Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:
Server Requirements
- • RamNode VPS (2GB RAM recommended)
- • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
- • Root/sudo access
- • SSH access
Account Requirements
- • Ploi account (free trial available)
- • Domain name (optional)
- • Basic Linux knowledge
- • Git repository (for deployments)
RamNode VPS Setup
Choose and deploy your RamNode VPS with the following specifications:
Recommended Specifications:
- • Minimum: 1GB RAM, 1 CPU core, 20GB SSD
- • Recommended: 2GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 40GB SSD
- • Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
💡 Tip: Note down your server IP address and root credentials after deployment.
Initial Server Preparation
Connect to your server and prepare it for Ploi:
ssh root@your-server-ipapt update && apt upgrade -yadduser ploi
usermod -aG sudo ploi✅ Server is now ready for Ploi provisioning.
Connect Server to Ploi
Add your RamNode VPS to your Ploi dashboard:
Step-by-step:
- Log into your Ploi dashboard
- Click "Add Server" or the "+" button
- Select "Custom VPS" as your provider
- Fill in your server details:
- • Name: Descriptive server name
- • IP Address: Your RamNode VPS IP
- • SSH Port: 22 (default)
- • Root Password: Your server password
💡 Note: Ploi will use these credentials to connect and provision your server automatically.
Server Provisioning
Ploi will automatically install and configure necessary software:
Core Components:
- • Nginx web server
- • PHP (multiple versions)
- • MySQL/MariaDB database
- • Supervisor process manager
Security & Tools:
- • UFW firewall
- • Let's Encrypt SSL
- • Git version control
- • Node.js runtime
🚀 Progress: Provisioning typically takes 5-10 minutes. Monitor progress in the Ploi interface.
Create Your First Site
Add a website to your newly provisioned server:
Site Creation Steps:
- In Ploi dashboard, select your server
- Click "Add Site"
- Configure site settings:
- • Domain: Your domain or server IP
- • Web Directory: /public for Laravel, /public_html for others
- • PHP Version: Choose based on requirements
- Complete the site setup wizard
💡 Tip: You can always modify these settings later through the Ploi interface.
Setup Git Deployment
Configure automated deployment from your Git repository:
Repository Configuration:
- Go to your site's settings
- Navigate to "Repository & Deployment"
- Add repository details:
- • Repository URL
- • Branch to deploy from
- • Deploy key (copy to your repo)
cd /home/ploi/example.com
git pull origin main
composer install --no-interaction --prefer-dist --optimize-autoloader --no-dev
php artisan migrate --force
php artisan config:cache
php artisan route:cache
php artisan view:cache✅ Automation: Ploi can trigger deployments automatically on Git push.
SSL Certificate Setup
Secure your site with SSL certificates:
Let's Encrypt SSL (Free):
- Navigate to your site's SSL tab
- Choose "Let's Encrypt" option
- Click "Install" - Ploi handles everything
- Enable "Force HTTPS" to redirect HTTP traffic
🔒 Security: SSL certificates are automatically renewed by Ploi.
Database Management
Create and manage databases for your applications:
Create Database:
- Go to "Databases" section
- Click "Create Database"
- Enter name and credentials
- Set user permissions
Backup Setup:
- Navigate to "Backups"
- Configure frequency
- Choose storage location
- Set up notifications
💡 Management: Ploi includes phpMyAdmin for easy database administration.
Server Monitoring
Monitor your server performance and health:
System Resources
CPU, Memory, Disk Usage
Performance
Load Average, Response Times
Security
SSL Certificates, Updates
Advanced Features:
- • Queue workers management
- • Cron job scheduling
- • Server notifications
- • Log file management
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Security Best Practices
Server Security:
- • Regularly update server packages
- • Use SSH keys instead of passwords
- • Configure proper firewall rules
- • Enable automatic security updates
Application Security:
- • Keep application dependencies updated
- • Use environment variables for secrets
- • Implement proper input validation
- • Regular security audits
🔐 Reminder: Ploi provides built-in security features, but following these practices enhances overall protection.
🎉 Congratulations!
You've successfully deployed Ploi on your RamNode VPS! Your server management platform is now ready for hosting web applications with automated deployments, SSL certificates, and comprehensive monitoring.