Getting Started with DirectAdmin
DirectAdmin is a lightweight, fast web hosting control panel that uses significantly fewer server resources than cPanel while covering all core hosting tasks. This guide covers the three-level user hierarchy, how to access the panel, and where to start.
The three-tier user system
| Level | Role | What they can do |
|---|---|---|
| Admin | Server owner (you) | Manage all resellers and users, configure server, set global limits |
| Reseller | Hosting clients who resell | Create and manage user accounts, set resource packages |
| User | End users / website owners | Manage their own domains, email, databases, files |
You can switch into any account from the admin panel without knowing their password.
Logging in
DirectAdmin runs on port 2222:
https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:2222Log in with admin and the password from your RemarkableCloud server welcome email.
Hostname access
Once DNS is configured you can use `https://hostname.yourdomain.com:2222` — avoids self-signed certificate warnings and is easier to share with resellers. First-time setup checklist
- Set nameservers — go to Admin Level → DNS Administration and create A records for
ns1.yourdomain.comandns2.yourdomain.compointing to your server IP. - Create a reseller package — go to Reseller Level → Add Reseller Package. Required before creating any reseller accounts.
- Create a user package — go to Reseller Level → Add Package to define resources for end users.
- Create your first user — go to Admin Level → Create User.
- Verify email service — check Admin Tools → Services Monitor to confirm Exim is running.
- Enable AutoSSL — go to Admin Level → SSL Certificates and enable Let's Encrypt for all hosted domains.
Key admin areas
| Task | Where |
|---|---|
| Create hosting account | Admin Level → Create User |
| See all domains on server | Admin Level → Show All Domains |
| Edit a DNS zone | Admin Level → DNS Administration |
| Restart Apache | Admin Tools → Services Monitor → Apache → Restart |
| Check disk usage per account | Admin Level → List All Users → Usage column |
| Access a user's account | Admin Level → List All Users → Login icon |
| View mail queue | Admin Level → Mail Queue |
Creating a reseller account
- Go to Admin Level → Create Reseller.
- Fill in username, password, email, and domain.
- Select a reseller package.
- Set IP to Shared unless the reseller has a dedicated IP.
- Click Create.
Creating a user account
- Log in as Admin or as the reseller who will own the account.
- Go to Admin Level → Create User or Reseller Level → Add New User.
- Fill in username, password, email, and primary domain.
- Select a user package.
- Click Create.
Switching between accounts
- Admin → any account — Admin panel → List All Users or List All Resellers → click the login icon
- Return to admin — click Return to Admin Level in the top navigation
PHP version management
DirectAdmin supports up to 4 simultaneous PHP versions via CustomBuild 2.0. Users can switch per domain under Extra Features → PHP Version Selector.
To install or update PHP versions server-wide via SSH:
bash
cd /usr/local/directadmin/custombuild
./build set php1_release 8.2
./build set php2_release 8.1
./build php
./build rewrite_confsRemarkableCloud mail gateway
All outbound mail routes through MailChannels, protecting your IP reputation. You manage mailboxes and DNS through DirectAdmin normally. DirectAdmin vs cPanel
| DirectAdmin | cPanel | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory usage | ~150 MB | ~500 MB |
| Min recommended plan | Basic 2GB | Shared CPU 4GB |
| Interface familiarity | Less common | Industry standard |
| License cost | Lower | Higher |