This site documents a complete, real‑world system for building and operating an unmanaged VPS using DirectAdmin. The focus is on predictable sequencing, secure configuration, and long‑term reliability before any applications, such as WordPress, are installed.
Everything here is based on hands‑on operation and documentation‑driven checklists. You can follow the system from start to finish or jump to the phase that matches where you are now.
The Complete DirectAdmin VPS Workflow
The numbered stages below show the full, real‑world sequence for installs and configurations to create a fully operating, unmanaged VPS. It includes emphasis on also setting up and using DirectAdmin, a web control panel, to administer that same VPS. This complete, single guide, shows step-by-step, a complete set of orderly tasks to perform this mission. Also, each tasked stage below, sometimes has its own step-by-step checklist to complete with some being longer or shorter than others.
NOTICE of In-Progress Updating: Starting on Feb. 12, 2026, this guiding list is being updated (while still operational) to reflect improved naming, outline headings, & related. The sequential order remains the same but I'm making it much easier for real-time usage. So, continue to use it as you notice gradual improvements!
- Review & get a VPS Host Plan. Follow the below steps, in order.
- Review factors and compare: Read Managed vs Unmanaged VPS.
- Review tech specs for selecting a VPS Provider. Here’s a quick checklist.
- Get a VPS hosting plan for your account domain (1st domain on the VPS).
- Install an operating system onto unmanaged VPS host account, for your Account Domain.
- Follow this checklist to install Linux & Setup the initial VPS.
- Create Terminal Connection to Access your VPS.
- Install & Setup PuTTY App. Or, alternately, use your own method to connect to this VPS via a terminal session using SSH. This checklist’s roadmap status (for PuTTY) is: Planned.
- Install DirectAdmin on the server.
- Follow this complete checklist for the DirectAdmin Installation: Step‑by‑Step Guide.
- Secure administrative access and core credentials.
- Create an DirectAdmin Admin backup. (aka “DA Admin Backup”)
- Run this Checklist to Create a DirectAdmin Admin Backup and assign an automatic backup schedule.
- Install the OpenLiteSpeed web server and align DirectAdmin build settings.
- Run this checklist to Install OpenLiteSpeed on a DirectAdmin VPS
- Perform steps after OpenLiteSpeed is installed.
- Perform this checklist to meet CustomBuild Requirements After OpenLiteSpeed Install
- Operational info: The above checklist will be divided into 2 checklists, as planned next.
- Perform “Initial Options & Updates” checklist to meet CustomBuild Requirements After OLS installation. This checklist’s roadmap status is: Planned as dividing this section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 1 of 2 parts.
- Perform “All Updates” checklist to meet CustomBuild Requirements After OLS installation. Planned as dividing this section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 2 of 2 parts.
- Perform this checklist to meet CustomBuild Requirements After OpenLiteSpeed Install
- Add a Domain to the VPS.
- Option 1 – Add the 1st Domain ONLY (aka Account Domain): Follow this checklist to Add the Account Domain (1st Domain) using DirectAdmin onto this VPS.
- Option 2 – Add an Additional Domain (ONLY if 1st Domain, aka Account Domain, already exists): Follow this checklist to Add an Additional Domain in DirectAdmin onto this VPS.
- Perform PHP checklist after any Domain was added to DirectAdmin.
- Follow this LSPHP checklist to Apply PHP Settings for a Domain in DirectAdmin.
- Run checklist to Add DNS records.
- Add DNS & Nameserver Prerequisites for the Account Domain
- Operational info: The above checklist will be divided into multiple sets of checklists, as planned next.
- Perform “Add DNS Records” checklist to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown above. This checklist’s roadmap status is: Planned as dividing this section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 1 of 7 parts.
- Perform “Account Domain ONLY: Add more DNS Records” checklist to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown above. This checklist’s roadmap status is: Planned as dividing this section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 2 of 7 parts.
- Add DNS & Nameserver Prerequisites for the Account Domain
- Review examples to Register this VPS as New Nameservers at Domain’s Registrar. Example checklists follow.
- Review Example iWebFusion: Registering New NameServers (planned to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown earlier). Planned as dividing this earlier section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 3 of 7 parts.
- Review Example NameCheap: Registering New NameServers (planned to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown earlier). Planned as dividing this earlier section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 4 of 7 parts.
- Review examples to Change Assigned Nameservers at Domain’s Registrar. Example checklists follow.
- Review Example iWebFusion Registrar: Assign Custom NameServers (planned to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown earlier). Planned as dividing this earlier section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 5 of 7 parts.
- Review Example Namecheap Registrar: Assign Custom NameServers (planned to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown earlier). Planned as dividing this earlier section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 6 of 7 parts.
- Review Example Other Registrars: Assign Custom NameServers (planned to replace part of “Add DNS & Nameserver…” shown earlier). Planned as dividing this earlier section’s published, long checklist into this checklist as part 7 of 7 parts.
- Execute QUIC.cloud Changes after Nameserver Changes, if using QUIC.cloud.
- If using QUIC.cloud, follow this checklist to apply a DNS Zone Refresh Procedure. This checklist’s roadmap status is: Planned.
- Issue SSL certificates using DirectAdmin and Let’s Encrypt. Sequenced steps with required wait periods to ensure reliable activation.
- Configure SSL for any Domain on a DirectAdmin VPS
- Pending replacement of above as part 1 of 2. Execute checklist for DirectAdmin SSL Configuration (USER).
- Pending replacement of above as part 2 of 2. Execute checklist for DirectAdmin SSL Configuration (ADMIN).
- Account Domain only: Run SSL Validation Checks.
- Go to this account domain’s (website) Home page & confirm it has a default HTTPS landing page showing.
- Operational Note: This does not require WordPress; it runs as a default domain page from OLS web server.
- Developer Note: Check if an additional domain reveals its landing page by the time reaching this section. If so, remove “account domain only” aspect.
- Go to this account domain’s (website) Home page & confirm it has a default HTTPS landing page showing.
- Account Domain only: Ensure redis and DirectAdmin Extra Features are available. Sequenced steps to verify redis and supporting services will open; fixes included.
- Follow checklist to Confirm Redis & Supporting Services will Open Before Mail Configuration.
- Operational Note: Might divide this into 2 checklists, 1 for redis and 1 for other services.
- Follow checklist to Confirm Redis & Supporting Services will Open Before Mail Configuration.
- Configure Admin Mailbox for Account Domain.
- Activate & Test Mail for the Account Domain
- Operational Note: Might divide this long checklist into individualized checklists for items shown below.
- Creates mailbox identity for admin
- Enables DKIM for domain
- Once per VPS only: Run the checklist to add rDNS to VPS.
- Run Live Email Tests checklists. Evaluate results, Build support request as needed.
- Once per VPS only: Request for Open Ports for Mail on VPS, if needed.
- Authenticate Domain Mail with DMARC
- Activate & Test Mail for the Account Domain
- Enable Security.txt (RFC 9116) on the DirectAdmin VPS.
- Run this checklist to Enable Security.txt (RFC 9116) on the DirectAdmin VPS
- Create a System Backup of the VPS.
- Create a VPS system backup before proceeding to application‑level work.
- Add and fully configure additional domains.
- Now, if you want to add additional domains. start over near the start of this checklist at “Add a Domain“.
- Transition into routine maintenance and operations.
Review Maintenance & Operations - This server is now ready for application‑level workloads. This site stops at infrastructure readiness, just before installing Softaculous or WordPress or other CMS. To continue developing this end-to-end full system, proceed to the next site in this suite: WordPress Softaculous (currently pending development). It continues with checklists for using Softaculous, WordPress Manager, WordPress Sets of Plugins & Themes, and WordPress Install, Setup, & Configure.
How to Use This Complete Setup Guide
- Follow the sequentially listed items above if this is a new server.
- Jump directly to a particular sequentially listed item if your server already exists & if you’re certain it satisfies the prior listed items.
- ALWAYS ensure you have a recovery point from backups or snapshots. Or, in extreme cases, prepare to setup the VPS again from the beginning. So, if starting with a new, empty VPS, START by testing out your own VPS recovery or restore methods. Every combination of host provider services, Operating Systems, and Stacks are different.