DirectAdmin is a popular control panel for web hosting. It's where you add domains, set up email, manage databases and more. In this guide you'll learn the key features.

How do you log in to DirectAdmin?

1. Go to your DirectAdmin URL (e.g. server.provider.com:2222)
2. Enter your username and password
3. Click "Login"

After logging in you'll see the dashboard with all your options.

How does the dashboard work?

• Account Manager: Domains, subdomains, statistics
• E-mail Manager: Email accounts, forwarders, filters
• Advanced Features: Databases, FTP, SSH, cron jobs
• System Info: Disk space, bandwidth

Adding a domain

1. Go to "Domain Setup" or "Addon Domains"
2. Click on "Add Another Domain"
3. Enter your domain name
4. Choose whether you want a separate folder
5. Click "Create"

Don't forget to configure your nameservers or A records!

How do you set up your email?

Creating an email account

1. Go to "E-mail Accounts"
2. Click "Create Mail Account"
3. Enter a name and password
4. Set the quota (or unlimited)
5. Click "Create"

Email forwarding

1. Go to "Forwarders"
2. Click "Create Forwarder"
3. Enter the address and forwarding destination
4. Save

Opening webmail

Via "Webmail" you open Roundcube or another webmail client to read your mail without an email program.

Managing databases

Creating a new database

1. Go to "MySQL Management"
2. Click "Create new Database"
3. Give the database a name
4. Create a user (or choose an existing one)
5. The database is ready to use

Opening phpMyAdmin

Click "phpMyAdmin" next to your database to view and edit its contents.

FTP accounts

1. Go to "FTP Management"
2. You'll see your main FTP account
3. Click "Create FTP Account" for additional accounts
4. Optionally set a restricted folder

File management (File Manager)

1. Go to "File Manager"
2. Navigate to your folders
3. Upload, download, edit or delete files

Handy for quick changes without FTP.

Installing an SSL certificate

1. Go to "SSL Certificates"
2. Choose "Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt"
3. Select your domain
4. Click "Save"
5. The certificate is automatically requested and installed

Making backups

1. Go to "Create/Restore Backups"
2. Select what you want to back up (files, databases, email)
3. Click "Create Backup"
4. Download the backup to your computer

Viewing statistics

• Disk space usage
• Bandwidth this month
• Number of email accounts, databases, etc.

Handy tips

• Changing your password: Via "Password" in the menu
• Two-factor authentication: Enable this for extra security
• Changing the skin: Some hosts offer different themes

Frequently asked questions

I can't log in

Check your username and password. Lost your password? Ask your provider for a reset.

Where do I find my FTP details?

Under "FTP Management" you'll see the details. Or use the same login as DirectAdmin.

How do I upgrade my plan?

You arrange that through your hosting provider, not in DirectAdmin itself.

DirectAdmin at Theory7

Navigating DirectAdmin

Account Manager

Here you manage your account settings, password and email address. You'll also see your resource usage: how much of your storage space and bandwidth you're using.

E-mail Manager

All email functions in one place:

• E-mail Accounts: create and manage mailboxes
• Forwarders: forward email to other addresses
• Autoresponders: set up automatic replies
• Spam Filters: block unwanted mail
• Webmail: read email directly in your browser

FTP Management

Here you create FTP accounts for yourself or for third parties (such as a web designer). You can decide per account which folders they have access to.

DNS Management

Manage your DNS records: A, CNAME, MX, TXT and others. Here you set where your domain points and configure email verification.

MySQL Management

Create and manage databases. From here you can also go to phpMyAdmin to view and edit your database content.

Common tasks

Uploading a website

1. Go to File Manager or use FTP
2. Navigate to the public_html folder
3. Upload your files
4. Your site is now accessible via your domain

Creating a database for WordPress

1. Go to MySQL Management
2. Choose a name for your database
3. Create a user with a strong password
4. Link the user to the database
5. Note down the details for wp-config.php

Activating SSL

1. Go to SSL Certificates
2. Choose Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt
3. Check your domain
4. Click Save

Setting up a cron job

1. Go to Cron Jobs
2. Choose the timing via the dropdowns
3. Enter the command
4. Save

Tips for DirectAdmin

• Make regular backups via the Site Backup feature
• Use strong passwords for FTP and databases
• Keep an eye on your resource usage to avoid surprises
• The search function helps you quickly find the right option

DirectAdmin vs cPanel

DirectAdmin

• Lighter and faster
• Cheaper for hosting providers
• Simpler interface
• Fewer features than cPanel

cPanel

• More features and options
• Better known among users
• More documentation available
• More expensive (passed on in hosting price)

For daily use it makes little difference, since both offer all the essential features for website management.

DirectAdmin tips

• Use the search function if you can't find something
• Make regular backups via Site Backup
• Check your resource usage to avoid surprises
• Enable two-factor authentication if available

DirectAdmin is a user-friendly panel that offers all the tools for effective hosting management. With a bit of exploring you'll quickly find your way around.

DirectAdmin offers all the tools you need for professional website management. From domain management to email, from databases to file management, everything is accessible through a clear interface.

Take the time to explore DirectAdmin. See which options are available and what they do. Most hosting providers offer documentation and guides for their specific DirectAdmin configuration. And if you have questions, you can always contact customer support.

A good understanding of your control panel makes website management a lot easier. You can spot and solve problems faster, and you get more out of your hosting plan.

DirectAdmin makes complex server management accessible. Explore the interface, get to know the options, and you'll manage your website like a professional. If you have questions, your hosting provider offers support.

DirectAdmin gives you full control over your hosting from a clear interface. Take the time to discover all the features and you'll become an efficient website manager.

DirectAdmin is your command center for hosting management. Get to know the interface and you'll manage your websites with confidence and efficiency.

At Theory7 you get access to DirectAdmin for all your hosting management. User-friendly and complete.

Discover DirectAdmin today.

DirectAdmin guide: overview of features

Feature	Location in DA	Use	Difficulty
Adding a domain	Account Manager → Domain Setup	Hosting an extra website	Easy
Creating email	E-mail Manager → E-mail Accounts	Professional email address	Easy
Managing a database	Account Manager → MySQL Management	WordPress, web apps	Medium
FTP account	Account Manager → FTP Management	Uploading files	Easy
Installing SSL	Account Manager → SSL Certificates	Enabling HTTPS	Easy
Cron jobs	Advanced Features → Cron Jobs	Scheduled tasks	Advanced
Managing DNS	Account Manager → DNS Management	Changing DNS records	Advanced
Backup	Account Manager → Create/Restore Backups	Securing your website	Easy

DirectAdmin guide: common tasks step by step

Changing the PHP version

1. Go to “Domain Setup” and select your domain
2. Click on “PHP Version” or “PHP Settings”
3. Select the desired PHP version (recommended: PHP 8.2 or higher)
4. Click “Save” — the change takes effect immediately

Setting up a cron job

1. Go to “Advanced Features” → “Cron Jobs”
2. Enter the command (e.g. php /home/user/domains/example.com/public_html/cron.php)
3. Set the frequency (minute, hour, day, month, weekday)
4. Click “Add” to activate the cron job

DirectAdmin is the standard control panel at Theory7 web hosting. All the features above are available in every hosting plan.

Frequently asked questions about DirectAdmin

What's the difference between DirectAdmin and cPanel?

DirectAdmin is lighter, faster and cheaper than cPanel, which means more server resources are available for your website. The functionality is comparable, but the interface is simpler. For most users, DirectAdmin offers everything needed.

Can I install WordPress via DirectAdmin?

Yes, via the Softaculous app installer available in DirectAdmin you can install WordPress in a few clicks. You can also do it manually by uploading files via the File Manager.

How do I make a backup in DirectAdmin?

Go to “Create/Restore Backups”, select what you want to back up (files, databases, email), and click “Create Backup”. Download the backup file and store it in a safe location outside your server.

DirectAdmin guide: advanced features

Configuring SSH access

If your hosting provider offers SSH access, you can enable it via DirectAdmin under “Advanced Features”. With SSH you get direct access to your server's command line, which is handy for:

• Running WP-CLI commands for WordPress management
• Installing Composer or npm packages
• Uploading or extracting large files
• Viewing log files in real time
• Managing Git repositories

Viewing error logs

When you have problems with your website, error logs are indispensable. In DirectAdmin you'll find these under “Account Manager” → “Error Log”. Common errors are 500 Internal Server Error (often PHP-related), permission errors (chmod settings), and database connection errors. By analyzing the log file you can quickly find and fix the cause.

DirectAdmin guide: help and support

DirectAdmin Guide: Advanced Management

Setting up cron jobs

Cron jobs are scheduled tasks that run automatically at fixed times. In DirectAdmin you'll find the cron job manager under Advanced Features. Common uses are automatically running backups, sending scheduled emails, cleaning up temporary files and running maintenance scripts. Set the frequency using the five time fields: minute, hour, day, month and weekday. Test your cron job manually via SSH first before you schedule it.

Subdomains and redirects

DirectAdmin makes it easy to create and manage subdomains. Navigate to Subdomains in the user panel to add a new subdomain. Each subdomain gets its own document root where you can host a separate website. Set up redirects for domains you want to point to a different address. You can choose between a permanent 301 redirect and a temporary 302 redirect, depending on the purpose.

Control panel comparison

Feature	DirectAdmin	cPanel	Plesk
Ease of use	Good	Good	Excellent
Resource usage	Low	High	Medium
License cost	Low	High	Medium
Number of features	Essential	Very extensive	Extensive
SSH access	Yes	Yes	Yes
WordPress toolkit	No	Yes	Yes

DirectAdmin Guide: Security and Backups

Configuring automatic backups

DirectAdmin offers built-in backup functionality. Go to Create Backups in the user panel to start a manual backup. For automatic backups, set up a cron job that periodically creates a full backup. Store backups in an external location, not only on the same server. Set up a retention policy where you keep the last 7 daily and 4 weekly backups for maximum protection against data loss.

Strengthening access security

Strengthen the security of your DirectAdmin environment by using strong passwords for all accounts, enabling two-factor authentication if your version supports it, and setting up IP restrictions for the admin panel. Restrict SSH access to specific IP addresses and disable password authentication in favor of SSH keys. Monitor the access logs regularly for suspicious activity and unusual login attempts.

Want to know more about website security? Read our article about website security tips for additional measures.

DirectAdmin Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my DirectAdmin password?

If you've forgotten your DirectAdmin password, you can reset it via the password recovery feature on the login page. You'll receive a reset link at the email address linked to your account. If you also don't have access to that email address, contact your hosting provider. They can reset the password manually via their admin panel. Save your new password in a password manager so you don't forget it again.

Can I host multiple websites in DirectAdmin?

Yes, DirectAdmin supports hosting multiple websites on a single account. Go to Domain Management and add an extra domain as an addon domain or as a separate domain account. Each domain gets its own document root, email accounts and database access. The number of domains you can add depends on the limits your hosting provider has set for your plan.

Frequently asked questions

• Where do I find my server details for FTP? In DirectAdmin under FTP Management you'll find the FTP server, username and port. The FTP address is usually ftp.yourdomain.com or the server's IP address.
• How do I create a database? Go to MySQL Management and click Create new Database. Enter a name and set a password for the database user.
• Can I change the PHP version? Yes, most DirectAdmin installations support multiple PHP versions. Go to Domain Settings and select the desired PHP version per domain.
• How do I view my visitor statistics? DirectAdmin offers built-in statistics via AWStats or Webalizer, accessible via the user panel under Site Summary or Statistics.

DirectAdmin Guide: Summary and Key Features

The five most used features

The five features you'll use most in DirectAdmin are file management for uploading and editing website files, the email manager for creating and configuring email accounts, MySQL database management for creating and managing databases, the domain manager for adding and configuring domains and subdomains, and the backup system for creating and restoring backups. Get familiar with these features and you'll be able to manage your hosting environment fully independently.

From beginner to advanced

DirectAdmin grows with you as your experience increases. Start with the basic features for file management and email configuration. Then discover the advanced features such as cron jobs, SSL management and PHP version selection. For advanced users, DirectAdmin offers SSH access, advanced DNS configuration and the ability to run your own scripts and configurations. Consult the official DirectAdmin documentation for detailed instructions for each feature. Over time you'll become increasingly skilled at managing your hosting environment.

DirectAdmin Guide: Tips for Advanced Use

DirectAdmin versus other control panels

DirectAdmin distinguishes itself from other control panels through its lightweight architecture and lower server load. Compared to cPanel, DirectAdmin uses less memory and CPU resources, leaving more room for your websites and applications. The interface is organized more clearly with a clear separation between user, reseller and admin functions. In addition, DirectAdmin offers a more attractive pricing model without per-account license costs, which makes it particularly suitable for resellers and hosting providers.

DirectAdmin offers everything you need to manage your hosting professionally. By applying the tips from this guide, you get the most out of your hosting environment and work more efficiently than ever before.