Build your own PaaS using EasyPanel

Introduction

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that allows developers to focus on building their applications without the complexity of managing the underlying infrastructure. By building your own PaaS, you can gain control of your environment and potentially reduce costs. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through setting up your own PaaS using EasyPanel and Hetzner Cloud Services.

Before we get into the technicalities, let's review the benefits of our PaaS hosting:

• Control: You dictate the software stack and settings, and tailor the environment to your specific needs.
• Privacy: Your data remains in your hands and away from third-party providers.
• Affordability: Pay only for the resources you use with transparent pricing from providers like Hetzner.
• Performance: Optimize the performance of your applications by choosing your server locations and specifications.
• Learning: Gain valuable knowledge about server management and cloud services.

Prerequisites

• A server
• Basic understanding of cloud services and server management
• Introduction to SSH and command line interfaces

 Step 1 – Start your server

1. Create a new project: Click "Add a new project" and give it a name.
2. Add Server: In your project, click "Add Server" to create a new instance.
3. Location selection: For optimal performance, choose the closest data center location to your user base.
4. Select Image: Choose a Linux distribution like Ubuntu as your server operating system.
5. Choose Type: Choose the server type that suits your needs. You can start small and scale up if necessary.
6. Additional features: You may want to add backups to protect data.
7. SSH Key: Add your SSH key for secure access to your server.
8. Your server name: Give your server a recognizable name.
9. Create and Purchase: Confirm your selections and create your server.

Step 2 – Access your server

Once your server is up and running, you will need to access it via SSH. Use the following command from your terminal:

ssh root@<your_server_ip>

Step 3 – Install EasyPanel

EasyPanel is a simple, web-based control panel that makes it easy to deploy and manage web applications. To install it, run the following command on your server:

curl -sSL https://get.easypanel.io | bash

This script installs Docker, EasyPanel, and all necessary dependencies.

Step 4 – Configure EasyPanel

Once installed, you can access EasyPanel from your web browser:

http://<your_server_ip>:3000

You will be prompted to create an administrator user. Follow the instructions to set up your login credentials.

Make sure your firewall allows access to port 3000. You can later set up a domain name/subdomain to access EasyPanel from HTTP port(s) and close port 8080.

Step 5 – Deploying Applications

After logging in, create a new project and open it.

With EasyPanel, you can manage your applications using:

• One-click applications: Use built-in templates to deploy popular applications like WordPress, Drupal, or custom Docker images.
• Custom Apps: If you have a custom Docker Compose or Dockerfile, you can easily deploy it through the EasyPanel interface. Simply select + Service » App at the top right of your project and add the necessary information.

To deploy an application:

1. Go to the 'Applications' tab in EasyPanel.
2. Click on "New App" and select a one-click app or provide your own custom configuration.
3. Configure the application: Set environment variables, persistent storage, and other settings as needed.
4. Deploy: Click the Deploy button and EasyPanel will do the rest, setting up your application in a containerized environment.

Result

By following these steps, you have successfully launched your PaaS using EasyPanel. This setup gives you a flexible, cost-effective, and private platform to power your application development and deployment. Self-hosting your PaaS can be a rewarding journey, providing not only a platform for your applications but also a rich learning experience. As you become more comfortable with these tools, you will find that you can fine-tune your environment to perfection. Remember, while initial setup can be simple, maintaining a cloud service requires diligence. Keep your software up to date, monitor your applications, and always back up your data.