский](https://help.ishosting.com/ru/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup) English Show submenu for translations [![is\*hosting](https://help.ishosting.com/hubfs/Logo_Ishosting_mono-1.svg)](https://help.ishosting.com/en) - [Blog](https://blog.ishosting.com/en) - [Support](https://my.ishosting.com/en/tickets) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Blog](https://blog.ishosting.com/en) - [Support](https://my.ishosting.com/en/tickets) - - [English](https://help.ishosting.com/en/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup) - [Русский](https://help.ishosting.com/ru/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup) English Show submenu for translations - [Go to ishosting.com](https://ishosting.com/) [Go to ishosting.com](https://ishosting.com/) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.ishosting.com/en) 2. [Server Administration](https://help.ishosting.com/en/server-administration) 3. [DirectAdmin](https://help.ishosting.com/en/server-administration#directadmin) # DirectAdmin: Basic Features and Initial Setup ## This article introduces the DirectAdmin control panel for VPS and explains how to perform initial setup after installation. The **DirectAdmin** control panel is installed automatically when you order a virtual or dedicated server (if specified in your order). ### cPanel Supported OS We install **DirectAdmin** on the **following OS**: - AlmaLinux 8 x64 - AlmaLinux 9 x64 - Debian 11 x64 - Debian 12 x64 - Debian 13 x64 - Ubuntu 20 x64 - Ubuntu 22 x64 - RockyLinux 8 x64 - RockyLinux 9 x64 ### Key Advantages of DirectAdmin: - High performance. - Low hardware requirements. - Affordable price. - User-friendly interface for administrators, resellers, and users. - Disaster recovery system. - Backup creation and restoration system. ### Main Disadvantages of DirectAdmin: - Difficult to update. - Limited functionality. - Use of port 2222. - Incorrect Russian localization (localization is performed by third-party companies). ### Main DirectAdmin Functions: - DNS management. - FTP account management. - Mail management. - Creating subdomains. - Managing MySQL databases and users (via PhpMyAdmin). - Backup management is the ability to save them on the server and on the user's computer. - Setting up error pages (403, 404, etc.). ### Initial DirectAdmin Setup To start using DirectAdmin, you need to create a domain. To add a new domain, follow these steps: 1. Follow the link and enter the information you received in the email immediately after activating the server, and click **Sign in**.  ![1](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/direct-admin/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup/1.png?width=467&height=444&name=1.png) 2. Go to **Account Manager** → **Domains**. 3. In the field that opens, enter **Domain** in the format **server.domain.com** → click **Create**. ![2](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/direct-admin/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup/2.png?width=670&height=262&name=2.png) 4. If the domain is successfully created, the following window will appear:  ![3](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/direct-admin/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup/3.png?width=670&height=178&name=3.png) 5. The domain you created is now displayed in the **Domains** tab.  ![4](https://help.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/help/server-administration/direct-admin/beginning-of-work.-initial-directadmin-setup/4.png?width=670&height=262&name=4.png) For each domain you add, you can set traffic and disk space limits, as well as the ability to use SSL, CGI, and PHP. 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