How to Install and Use Cockpit on Linux

Managing Linux servers at IOFLOOD becomes more efficient when utilizing web based interfaces. Recently we have found that installing Cockpit, a web-based interface, provides us with a centralized dashboard to monitor server performance, manage services, and handle system configurations with ease. We have crafted this article with tips and setup instructions in the hopes that it can assist our bare metal cloud server customers that wish to optimize their server management with Cockpit.

In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install the cockpit command on your Linux system. We will show you methods for both APT (Debian and Ubuntu) and YUM-based distributions (CentOS and AlmaLinux), delve into compiling cockpit from source, installing a specific version, and finally, how to use the cockpit command and ensure it’s installed correctly.

So, let’s dive in and begin installing cockpit on your Linux system!

TL;DR: How Do I Install Cockpit on Linux?

On most Linux distributions, you can install Cockpit by running the command sudo apt-get install cockpit. After installation, you can access Cockpit via your web browser at https://localhost:9090.

sudo apt-get install cockpit
# Output:
# Reading package lists... Done
# Building dependency tree
# Reading state information... Done
# The following additional packages will be installed:
#  cockpit-bridge cockpit-system cockpit-ws
# Suggested packages:
#  cockpit-doc cockpit-storaged
# The following NEW packages will be installed:
#  cockpit cockpit-bridge cockpit-system cockpit-ws
# 0 upgraded, 4 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
# Need to get 1,815 kB of archives.
# After this operation, 7,220 kB of additional disk space will be used.
# Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

This command will install Cockpit and its necessary dependencies. After the installation is complete, you can access the Cockpit web interface by navigating to https://localhost:9090 in your web browser.

This is just a basic way to install Cockpit on Linux, but there’s much more to learn about installing and using Cockpit. Continue reading for more detailed information and advanced usage scenarios.

Installing for Linux: Cockpit

Cockpit is an interactive server management tool that provides a user-friendly, web-based interface to manage and administer your Linux servers. It’s like having a virtual cockpit for your server, where you can view crucial system metrics, manage system updates, handle user accounts, and more, all in one place. It’s a great tool for beginners as it simplifies a lot of complex server management tasks.

Installing Cockpit with APT (Debian and Ubuntu)

For Debian and Ubuntu-based distributions, you can install Cockpit using the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT). Here’s how:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install cockpit

This will first update your package manager to ensure you have the latest package lists. Then, it will install Cockpit.

Installing Cockpit with YUM (CentOS and AlmaLinux)

For CentOS and AlmaLinux distributions, you can use the Yellowdog Updater, Modified (YUM) to install Cockpit. Here’s the command:

sudo yum update
sudo yum install cockpit

Similar to the APT method, this will first update your package manager before installing Cockpit.

Installing Cockpit with DNF (Fedora)

If you’re using a Fedora distribution, you can use Dandified YUM (DNF) to install Cockpit. Here’s the command:

sudo dnf update
sudo dnf install cockpit

Again, this will update your package manager before proceeding with the installation of Cockpit.

Remember, after installing Cockpit, you can access it via your web browser by navigating to https://localhost:9090. This is just the beginning of what you can do with Cockpit. As we move to the intermediate level, we’ll explore more advanced features and uses of Cockpit.

Installing Cockpit from Source Code

For those who want the absolute latest features and updates, or need a specific version not available in your distribution’s package manager, installing Cockpit from source code is an option.

First, clone the Cockpit repository from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/cockpit-project/cockpit.git

Navigate into the cloned repository and run the autogen.sh script to prepare the build environment:

cd cockpit
./autogen.sh --prefix=/usr --enable-debug

Then, compile and install Cockpit:

make
sudo make install

Now Cockpit should be installed on your system directly from the source code.

Installing Different Versions of Cockpit

Installing Specific Versions from Source

If you need a specific version of Cockpit, you can check out the appropriate tag before building:

git checkout tags/225
./autogen.sh --prefix=/usr --enable-debug
make
sudo make install

This will install Cockpit version 225.

Installing Specific Versions with APT and YUM

You can also install specific versions of Cockpit using package managers. Here’s how you can do it with APT and YUM:

APT

sudo apt-get install cockpit=225-1~ubuntu20.04.1

YUM

sudo yum downgrade cockpit-225-1.el7

This will install Cockpit version 225 using APT and YUM respectively.

Version Differences

Different versions of Cockpit come with different sets of features, improvements, and bug fixes. For example, version 225 introduced a new overview page, while version 224 added support for software RAID management.

Basic Usage and Verification

Using Cockpit

Once Cockpit is installed, you can start using it by navigating to https://localhost:9090 in your web browser. Here, you can view system information, manage services, configure networks, and more.

Verifying the Installation

You can verify that Cockpit is installed and running correctly by checking its status with systemctl:

systemctl status cockpit

If Cockpit is running correctly, you should see active (running) in the output.

Exploring Alternatives to Cockpit

While Cockpit is an excellent tool for managing your Linux server, it’s not the only game in town. Other web-based server management tools like Webmin and cPanel also offer robust features and functionalities that are worth considering.

Webmin: A Powerful Web-Based Interface

Webmin is another web-based interface for system administration. It allows you to manage virtually every aspect of your server through a modern and easy-to-use web interface.

To install Webmin on a Debian-based distribution, you can use the following commands:

sudo apt-get install perl libnet-ssleay-perl openssl libauthen-pam-perl libpam-runtime libio-pty-perl apt-show-versions python
wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.941_all.deb
sudo dpkg --install webmin_1.941_all.deb

This will install the necessary dependencies and then Webmin itself.

cPanel: A Commercial Option

cPanel is a commercial web-based control panel that offers a graphical interface and automation tools to simplify the process of hosting a website.

To install cPanel, you can use the following commands:

wget -N http://httpupdate.cPanel.net/latest
sh latest

This will download and run the cPanel installation script.

Comparing Cockpit, Webmin, and cPanel

Each of these tools has its strengths and weaknesses. Cockpit’s advantage lies in its simplicity and the fact that it’s free to use. Webmin offers a more comprehensive set of features, but its interface can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. cPanel is the most feature-rich of the three, but it comes with a cost.

In the end, the best tool for you depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re just starting out or have simple needs, Cockpit might be the best choice. If you need more advanced features and don’t mind a learning curve, consider Webmin. If you’re running a business and need professional support, cPanel could be worth the investment.

Troubleshooting Issues of Cockpit

While Cockpit is a robust tool, you may encounter a few issues during installation or usage. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Cockpit Not Accessible After Installation

After installing Cockpit, you might find you’re unable to access it via your web browser. This could be due to firewall settings blocking the Cockpit port (9090).

To solve this, you can add a firewall rule to allow traffic on port 9090:

sudo ufw allow 9090

This command will open port 9090 in the UFW firewall, allowing you to access Cockpit.

Cockpit Service Not Starting

If the Cockpit service is not starting, check its status with:

systemctl status cockpit

If the service is inactive, start it with:

sudo systemctl start cockpit

This command will start the Cockpit service.

Cockpit Not Displaying Correct Information

If Cockpit is not displaying the correct system information, it could be due to a temporary glitch. Try restarting the Cockpit service:

sudo systemctl restart cockpit

This command will restart the Cockpit service, which can often resolve this issue.

Best Practices When Using Cockpit

To get the most out of Cockpit, keep these best practices in mind:

• Keep your system updated: Regularly update your system to ensure you have the latest security patches and software updates.
• Use strong passwords: As with any tool that provides administrative access, ensure you use strong, unique passwords for Cockpit.
• Monitor system usage: Regularly check the system usage metrics provided by Cockpit to keep an eye on your server’s performance.
• Manage services judiciously: Be careful when starting, stopping, or restarting services. Unintended changes can lead to system instability.

Server Administration and Cockpit

Server administration involves managing and maintaining a server’s operations. It encompasses tasks like monitoring system performance, managing user accounts, configuring network settings, and installing and updating software packages.

Traditionally, server administration has been command-line based, which can be intimidating and complex, especially for beginners. This is where Cockpit comes in.

Simplifying Server Administration with Cockpit

Cockpit simplifies server administration tasks by providing a user-friendly, web-based interface. Instead of typing commands, you can perform most tasks through the Cockpit GUI, making server administration more accessible.

For instance, let’s consider the task of monitoring system performance. In a command-line based approach, you might use a command like top to display system metrics:

top
# Output:
# top - 18:02:30 up  2:19,  1 user,  load average: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00
# Tasks:  96 total,   1 running,  95 sleeping,   0 stopped,   0 zombie
# %Cpu(s):  0.7 us,  0.3 sy,  0.0 ni, 98.9 id,  0.0 wa,  0.0 hi,  0.1 si,  0.0 st
# MiB Mem :   1987.0 total,   1234.3 free,    413.0 used,    339.7 buff/cache
# MiB Swap:   1024.0 total,   1024.0 free,      0.0 used.   1372.7 avail Mem

While this command provides a lot of information, it’s not very user-friendly, especially for beginners. In contrast, Cockpit provides a clean, graphical display of system metrics that’s easier to understand.

Advantages of Web-Based Interfaces

Web-based interfaces like Cockpit have several advantages over traditional command-line interfaces:

• User-friendly: They present information in a graphical, easy-to-understand format.
• Accessible: They can be accessed from any device with a web browser, making remote server management easier.
• Real-time updates: They provide real-time updates on system metrics, which can be more difficult to achieve with command-line tools.

In conclusion, while command-line server administration is powerful and flexible, web-based interfaces like Cockpit make server administration more accessible and user-friendly, especially for beginners.

Integration Strategies with Cockpit

Cockpit is a valuable standalone tool for managing a single Linux server. However, it can also be integrated into larger server management strategies, making it an even more powerful tool.

Cockpit and Ansible: Automating Server Management

Ansible is an open-source automation tool that can automate cloud provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. When used with Cockpit, Ansible can help automate routine server management tasks, freeing up your time for more important tasks.

You can install Ansible using the following command:

sudo apt install ansible

Once Ansible is installed, you can create Ansible playbooks to automate tasks like installing updates, managing users, and more. These playbooks can then be run directly from the Cockpit interface.

Cockpit and Kubernetes: Managing Containerized Applications

Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and operating application containers. With the Cockpit Kubernetes plugin, you can manage your Kubernetes cluster directly from the Cockpit interface.

To install the Cockpit Kubernetes plugin, you can use the following command:

sudo apt install cockpit-kubernetes

This command will install the Cockpit Kubernetes plugin, allowing you to manage your Kubernetes cluster from the Cockpit interface.

Further Resources for Mastering Cockpit

If you’re interested in learning more about Cockpit and how it can be integrated into your server management strategy, here are some resources you might find useful:

1. Cockpit Project Documentation: The official documentation for Cockpit, covering everything from installation to advanced features.

2. Red Hat System Administration Guide: A detailed guide on using Cockpit for system administration on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

3. Linux Server Management with Cockpit: A tutorial that covers managing a Linux server with Cockpit.

Recap: Cockpit Linux Install Guide

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the ins and outs of Cockpit, a user-friendly tool for managing Linux servers. We’ve delved into how to install and use Cockpit on various Linux distributions, and how to troubleshoot common issues that may arise during its usage.

We began with the basics, learning how to install Cockpit using different package managers like APT and YUM. We then ventured into more advanced territory, exploring how to install Cockpit from source and how to install specific versions of Cockpit. We also learned how to verify the installation and basic usage of Cockpit.

Along the way, we tackled common challenges you might face when using Cockpit, such as not being able to access Cockpit after installation or the Cockpit service not starting. We provided solutions and workarounds for each issue.

We also looked at alternative approaches to server management, comparing Cockpit with other web-based server management tools like Webmin and cPanel. Here’s a quick comparison of these tools:

Whether you’re just starting out with Cockpit or you’re looking to level up your server management skills, we hope this guide has given you a deeper understanding of Cockpit and its capabilities.

With its balance of user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive features, Cockpit is a powerful tool for managing Linux servers. Happy server management!