Administering FreeBSD Using Webmin
by: Diego Montalvo
Since I began using FreeBSD 4.x, I quickly learned of Webmin, a web-based server administration tool, which allows administrators to manage everything from: Mysql, Apache, Sendmail, system processes, networking and much more. One of the coolest features of Webmin is it’s modular structure. Modules can easily be downloaded and installed to fit your specific server needs. In this quick tutorial you will learn how to install and use Webmin.
| Downloading and Installing Webmin |
| # cd /usr/ports/sysutils/webmin |
| # make install clean |
| Wait for installation to complete. |
| Starting Webmin on Server Startup |
| # ee /etc/rc.conf |
Add the following line: webmin_enabled=“YES”
Save and exit |
| Setting up Webmin |
| Configuring Webmin is a very straight-forward and quick process. |
| # /usr/local/lib/webmin/setup.sh |
| Sample Configuration Process |
***********************************************************************
* Welcome to the Webmin setup script, version 1.560 *
***********************************************************************
Webmin is a web-based interface that allows Unix-like operating
systems and common Unix services to be easily administered.
Installing Webmin in /usr/local/lib/webmin ...
***********************************************************************
Webmin uses separate directories for configuration files and log files.
Unless you want to run multiple versions of Webmin at the same time
you can just accept the defaults.
Log file directory [/var/log/webmin]: [Press Enter]
***********************************************************************
Webmin is written entirely in Perl. Please enter the full path to the
Perl 5 interpreter on your system.
Full path to perl (default /usr/bin/perl): [Press Enter]
Testing Perl ...
Perl seems to be installed ok
***********************************************************************
Operating system name: FreeBSD
Operating system version: 8.2
***********************************************************************
Webmin uses its own password protected web server to provide access
to the administration programs. The setup script needs to know :
- What port to run the web server on. There must not be another
web server already using this port.
- The login name required to access the web server.
- The password required to access the web server.
- If the webserver should use SSL (if your system supports it).
- Whether to start webmin at boot time.
Web server port (default 10000): [Press Enter]
Login name (default admin): [Press Enter]
Login password: [type password]
Password again: [type password]
Use SSL (y/n): y
***********************************************************************
Creating web server config files..
..done
Creating access control file..
..done
Creating start and stop scripts..
..done
Copying config files..
..done
Changing ownership and permissions ..
..done
Running postinstall scripts ..
..done
|
| Accessing Webmin via a Web Browser |
| After Webmin has been configured you can now access your FreeBSD server using your favorite browser: http://yourserver.com:10000 or https://yourserver.com:10000 (if you opted for the SSL option). You can now login with the username and password you selected during the webmin configuration process. |
 |
| Figure 1. Login Screen from a Browser |
| Using Webmin |
| Once your user credentials are authenticated you will be able to explore the simplicity of Webmin. Everything in Webmin is straight-forward since functionality is divided into specialized modules. |
 |
| Figure 2. Webmin Modules |
| Using the MySQL Module |
| The MySQL database module can be used to create/ drop databases, add/ delete users, adjust privileges, db back-ups and more. |
 |
| Figure 3. MySQL Module Home |
| System Module |
| The system module allows the server environment to be rebooted/ shutdown, change passwords, view running processes, change passwords, schedule Cron jobs, manage users and much more. |
 |
| Figure 4. System Module (Bootup and Shutdown) |
Even though Webmin will not fully replace SSH or physical access to your server. Webmin will allow you as the admin to manage and perform the most common server tasks easily via a web browser. Happy Webmin-ing!
| Resources |
| Official Webmin Website: http://www.webmin.com/ |
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 at 3:36 pm and is filed under apps, freebsd.
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5:04 pm on September 14th, 2011
[...] has posted a howto showing how you can update FreeBSD with Webmin if you run a VPS or dedicated server: Since I began using FreeBSD 4.x, I quickly learned of Webmin, [...]