FAQ

Short answers to the questions people ask most. Each links to the full page.

Installing

Which operating systems does HF Panel run on?

Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, and Debian 12 and 13, 64-bit (Intel/AMD or ARM). See System requirements.

Can I install it on a server that already hosts websites?

No. Install on a freshly installed server. To bring websites over from another server, use Import accounts.

Does it run in a container?

No. It needs a full virtual machine with systemd (KVM, VMware, Hyper-V, Xen) or a dedicated server.

How long does the installation take?

Usually 10–15 minutes.

Do I need my own domain?

Yes. The server's addresses are names under it: server., panel., reseller.yourdomain.com and the others. See DNS setup.

Can I install without answering questions?

Yes. Pass --licence, --hostname and --email. See Customise the installation.

Licensing

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Type T at the installer's licence question for a 14-day trial, one per server IP and email address. See Licensing.

What happens if my licence runs out?

After a 7-day grace period the control panel locks. Websites, email, databases and DNS keep running. Enter a valid key on Server Admin › Billing › Licence to unlock it.

I moved to a new server. Can I keep my licence?

Yes. Move the licence to the new IP in the licence portal (up to 3 times a month).

Using the panels

Why does server.yourdomain.com open my website?

The panels open only with the port: https://server.yourdomain.com:8443. Without the port, the name sends visitors to your website.

Why does api.yourdomain.com show "403 Forbidden"?

The API is for programs, not browsers. Programs use https://api.yourdomain.com:2087/v1 with an API token.

Can everyone sign in at one address instead of three panels?

Yes: hf-panel portals off. Everyone then signs in at https://panel.yourdomain.com:8443. hf-panel portals on brings the separate panels back.

Can I change the panel port?

Choose it at installation with --port. See Ports.

Can I use my own brand?

Yes. Server Admin › System › White label sets your name, logo and colours in every panel, HF Mail and the emails. Resellers set their own brand under My brand.

How do I add another administrator?

Server Admin › Accounts › Staff logins, or hf-panel create-admin on the server.

Websites and email

Do customers get free SSL?

Yes. AutoSSL adds a free Let's Encrypt certificate within minutes of a domain pointing at the server, and renews it.

Which PHP versions are available?

The system's own PHP is the default. Others (7.4–8.5, where the extra PHP repository publishes them) install under Server Admin › System › PHP & Node.js. Each website can use its own version.

Can my domain's DNS stay at another provider?

Yes. Install with --no-dns if you don't want a DNS server at all, or let each domain keep its DNS elsewhere and add the records the Control Panel's DNS setup page lists.

Why does email from the server go to spam?

Usually the reverse DNS (PTR) isn't set. Set it to mail.yourdomain.com at your server provider and check Mail health. See Troubleshooting.

Running the server

How do I update HF Panel?

Server Admin › Server › HF Panel updates › Update now, or switch on automatic updates. See Updating.

Where are the logs?

/var/log/hostfog-*.log, journalctl -u hostfog-api and each account's /home/<user>/logs/. See Logs.

How do I back up the panel's own data?

It is copied every night. hf-panel panel-backup makes a copy now, hf-panel panel-restore puts one back. Customers' backups are set up under Server Admin › System › Backups.

Can I run more than one server?

Yes. Extra HF Panel servers join the main one with hf-panel node-enable, and accounts move between them with Move accounts. See Migrating.

How do I remove HF Panel?

hf-panel uninstall removes the panel and keeps websites, email and DNS running. See Uninstalling.

Related

• Glossary
• Troubleshooting