DirectAdmin is a powerful web hosting control panel that simplifies the management of web hosting accounts, domains, and various services. Whether you’re a web hosting provider or managing your own websites, understanding how to manage domains in DirectAdmin is essential. This guide will walk you through the key features and steps for effectively managing domains.
1. Accessing DirectAdmin
To start managing your domains, you need to log into your DirectAdmin panel. Open your web browser and enter the URL for your DirectAdmin login, typically something like http://yourdomain.com:2222. Use your admin credentials to log in. Once logged in, you will be greeted by the DirectAdmin dashboard, which offers various management options.
2. Domain Overview
On the dashboard, you will see an overview of your current domains. DirectAdmin allows you to manage multiple domains under a single account. This is particularly useful for web hosting providers or users with multiple websites. To see a list of your domains, navigate to the “Domain Setup” section. Here, you can view all domains associated with your account, including their status and configurations.
3. Adding a New Domain
To add a new domain, go to the “Domain Setup” section and click on “Add Domain.” You will be prompted to enter the new domain name. If you wish to create a subdomain, simply enter it as part of the domain (e.g., subdomain.yourdomain.com).
After entering the domain name, you may have options to configure settings like:
- DNS settings: Decide if you want DirectAdmin to manage DNS records.
- SSL certificate: Choose whether to automatically create a free SSL certificate through Let’s Encrypt.
- IP address: Assign an IP address if necessary.
Once you’ve entered the required information, click “Create” to add the domain.
4. Managing DNS Records
Once your domain is added, managing DNS records is crucial for ensuring that your domain resolves correctly. To access DNS management, go to the “DNS Management” section under your domain settings. Here, you can add, edit, or delete DNS records such as:
- A Records: Point your domain to an IP address.
- CNAME Records: Create an alias for another domain.
- MX Records: Configure mail exchange servers for email delivery.
- TXT Records: Add text-based information for verification purposes, such as SPF or DKIM records.
Always remember to save changes after modifying any DNS records.
5. Managing Domain Settings
In the “Domain Setup” section, you can also manage various domain settings, such as:
- Domain Pointers: This feature allows you to point additional domains to your primary domain. For instance, if you own multiple variations of a domain (e.g., .com, .net), you can point them to the main site.
- Subdomains: You can create subdomains that are part of your main domain. This is useful for creating separate sections of your website (e.g.,
blog.yourdomain.com). - Redirects: If you want to redirect visitors from one URL to another, you can set up domain redirects.
6. Email Management
Managing email accounts is also a crucial aspect of domain management. DirectAdmin allows you to create email accounts associated with your domains. To do this, navigate to the “Email Accounts” section:
- Click on “Add Email Account.”
- Enter the desired email address and set a password.
- Specify storage limits if necessary.
You can also configure email forwarding, autoresponders, and spam filters from this section.
7. SSL Management
For enhanced security, it’s vital to manage SSL certificates for your domains. In DirectAdmin, you can easily set up SSL through the “SSL Certificates” section. You can choose to:
- Use a free Let’s Encrypt certificate.
- Upload a custom SSL certificate if you have one.
Make sure to enable SSL for secure connections to your websites.
8. Monitoring Domain Status
Keep an eye on the status of your domains. Regularly check for any issues, such as expired registrations or SSL certificates. You can use the “Domain Status” feature in DirectAdmin to monitor these aspects and receive alerts as needed.
Conclusion
Managing domains in DirectAdmin is a straightforward process that empowers users to effectively oversee their web hosting accounts. By understanding the features available, from adding new domains to configuring DNS settings and managing email accounts, you can ensure that your websites run smoothly and efficiently. Regularly monitoring and maintaining your domain settings will help avoid common pitfalls and enhance your online presence. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced user, mastering DirectAdmin will significantly streamline your domain management tasks.
Kunal Sharma