Not everyone wants to live in the terminal. That’s where Webmin comes in. It’s a free, web-based control panel that helps you manage your CentOS server using your browser. Think of it like a remote control for your server — no need to memorize every Linux command.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to install Webmin on a CentOS server, step by step. I’ll explain what things mean along the way, and I’ll share some of my own tips. If you’re used to typing yum or dnf a lot, Webmin might just save you a few hundred keystrokes.
What Is Webmin?
Webmin is a system administration tool that runs in your browser. It lets you manage users, set up servers, update packages, and more — all from a web interface.
It’s kind of like having a cockpit for your CentOS machine. Instead of flying blind with just the command line, you get buttons, switches, and dashboards.
Some things you can do with Webmin:
- Manage system updates
- Add new users and groups
- Set up a firewall
- Configure Apache, Nginx, or other services
- Monitor resource usage
What You Need First
Before we install anything, you’ll need a few things ready. Here’s your checklist:
- A CentOS server (version 7 or 8 works fine)
- Root or sudo access
- An internet connection (unless you have magic powers)
- SSH access to your server
I usually use Termius or the terminal on my local machine to connect to my server. You can also use PuTTY if you’re on Windows.
Step 1: Log In to Your Server
Open your terminal and connect to your CentOS server using SSH:
ssh root@your-server-ip
Replace your-server-ip with your actual IP address. Once logged in, you’re ready to give your server a mini-makeover.
Step 2: Update the Server
Before we install anything, it’s smart to update the server. This helps avoid package errors later.
Run:
yum update -y
On CentOS 8, you might need:
dnf update -y
This updates all the packages on your system. It’s kind of like brushing your teeth before a dentist visit — just good manners.
Step 3: Install Required Packages
Webmin needs a few helper tools. Let’s install them:
yum install -y perl wget
This installs Perl (a programming language Webmin needs) and wget (a tool to download files). Simple stuff, but important.
Step 4: Add the Webmin Repository
To install Webmin, we need to add its software source (called a repository).
Create a file:
nano /etc/yum.repos.d/webmin.repo
Then paste this into the file:
[Webmin]
name=Webmin Distribution Neutral
baseurl=https://download.webmin.com/download/yum
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://download.webmin.com/jcameron-key.asc
Save and exit (CTRL + O, Enter, then CTRL + X if you’re using nano).
This tells your system where to find the Webmin packages.
Step 5: Install Webmin
Let’s install the GPG key for security:
rpm --import https://download.webmin.com/jcameron-key.asc
Then install Webmin itself:
yum install webmin -y
This might take a minute or two. After it’s done, Webmin will be installed and running on your server.
Step 6: Open the Webmin Port
Webmin uses port 10000 by default. If your server has a firewall enabled (most do), you’ll need to allow that port.
To do that:
firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-port=10000/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload
Now your server will allow connections on that port. Without it, your browser won’t be able to talk to Webmin.
Step 7: Access Webmin in Your Browser
Now the fun part.
Open your browser and go to:
https://your-server-ip:10000
You’ll probably get a warning like “Your connection is not private.” That’s normal. Webmin uses a self-signed SSL certificate, which isn’t verified by big companies, but it’s still encrypted.
Click Advanced → Proceed and log in using:
- Username: root
- Password: your root password
Boom. You’re now in the Webmin dashboard.
What You Can Do With Webmin
Here are a few things I usually do after logging into Webmin:
1. Check system info
On the main page, you can see:
- CPU usage
- RAM
- Disk space
- Uptime
Feels kind of like checking your phone battery — useful and fast.
2. Add users
Go to System → Users and Groups. You can add, remove, or edit users here — no need for adduser or passwd commands.
3. Install updates
Click System → Software Package Updates to check for updates. It’s a friendly way to keep your system fresh.
Three Handy Lists
Why I Like Webmin:
- Easy to install and use
- Doesn’t use much RAM or CPU
- Works great for small servers and home labs
Things You Can Do With Webmin:
- Manage services like Apache, Nginx, and MySQL
- Set up cron jobs with a few clicks
- Add virtual hosts for websites
Compared to Terminal-Only Use:
| Terminal | Webmin |
|---|---|
| More control | More comfort |
| Harder to learn | Easier to use |
| No UI | Friendly dashboard |
Tips and Opinions
I’ve used Webmin for years on my home servers. It’s perfect for when I forget a command or just want to get things done quickly. It’s also helpful if you’re sharing the server with someone else who isn’t a command-line pro.
Is Webmin perfect? Not really. Some advanced settings still need command-line work, and the interface feels a bit dated. But for most everyday tasks, it works great.
Want something fancier? You might also look into Cockpit or CyberPanel. But Webmin works on more systems and keeps things simple.
A Few More Settings (Optional but Fun)
If you want to go further, try these:
- Go to Webmin → Webmin Configuration to change the port or password.
- Use System Logs to monitor what’s happening in real time.
- Add Let’s Encrypt SSL to make the warning screen go away.
Also, don’t forget to make backups. Even digital servers like to feel safe.
Final Thoughts
Installing Webmin on CentOS is simple, and it makes your life a lot easier. If you’re managing users, software, and servers, Webmin is like your helpful robot assistant — minus the lasers.
Whether you’re running a hobby server at home or a small business site, Webmin gives you power without needing to memorize dozens of commands.
So — are you more of a clicker than a typer? Or just want to save time? Webmin might be your new best shell-mate. (Yes, that was a pun.)
