docs: aaPanel installation on Flex

docs/blog/.authors.yml

@@ -73,3 +73,8 @@ authors:
     github: codewithgarry
     linkedin: codewithgarry
     website: codewithgarry.com
+  brianabshier:
+    name: Brian Abshier
+    description: Cloud Engineer @ Rackspace Technology
+    avatar: https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/brianabshier
+    github: brianabshier

docs/blog/posts/2025-02-07-installing_aapanel.md

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+---
+date: 2025-02-07
+title: Installing aaPanel on a Flex Instance
+authors:
+  - brianabshier
+description: >
+  Installing and configuring aaPanel on a Rackspace Flex instance
+categories:
+  - aapanel
+  - openstack
+---
+
+# Installing aaPanel on a Flex Instance
+This documentation provides a comprehensive guide to installing the free version of **aaPanel** on an **Ubuntu 24** instance running on **Rackspace Flex Cloud**. aaPanel is a lightweight, user-friendly control panel that simplifies server and website management by offering a graphical interface for handling web services, databases, and security configurations. There is also a paid version of aaPanel which you can purchase through them and install.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+#### Target Audience
+This guide is intended for **system administrators, developers, and cloud engineers** who need a straightforward method to deploy and manage web services on an OpenStack-based Ubuntu 24 instance. A basic understanding of Linux, networking, and OpenStack is recommended but not required.
+
+#### Prerequisites
+Before proceeding, ensure you have:
+
+- **Ubuntu 24** instance deployed on Rackspace Flex Cloud
+- **Floating IP** assigned to the instance
+- **SSH access** to the instance
+- **sudo privileges** on the server
+- **Security Group rules** allowing traffic on necessary ports (15758|888|80|443|20|21)
+
+If you're unsure of how to set this up, see our Getting Started guide here: https://docs.rackspace.com/docs/accessing-rackspace-flex-cloud
+
+By the end of this guide, you will have a fully functional **aaPanel installation** on your OpenStack-based Ubuntu 24 instance, ready for web hosting and server management.
+
+## Step 1: Switch to Root User
+Run the following command to switch to the root user:
+
+``` shell
+sudo su -
+```
+
+## Step 2: Download and Install aaPanel
+Use the following command to download and install aaPanel:
+
+``` shell
+URL=https://www.aapanel.com/script/install_7.0_en.sh && if [ -f /usr/bin/curl ];then curl -ksSO "$URL" ;else wget --no-check-certificate -O install_7.0_en.sh "$URL";fi;bash install_7.0_en.sh aapanel
+```
+You will be prompted to answer some Y/N questions
+
+After installation, aaPanel will display:
+
+``` shell
+==================================================================
+Congratulations! Installed successfully!
+==================================================================
+aaPanel Internet Address: https://12.34.567.240:12345/5ca07b9c
+aaPanel Internal Address: https://19.150.0.223:12345/5ca07b9c
+username: rsad2ji
+password: dcfdas6
+Warning:
+If you cannot access the panel,
+release the following port (19148|888|80|443|20|21) in the security group
+==================================================================
+Time consumed: 1 Minute!
+```
+
+Save these credentials securely as you'll be able to access the panel using these URLs and credentials.
+
+## Step 3: Install Certbot for SSL
+Install Certbot, which will be used to generate an SSL certificate:
+
+``` shell
+sudo apt install -y certbot
+```
+
+## Step 4: Obtain a Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate
+Run the following command, replacing aapanel.mydomain.com with your actual domain:
+
+``` shell
+sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d aapanel.mydomain.com
+```
+You'll be prompted for...
+
+- An email address to contact regarding the cert's expiration
+- Acceptance of Terms
+- Approve/Deny account registration
+
+This command will generate SSL certificates and store them in /etc/letsencrypt/live/aapanel.mydomain.com/.
+
+## Step 5: Apply SSL Certificate to aaPanel
+Copy the newly issued SSL certificate to aaPanel’s SSL directory:
+
+``` shell
+sudo cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/aapanel.mydomain.com/fullchain.pem /www/server/panel/ssl/certificate.pem
+```
+
+Copy the private key as well:
+
+``` shell
+sudo cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/aapanel.mydomain.com/privkey.pem /www/server/panel/ssl/privateKey.pem
+```
+
+## Step 6: Restart aaPanel
+To apply the SSL changes, restart aaPanel:
+
+``` shell
+bt restart
+```
+
+## Step 7: Verify SSL Installation
+Open your browser and navigate to the Internet URL provided in the output of Step 2.
+
+You should now be able to reach the login page successfully over HTTPS with the valid Let's Encrypt SSL certificate.
+
+<figure markdown="span">
+  ![aaPanel Login Page](assets/images/2025-02-07/aapanel_login.png){ width="456" height="455"}
+</figure>
+
+<figure markdown="span">
+  ![aaPanel Home Page](assets/images/2025-02-07/aapanel_home.png){ width="905" height="455"}
+</figure>
+
+## Conclusion
+You have successfully installed aaPanel on an Ubuntu 24 OpenStack instance and secured it with SSL encryption. Your panel is now accessible via HTTPS with a valid certificate.
+
+###  (Optional but Recommended): Automate SSL Renewal
+Let's Encrypt certificates expire every 90 days, so it's best to set up automatic renewal.
+
+Edit the crontab:
+
+``` shell
+sudo crontab -e
+```
+You'll be prompted to choose the Linux text editor of choice to edit the crontab.
+
+After making your selection add the following line to check for renewal daily at 3 AM:
+
+``` shell
+0 3 * * * certbot renew --quiet && cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/aapanel.mydomain.com/fullchain.pem /www/server/panel/ssl/certificate.pem && cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/aapanel.mydomain.com/privkey.pem /www/server/panel/ssl/privateKey.pem && bt restart
+```
+
+Save and exit. Now your certificate will automatically renew for you.
+
+