ISPmanager is a lightweight hosting control panel for Linux servers. It's installed on VPS to get ready web environment in 10-15 minutes: websites, databases, email, SSL, backups, users, permissions, and quotas. Interface is minimalist, works fast even on budget configurations, and installation doesn't require manual stack assembly.
Below—practical guide for ISPmanager on THE.Hosting.
Who ISPmanager Suits
Web studios and freelancers where one server manages many client projects.
E-commerce and corporate site owners who need SSL, auto-updates, monitoring, backups.
Those migrating projects from shared hosting to own VPS and want GUI management, not just SSH.
Resellers who need role hierarchy and separate accounts with quotas.
Architecture and Supported Technologies
OS: AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, Debian, Ubuntu. Installs on "clean" system.
Web stack: Nginx as proxy, Apache with PHP-FPM or pure Nginx with PHP-FPM. Multiple PHP versions in parallel.
Databases: MariaDB/MySQL, PostgreSQL.
Email: Exim + Dovecot, antispam SpamAssassin, webmail Roundcube.
DNS: Own DNS server with zone management through panel.
SSL: Let's Encrypt out of the box, automatic renewal, SNI and wildcard support.
Backups: Local and remote storage via FTP/SFTP, schedules, selective restoration.
Files: Built-in file manager, permissions, log viewing, quick editor.
Access: SSH keys, SFTP, separate users for projects, disk and traffic quotas.
Automation: Cron tasks, deploy hooks, panel API for integrations.
Roles and Isolation
ISPmanager has three access levels.
Administrator manages entire server: services, templates, limits, updates.
Reseller creates user accounts, sets quotas and tariff packages within allocated resources.
User sees only their sites, databases, email, and domains.
Project isolation is simple and clear. Each site lives in its directory with separate system user and logs. This reduces "resource pulling" risk and simplifies troubleshooting.
Installation and First Steps
- Deploy clean VPS on THE.Hosting
- Connect via SSH as root, run ISPmanager installer
- Open panel via browser, get initial login
- Create first user and site, connect domain
- Enable Let's Encrypt and configure automatic renewal
- Create database, import dump, configure application access
- Enable scheduled backups and set remote storage
Entire basic setup fits in 20-30 minutes, after which server is production-ready.
Site and Stack Management
Domains and subdomains added in seconds, panel prepares virtual hosts automatically.
PHP versions switch at site level. Can keep old project on 7.4, new on 8.3.
Nginx/Apache configured via profiles and snippets. Common cases covered by checkboxes, fine-tuning—custom config fragments.
Static and cache: Enable compression, cache headers, and HTTP/2.
Logs available in interface, with rotation and search, convenient for catching 499/502 and PHP errors.
Databases
User and schema creation with one click, actual database "weight" visible.
Support for MariaDB/MySQL and PostgreSQL, including resource limits.
Export and import from panel, integration with phpMyAdmin and alternatives.
Scheduled backups with separate dump storage.
Email on Own Domain
Unlimited mailboxes, quotas, aliases, forwards, and autoresponders.
Roundcube for web access, IMAP/SMTP connect in familiar clients.
Antispam via SpamAssassin, white and black lists, message scoring.
DNS templates for SPF, DKIM, DMARC.
PTR configuration via THE.Hosting support for correct delivery.
SSL and Let's Encrypt
Certificate issued in one click, automatic renewal.
Wildcard for domain and subdomains if using DNS verification.
Import paid certificates with key and trust chain.
Backups
Flexible schedules: daily, weekly, monthly, with desired copy retention.
What to save: site files, databases, email, panel configuration.
Where to save: local disk and remote storage via FTP/SFTP.
Point restoration: individual database, site files only, or full account.
Recommended: Keep minimum two copies, one off-server.
Default Security
- Change non-standard admin panel port, IP list access
- 2FA for panel login, strong passwords, weak password ban
- Automatic OS package updates on schedule, manual control of critical patches
- Fail2ban for brute force protection, basic rules for web and email
- ModSecurity with Nginx/Apache, current rules from provider
- Permission separation: separate users for projects, SFTP access only to own root
Performance and Tuning
PHP-FPM: Pools in on-demand mode, memory limits, max child processes for real loads.
OPcache: Enable, set reasonable cache sizes to avoid unnecessary restarts.
Nginx: gzip, http2, sendfile, proper buffers, static caching.
MariaDB: Correct innodb_buffer_pool_size, journal, auto-stat collection, daily checks.
Logs moved to separate directory, rotation enabled to avoid "eating" disk.
NVMe on THE.Hosting VPS greatly accelerates PHP applications and database. For peak loads, scale vCPU and RAM without migrations.
Migrations and Project Import
From shared hosting: Site archive + DB dump, import to panel, configure domain and SSL.
From other panels: Transfer files, DB, email, DNS zones. Some steps automated via scripts, but final check done manually.
DNS switching performed after checking on temporary domain or hosts hint.
Monitoring and Alerts
Built-in statistics for CPU, RAM, disk, IO, and traffic.
Load graphs by sites and users.
Email alerts on quota excess or space shortage.
For advanced monitoring, connect agent for Prometheus or Zabbix.
Best Practices from THE.Hosting
- One project—one system user. This way permissions and files don't mix
- Keep minimum two PHP versions and upgrade plan
- Enable Let's Encrypt auto-renewal and weekly backups to remote storage
- Check email delivery: SPF, DKIM, DMARC, clean IP and correct PTR
- Monthly test restoration to test subdomain
- Restrict panel access by IP, enable 2FA, close unused services
Conclusion
ISPmanager is a fast and neat way to turn clean VPS into ready web platform. Everything needed for production: Nginx/Apache with PHP-FPM, databases, email, DNS, Let's Encrypt, backups, roles and quotas, security and monitoring. Panel is developer-friendly and project manager-clear, doesn't waste time on routine and gives predictable results.
Want to deploy server with ISPmanager for your tasks without losing a day on setup? Tell us stack and expected load. We'll select VPS configuration on THE.Hosting, provide launch and migration checklist.
FAQ
Is it hard to switch to ISPmanager from other panels?
No. Logic is similar: sites, DB, domains, email. Menu items different, but basic operations clear from first hour.
Does panel suit WordPress and typical CMS?
Yes. PHP versions and modules configured flexibly, SSL connects in one click, cache and compression enabled from interface.
Do I need Linux knowledge?
Not for typical tasks. For fine optimization and non-typical cases, basic SSH is useful.
Can I deploy multiple environments of one project?
Yes. Create separate sites with different domains or subdomains, separate DB and users, apply different PHP versions.