How To Install Cockpit on CentOS Stream 10

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Cockpit on CentOS Stream 10. Cockpit has become one of the most powerful web-based administration tools for Linux system administrators. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing and configuring Cockpit on CentOS Stream 10, providing you with a robust and intuitive interface for server management.

Table of Contents

What is Cockpit?

Cockpit is an open-source, browser-based server administration tool developed and maintained by Red Hat. It provides a modern, user-friendly interface that makes Linux server management more accessible to administrators of all skill levels. Cockpit connects directly to your server’s system APIs, allowing you to perform the same tasks you would through the command line but with the convenience of a graphical interface.

Unlike traditional management tools that often abstract away system details, Cockpit maintains transparency by utilizing native system commands and services while presenting them in an intuitive dashboard. This approach makes it particularly valuable for both new administrators learning Linux and experienced professionals seeking efficient management solutions.

Benefits and Features of Cockpit

Key Advantages:

User-friendly web interface with minimal learning curve
Lightweight resource footprint that doesn’t burden your system
Direct integration with native system commands and APIs
Support for multiple administrators working simultaneously
Real-time monitoring and management capabilities

Core Functionality:

Cockpit provides comprehensive tools for managing various aspects of your server, including system monitoring, storage administration, network configuration, container management, and user account administration. Its modular design allows for extending functionality through additional components based on your server’s role and requirements.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before installing Cockpit on CentOS Stream 10, ensure your system meets these requirements:

A server running CentOS Stream 10
Root or sudo administrative privileges
Network connectivity for package downloads and remote access
A modern web browser for accessing the interface
Sufficient system resources (minimum 1GB RAM recommended)

System Preparation

Proper preparation ensures a smooth installation process:

Update your CentOS Stream 10 system to ensure you have the latest packages:
```
dnf update -y
```
Verify your system is running CentOS Stream 10:
```
cat /etc/centos-release
```
Check available disk space and system resources:
```
df -h
free -m
```
Verify network connectivity:
```
ping -c 3 google.com
```

Creating a backup of important configuration files is also recommended before proceeding with any significant system changes.

Installation Process

Installing Cockpit on CentOS Stream 10 is straightforward:

Update your system packages:
```
dnf update -y
```
Install the Cockpit package:
```
dnf install -y cockpit
```
Start and enable the Cockpit service to ensure it runs automatically at system boot:
```
systemctl enable --now cockpit.socket
```
Verify that the installation was successful:
```
systemctl status cockpit.socket
```

You should see output indicating that the service is active and listening on port 9090.

Optional Components

Cockpit’s functionality can be extended with additional modules based on your server’s role:

For container management:
```
dnf install -y cockpit-podman
```
For storage management:
```
dnf install -y cockpit-storaged
```
For network management:
```
dnf install -y cockpit-networkmanager
```

To see all available Cockpit-related packages:

dnf search cockpit

Firewall Configuration

Cockpit requires specific network access to function properly. By default, it uses port 9090 for its web interface. Configure your firewall to allow connections to this port:

Check your current firewall status:
```
firewall-cmd --list-services
```

Add the Cockpit service to your firewall rules:

firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-service=cockpit
firewall-cmd --reload

Verify that the Cockpit service has been added:
```
firewall-cmd --list-services
```

The output should include “cockpit” among the allowed services. If you see a warning message like “Warning: ALREADY_ENABLED: cockpit success,” you can safely ignore it as it simply means the service was already configured in your firewall.

Accessing the Cockpit Web Interface

Once installed and properly configured, you can access the Cockpit web interface:

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to:
```
https://YOUR-SERVER-IP:9090
```
Replace “YOUR-SERVER-IP” with your server’s actual IP address or hostname.
You may encounter a security warning about the self-signed SSL certificate. This is expected and doesn’t indicate a problem with Cockpit but rather that your browser doesn’t recognize the certificate authority. In most browsers, you can proceed by clicking “Advanced” and then “Proceed to [your-server-ip]:9090 (unsafe)”.
At the login screen, enter your system username and password. Cockpit uses PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) for authentication, so any user with a valid account on the system can log in.

Note: If you experience issues with Chrome showing a blank screen, this may be due to the self-signed SSL certificate. Try using Firefox instead or install a valid SSL certificate for a production environment.

Dashboard Overview

After logging in, you’ll be presented with the Cockpit dashboard, which provides a comprehensive overview of your system:

The sidebar menu allows navigation between different management sections
System information displays hostname, system version, and uptime
Resource utilization graphs show CPU, memory, and network usage
Recent logs and events are easily accessible
Quick access links to common tasks streamline administration

The dashboard updates in real-time without requiring page refreshes, giving you immediate insight into your server’s performance.

Managing System Resources

Cockpit provides powerful tools for monitoring and managing system resources:

Resource Monitoring: View detailed graphs of CPU, memory, disk, and network usage with both current and historical data.
Process Management: View running processes, sort by resource usage, and manage process priorities.
Service Control: Start, stop, restart, and configure system services directly from the web interface.
System Logs: Search, filter, and analyze system logs for troubleshooting and auditing purposes.

These tools enable proactive management of your server’s resources, helping to identify and address performance bottlenecks before they affect your services.

Storage Management

The storage section in Cockpit provides comprehensive disk and filesystem management capabilities:

View and manage all connected storage devices
Create, format, and resize partitions
Mount and configure filesystems
Manage RAID arrays and logical volumes
Monitor disk performance and health metrics

These features simplify complex storage operations that would typically require multiple command-line tools.

Network Management

Cockpit’s networking section allows for comprehensive network configuration:

Configure network interfaces with static or dynamic addressing
Manage firewall rules and services
Configure network bonding for redundancy
Monitor network traffic and connections
Troubleshoot connectivity issues with built-in tools

These capabilities make it easier to maintain reliable network connectivity and implement security policies.

User and Account Management

The accounts section in Cockpit provides a straightforward interface for managing system users and groups:

Create, modify, and delete user accounts
Manage group memberships and permissions
Configure password policies and account security
Monitor user activity and authentication attempts

This simplifies user management while maintaining proper security controls.

Advanced Features and Extensions

Cockpit includes several advanced features that enhance its management capabilities:

Terminal Access: A built-in terminal allows running commands directly from the web interface.
Software Updates: Manage system updates and package installations through an intuitive interface.
Container Management: Create and manage Podman containers with the container module.
Virtual Machine Management: Configure and monitor virtual machines when the machines module is installed.

These advanced features make Cockpit a comprehensive management solution for various server roles and requirements.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with proper installation, you might encounter issues with Cockpit. Here are solutions to common problems:

Connection Issues: Verify that the Cockpit service is running (systemctl status cockpit.socket) and that your firewall allows connections to port 9090.
Authentication Problems: Ensure your username and password are correct and that PAM authentication is properly configured.
Browser Compatibility: Try an alternative browser if experiencing display issues. Firefox often works better with self-signed certificates than Chrome.
Blank Screen in Chrome: This usually indicates certificate issues. Use Firefox instead or install a proper SSL certificate.
Service Failures: Check system logs for more detailed error information: journalctl -u cockpit.service.

For more advanced troubleshooting, examine the Cockpit service logs and system audit logs to identify the root cause of any issues.

Security Best Practices

To maintain a secure Cockpit installation:

Replace the self-signed certificate with a trusted SSL certificate for production environments
Restrict firewall access to specific IP addresses or networks
Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts with Cockpit access
Implement the principle of least privilege for administrative access
Regularly update Cockpit and the underlying CentOS Stream 10 system
Enable comprehensive audit logging and monitoring
Consider using a reverse proxy with additional authentication for public-facing deployments

These measures help protect your server management interface from unauthorized access while maintaining usability.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Cockpit. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Cockpit web-based graphical interface for managing Linux servers on CentOS Stream 10 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Cockpit website.

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