How to Install Cockpit on Linux

Cockpit is a powerful web-based interface for managing Linux servers. It provides a user-friendly dashboard to control various aspects of your server operations without diving into command lines. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to install Cockpit on a Linux system.

Prerequisites

• A server running a Linux distribution (e.g., Fedora, CentOS, or Ubuntu)
• Sudo or root privileges
• A web browser for accessing the Cockpit interface

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Update Your System

Before installing Cockpit, ensure your system is updated. Open the terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Cockpit

Installation varies slightly depending on your Linux distribution:

• Ubuntu: Use the following commands:

sudo apt install cockpit -y

• CentOS or RHEL: Enable the required repositories and install:

sudo yum install cockpit -y

• Fedora: Cockpit comes pre-installed. Just ensure it’s enabled:

sudo systemctl enable --now cockpit.socket

3. Open Firewall Port

Ensure that the firewall permits Cockpit’s default port (9090). Run the following:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-service=cockpit
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

4. Access the Cockpit Interface

Once installed, Cockpit can be accessed via a web browser. Open the browser and go to http://localhost:9090 (Official site). Log in using your server’s credentials.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Verify that Cockpit is enabled and running. Use:

sudo systemctl status cockpit.socket

• Check the firewall configuration to ensure port 9090 is open.
• Ensure network settings allow remote access if accessing from another machine.

Summary Checklist

• Ensure the system is updated.
• Install Cockpit using the appropriate package manager.
• Open the necessary firewall port.
• Access Cockpit through the web interface.

For additional system management tools, see our guide on Monitoring Servers with Netdata.