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# Instances

  • Instances list
  • SSL Certificate Details
  • Creating new instance
  • Instance details
  • Instance templates

This section offers detailed information about instances within the PanelAlpha platform. Instances refer to websites created by PanelAlpha end-users and hosted by administrators. On the admin side, you can access the list of all your clients' instances and quickly create a new instance, assigning it to a single user.

# Instances list

Instances section includes the following tabs:

  • Active - list of active instances with the following information:
    • ID number - press and you will be redirected to the instance details
    • DNS status:
    • URL - domain with its SSL status
    • User - assigned user
    • Version - WordPress version where the instance has been created
    • WooCommerce version - if applicable
    • Number of visitors to the website
    • Current information on backups
    • Plan based on which the instance has been created
    • If access is shared, a list of users visible on hover
    • Date of creating the instance
    • Allowed actions:
      • Manage the instance from the admin level
      • View the instance in the client area (you will be logged in as that user)
      • Delete the instance
  • Trial - list of trial instances.
  • Failed - list of instances in which installation has failed; you can retry installation or remove the failed instance permanently.
  • Archived - archived instances list. From this tab you can remove archived instances permanently.
  • Instance Templates - list of templates that can be used as a base for creating new WordPress installations.

# SSL Certificate Details

The SSL Certificate Details feature provides administrators with quick access to certificate information and management options for domains. This information is accessible by hovering over the lock icon in the URL column.

The SSL Certificate Details popup displays two primary sections of information:

  • SSL Certificate installed on server: Displays details about the certificate currently installed on the server
  • Detected SSL Certificate: Shows information about the certificate detected for the domain

# Managing SSL Orders

Within the SSL Certificate Details popup, administrators can modify SSL order settings using the Change button.

Clicking the Change button allows administrators to:

  1. Select an SSL Provider from the available options
  2. Choose the Challenge Type for domain validation
  3. Configure whether the certificate should also include a wildcard option

# Challenge Type Selection

The Challenge Type selection is particularly important as it determines the verification method used during the SSL certificate issuance process. Administrators can select the most appropriate challenge type for each domain depending on their specific configuration and requirements.

This feature enables administrators to efficiently manage SSL certificate orders for individual domains directly from the domain management interface.

# Creating new instance

Admin users are allowed to create new instances directly from the admin area.

  1. Find the Create Instance button at the top of the page.
  2. A simple modal form will appear - provide some basic information required to create a new WordPress installation.
    Note that the process is the same as in case the instance is created by the end-users in the client area.
  • User - select a user to which the instance will be assigned.
  • Service - choose a service on which the instance will be created. By choosing a service, you determine the onboarding method, limits, and other features defined in the plan associated with the selected service. Now, additional steps will be adjusted depending on the plan associated with the selected service. For example, below is creation with the Quick Onboarding method:
  • Provide the Site Name
  • Enter the Domain and set a subdirectory if needed.
  • If you choose to create a new clean installation:
    • Choose the WordPress version.
    • Select a theme from the dropdown list.
  • For cloning an existing installation:
    • Select one of the existing instances to clone.
  • When creating from instance template:
    • Choose an instance template based on which the new website will be created. You can choose from templates with an Active status.
  1. Press Create to confirm. When installation is complete, the new instance will be visible in both admin and client areas, assigned to the selected user.

# Instance details

To gain more insights into a particular instance, use the Manage Instance option. This feature allows you to access detailed information about an instance, including its configuration settings and relevant metadata.

Press the relevant action button, instance ID, or URL on the list and you will be redirected to its details page.
The instance details page is divided into four sections:

  1. The first section contains basic data about the instance, such as name and URL, preview, service details, and action buttons to manage the site and log in to WP Admin.

  2. Graph charts:

    • Unique Visitors
    • Bandwidth
      Both graphs are equipped with advanced filtering options that allow to change date ranges and zoom specific time periods for more precise data. You may also download the current chart view in an SVG, PNG or CSV formats.

  3. Logs area with tabs:

    • Activity Logs
    • Server Logs
    • WordPress Error Logs
    • PHP Logs
    • Webserver Logs
      Use the date filter and search box to find specific entries.

  4. Allowed actions on an instance:

    • Manage as Owner - log in to the PanelAlpha client area where you can preview the management page of the instance.
    • WP Admin - You will be redirected to the WP Admin panel to manage the website directly.
    • Save as Template - provide a template name and save it. The template can then be used to create new installations.
    • Restore from Backup - restore the instance from available backup points.

# Instance templates

Under Instances → Instance Templates there is a list of all already existing templates, that is instances that have been saved by the administrator as a template to be used as a base for creating new installations.

An instance can be saved as a template in: Admin Area → Instances → Instance Details → Actions → Save As Template. Once created, it will appear on the list. Here you may preview the template details like name, version, or date of creation, and:

  • Change the status to:
    • Active - only active templates can be used to create new installations either in the admin area or in the client area
    • Inactive - such template will not be allowed to be used either for clients or for admin to create new websites until its status is changed to active
  • Perform actions directly on the template:
    • Create an instance from the template - you will have to assign a user, a service, enter the site name and domain to complete the process, and create an instance.
    • Rename the template
    • Delete the template permanently

Now that a list of templates is ready, you have to define which template will be available for which plan. To do so, proceed to Configuration → Plans and create plans with suitable specifications. The options to define the instance template can be found under the Onboarding method tab and are different per each type.
Please refer now to the dedicated section in the documentation to see the options per onboarding method:

  • Super Quick Onboarding method:
    • Use Template For New Sites - Select a template that will be used by default for creating websites (you can impose using a template or the onboarding solution - Extendify)
  • Quick Onboarding method:
    • Use Template For New Sites - Select a template that will be used by default for creating websites; here you may allow clients to choose a theme
  • Standard Onboarding method:
    • Force Using Instance Template:
      • If enabled, you can select a template that will be used by default for creating websites.
      • If you leave this option disabled, the end client will be allowed to pick any template to create their website among all active instance templates.