Last Updated on 3 weeks by Sachin G
For Linux server administrators who want to manage web hosting environments easily without paying hefty license fees, Control Web Panel (CWP) is one of the best alternatives to commercial options like cPanel. This tech article provides you with instructions for installing Control Web Panel (CWP), a free web hosting control panel, on AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, and Oracle Linux. It outlines system requirements, server preparation steps, and the installation process using official scripts for different versions of the operating systems.
Like the Cpanel / WHM CWP Panel, it also has admin web access and users panel access separately. and It is free of cost. Control Web Panel also provides a demo for a client who wants to test or demo before installation. You can get demo details from here. DEMO CLICK HERE
Why I Chose CWP with AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
After CentOS 7 & CentOS 8 reached end of life, I began moving several of my web servers to AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. These are stable, enterprise-grade operating systems and serve as excellent drop-in replacements for CentOS.
CWP is free if you’re using the community version. There’s also a paid Pro edition. I evaluated various hosting panels and found that Control Web Panel offers an impressive range of features such as a user-friendly CWP admin dashboard, PHP version switcher, security tools, firewall integration, and DNS management—all essential for Linux server management.
System Requirements and Preparation
- You should have root access or root access privilege of the server, and try to log in as root.
- You should have a freshly installed Operating System or clean installation of AlmaLinux 8 or Rocky Linux 8 from scratch, and below is the list of operating systems; you can pick one of them, and the server should have static IP Addresses. CWP suggests for best performance his servers.
- At least 2 GB of RAM (CWP requires this minimum; ideally 4 GB+)
If you’re wondering how much RAM is required for CWP on Rocky Linux or Alma Linux, I’d recommend 4 GB for production environments running multiple services or websites.
Operating System :
CentOS 7 MINIMAL Stable Version
CentOS 8 & 9 Stream
Rocky Linux 8 & 9
Alma Linux 8 & 9
Oracle Linux 7 & 8
Till 8 Version any of above operating system is currently Recomended but 9 version is in beta phase and also old php version is also removed and only PHP 7.4 to 8.3 are supported . So currently highly recomended to use till 8 Version .
- Set the server hostname in FQDN format. The hostname does not match any domain, which you are planning in configure in the server domain list. For example: if you want to configure domain example.com in your server then you can use a hostname like hostname.example.com as a fully qualified hostname.
To set the Hostname command, please follow the below steps.
# hostnamectl set-hostname cwp.techtransit.org
- Memory Requirement: A 64-bit OS needs a minimum of 2 GB of RAM. Recommended Memory is 4 GB for a fully functional system.
- Minimum disk space needed is 10+ GB. You will surely need more hard disks as you are using them for a web hosting setup, so this will be according to your needs.
- Prerequisite steps for control panel installation :
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Here’s the exact process I followed. First, I installed EPEL on the repository on the Latest Version 8 Linux Operating system through the following command :
# yum install https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-8.noarch.rpm
The following commands are for basic requirements and server update steps.
Install wget if missing and update the system, then reboot.
# yum -y install wget
# yum -y update
# reboot
Below are three steps for panel installation. We will download the Control Web panel authorized script. Execute for installation that will automate the installation of the panel.
Download the installer:
For CentOS Stream, Alma, Rocky, and Oracle Linux Version 8
# cd /usr/local/src # wget http://centos-webpanel.com/cwp-el8-latest # sh cwp-el8-latest
For CentOS Stream, Alma Linux, Rocky Linux 9 Version
# cd /usr/local/src
# wget http://centos-webpanel.com/cwp-el9-latest
# sh cwp-el9-latest
The installation takes around 20–30 minutes. After the installation completes successfully, you will get all the credentials details at the end of the script execution. Now you can access the CWP admin dashboard using your server’s IP address or domain name in a web browser. I always make sure to copy these details before restarting the server.
Admin Panel: https://your-ip:2031
User Panel: https://your-ip:2083Normal URL : http://SERVER_IP:2030
SSL URL : https://SERVER_IP:2031
Username: root
Password: your root password
Post-Installation Tasks
- Add your domain(s)
- Configure the firewall and CSF
- Set up email, web server (Apache/Nginx), and database
This is where the real Linux server management skills come in handy.
And for those wondering how to secure CWP after installation, here are my quick tips:
- Change the default root password
- Enable CSF/LFD firewall
- Set up ModSecurity
- Use fail2ban or brute-force protection
- Set up SSL for the admin panel
Can We Migrate from CentOS to AlmaLinux and Install CWP?
Yes, I’ve successfully done this on some production servers. The process involves first converting CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux using the script and then doing a clean install of CWP. Just ensure you back up everything and test in staging first.
Is CWP a Good Alternative to cPanel?
But when cost is a factor, or when you need more control over your server stack, CWP delivers huge value. If you’re asking Is Control Web Panel a good alternative to cPanel?, my experience says: for most VPS setups and semi-pro environments—yes. It offers most of the core features, good security, and a responsive interface.
FAQs:
Yes, CWP supports Multi-PHP configuration, even in the free version (though Pro unlocks more control). Using the CWP PHP Selector, you can compile and install multiple PHP versions and assign them per domain or user account. You can switch versions through WebServer Settings > Select WebServer > PHP-FPM Selector, and map them properly under user configurations.
To secure your CWP server, start by enabling the built-in CSF + LFD firewall and switching SSH to key-based login only. Activate ModSecurity with OWASP rules for Apache/Nginx, and use fail2ban or brute-force protection from the Security menu. Set up auto SSL (Let’s Encrypt) for both the admin and user panels, and consider changing the default panel ports or limiting access via firewall rules. Finally, keep your system and CWP regularly updated. These steps have consistently helped me maintain PCI-compliant, secure server environments.
CWP provides a cPanel migration script, but zero-downtime migration depends on DNS TTL planning and timing. eg: Pre-stage DNS with low TTL (~300 seconds) 24–48 hours before migration , Use CWP cPanel Importer Tool, etc
CWP is generally more lightweight than cPanel in terms of default installation footprint. While cPanel offers refined UI/UX and tight integration across modules, it consumes more system resources. In contrast, CWP on AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux can be configured modularly—you can selectively enable services like NGINX, Varnish, or ModSecurity depending on your use case. This allows better RAM and CPU optimization on smaller VPS instances.
CWP Pro adds features like an advanced file manager, backup rotation, extended PHP support, mod security GUI, and advanced Apache/Nginx combos. The stability often depends on the underlying OS and your update discipline. With AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux, I’ve faced fewer compatibility issues than with older CentOS releases
I’m Sachin Gupta — a freelance IT support specialist and founder of techtransit.org. I’m certified in Linux, Ansible, OpenShift (Red Hat), cPanel, and ITIL, with over 15 years of hands-on experience. I create beginner-friendly Linux tutorials, help with Ansible automation, and offer IT support on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. Follow Tech Transit for practical tips, hosting guides, and real-world Linux expertise!