Web Applications (WebApps) usage is growing day by day, as many start-up are offering WebApps services. However, managing WebApps is not an easy task. Keeping the underlining system and software up-to-date as well as managing security is a full-time job.
Cloudron is a platform for self-hosting web apps like WordPress to address many of the challenges associated with self-hosting. Cloudron lets you focus on using the apps and not worry about system administration.
Many small businesses use WebApps like WordPress, GitLab, OpenVPN, Redmine, Confluence, Wiki and others in their businesses to power their business processes. Typically, these folks at small businesses are lack of technical and resources to support the installation, configuration and troubleshooting. All the WebApps require setting up of databases, mail, DNS setup, SSL and they need to be updated regularly.
Cloudron is a platform that makes it easy to install, manage and secure web apps on the cloud. All the 70+ applications have been tested and approved to run worry-free. It automates all the tasks from configuring databases and setting up DNS records to installing and managing certificates.
1. Sign up with Alibaba Cloud
First things first, Follow the link here to register an Alibaba Cloud account and you’ll receive $300-1200 worth of free trial. Also, high-performance SSD Cloud Server starting from $2.50 a month.
2. Launch an Elastic Compute Service (ECS)
Create a new ECS on Alibaba Cloud is an easy and straightforward process.
Minimum server requirement is
- Ubuntu 18.04 (x64) server
- 1GB RAM
- 20GB Disk space
Following this guide to launch an Alibaba Cloud ECS in 3 easy steps.
3. Installing Cloudron
Connect to the Alibaba Cloud ECS via ssh
Cloudron provides a quick and easy installation method via a setup script.
wget https://cloudron.io/cloudron-setup
chmod +x cloudron-setup
./cloudron-setup –provider generic
You will then see an output similar to the example below.
##############################################
Cloudron Setup (latest)
##############################################Follow setup logs in a second terminal with:
$ tail -f /var/log/cloudron-setup.logJoin us at https://forum.cloudron.io for any questions.
=> Installing software-properties-common
=> Ensure required apt sources
=> Updating apt and installing script dependencies
=> Checking version
=> Downloading version 4.1.7 …
=> Installing base dependencies and downloading docker images (this takes some time) …
=> Installing version 4.1.7 (this takes some time) …
=> Waiting for cloudron to be ready (this takes some time) ….Visit https:// and accept the self-signed certificate to finish setup.
The server has to be rebooted to apply all the settings. Reboot now ? [Y/n]
When the installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart the server. Select Y and press the enter key to reboot.