1. Install cPanel & WHM on Google Compute Engine
This guide explains how to install a cPanel & WHM instance using the Google Marketplace.
Warning:
- A valid cPanel & WHM license is required.
- New installations can activate a free 15‑day trial license.
- You must have at least one IPv4 address; IPv6‑only servers are not supported.
1.1 Access Google Compute Engine
- Create or log in to your Google account.
- Navigate to Google Compute Engine.
- Click Start free.
1.2 Accept Terms and Enter Payment Information
- Accept the Terms of Service.
- Enter or confirm your payment information.
- Click START MY FREE TRIAL.
1.3 Use the cPanel & WHM Marketplace Image
- Search for Marketplace.
- Search for cPanel.
- Select the appropriate listing:
cPanel & WHM on Linux for CentOS
cPanel & WHM on Ubuntu for Ubuntu
cPanel & WHM on AlmaLinux for AlmaLinux
Click LAUNCH and enable required APIs.
1.4 Create the Instance
- Enter a Deployment name (lowercase letters, numbers, dashes).
- Select a Zone.
- Select a Machine type (minimum 2GB RAM).
- Choose Standard Persistent Disk as the Boot disk type.
- Set Boot disk size to more than 40GB.
- Add a network interface if needed.
- Accept the Terms of Service.
- Click DEPLOY.
1.5 Installation Process
cPanel & WHM installs automatically in the background. Installation takes 10–15 minutes.
Note: You cannot log in to WHM until installation completes.
1.6 Connect to the Instance
- Click SSH to open a terminal.
- Run the following command for root access:
sudo su -
1.7 Change the Root Password
passwd
1.8 Assign a Hostname
hostnamectl set-hostname hostname.example.com
1.9 Create the Hostname Fix Hook
mkdir -p /etc/dhcp/dhclient-exit-hooks.d/ && echo -ne '#!/bin/sh\nhostname hostname.example.com\n/scripts/fixetchosts\n' > /etc/dhcp/dhclient-exit-hooks.d/zzz-set-hostname && chmod +x /etc/dhcp/dhclient-exit-hooks.d/zzz-set-hostname
1.10 Configure a Static IP Address
- Go to VPC Network → IP Addresses.
- Select the IP address and click RESERVE.
1.11 Log in to WHM
Navigate to:
https://IPADDRESS:2087
Username: root
Password: the password you set
2. Install Drush
Drush is a command‑line tool for managing Drupal and must be installed per project using Composer.
Requirements:
- SSH access
- At least 4GB RAM (or 2GB RAM + 2GB swap)
2.1 Install Composer
Follow the instructions in the How to Set Up PHP Composer documentation.
2.2 Add Drush to composer.json
composer require drush/drush
2.3 Install Drush
composer install
Conclusion
This guide covers the complete process of installing cPanel & WHM on Google Compute Engine and installing Drush using Composer. Following these steps ensures a smooth deployment and management experience for your server and Drupal projects.