How to Change the Server Hostname or IP Address

This guide covers two common server changes:

• Changing the hostname - the domain used to access OpenAdmin and OpenPanel (and by the mail server), e.g. server.example.com.
• Changing the IP address - for example after your provider assigns a new IP, or you move the disk to another server.

Change the Hostname (Panel Domain)​

1. Create the DNS record​

Point the new hostname to the server's IP with an A record, for example:

server.example.com.   A   203.0.113.10

Wait until it resolves (dig +short server.example.com).

2. Set it in OpenAdmin​

Go to OpenAdmin → Settings → General and set the Domain - see General settings.

Or from the terminal:

opencli domain set server.example.com

OpenPanel then:

• serves OpenAdmin on https://server.example.com:2087 and OpenPanel on https://server.example.com:2083, with a free SSL certificate,
• updates the /openpanel and /openadmin shortcut redirects on user domains,
• configures the mail server to use this hostname and certificate (Enterprise).

To go back to accessing the panels by IP address:

opencli domain ip

To use a separate domain for the user panel only, see Set a separate domain for OpenPanel.

3. Set the system hostname (optional)​

The Linux hostname is separate from the panel domain. To keep them the same:

hostnamectl set-hostname server.example.com

4. Update reverse DNS​

If the server sends email, set the IP's PTR record to the new hostname at your provider - see Set up reverse DNS (PTR).

Change the IP Address​

When the server's public IP changes, everything that points to the old IP must be updated.

1. Check the new IP​

curl -4 https://ip.openpanel.com

This is the IP OpenPanel uses as the server's main IP - see Main IP in OpenPanel.

2. Update the DNS zones hosted on the server​

Replace the old IP in all zone files (A records, and ip4: in SPF records), then reload the DNS service:

OLD_IP=198.51.100.20
NEW_IP=203.0.113.10

cp -a /etc/bind/zones /root/zones-backup-$(date +%F)
sed -i "s/\b${OLD_IP//./\\.}\b/${NEW_IP}/g" /etc/bind/zones/*.zone
podman exec openpanel_dns rndc reload

Check a domain:

dig +short @127.0.0.1 example.com

3. Update nameserver glue records​

If your custom nameservers (ns1.example.com, ns2.example.com) point to this server, update their IP at the domain registrar where they are registered (often called glue records, child nameservers or host records). See Configure nameservers.

4. Update external DNS​

Domains whose DNS is hosted elsewhere (Cloudflare, registrar DNS) need their A and SPF records updated there. Ask your users to do this for their own domains.

5. Refresh the panel address​

If the panels are accessed by IP (no domain set), run:

opencli domain ip

so OpenAdmin and OpenPanel are served on the new IP. If you use a panel domain, just update its A record (step 2 or 4).

6. Dedicated IPs, license and PTR​

• Users with a dedicated IP: reassign with opencli user-ip USERNAME NEW_IP - see Dedicated IP for a user.
• OpenPanel Enterprise license: licenses are tied to the server IP. Move the license to the new IP - see Transfer a license to a new server or IP.
• Reverse DNS: set the PTR record for the new IP.
• Firewall: if you allow-listed the old IP anywhere (external firewalls, remote MySQL, monitoring), update it.

Moving to a New Server Instead?​

To move all accounts to a different server, use the migration tool - it also updates the DNS zones: Migrate all accounts to a new server.

Related​

• Add extra IP addresses
• Access OpenAdmin