[PERSON_NAME] and set up a domain name on an ISPConfig VPS

Procédure

This guide explains how to associate a domain name with your ISPConfig VPS server. The domain may be registered with LWS or with another provider.

You can use the automatic tool offered by [ADDRESS], point only the website to the VPS IP address, or let ISPConfig manage the entire DNS zone.

Which method should you choose?

The choice mainly depends on where you want to manage the domain’s DNS zone and emails.

Using the automatic configuration

This method is recommended if you are looking for the simplest [ADDRESS] solution.

The tool available in the LWS Panel automatically adds the domain in ISPConfig and creates the main associated services, including an email account, an FTP account and a database.

When the domain is managed at LWS, its DNS servers are also automatically adjusted to point it to the VPS.

Pointing only the website to the VPS

Choose this method if you want to:

• host the website on the VPS;
• keep the DNS zone at LWS or with your current provider;
• possibly keep the emails with another provider.

You will only change the DNS records used by the website, usually the entries corresponding to the main domain and www.

Manage the entire DNS zone in ISPConfig

This method allows you to manage from ISPConfig:

• the website;
• emails;
• subdomains;
• DNS records;
• the validations required by external services.

[PERSON_NAME], because changing the DNS servers switches all the domain’s services to the zone created on the VPS.

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

• an active VPS with ISPConfig;
• the credentials required to access ISPConfig;
• the IPv4 address and hostname of your VPS;
• access to the domain’s DNS zone or DNS servers.

The VPS IPv4 address and hostname are available in your LWS customer area, in the Servers section, after clicking Manage for the relevant server.

If the domain is already in use, keep a copy of its current DNS zone before modifying it. [PERSON_NAME] in particular the records related to emails, subdomains and external services.

Automatically configure the domain from the LWS Panel

This method is recommended if you want to quickly create the main domain services in ISPConfig. It notably adds the website and automatically prepares the associated resources, such as an email address, an FTP account and a database.

Requirements for automatic configuration

The domain must not already be configured, even partially, on the VPS.

Before launching the tool, make sure that no site, mail domain, DNS zone or other configuration for this domain is already present in ISPConfig. An existing or incomplete configuration may prevent the tool from completing its operation correctly.

The LWS Panel must also be able to connect automatically to the VPS to perform the various operations.

This connection works when:

• the administrator password has never been changed since the VPS was delivered;
• the password has been changed or reassigned from the [ADDRESS] Panel.

If the password has been changed directly from ISPConfig, the LWS Panel no longer has the information required to connect automatically to the server. Domain configuration will then fail.

[ADDRESS], reset the password from the VPS management area in the LWS Panel. You can choose a new password or reassign the same one. The important thing is to perform the operation from the LWS Panel so it can use automatic connection again.

For the tool to also automatically modify the domain name configuration, it must meet these two conditions:

• [PERSON_NAME] by LWS;
• [PERSON_NAME] to the same customer area as the VPS from which the configuration is launched.

Launch the automatic configuration

1. Log in to your LWS customer area.
2. Go to the management of your [PERSON_NAME]>
3. Click "[ADDRESS]> in the "Server administration" section.
   
4. Indicate where the domain is registered:
   • if the domain is managed at LWS, select it from the list provided;
     
   • if the domain is managed by another provider, enter its name without www, http:// or https://.
     
5. Check the indicated domain, [PERSON_NAME]>

The tool adds the domain in ISPConfig and automatically creates an email mailbox, an FTP account and a database.

If the domain is managed by LWS in the same customer area

The LWS Panel acts on both the VPS and the domain. [PERSON_NAME] DNS servers are automatically [PERSON_NAME] in order to link the domain to the server.

After DNS propagation, you can move on to the section Check that the domain works.

If the domain is external or managed in another LWS customer area

The tool can configure the necessary services on the VPS, but it cannot automatically modify the domain.

You must complete the association from the customer area or panel that manages the domain, choosing one of the following methods:

• modify the website DNS records so they point to the VPS IP address;
• [PERSON_NAME] current DNS servers with those configured in ISPConfig.

The domain is with LWS, but its DNS servers have not been changed

Check that the domain and the VPS are attached to the same LWS customer area.

A domain managed by LWS in another customer area is considered an external domain with respect to the LWS Panel from which the VPS configuration is launched. The panel therefore cannot automatically modify the DNS servers.

Log in to the customer area that contains the domain, then manually point it to the VPS. You can also transfer the domain into the same customer area as the server if this setup suits your needs.

Manually configure the domain on the VPS

[PERSON_NAME] the website in ISPConfig

The domain must be declared in ISPConfig so that the server [PERSON_NAME] the site when it receives a visit.

1. From the LWS Panel, open the Servers section, then click Manage for your VPS.
2. Click Administration Panel to access ISPConfig.
   
3. Log in with your [PERSON_NAME] not
4. Open the Sites (1) tab.
5. In the Websites (2) section, click Add new website.
   

6. In the [ADDRESS] (1) field, enter only the domain name, for example:

   monsite.com

   Do not add www, http:// or https://.
   
   

7. In the Auto-Subdomain (2) field, select www. if you want the site to also be accessible with the address www.mondomaine.fr.
8. If your site uses PHP, which is the case for most CMSs such as WordPress or PrestaShop, select PHP-FPM (3) in the PHP field.
9. In the PHP Version (4) field, choose a version compatible with the site or application you want to install.

10. Enable Let’s Encrypt SSL (5) only if the domain already points to the VPS IP address and DNS propagation is complete.

When you check Let’s Encrypt SSL, ISPConfig automatically checks the SSL option.

11. Make sure the Active option is checked, then click Save (6).

The domain now appears in the list of websites managed by ISPConfig. This operation does not change [PERSON_NAME] DNS.

Point the domain to the VPS IP address

This method keeps [ADDRESS] DNS zone with its current manager. It notably allows you to host the website on the VPS without moving the emails or other domain services.

Use it:

• after [PERSON_NAME] website in ISPConfig;
• after an automatic configuration if the domain is external;
• after an automatic configuration if the LWS domain is in a different customer area than the VPS.

When the domain and the VPS are managed in the same LWS customer area, the automatic tool already performs this pointing.

Settings to apply

The values are the same whether [ADDRESS] DNS zone is managed at LWS or by another provider.

For the main domain, modify or create a record with the following values:

Type	Name	Value
A	@	VPS IPv4 address

For the www address, use one of the following configurations:

Type	Name	Value
CNAME	www	Main domain name

or:

Type	Name	Value
A	www	VPS IPv4 address

Example with the domain mondomaine.fr:

• the A record for @ points to the VPS IPv4 address (e.g. 8.8.8.8);
• the CNAME record for www points to mondomaine.fr.

If the DNS zone is managed at LWS

Log in to the customer area containing the domain, [PERSON_NAME] its DNS zone with the values [PERSON_NAME]-above.

To learn the full procedure, see the help article: How do I point my domain to an external IP address?

If the domain is in a different customer area than the VPS, [ADDRESS] change must be made from the customer area that contains the domain.

[PERSON_NAME] DNS zone is managed by another provider

Apply the same settings from the interface of the provider that supplies the DNS servers used by the domain.

If you do not know how to modify the DNS zone, contact its support and give them the following instructions:

• point the main domain [PERSON_NAME] VPS IPv4 address with an A record;
• point www to the main domain with a CNAME record or to the same IPv4 address with an A record;
• keep the existing mail records.

Check for a possible IPv6 record

If the DNS zone contains an AAAA record, it allows visitors using IPv6 to access the site.

Make sure it matches your VPS IPv6 address. An old IPv6 address may send some visitors to the wrong server.

Do not delete or modify this record [PERSON_NAME] IPv6 configuration to be used.

[ADDRESS] the domain DNS zone in ISPConfig

Use this method if you want [ADDRESS] full DNS zone of the domain to be managed from your VPS.

ISPConfig will serve as the primary DNS. The service will be used as the secondary DNS.

Create the DNS zone in ISPConfig

1. Log in to ISPConfig.
2. Open the DNS (1) tab.
   
3. In the Zones section, click Add new DNS Zone with Wizard (2).
4. Fill in the fields:
   • Domain: [PERSON_NAME] without www;
   • IP address: your VPS IPv4 address;
   • NS 1: your VPS hostname, in the form vpsXXXXX.serveur-vps.net (same as the Server value);
   • NS 2: ;
   • Email: the email address of the zone administrator ([ADDRESS] />
5. Click Create new DNS Zone (2).

The new zone appears in ISPConfig.

[PERSON_NAME] the records created

Open the DNS zone by clicking the record line and check that the entries match the services you will use.

[ADDRESS] zone must notably contain:

• a web record for the main domain (A type);
• a record for www (CNAME type);
• the MX records if emails are hosted on the VPS;
• the SPF record required for mail (TXT type);
• the subdomains used;
• any validation entries requested by external services.

The wizard creates a basic configuration, but it cannot know all the services previously associated with your domain.

Allow transfer to the secondary DNS

The secondary DNS must be able to retrieve a copy of the zone created on the VPS.

1. In ISPConfig, open [ADDRESS] DNS zone of the domain.
2. Go to the Zone settings (1) tab.
   

3. Add the following IP address in the Allow zone transfers to these IPs and Also notify fields (2):

   185.98.131.49

4. Save the changes (3).

This authorization allows the LWS secondary DNS server to retrieve and update the zone.

Declare the domain on the LWS secondary DNS

1. Return to your LWS customer area then go to the management of your VPS.
2. Click Secondary DNS in the Advanced administration section.
   
3. [PERSON_NAME] the domain name (1).
   
4. Click [PERSON_NAME] (2).

The secondary DNS can now retrieve the zone from your VPS.

Change the DNS servers of an LWS domain

If your domain is managed by [ADDRESS], follow this procedure:

1. Go to the DNS management of your domain name.
2. Enable custom DNS configuration.
3. Enter the following servers:
   • DNS Server 1: your VPS hostname (in the form vpsXXXXX.serveur-vps.net);
   • DNS Server 2: .
4. Check the entered values, then validate.

The request may be refused if the zone does not yet exist, if the secondary server has not been correctly declared, or if the indicated servers do not respond for the domain.

Change the DNS servers of an external domain

[PERSON_NAME] [ADDRESS], follow this procedure:

Log in to the provider’s panel where the domain is registered.

Open the section that allows you to modify the DNS servers, the nameservers or the nameservers, then enter:

• your VPS hostname: vpsXXXXX.serveur-vps.net;
• the secondary DNS server: .

Then confirm the change from the provider’s panel.

DNS propagation time

A record change or DNS server change may take up to 24 hours to be visible everywhere. In some cases, ISP or device caches may keep the old configuration for longer.

During this period:

• some visitors may still access the old server;
• others may already use the VPS;
• behavior may vary depending on the internet connection used.

Avoid making repeated changes while propagation is still ongoing.

Check that the domain works

After propagation and enabling the Let’s Encrypt certificate, perform the following checks:

1. Open the main domain in a browser:

   https://mondomain.ext

2. [PERSON_NAME] also the address with www:

   https://www.mondomain.ext

3. Check that the correct site is displayed and not the old site or a page belonging to another domain.
4. If the domain uses email, send a message to an external address, then reply to that message to test sending and receiving.
5. [PERSON_NAME] you have replaced the DNS servers, check that the domain is using:
   • your VPS hostname as the primary DNS;
   • as the secondary DNS [PERSON_NAME]>

Common issues

Automatic domain configuration fails

First check that the domain is not already configured, even partially, in ISPConfig.

Look for a configuration using this domain in the following sections:

• Sites;
• Email;
• DNS;
• FTP accounts;
• databases.

If the domain is present, back up the files, databases, emails and settings you want to keep. Then remove the elements linked to the domain and relaunch the automatic tool from the [ADDRESS] Panel.

An earlier attempt may have created only part of the services. So check all sections of ISPConfig, [PERSON_NAME] the website does not seem configured.

Configuration fails after a password change

The LWS Panel must know the information required [PERSON_NAME]>

If the administrator password was changed directly from ISPConfig, the LWS Panel can no longer make this connection and the automatic tool fails.

From the LWS Panel, use the VPS password change procedure. You can set a new password or reassign the current password.

Once this has been done from the LWS Panel, relaunch the automatic domain configuration.

I cannot completely delete an old configuration

Check that all elements associated with the domain have been deleted in the Sites, Email and DNS sections, as well as in FTP accounts and databases.

If the VPS does not contain any other domain, site, email, file or database to keep, you can reinstall it with the ISPConfig template to start from a blank configuration.

Once the VPS has been reinstalled, check that you can access ISPConfig, then relaunch the automatic configuration from the [ADDRESS] Panel.

My domain still displays the old site

DNS propagation may not be complete.

Check that the A record is using the VPS IPv4 address or that the new DNS servers are active. [PERSON_NAME] also test the domain from another connection, for example using your phone’s mobile network.

[PERSON_NAME] done, [ADDRESS] 24 hours before trying again.

A default page is displayed instead of my site

The domain is probably reaching the VPS, but ISPConfig does not yet associate it with the correct site.

In ISPConfig, open Sites, then Websites and check:

• that the site has been created;
• that the domain is entered without www, http:// or https://;
• that there are not two sites configured with the same domain;
• that the site files have been uploaded to the correct directory.

The site works without www, but not with www

The DNS record for www is probably missing or incorrect.

In the active DNS zone, add one of the following:

• a CNAME record for www pointing to the main domain;
• an A record for www using the VPS IPv4 address.

Also check the value of the Auto-subdomain field in the ISPConfig site configuration if this option is present.

The external domain does not work after automatic configuration

The LWS tool can create the services in ISPConfig, but it cannot modify DNS servers managed by another provider or if the domain is on an LWS customer account different from the VPS.

Log in to the panel of that provider (or the LWS customer account that manages the domain) and do either:

• a pointing of the domain to the VPS IP address;
• a change of DNS servers to those configured with ISPConfig.

My emails no longer work after changing the DNS servers

[ADDRESS] new zone [ADDRESS] does not include all the required mail records.

Check in particular:

• the MX records;
• the mail server hostname;
• the SPF, DKIM and DMARC records;
• the creation of domains and email accounts in ISPConfig.

[PERSON_NAME] mail must remain with its [PERSON_NAME], copy into ISPConfig the records it provides.

The new DNS servers are refused

Check the following points:

• the domain zone has indeed been created in ISPConfig;
• the VPS hostname has been entered correctly;
• is entered as the secondary DNS;
• zone transfer to 185.98.131.49 is allowed;
• the domain has been added in the Secondary DNS section of the LWS Panel;
• the zone contains [ADDRESS] records consistent with the declared servers.

Some registries also apply controls specific to the domain extension.

The Let’s [PERSON_NAME] SSL certificate does not activate

Before requesting the certificate, check that:

• the [ADDRESS] main domain points to the VPS;
• www also points to the VPS if you want to include it in the certificate;
• [PERSON_NAME] AAAA record does not still direct the domain to another server;
• DNS propagation is complete.

Once these points are corrected, restart certificate activation in ISPConfig.