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How to Install a Web-Based Admin Console on Ubuntu Server

Soumya

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How to Install a Web-Based Admin Console on Ubuntu Server (Cockpit Setup Guide)

Want to manage your Ubuntu Server through a sleek graphical interface and skip the complex command-line work? You’re in luck. With Cockpit, you can turn your terminal-only server into a fully manageable web-based system—perfect for beginners, remote admins, and developers.

Tip: If you’re using a cloud server or remote desktop from HOMERDP, this setup gives you secure, browser-based control over your Ubuntu Server—without the need for SSH or CLI mastery.

Why Use a Web-Based Admin Console on Ubuntu Server?

Ubuntu is one of the most widely used Linux distributions, known for its stability and ease of use. However, Ubuntu Server comes without a graphical interface. That means unless you’re a Linux pro, you’ll be relying solely on command-line tools to manage:

1. - Updates
  - Logs
  - Network settings
  - Containers
  - User accounts

To make your admin experience smoother, you can install Cockpit, a lightweight yet powerful web GUI that’s fully compatible with Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04.

What You Need Before You Start

To follow this guide, make sure you have:

1. - An Ubuntu Server instance (we recommend Ubuntu 24.04 LTS)
  - A user with sudo privileges
  - Open port 9090 on the firewall
  - HOMERDP’s Ubuntu RDP Server (Optional): Get a pre-configured cloud-based Ubuntu RDP with full admin rights and 24/7 support

Step-by-Step: Install Cockpit on Ubuntu Server

1. Update & Upgrade Your Server

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

If the kernel gets upgraded, reboot your server with:

sudo reboot

2. Install Cockpit

Cockpit is available in Ubuntu’s default repository:

sudo apt-get install cockpit -y

Enable and start the Cockpit service:

sudo systemctl enable --now cockpit.socket

3. (Optional) Add Container Management with Podman

Want to manage Docker-like containers through your web UI?

sudo apt-get install podman cockpit-podman -y
sudo systemctl enable --now podman

4. Open Firewall Port 9090

Cockpit runs on port 9090. To allow access:

sudo ufw allow 9090

5. Promote Other Users to Sudo Access

To allow other users to manage the system via Cockpit:

sudo usermod -aG sudo USERNAME

6. Access Cockpit from Your Browser

1. - Go to https://<your-server-ip>:9090
  - Login with your sudo-enabled user
  - Click “Turn on administrative access” and enter your password

Voilà! You now have a powerful, intuitive web admin console running.

Bonus: Add File Sharing Support with Samba Plugin

Want to manage shared folders through the GUI? Install the Cockpit file-sharing plugin:

wget https://github.com/45Drives/cockpit-file-sharing/releases/download/v4.2.10-3/cockpit-file-sharing_4.2.10-3jammy_all.deb
sudo apt-get install samba samba-common-bin python3-ldb samba-libs -y
sudo dpkg -i cockpit-file-sharing_4.2.10-3jammy_all.deb

If you get errors, run:

sudo apt-get install -f

Don’t Have a Server? Try HOMERDP’s Ubuntu RDP Hosting

No need to set up physical hardware or VPS manually. Get an Ubuntu RDP Server from HOMERDP that’s:

1. - Fully secure & root-enabled
  - Accessible via remote desktop or Cockpit from any browser
  - Optimized for speed, uptime, and performance
  - Ready for Cockpit or any other web-based admin console
  - Backed by 24/7 expert support

Whether you’re testing servers, managing Docker containers, or learning system admin basics, HOMERDP gives you the ideal playground to experiment with Cockpit and other Linux tools.

✅ Final Thoughts

Cockpit brings simplicity, power, and flexibility to Ubuntu Server management—especially when paired with HOMERDP’s RDP hosting. From storage monitoring to container deployment, you can do it all through your browser with just a few clicks.

So go ahead, give your server a GUI. Whether you’re a Linux newbie or a seasoned sysadmin, Cockpit + HOMERDP makes server management as easy as browsing a website.

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